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Grief and Loss Support Group

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Lesson Plan

Session 1: Introduction and Building Trust

Establish a safe and trusting environment for sharing experiences.

Creating a supportive atmosphere helps students feel comfortable expressing emotions.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Use icebreakers and group norm setting.

Materials

Icebreaker Activity Sheet, Group Norms Poster, and Markers

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Introduction

10 minutes

  • Welcome students to the group.
  • Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the group.
  • Encourage students to share their names and one thing they hope to gain from the group.

Step 2

Icebreaker Activity

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Icebreaker Activity Sheet.
  • Guide students through the activity, encouraging participation.
  • Facilitate discussion on how the activity made them feel.

Step 3

Setting Group Norms

15 minutes

  • Present the Group Norms Poster.
  • Discuss each norm and its importance.
  • Invite students to suggest additional norms.
  • Agree on final group norms and have students sign the poster.

Step 4

Closing Reflection

5 minutes

  • Ask students to share one word describing how they feel after the session.
  • Remind them of the next session's date and time.
  • Thank them for their participation and openness.
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Lesson Plan

Session 2: Understanding Grief

Understand the stages of grief and normalize feelings associated with loss.

Helps students recognize that their emotions are a natural part of the grieving process.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Discussion and creative expression exercise.

Materials

Stages of Grief Handout, and Art Supplies (paper, colored pencils, markers)

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Session 2: Understanding Grief lesson plan.
  • Print copies of the Stages of Grief Handout.
  • Gather art supplies such as paper, colored pencils, and markers for the creative expression exercise.

Step 1

Introduction to Grief

10 minutes

  • Briefly review the purpose of the group and today's focus on understanding grief.
  • Distribute the Stages of Grief Handout.
  • Explain the stages of grief and emphasize that everyone's experience is unique.

Step 2

Group Discussion

15 minutes

  • Facilitate a discussion about the stages of grief.
  • Encourage students to share which stages they relate to and any personal experiences they feel comfortable discussing.
  • Normalize the range of emotions experienced during grief.

Step 3

Creative Expression Exercise

15 minutes

  • Provide students with art supplies.
  • Instruct them to create a piece of art that represents their current feelings or a stage of grief they identify with.
  • Allow students to share their artwork with the group if they feel comfortable.

Step 4

Closing Reflection

5 minutes

  • Ask students to reflect on what they learned about grief today.
  • Encourage them to think about how they can use this understanding to support themselves and others.
  • Remind them of the next session's date and time.
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Lesson Plan

Session 3: Coping Strategies

Introduce and practice healthy coping strategies for managing grief.

Equips students with tools to handle their emotions and reduce stress.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Discussion and guided relaxation exercise.

Materials

Coping Strategies Handout, Relaxation Exercise Script, and Calming Music

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Session 3: Coping Strategies lesson plan.
  • Print copies of the Coping Strategies Handout.
  • Prepare the Relaxation Exercise Script.
  • Set up audio equipment to play calming music during the relaxation exercise.

Step 1

Introduction to Coping Strategies

10 minutes

  • Briefly review the purpose of the group and today's focus on coping strategies.
  • Distribute the Coping Strategies Handout.
  • Discuss the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Step 2

Group Discussion

15 minutes

  • Facilitate a discussion about coping strategies students currently use.
  • Encourage sharing of personal experiences with both healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
  • Highlight the importance of choosing healthy strategies to manage grief.

Step 3

Guided Relaxation Exercise

15 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of relaxation as a coping strategy.
  • Use the Relaxation Exercise Script to guide students through a relaxation exercise.
  • Play calming music in the background to enhance the experience.

Step 4

Closing Reflection

5 minutes

  • Ask students to share how they felt during the relaxation exercise.
  • Encourage them to practice relaxation techniques at home.
  • Remind them of the next session's date and time.
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Lesson Plan

Session 4: Building Support Networks

Identify and build personal support networks for ongoing grief management.

Helps students recognize the importance of seeking support from trusted individuals.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Discussion and support network mapping exercise.

Materials

Support Network Mapping Worksheet, Pens, and Markers

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Session 4: Building Support Networks lesson plan.
  • Print copies of the Support Network Mapping Worksheet.
  • Gather pens and markers for students to use during the mapping exercise.

Step 1

Introduction to Support Networks

10 minutes

  • Briefly review the purpose of the group and today's focus on building support networks.
  • Discuss what a support network is and why it's important for managing grief.

Step 2

Group Discussion

15 minutes

  • Facilitate a discussion on the types of people who can be part of a support network (e.g., family, friends, teachers, counselors).
  • Encourage students to share experiences where they have sought support from others.

Step 3

Support Network Mapping Exercise

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Support Network Mapping Worksheet.
  • Instruct students to map out their personal support networks, identifying key individuals they can turn to for support.
  • Allow students to share their maps with the group if they feel comfortable.

Step 4

Closing Reflection

5 minutes

  • Ask students to reflect on the importance of having a support network.
  • Encourage them to reach out to their support networks when needed.
  • Remind them of the next session's date and time.
lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 5: Expressing Emotions

Explore and practice healthy ways to express emotions related to grief.

Helps students articulate their feelings and find constructive outlets for emotions.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Discussion and journaling exercise.

Materials

Emotional Expression Handout, Journals or Notebooks, and Pens

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Session 5: Expressing Emotions lesson plan.
  • Print copies of the Emotional Expression Handout.
  • Ensure each student has a journal or notebook and a pen for the journaling exercise.

Step 1

Introduction to Emotional Expression

10 minutes

  • Briefly review the purpose of the group and today's focus on expressing emotions.
  • Distribute the Emotional Expression Handout.
  • Discuss different forms of emotional expression (e.g., talking, writing, art, music).

Step 2

Group Discussion

15 minutes

  • Facilitate a discussion on the importance of expressing emotions.
  • Encourage students to share ways they currently express their emotions and any challenges they face.
  • Highlight the benefits of finding healthy outlets for emotions.

Step 3

Journaling Exercise

15 minutes

  • Provide students with journals or notebooks.
  • Instruct them to write about a recent experience related to their grief and how it made them feel.
  • Encourage students to share their journal entries with the group if they feel comfortable.

Step 4

Closing Reflection

5 minutes

  • Ask students to reflect on the journaling exercise and how it felt to express their emotions in writing.
  • Encourage them to continue journaling as a way to process their feelings.
  • Remind them of the next session's date and time.
lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 6: Moving Forward

Help students find hope and set goals for moving forward after loss.

Encourages students to envision a positive future and focus on personal growth.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Discussion and goal-setting exercise.

Materials

Goal-Setting Worksheet, Pens, and Inspirational Quotes Handout

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Session 6: Moving Forward lesson plan.
  • Print copies of the Goal-Setting Worksheet and Inspirational Quotes Handout.
  • Gather pens for students to use during the goal-setting exercise.

Step 1

Introduction to Moving Forward

10 minutes

  • Briefly review the purpose of the group and today's focus on moving forward.
  • Discuss the concept of personal growth and finding hope after loss.

Step 2

Group Discussion

15 minutes

  • Facilitate a discussion on how students have grown or changed since their loss.
  • Encourage students to share any positive changes or new perspectives they have gained.
  • Distribute the Inspirational Quotes Handout and discuss how these quotes can inspire hope.

Step 3

Goal-Setting Exercise

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
  • Instruct students to set one short-term and one long-term goal related to their personal growth or future aspirations.
  • Allow students to share their goals with the group if they feel comfortable.

Step 4

Closing Reflection

5 minutes

  • Ask students to reflect on their journey throughout the sessions and what they have learned.
  • Encourage them to keep working towards their goals and to seek support when needed.
  • Thank them for their participation and courage in sharing their experiences.
lenny
Grief and Loss Support Group • Lenny Learning