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Healing Hearts

Lesson Plan

Healing Hearts Lesson Plan

Students will learn to recognize grief, identify associated emotions, and practice healthy coping strategies to support themselves and peers.

This lesson builds emotional resilience and empathy by helping 4th graders understand grief, express feelings safely, and discover comforting techniques. It fosters a supportive classroom community.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Group discussion, flashcards, and brainstorming

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Gather and print Feelings Flashcards
  • Print copies of Comforting Strategies Handout
  • Set up chart paper and markers in a visible area
  • Test and set timer for each activity
  • Review the content of both materials to familiarize yourself with the coping strategies

Step 1

Introduction to Grief

5 minutes

  • Ask students if they’ve heard the word grief or experienced a loss
  • Define grief as the natural feelings we have when something or someone important is gone
  • Emphasize that all feelings—sadness, confusion, anger—are valid responses
  • Explain that today we’ll learn to identify emotions and find ways to feel supported

Step 2

Feeling Identification

10 minutes

  • Distribute Feelings Flashcards
  • Show each flashcard and ask students to name the emotion depicted
  • Invite volunteers to share a moment they felt that emotion
  • Acknowledge each student’s sharing and validate their feelings

Step 3

Brainstorm Coping Strategies

10 minutes

  • Ask: “What can we do to help ourselves or a friend when we feel sad or upset?”
  • Record student suggestions on chart paper
  • Introduce additional ideas from the Comforting Strategies Handout as needed
  • Discuss examples: drawing feelings, talking to someone, taking deep breaths

Step 4

Reflection and Commitment

5 minutes

  • Hand out the Comforting Strategies Handout
  • Ask students to circle one strategy they will try when they feel grief or sadness
  • Invite a few to share their chosen strategy with the class
  • Encourage students to use and share these strategies to support each other
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Slide Deck

Healing Hearts: Coping with Grief

A 30-minute lesson to explore what grief is, identify associated emotions, and practice healthy ways to support each other.

Welcome students and introduce the lesson objectives: recognizing grief, identifying feelings, and learning coping strategies to support ourselves and peers.

What is Grief?

  • Grief is the natural feelings we have when something or someone important is gone.
  • We might feel sad, confused, angry, or even relieved.
  • All of these feelings are okay and normal.

Ask if anyone has heard the word “grief” or experienced loss. Define grief and emphasize that all feelings—sadness, confusion, anger—are valid.

Identifying Feelings

  • Look at each card from Feelings Flashcards.
  • Name the emotion you see.
  • If you feel comfortable, share a moment when you felt this emotion.

Distribute the Feelings Flashcards. Show each card, ask students to name the emotion, and invite volunteers to share a time they felt that way.

Brainstorm Coping Strategies

  • What can we do to help ourselves or a friend when we feel sad or upset?
  • Share your ideas aloud.
  • We’ll write each suggestion on chart paper.
  • Add extra ideas from the Comforting Strategies Handout as needed.

Facilitate a whole-class brainstorm. Record all student ideas on chart paper. Then introduce any additional strategies from the handout.

Deep Breathing Exercise

  1. Sit comfortably and close your eyes if you like.
  2. Breathe in slowly for a count of 4.
  3. Hold for a count of 2.
  4. Breathe out slowly for a count of 4.
  5. Repeat three times to help calm your mind and body.

Lead the class in a simple deep breathing exercise to demonstrate a quick coping tool.

Reflection & Commitment

  • Take your copy of the Comforting Strategies Handout.
  • Circle one strategy you will try when you feel sad or upset.
  • Share your chosen strategy with a partner or the class.

Hand out the Comforting Strategies Handout. Ask students to choose one strategy to try the next time they feel grief or sadness.

Thank You & Next Steps

  • Remember: it’s okay to feel and to ask for help.
  • Use your chosen strategy whenever you need support.
  • Look out for your classmates and be there for one another.

Wrap up by encouraging students to practice their chosen strategies and support each other every day.

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Worksheet

Feelings Flashcards

Use these flashcards to help students identify and name emotions related to grief. Each card shows an emotion label and space for a simple illustration.

Instructions:

  1. Print and cut out each card along the dotted lines.
  2. Show the label side to students and ask them to name the emotion.
  3. Invite students to draw or describe an example of that feeling in the illustration box.

Card 1: Sad

[Draw a face with a teardrop]





Card 2: Angry

[Draw a red, furrowed face]





Card 3: Confused

[Draw a face with a tilted head and question marks]





Card 4: Lonely

[Draw a single figure standing apart]





Card 5: Scared

[Draw a wide-eyed, trembling face]





Card 6: Frustrated

[Draw a face with clenched teeth]





Card 7: Guilty

[Draw a face looking down with a furrowed brow]





Card 8: Relieved

[Draw a face exhaling with closed eyes]





Card 9: Hopeful

[Draw a face looking up with a small smile]





Card 10: Peaceful

[Draw a face with closed, relaxed eyes]





Card 11: Tired

[Draw a face with droopy eyes]





Card 12: Worried

[Draw a face with raised eyebrows and a small frown]





Materials:

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Worksheet

Comforting Strategies Handout

Use these strategies to help yourself or a friend when feeling grief or sadness. Read each one and think about how it might help you.

  1. Deep Breathing

    Take slow, deep breaths: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 2, and breathe out for 4. Repeat until you feel calmer.

  2. Drawing or Coloring

    Use art supplies to draw how you feel or color a picture that makes you happy. Art can help you express emotions safely.

  3. Talking to Someone

    Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or teacher. Speaking out loud can make heavy feelings feel lighter.

  4. Listening to Calm Music

    Choose soft or favorite songs that help you relax. Music can change your mood and give you a sense of peace.

  5. Writing or Journaling

    Write down your thoughts, feelings, or a letter you don’t have to send. Putting words on paper can help you understand your emotions.

  6. Taking a Short Walk

    Move your body with a brief walk outside or around the classroom. Fresh air and movement can clear your mind.

Choose Your Strategy

Circle the one strategy you will try the next time you feel grief or sadness:

○ Deep Breathing
○ Drawing or Coloring
○ Talking to Someone
○ Listening to Calm Music
○ Writing or Journaling
○ Taking a Short Walk




Reflection

Why did you choose this strategy? How will you use it when you need comfort?













Keep this handout in a safe place. Try out your strategy and share with a friend or the class how it helped you!

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