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Family Support Circle

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Lesson Plan

Family Support Circle

Support for family breakups

This lesson aims to provide emotional support and coping strategies for students experiencing family breakups. Through restorative practices and collaborative activities, students will learn to express their feelings, understand their emotions, and support each other. This lesson is important as it helps students build resilience and empathy, fostering a supportive classroom environment.

Audience

7-8th Grade Students

Time

55 min

Approach

Restorative Practices, Game-Based Learning, Active Learning, Collaborative Learning

Materials

Discussion Questions, Coping Strategies Worksheet, Role-Playing Scenarios, and Exit Ticket

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

  • Welcome students and explain the purpose of the lesson: to support each other during family changes.
  • Briefly discuss the importance of understanding and expressing emotions.

Step 2

Discussion Circle

15 mins

  • Arrange students in a circle.
  • Use the Discussion Questions to guide a conversation about feelings and experiences related to family changes.
  • Encourage students to share voluntarily and listen respectfully.

Step 3

Coping Strategies Activity

15 mins

  • Distribute the Coping Strategies Worksheet.
  • In pairs, have students discuss and fill out the worksheet, identifying strategies they can use to cope with family changes.
  • Circulate to provide support and guidance.

Step 4

Role-Playing Scenarios

15 mins

  • Divide students into small groups.
  • Provide each group with a Role-Playing Scenario related to family changes.
  • Have groups act out their scenarios and discuss how they felt and what they learned.

Step 5

Closure and Exit Ticket

5 mins

  • Gather students back in a circle.
  • Reflect on the activities and what they learned about supporting themselves and others.
  • Distribute the Exit Ticket for students to complete, reflecting on their personal takeaways from the lesson.
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Discussion

Discussion Questions

A set of questions to facilitate a discussion about family changes and emotional support.

How do you feel when there are changes in your family?

Encourage students to share their feelings and validate their emotions.







What are some ways you cope with difficult emotions?

Guide students to think about healthy coping mechanisms.







How can we support each other during tough times?

Discuss the importance of empathy and peer support.







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Worksheet

Coping Strategies Worksheet

A worksheet to help students identify and discuss coping strategies for family changes.

List three emotions you feel when thinking about family changes.

Consider both positive and negative emotions.







Identify two people you can talk to about your feelings.

Think about trusted adults or friends.







Write down three activities that help you feel better when you're upset.

Consider hobbies, sports, or relaxation techniques.







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Worksheet

Role-Playing Scenarios

Scenarios for students to act out, focusing on family changes and emotional responses.




A student learns their parents are getting divorced and talks to a friend.







A student moves to a new home and feels anxious about the change.







A student has a new step-sibling and feels unsure about their place in the family.




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Quiz

Exit Ticket

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