Healing Hearts: Navigating Loss and Building Coping Skills

Brian Anderson

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Healing Hearts Lesson Plan

Guide 5th-grade students in understanding the loss of a loved one and developing personal coping skills through reflective discussion and activities.

This lesson is vital to help students process grief, express emotions safely, and build resilience during challenging times.

Audience

5th Grade Elementary School Students

Time

30 Minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion combined with reflective activities.

Materials

Healing Hearts Lesson Plan, and Healing Hearts Slide Deck

Prep

Review and Set-Up

10 minutes

Review the Healing Hearts Lesson Plan and the Healing Hearts Slide Deck for key discussion points.
Familiarize yourself with the coping strategies included in the lesson.
Prepare a calm, private space for the session to ensure a supportive environment.
Have tissues and a quiet corner arranged for students who may need extra support.

Step 1

Introduction and Check-In

5 Minutes

Welcome the student and explain the purpose of the session in a gentle tone.
Briefly discuss feelings and introduce the idea of coping strategies.
Use the slides to share simple visuals related to emotions.

Step 2

Exploratory Discussion & Activity

15 Minutes

Encourage the student to talk about their feelings and memories if they are comfortable.
Guide them through a reflective exercise in which they list or draw things that help them feel better.
Validate the student’s feelings and introduce several coping methods, using examples from the slide deck.

Step 3

Conclusion and Coping Skills Recap

10 Minutes

Summarize key points discussed and summarize the coping strategies learned.
Offer reassurance and remind the student that it’s okay to feel a range of emotions.
Provide information on additional support if needed and encourage follow-up sessions.

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Slide Deck

Welcome to Healing Hearts

Today we will explore our feelings and learn ways to cope with loss in a caring and gentle way.

Introduce the lesson gently. Welcome the student and explain that today's session is a safe space to talk about feelings and learn ways to feel better. Emphasize that it's okay to feel different emotions.

Understanding Our Emotions

Feelings like sadness, anger, or confusion are all part of grieving. It's important to recognize and share them.

Encourage the student to think about their emotions. Ask questions like 'How do you feel when you miss someone?' and share that it's normal to have many different emotions.

Coping Skills

Some ways to cope:
• Drawing or writing about your feelings
• Talking with someone you trust
• Taking deep breaths and relaxing
• Listening to your favorite music
• Spending time in nature
• Physical activities like walking or playing
• Mindfulness or meditation
• Engaging in creative arts like painting or crafting

Use this slide to introduce various coping strategies. Share a wide range of examples and ask the student if they have any other ideas on what might help them feel better. Encourage them to think about activities they enjoy.

Remember, You're Not Alone

It's okay to feel a variety of emotions. Remember to use your coping skills when you need to and talk to someone who cares.

Wrap up the session by reassuring the student. Summarize the main points and remind the student that it's okay to ask for help. Invite them to share how they feel and mention that they can always revisit these strategies.