Lesson Plan
Building a Grief Toolkit
Students will explore and identify various healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with grief and loss, and begin to build a personalized 'grief toolkit' to support their emotional well-being.
Learning to cope with loss is a vital life skill that helps students navigate difficult emotions, build resilience, and maintain mental health. This lesson provides practical strategies they can use now and in the future.
Audience
8th Grade Group
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided activity, and personal reflection.
Materials
Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Pathways to Healing Slide Deck, My Coping Strategy Cards Worksheet, and Mindful Movement Practice Activity
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Pathways to Healing Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the My Coping Strategy Cards Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare a space for the Mindful Movement Practice Activity, ensuring enough room for students to move comfortably.
- Gather markers and chart paper/whiteboard for brainstorming.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up: Understanding Grief
10 minutes
- Begin with a brief check-in, acknowledging that discussing grief can be challenging.
- Use the first few slides of the Pathways to Healing Slide Deck to introduce the concept of grief as a natural response to loss (not just death).
- Facilitate a short discussion: "What are some different types of loss people experience?" (e.g., loss of a pet, friendship ending, moving homes, a dream, etc.). Ensure a safe and empathetic environment.
Step 2
Exploring Coping Mechanisms
15 minutes
- Transition to discussing healthy coping mechanisms using the middle slides of the Pathways to Healing Slide Deck.
- Brainstorm as a group on the whiteboard/chart paper: "What are some ways people cope when they're feeling sad, angry, or overwhelmed?"
- Guide the discussion to include a variety of strategies (e.g., talking to someone, exercise, creative outlets, mindfulness, spending time in nature). Highlight the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping.
Step 3
My Coping Strategy Cards Activity
20 minutes
- Distribute the My Coping Strategy Cards Worksheet.
- Explain that students will be creating their own personalized 'grief toolkit' by identifying strategies that resonate with them.
- Instruct students to write or draw different coping strategies on the cards, then select their top 3-5 most helpful strategies.
- Encourage them to think about how they can implement these strategies in their daily lives. Circulate to offer support and answer questions.
Step 4
Mindful Movement Practice & Reflection
10 minutes
- Lead the class through the Mindful Movement Practice Activity. This offers a practical way to manage stress and connect with their bodies.
- After the activity, invite students to share (voluntarily) one coping strategy they chose for their toolkit or one thing they learned from the mindful movement.
- Reiterate that it's okay to feel, and it's okay to seek support.
Step 5
Cool-Down & Closing
5 minutes
- Conclude by emphasizing that grief is a process and that their 'grief toolkit' can evolve.
- Briefly review the main takeaways from the Pathways to Healing Slide Deck.
- Thank students for their participation and bravery in discussing a difficult topic.
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Slide Deck
Healing Hearts: Pathways to Healing
Understanding Grief and Building Resilience
Welcome to a safe space to explore our emotions and learn strategies for coping with loss.
Welcome students and set a compassionate tone. Briefly explain that grief is a normal human experience. Ask: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'grief'?" Allow a few students to share without judgment.
What is Grief?
Grief is a natural response to loss.
It can include:
- Sadness
- Anger
- Confusion
- Numbness
- Even relief or guilt
Loss isn't always about death. It can be:
- A pet
- A friendship
- A move
- A dream
Explain that grief isn't just about death. Give examples like losing a pet, moving, a friendship ending, or a dream not coming true. Emphasize that all feelings are valid.
Coping Mechanisms: Your Emotional Toolkit
How do we deal with these big feelings?
Coping mechanisms are the ways we manage stress, sadness, and other difficult emotions.
Some coping mechanisms are helpful, and some can be unhelpful in the long run.
Introduce the idea that coping mechanisms help us manage feelings. Ask: "What do you already do when you feel sad or stressed?" Listen to their responses and gently guide them toward healthy examples.
Building Your Toolkit: Healthy Coping Strategies
What are some ways to cope in a healthy way?
- Talk about it: Share your feelings with a trusted adult or friend.
- Creative expression: Draw, write, listen to music.
- Physical activity: Exercise, walk, play sports.
- Mindfulness: Deep breathing, meditation, spending time in nature.
- Self-care: Get enough sleep, eat well, do things you enjoy.
- Help others: Volunteering, supporting friends.
Brainstorm healthy coping strategies with the group. Write their ideas on the board. Add any of the examples provided in the slide if they don't come up naturally. Encourage variety.
Your Personalized Grief Toolkit
It's time to build your own collection of strategies!
Think about what works for YOU.
No two toolkits are exactly alike, just like no two people grieve in the same way.
Explain that the next activity, the 'My Coping Strategy Cards', will help them personalize their toolkit. Briefly describe what they will do with the worksheet.
Mindful Movement: Connecting Body & Mind
Sometimes, moving our bodies can help us process emotions.
Mindful movement means paying attention to your body and breath as you move.
It's not about perfection, it's about presence.
Explain that movement can be a powerful tool. Introduce the upcoming mindful movement activity and emphasize gentle participation. "We're going to try a brief mindful movement practice together."
Remember: You Are Not Alone
Grief is a process, not a race.
Your toolkit will grow and change as you do.
Always remember that reaching out for help is a sign of strength.
What's one thing you'll take away today?
Summarize the key message: grief is a journey, and they have tools to help. Reassure them that seeking support is a sign of strength.
Worksheet
My Coping Strategy Cards
Sometimes, when we experience loss or big emotions, it helps to have a plan. These cards are for you to create your own "Grief Toolkit" – a collection of healthy ways to cope.
Instructions:
- Think about different ways you can manage difficult feelings like sadness, anger, or stress.
- On each card below, write or draw one coping strategy that you think would be helpful for you.
- After you've filled out a few cards, choose your top 3-5 strategies that you will commit to trying or using more often.
Card 1: My Coping Strategy
Card 2: My Coping Strategy
Card 3: My Coping Strategy
Card 4: My Coping Strategy
Card 5: My Coping Strategy
My Top 3-5 Coping Strategies:
Activity
Mindful Movement Practice: Grounding Ourselves
This activity will help you connect with your body and breath, which can be a powerful way to manage difficult emotions.
Instructions for the Teacher: Read the following script slowly and clearly. Encourage students to participate at their comfort level, emphasizing that there's no right or wrong way to do it. Play gentle, calming music if desired.
Teacher Script:
"Welcome. Find a comfortable position, either seated in your chair with your feet flat on the floor, or standing if you prefer. Allow your eyes to gently close, or soften your gaze downwards.
Take a moment to notice your breath. Don't try to change it, just observe it as it enters and leaves your body. Notice the rise and fall of your chest or abdomen.
Now, let's bring some gentle movement into our bodies. We'll start with our shoulders. On your next inhale, gently lift your shoulders up towards your ears, feeling any tension. And as you exhale, slowly release your shoulders down, letting go of any tightness. Let's do that two more times. Inhale shoulders up... exhale shoulders down. Inhale up... exhale down.
Next, let's gently roll our heads from side to side. Slowly drop your right ear towards your right shoulder, feeling a gentle stretch in your neck. Hold for a moment, then slowly bring your head back to center. Now, drop your left ear towards your left shoulder. Back to center. Repeat this at your own pace, being kind to your neck.
Now, bring your attention to your hands. Gently clench your fists, feeling the muscles in your hands and forearms. Squeeze for a few seconds. And then slowly release, wiggling your fingers, feeling the release of tension. Let's do that once more. Clench your fists... and release, wiggling your fingers.
Finally, let's take three deep, mindful breaths together. Inhale slowly through your nose, filling your lungs completely. Hold for a count of two. And then slowly exhale through your mouth, letting out all the air. Again, inhale deeply... hold... exhale completely. One more time, inhale... hold... and exhale, letting go of any remaining tension.
When you're ready, slowly open your eyes or lift your gaze. Take a moment to notice how your body feels. You've just given yourself a moment of mindful movement and calm. Remember you can return to these simple movements anytime you need a moment to ground yourself."