Teacher Script: Navigating Family Changes

Welcome to Our Sharing Circle! (Slide 1)

"Hello everyone, and welcome! I'm so glad you're here today. We're going to spend some time together talking about something that's a part of everyone's life: families and how they sometimes change. This is a very special group, and our goal is to create a safe space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.

Today, we're going to talk about our feelings about family changes. It's really important to remember that all feelings are welcome here. There's no right or wrong way to feel, and whatever you're feeling is okay.

To make sure this is a safe and respectful place for everyone, we have a few group rules:

• We will listen carefully when someone else is talking.
• We will be kind and respectful to each other.
• You never have to share something you don't want to.
• And what we share here, stays here. This means we won't talk about what others share outside of our group. This helps everyone feel safe to speak openly.

Does that sound good to everyone? Any questions about our rules?"

Warm-Up: How Am I Feeling Today? (Prior to Slide 2)

"Before we dive deeper, let's do a quick warm-up. I'm going to give each of you a small strip of paper. On it, I want you to write or draw one word or a small picture that describes how you are feeling right now, in this moment. You don't have to explain why, just one word or picture. Once you're done, you can fold it up and place it in this 'Feeling Box' in the center of our circle. This helps us acknowledge our feelings right away. Remember, all feelings are okay!"

(Allow students to complete the warm-up. Briefly acknowledge the 'Feeling Box' as a place for their current emotions.)

Families Can Change (Slide 2)

"Great job with our warm-up! Now, let's think about families. Our families are super important to us, and they come in so many different shapes and sizes, don't they? Sometimes, things in our families change. And change can feel big! These changes can be all sorts of things.

For example, maybe a new baby joins the family, or an aunt or uncle moves in. Maybe your family is moving to a brand new home, or your parents might be living in different houses. Sometimes, family members might get sick, or sadly, loved ones might pass away. All of these are examples of big family changes.

It's important to know that change is a natural part of life, and it happens to everyone. And it's absolutely okay to have lots of different feelings about these changes."

It's Okay to Feel (Slide 3)

"Speaking of feelings, when families change, it can bring up a whole rainbow of emotions. You might feel happy, excited, or even a little bit confused. Maybe you feel sad, or even a little angry sometimes. It's also normal to feel worried or unsure about what's going to happen next.

Look at this slide. It reminds us that all these feelings – happy, sad, confused, excited, angry, worried – are completely normal and valid. There's no 'wrong' feeling to have when things change. It's actually a sign that you care about your family and what's happening.

Can anyone think of another feeling someone might have when their family experiences a big change? You don't have to say if you've felt it, just what feeling might come up."

(Listen to student responses and affirm them.)

"Exactly! Sometimes we might feel a mix of feelings all at once, and that's okay too."

My Feeling Shield Activity (Slide 4)

"Today, we're going to create something special called a Feeling Shield. Think of a shield that knights used to carry – it protected them. Your Feeling Shield will be a way for you to show and think about the feelings you have related to family changes, and in a way, protect them.

I'm going to give each of you a piece of paper. You can draw a shield shape on it, or use the one I've provided. Then, I want you to think about all the feelings we've talked about, and any others you might have. Use drawings, symbols, or words to represent these feelings on your shield.

For example, if you feel happy about a new sibling, you might draw a smiley face or a heart. If you feel confused about a move, maybe a question mark. There is no right or wrong way to make your shield. It's personal to you, and it's a way for you to express what's inside.

(Distribute art supplies and paper. Circulate and offer individual support, gentle prompts, and encouragement. For students with IEPs/504s, offer differentiated support like pre-drawn shields, sentence starters, or pairing with an adult. For students in foster care, emphasize that 'family' can mean anyone who cares for them, and their feelings are valid regardless of current living situation.)

"Take your time. This is your shield, your feelings. Don't worry about it being 'perfect.' It's about what it means to you."

Sharing Our Stories (Slide 5)

"Wow, these shields are really amazing! Each one is unique, just like each of you. Now, we're going to have a chance to share a little bit about what you put on your shields, if you feel comfortable. Remember our group rules: listen carefully, be kind, and you don't have to share if you don't want to.

I'll start. On my shield, I might have a sun for happy memories, and maybe a cloud for times I felt a little worried about new things. It reminds me that even when things change, there are good parts and sometimes challenging parts.

Who would like to share something from their shield, or just tell us a feeling they put on it?"

(Facilitate the discussion using the Group Discussion Guide: Sharing Our Stories. Encourage students to share. Prompt with questions like: "What does this drawing mean to you?" or "How did you feel when you drew that part?" Validate all responses and help students see commonalities in feelings. If a student is reluctant to share, gently move on.)

"It's really brave to share your feelings, and it helps us all understand that we're not alone in how we feel about changes."

My Family Journey Project (Slide 6)

"As our time together today is winding down, I want to tell you about an optional project you can do at home, if you like. It's called My Family Journey.

This project is a way for you to keep thinking about your family and your feelings, even after our group today. You can draw pictures, write stories, find photos, or create a little booklet about your family's journey and how you fit into it. It's a way to tell your story.

I'll be giving you a guide for this project that has some ideas, but remember, it's your journey to create. There's no right or wrong way to do it. It's just another way to explore and express your feelings about your family."

(Distribute the My Family Journey Project Guide. Briefly explain any key components.)

One Word Reflection (Slide 7)

"We've shared a lot today, and I'm so proud of each of you for being here and being open. To finish up, let's do one last reflection. I'd like each of you to share just one word that describes how you feel right now after our session, or one word about something new you learned today.

(Go around the circle, allowing each student to share one word.)

"Thank you, everyone, for sharing your voices and your feelings today. Remember, your feelings are important, and it's always good to talk about them. If you ever need to talk more about family changes or your feelings, please know that I am here to listen, and there are always adults who care and want to help. You are not alone."

(Collect any materials that need to be collected.)

Warm-Up: How Am I Feeling Today?

Objective: To quickly engage students and allow them to acknowledge their current emotional state in a safe, non-judgmental way.

Instructions:

1. Each student will receive a small strip of paper.
2. On the paper, students should write or draw one word that describes how they are feeling right now.
   • Examples: Happy, sad, tired, excited, calm, silly, curious, worried.
3. Students should fold their paper and place it into a designated "Feeling Box" in the center of the group.
4. Emphasize that there is no right or wrong way to feel, and all feelings are welcome.

(Space for students to draw/write their feeling word before folding.)

Activity: My Feeling Shield

Objective: To provide a creative outlet for students to identify and express a range of feelings associated with family changes.

Materials:

• Paper (plain or pre-drawn shield outlines)
• Crayons, colored pencils, markers
• Optional: Stickers, glitter, other decorative items

Instructions:

1. Introduction (5 minutes, led by teacher using Teacher Script: Navigating Family Changes and Family Changes: My Voice, My Feelings Slide Deck): The teacher will introduce the concept of a "Feeling Shield" as a way to represent and acknowledge emotions related to family changes. Explain that just as a knight's shield protects them, this shield can help them understand and acknowledge their own feelings.
2. Creation Time (10 minutes):
   • Distribute paper and art supplies to each student.
   • Instruct students to draw a shield shape or use a pre-drawn outline.
   • Encourage them to think about different feelings they have (or imagine others might have) regarding family changes (e.g., happiness, sadness, confusion, anger, excitement, worry). They can use:
     • Colors: Different colors to represent different emotions (e.g., blue for sad, yellow for happy, red for angry).
     • Symbols: Simple drawings like hearts, lightning bolts, question marks, smiley faces, tears.
     • Words: A single word or short phrase for each feeling.
   • Emphasize that there is no right or wrong way to make their shield and that it is for them to express themselves. The focus is on personal expression, not artistic perfection.
3. Individual Support: Circulate among the students, offering gentle prompts and support. For students with IEPs or 504s, provide sentence starters or offer to scribe if needed. For students in foster care, remind them that "family" can include caregivers, foster families, or anyone important in their lives, and their feelings about changes in these relationships are valid.

(Space for students to draw their Feeling Shield)

Group Discussion Guide: Sharing Our Stories

Objective: To provide a safe and structured opportunity for students to share their feelings and shields, fostering empathy and a sense of shared experience.

Time Allotment: 10 minutes

Instructions for Facilitator (Teacher):

1. Reiterate Group Rules (1 minute): Begin by reminding students of the group rules for respectful sharing and listening, especially the voluntary nature of sharing and confidentiality. Refer back to Family Changes: My Voice, My Feelings Slide Deck if helpful.

2. Teacher Models (1 minute): Briefly share a simple, appropriate example of something on your own (imaginary) feeling shield or a general feeling about change to model openness and vulnerability.

3. Open Sharing (7 minutes): Invite students to share aspects of their "Feeling Shields" or any feelings they explored during the activity. Use open-ended questions to encourage participation:

   • "Would anyone like to share something they drew or wrote on their shield? What does it represent?"

   • "Did anyone put a feeling on their shield that they want to talk about?"

   • "What was it like to create your shield?"

   • "Did you notice any similar feelings on your shields?"

   • "What helps you when you feel [a specific emotion mentioned]?"

   • Guidance for Diverse Learners:

     • IEP/504 Students: Provide sentence starters (e.g., "On my shield, I have a... because I sometimes feel...") or allow them to point to a drawing without speaking if preferred. Offer positive reinforcement for any participation.
     • Foster Care Students: Be extra mindful and affirm their experiences, acknowledging that their concept of "family" may be broader or different. Focus on validating their feelings without pressing for specific details about their living situation.

4. Affirmation & Connection (1 minute): After a few students have shared, acknowledge the bravery and honesty in their sharing. Highlight any common themes or feelings, helping students realize they are not alone.

   • "Thank you for being so brave and sharing your feelings with us. It sounds like many of us have felt [e.g., confused, a little sad, or sometimes happy] about changes. That shows us we're not alone."

Important Considerations:

• Voluntary Participation: Absolutely ensure that no student feels pressured to share. Respect silence if a student chooses not to speak.
• Active Listening: Encourage all students to practice active listening by looking at the speaker and offering quiet support.
• Time Management: Be prepared to gently move the discussion along to ensure all parts of the lesson are covered.

Project Guide: My Family Journey

Objective: To encourage ongoing reflection and personal expression about family changes outside of the group setting.

Introduction:
Sometimes, when things change in our families, we have a lot of thoughts and feelings. This project is a special way for you to continue exploring your own unique family journey and how you feel about it. It's a project just for you, to help you tell your story in your own way.

What You Can Create:
You can make a:

• Storybook: A small book with drawings and words about your family's journey.
• Timeline: A line showing important events or changes in your family.
• Collage: A collection of pictures (drawn or found) that represent your family and feelings.
• Poem or Song: Use words to describe your family and how you feel.
• Any other creative way you want to tell your family's story!

Ideas for Your Project:
Think about these questions as you create your "Family Journey":

• Who is in your family? (Remember, family can be anyone who loves and cares for you!)
• What are some happy memories you have with your family?
• What are some changes that have happened in your family? (Like moving, a new person joining, or people living in different homes)
• How did you feel about these changes? (Use your "Feeling Shield" for ideas!)
• What are some things that help you feel safe and loved, even when things change?
• What do you hope for your family in the future?

Materials You Might Use:

• Paper, notebook, or blank booklet
• Crayons, markers, colored pencils
• Magazines (for cutting out pictures, if allowed)
• Glue stick, scissors
• Photos (if you have permission to use them)

Important Things to Remember:

• This is YOUR story. There is no right or wrong way to do this project.
• It's optional. You can decide if and how much you want to work on it.
• Share if you want to. You can choose to share your project with a trusted adult at home, or even with our group next time, if you feel comfortable.

(Teacher: Explain that students can take this guide home and work on it at their own pace. Reassure them that sharing is completely voluntary.)

Cool-Down: One Word Reflection

Objective: To allow students to quickly summarize their current emotional state or a key takeaway from the session.

Instructions:

1. Ask each student to share just one word that describes:
   • How they are feeling after the group session, OR
   • One new thing they learned or thought about during the session.
2. Go around the circle, allowing each student to share their word.
3. Thank students for their participation and bravery in sharing their feelings.

(Space for student response during the cool-down)