Grief Warm-Up: How Do You Feel Today?

Draw an emoji or write one word that describes how you are feeling right now.

Teacher Script: Grief: Feelings & Healing

Warm-Up: How Do You Feel Today? (3 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Before we dive into our topic today, let's take a quick moment to check in with ourselves. On your Grief Warm-Up paper, please draw an emoji or write one word that describes how you are feeling right now. There's no right or wrong answer; it's just a way for us to see where everyone is at. Take about one minute for this."

(After a minute, ask for a few volunteers to share, or simply acknowledge the variety of feelings.)

"Thank you for sharing. It's important to remember that all our feelings are valid, and it's okay to feel different things on different days. Today, we're going to talk about something that can bring up many different feelings, and that's grief."

Introduction to Grief (5 minutes)

"Take a look at Slide 1: Grief: Feelings & Healing. Our lesson today is called 'Grief: Feelings & Healing.' What comes to mind when you hear the word 'grief'? Does anyone have an idea of what it means?"

(Allow students to share. Write down their ideas on chart paper or a whiteboard.)

"Those are all really thoughtful ideas. Grief is something almost everyone experiences at some point in their lives, but it can be hard to talk about. It's the deep sadness we feel when someone or something we care about is no longer with us. It's a natural reaction to loss."

"To help us understand a little more, we're going to watch a short video. Please turn your attention to Slide 2: What Is Grief?."

(Play the "What is Grief?" video by Child Mind Institute)

"What did you learn from that video? Did anything surprise you? Are there any questions? The video mentioned that grief is a normal reaction to losing someone or something important. It also showed us that people can feel many different emotions when they are grieving."

Reading: The Invisible String (7 minutes)

"Sometimes, even when someone isn't physically with us anymore, we still feel connected to them. We're going to read a book today called 'The Invisible String' by Patrice Karst. This story helps us think about how love connects us all, no matter where we are or who we miss. Let's look at Slide 3: The Invisible String as I read."

(Read "The Invisible String" aloud to the class.)

"What did you think of the story? What is the 'invisible string' in the book? How does the idea of an invisible string help us when we miss someone? Do you think this string ever really breaks?"

(Facilitate a short discussion, emphasizing that love and connection can endure even after a loss.)

Activity: Grief Brainstorm (8 minutes)

"Now that we've thought about what grief is and how we can stay connected, let's talk more about the feelings involved. Grief isn't just one feeling; it's a whole mix of emotions. Take a look at Slide 4: Grief Brainstorm."

"I'm going to give you a Grief Emotions Chart Worksheet. On this worksheet, you'll see a space to list emotions. On the board, I'm going to write the phrase, 'When someone dies, I might feel...' I want everyone to think about what emotions a person might experience when they lose someone important. Don't censor yourselves; just think of all the feelings that might come up."

(Begin writing student suggestions on chart paper. Encourage a wide range of emotions—sadness, anger, confusion, guilt, relief, loneliness, even happiness when remembering good times. Guide students to fill in their own worksheets.)

"Wow, look at all these feelings! This shows us that grief is complex. It's very important to know that all these feelings are valid. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and there's no emotion you 'shouldn't' feel. It's all a part of being human and experiencing loss."

"If we have extra time, we can even play a quick game of Grief Feelings Charades Game to act out some of these feelings!"

Discussion & Journal Reflection (5 minutes)

"Let's move to Slide 5: Your Feelings Are Valid. As we just discussed, your feelings are valid. It's completely normal to feel many different things, sometimes all at once, when you're grieving. It's important to allow yourself to feel them and not judge them. Has anyone ever felt like they 'shouldn't' feel a certain way about a loss?"

(Allow a brief moment for sharing if students are comfortable, reiterating the message of validity.)

"To give you some private time to think about your own feelings, I'm handing out the When I Think About My Loss Journal. The prompt is: 'When I think about my loss, I feel...' You can write as much or as little as you like. This is for your eyes only, unless you choose to share it later. Take a few minutes to reflect and write."

(Provide quiet time for students to write.)

Cool-Down: One Word Reflection (2 minutes)

"Thank you for your thoughtful reflections. As we wrap up our lesson today, let's turn our attention to Slide 6: Reflection. I'm going to hand out a Grief Cool Down sheet."

"On this sheet, please write one word or draw one emoji that represents something you learned or how you feel after today's lesson. This is your exit ticket for today."

(Collect the cool-down sheets as students leave or transition to the next activity.)

"Thank you all for being so brave and open today. Remember, it's okay to feel, and it's okay to talk about your feelings when you're ready. There are always people who care and want to support you."

Grief Emotions Chart

When someone or something important to me is no longer here, I might feel a lot of different emotions. It's okay to feel all of them.

List as many emotions as you can think of that someone might feel when they are grieving.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Remember: All your feelings are valid! There is no right or wrong way to grieve.

When I Think About My Loss, I Feel...

Everyone experiences grief differently, and all feelings are okay. Use this space to write about what you feel when you think about someone or something you have lost.

Remember: This is for your eyes only, unless you choose to share it.

Grief Discussion Guide

Use these prompts to facilitate meaningful conversations with students about grief and loss.

Introduction to Grief (After video)

• What did you learn from the video about what grief is?
  
• Did anything in the video surprise you?
  
• What are some different ways people might experience grief?

The Invisible String (After reading)

• What is the "invisible string" in the story?
  
• How does the idea of an invisible string help the characters feel connected to those they miss?
  
• Do you think this "string" ever truly breaks? Why or why not?
  
• How can remembering connections help us when we are feeling sad or missing someone?

Your Feelings Are Valid (After brainstorm activity)

• We brainstormed many feelings people might have when they are grieving. Are there any feelings you listed that you sometimes feel you "shouldn't" have?
  
• Why is it important to know that all feelings are valid during grief?
  
• Who are some people you can talk to when you are feeling these emotions?
  
• What are some healthy ways we can express our feelings when we are grieving?

Grief Brainstorm Activity Guide

Objective: To help students identify and validate a wide range of emotions associated with grief.

Materials:

• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Markers
• Grief Emotions Chart Worksheet for each student

Instructions:

1. Introduce the Activity: Explain to students that grief can bring up many different feelings, and you want to explore what those might be together.
2. Set the Prompt: On the chart paper/whiteboard, write: "When someone dies, I might feel..."
3. Brainstorming: Ask students to share emotions they think someone might feel when experiencing loss. Encourage them to think broadly and not judge any emotion. As they share, write their suggestions on the chart paper.
   • Teacher Tip: Guide them with prompts like: "What if they feel angry?" or "What about when they remember happy times?" This helps cover a wider spectrum of emotions, including those that might seem contradictory.
4. Student Work: Instruct students to fill in their own Grief Emotions Chart Worksheet with the emotions brainstormed, adding any others they think of.
5. Validate All Feelings: After the brainstorming, lead a brief discussion emphasizing that all feelings are valid. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to grieve, and every emotion is a normal part of the process. You can refer to the discussion prompts in the Grief Discussion Guide.

Grief Feelings Charades Game

Objective: To provide a low-stakes, interactive way for students to explore and recognize different emotions associated with grief.

Materials:

• Small slips of paper with various emotions written on them (e.g., Sad, Angry, Confused, Lonely, Scared, Missing, Hopeful, Grateful, Worried, Peaceful, Frustrated, Loved, Remembered, Happy-Memory, Numb, Surprised, Relieved)
• A hat or bowl to draw from

Instructions:

1. Introduction (Optional, if time permits): "We talked about how many different feelings can come with grief. Sometimes, it helps to physically express or recognize these feelings. We're going to play a quick game of Grief Feelings Charades!"
2. Explain the Rules:
   • One student will quietly pick a slip of paper with an emotion written on it.
   • They will then act out that emotion without speaking.
   • The rest of the class will guess what emotion they are acting out.
   • Emphasize that this is about understanding and expressing feelings, not about being a perfect actor.
3. Demonstration (Optional): The teacher can act out one emotion first to demonstrate.
4. Play the Game: Students take turns drawing emotions and acting them out. Keep it light and encouraging.
5. Discussion Points (After the game):
   • "Was it easy or hard to act out different feelings?"
   • "Did you notice how different people express the same feeling in different ways?"
   • "Why do you think it's helpful to be able to recognize and show our feelings?"

Important Considerations:

• Ensure a supportive and respectful environment. Remind students that all expressions are valid.
• If students are uncomfortable, do not force participation.
• Keep the game short and focused on emotion recognition rather than competition.
• Have a diverse list of emotions, including positive ones that can arise during grief (e.g., gratitude for memories, love).

Understanding Grief for Kids

What is Grief?

Grief is a big feeling that comes when someone or something we love is no longer with us. It's not just feeling sad; it's a whole mix of emotions that can feel overwhelming and confusing. Grief is a very normal and natural way our hearts and minds react to loss. Everyone grieves in their own way, and there's no right or wrong way to feel.

Who Can We Grieve For?

You can grieve for many different types of losses, such as:

• A family member (like a grandparent, parent, sibling, aunt, or uncle)
• A friend
  
• A pet
  
• A teacher or another adult at school
  
• Even losing something important to you, like moving to a new home or leaving old friends behind.

What Does Grief Feel Like?

Grief can feel like a rollercoaster! One day you might feel very sad and cry a lot. The next day, you might feel angry or confused. Some days you might even feel normal or happy, and that's okay too! Your feelings can change quickly, and that's a part of the process.

Common Emotions During Grief:

• Sadness: Feeling heartbroken, tearful, or down.
  
• Anger: Feeling mad about what happened or at others.
  
• Confusion: Not understanding why something happened or what to do next.
  
• Loneliness: Feeling alone, even when people are around.
  
• Fear/Worry: Being scared about the future or what might happen next.
  
• Guilt: Feeling like you could have done something differently (even if it wasn't your fault).
  
• Relief: Sometimes, if someone was very sick, you might feel a sense of peace that their suffering is over. This is also normal.
  
• Happiness: Remembering good times and feeling joy from those memories. This doesn't mean you're not grieving.

Your Feelings Are Valid!

It's very important to remember that all your feelings when you are grieving are valid. There is no one way to grieve, and there is no feeling you "shouldn't" have. Your feelings are a natural part of how you process your loss.

What Helps When Grieving?

• Talk to someone: A trusted adult, a friend, or a counselor.
  
• Express your feelings: Through talking, drawing, writing in a journal, or playing.
  
• Remember: Talk about the person or pet you lost, look at pictures, or do something they loved.
  
• Take care of yourself: Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and exercise.
  
• Be patient with yourself: Healing takes time, and it's okay to have good days and bad days.

Grief is a journey, and it's okay to ask for help along the way.

Grief Cool Down: Reflection

Think about our lesson today on grief. What is one thing you learned, or one feeling you felt during our discussion and activities?

Draw an emoji or write one word below: