Teacher Script: Family Changes - Stronger Together

Session 1: Introduction to Family Changes (30 minutes)

Warm-up (5 minutes)

"Hello everyone, and welcome! Today, we're starting a special group where we'll talk about something important: how families sometimes change. Before we dive in, let's do a quick check-in. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being 'super calm' and 5 being 'super energetic,' how are you feeling right now? No need to explain, just a number!"

Introduction (15 minutes)

"Great, thanks for sharing! Now, let's talk about families. Everyone here has a family, right? Families are really important, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, families stay the same for a long, long time, but sometimes, families change."

(Display Family Changes Slide Deck - Slide 2: What Are Family Changes?)

"Look at this slide. It says, 'What Are Family Changes?' Can anyone tell me what they think a 'family change' might mean? It could be big or small."




(Allow students to share ideas. Validate all responses. Guide them towards concepts like moving, new siblings, parents getting married or divorced, etc. If divorce isn't mentioned, you can gently introduce it as one example.)

"That's right, those are all great examples. Family changes are a natural part of life, and they can happen for many different reasons. It's really important to know that when families change, it's okay to have lots of different feelings about it. And the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Many families experience changes, and we are here to support each other through our discussions."

Closing (10 minutes)

"For our first session, I just want us to think about this idea: families can change. I want you all to know that this is a safe space to share your thoughts and feelings. We'll be talking more about this in our next sessions. For now, can each of you share one thing you hope to learn or talk about in this group?"







(Listen and acknowledge their hopes. Reassure them you will address these topics.)

"Thank you for sharing. I'm really looking forward to our next session where we'll explore our feelings about these changes even more. You all did a wonderful job today!"

Session 2: Understanding Our Feelings (30 minutes)

Review (5 minutes)

"Welcome back everyone! Last time, we started talking about how families can change. Can anyone remind us of one idea we discussed about family changes?"




(Briefly review responses and connect to the previous session.)

"Great. Today, we're going to focus more on the feelings that can come with these changes. It's totally normal to have a mix of feelings, and sometimes it can be hard to even name them."

Reading & Discussion (20 minutes)

"I have a special reading for us today called Understanding Family Changes Reading. It talks about how a character feels when their family experiences changes. I'll read it aloud, and I want you to listen for any feelings that sound familiar or new to you."

(Distribute and read the Understanding Family Changes Reading aloud.)

"Thank you for listening so carefully. Now, let's use our Discussion Prompts: My Feelings & My Family to talk about what we just read and how it connects to our own experiences. What feelings did the character in the story have?"




"Have any of you felt similar feelings when your family has changed or when you thought about changes?"







"It takes a lot of bravery to share your feelings, and I appreciate you all for being so open. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to feel."

Closing (5 minutes)

"Before we finish, I want everyone to think of one word that describes how they are feeling right now after our discussion. Just one word."




(Go around the circle, allowing each student to share a word. Affirm their responses.)

"Thank you for sharing. Next time, we'll talk about different ways we can express these feelings in a healthy way. You're doing a wonderful job of supporting each other."

Session 3: Expressing Emotions Safely (30 minutes)

Check-in (5 minutes)

"Hello! Let's start with a quick check-in today. Can each of you share one feeling you've had since our last session? It doesn't have to be about family changes, just any feeling you've noticed."




(Acknowledge and validate their feelings.)

"Thanks for sharing! Last time, we talked about all the different feelings we can have when our families change. Today, we're going to think about how we can show those feelings in ways that are safe and helpful for us and others."

Activity: Feeling Faces (15 minutes)

"We're going to do an activity called Feeling Faces Activity. I'm going to give you some paper and drawing materials, and I want you to draw different 'feeling faces' – maybe one that shows sadness, one that shows anger, one that shows happiness, or any other feeling you can think of. Don't worry about making it perfect, just try to capture the emotion. If you prefer, you can write words instead of drawing faces."

(Distribute materials. Circulate and offer support as students draw/write. Refer to the Feeling Faces Activity for full instructions.)

Share & Discuss (10 minutes)

"Wonderful drawings and ideas! Now, let's share. Who would like to show one of their feeling faces or share a word they wrote and tell us about a safe way to express that feeling?"

(Display Family Changes Slide Deck - Slide 3: My Feelings as a visual aid to reinforce the idea that all feelings are okay to have.)

"That's a great example. Sometimes, when we feel really strong emotions, it can be hard to know what to do. But remember, there are always healthy ways to show how you feel. Talking to a trusted adult, like a parent, teacher, or counselor, is one of the best ways to express your feelings safely. We'll talk more about who those trusted adults are next time. For now, great work expressing yourselves!"

Session 4: Coping Strategies (30 minutes)

Warm-up (5 minutes)

"Welcome back, everyone! Last time, we talked about different feelings and how to express them safely. Can anyone recall one healthy way to express feelings that we discussed?"




(Affirm responses.)

"Excellent! Today, we're going to learn about something called 'coping strategies.' These are like tools in your personal toolbox that help you feel better when you're going through tough times or having difficult feelings."

Brainstorm Coping Strategies (20 minutes)

(Display Family Changes Slide Deck - Slide 4: Coping Strategies.)

"Look at this slide. It gives us some ideas. Now, let's brainstorm together. What are some things you do, or could do, when you feel sad, angry, confused, or worried? Think about things that help you calm down or feel a little bit happier."







(Write student ideas on a whiteboard or chart paper. Encourage a wide range of ideas: talking to someone, drawing, playing outside, reading a book, listening to music, deep breaths, helping someone else, etc.)

"Wow, these are fantastic ideas! We have so many tools for our toolbox. Remember, what works for one person might be different for another, and that's okay. The important thing is to find what helps you."

Closing (5 minutes)

"For our cool-down today, I want each of you to pick one coping strategy from our list that you think you might try this week if you have a difficult feeling. Just share one you'd like to try."




(Listen and encourage. Remind them these are practice tools.)

"Great choices! Practicing these will help you feel even stronger. See you next time!"

Session 5: Building Support Networks (30 minutes)

Review (5 minutes)

"Hello, team! Last time, we filled our coping strategy toolbox. Can you share one coping strategy that you remember or perhaps even tried?"




(Acknowledge responses.)

"That's wonderful! Today, we're going to talk about another super important tool: the people in our lives who can help us. It's about building a 'support network.'"

Discussion: Who Can Help? (20 minutes)

(Display Family Changes Slide Deck - Slide 5: Who Can Help?)

"When we have big feelings or are going through family changes, it's really important to talk to trusted adults. Who are some adults in your life that you feel safe talking to?"







(Use the Discussion Prompts: My Feelings & My Family here to guide the conversation. Encourage students to name specific people like parents, grandparents, teachers, school counselors, aunts, uncles, coaches.)

"That's a fantastic list of people! It takes courage to ask for help, and it's a sign of strength, not weakness. These people care about you and want to support you. Knowing who your 'helpers' are is a very powerful coping strategy in itself."

Closing (5 minutes)

"To wrap up today, I want everyone to quietly think of one adult they could talk to if they needed help or felt confused about something. You don't have to share, just think about it. It's good to have that person in mind."




(Allow a moment of quiet reflection.)

"Great. Knowing who your helpers are makes you stronger. We'll bring all these ideas together in our last session. See you then!"

Session 6: Moving Forward (30 minutes)

Recap (5 minutes)

"Welcome to our final session, everyone! We've covered a lot of important ground in our time together. Can someone share one important thing they've learned in this group about family changes, feelings, or coping?"




(Review key themes: feelings are okay, healthy ways to express, coping strategies, trusted adults.)

"You've all done an incredible job. Today, we're going to create something that will remind you of all the strength and tools you have within you."

Activity: My Personal Tool Kit (15 minutes)

"I'm going to give you a piece of paper or cardstock. I want you to create a 'Personal Tool Kit' for yourself. On it, you can draw or write 2-3 things you can do to cope or find support when you're facing family changes or big feelings. Think of this as your personal reminder of all the strategies we've discussed."

(Distribute materials. Circulate and offer support as students create their tool kits.)

Closing & Affirmation (10 minutes)

(Display Family Changes Slide Deck - Slide 6: You Are Not Alone.)

"These are fantastic tool kits! Who would like to share one thing from their personal tool kit?"




(Allow several students to share. Affirm their choices and their progress.)

"Remember what our slide says: 'You Are Not Alone.' You are strong, you are resilient, and you have people who care about you. It's okay to have feelings, and it's okay to ask for help. Keep using these tools and reaching out to your trusted adults. I am so proud of each of you for your bravery and openness in this group. Thank you for being here."

A Tree with Changing Branches

Maya loved her family tree. It wasn't a real tree, but a drawing her mom had made with all their names on the branches. Her mom, her dad, and Maya were on the strongest, biggest branch. It felt so sturdy and unchanging.

But lately, things had felt different. Her parents were talking more quietly, and sometimes their voices sounded sad. One evening, her mom and dad sat her down. They told her that they were going to live in two different houses now. They called it a divorce.

Maya felt a knot in her stomach. It was a confusing feeling, like when you try to untangle a really messy ball of yarn. She loved both her parents so much, and the idea of them not being in the same house felt strange and a little scary. Would her family tree still be a tree? Would her branch break?

She felt sad, like a gray cloud had floated right over her head. She also felt a little bit angry. Why did things have to change? She wondered if it was her fault, even though her parents had hugged her tight and said, "This is not your fault, Maya. We both love you very much."

Sometimes, Maya just wanted to hide under her covers and not come out. Other times, she wanted to yell really loud. She saw her dad packing some boxes, and it made her tummy do flip-flops. Her mom looked tired.

One day, she told her best friend, Leo, what was happening. Leo listened carefully. He said, "My cousin, Sam, has parents who live in two different houses. He said it was hard at first, but now it's just how it is for his family."

Later, Maya talked to her aunt. Her aunt said, "Maya, it's completely normal to feel all these big feelings. Sadness, anger, confusion, worry – they all belong. Your family tree might look a little different, but your branch is still strong, and you are still loved by both your parents. It just means your tree is growing new, unique branches, and that can be a new kind of beautiful."

Maya thought about that. Maybe her family wasn't breaking. Maybe it was just changing, like a tree that sheds its leaves in fall and grows new ones in spring. It still needed water and sunshine to grow, and she still needed hugs and talks with the people she loved. Her feelings were okay, and she wasn't alone. It was a big change, but she felt a tiny bit lighter knowing that her family tree was still strong, just changing its shape.

Discussion Prompts: My Feelings & My Family

These prompts are designed to facilitate open and empathetic discussion within the small group. Remember to create a safe space where all feelings are validated.

After Reading "A Tree with Changing Branches" (Session 2)

1. What were some of the feelings Maya had when her parents told her about the divorce?
   
   
   
2. Has anyone ever felt sad, confused, or angry like Maya when something big changed in their family or life?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Maya wondered if the changes were her fault. What did her parents and aunt tell her about that? Why is it important to remember that family changes are not a child's fault?
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. At the end of the story, Maya's aunt said her family tree was

Feeling Faces Activity

Objective: To help students identify and safely express a range of emotions related to family changes.

Materials: Paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils.

Instructions:

1. Introduction (2 minutes): Remind students that it's normal to have many different feelings when families change, and that all feelings are okay. Explain that today, they will have a chance to show some of those feelings through drawing.

2. Drawing Time (10-12 minutes): Provide each student with a piece of paper and drawing materials. Instruct them to draw different