lenny

Healing Hearts Together

user image

Lesson Plan

Healing Hearts Together

Students will be able to identify and express feelings related to grief and loss, and learn coping strategies in a supportive group setting.

Grief and loss are natural parts of life, and providing a safe space for students to process these emotions helps them develop healthy coping mechanisms and emotional resilience. This lesson validates their feelings and offers tools for healing.

Audience

6th Grade Students (Small Group)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through sharing, guided reflection, and a creative activity.

Materials

Healing Hearts Slide Deck, and My Grief Journey Journal

Prep

Gather Materials & Review Content

15 minutes

  • Review the Healing Hearts Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content and discussion prompts.
    - Print copies of the My Grief Journey Journal for each student.
    - Ensure a comfortable and private setting for the group counseling session.
    - Have tissues readily available.

Step 1

Welcome & Grounding (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and establish a safe, confidential space.
    - Briefly introduce the topic of grief and loss, emphasizing that all feelings are welcome and there's no right or wrong way to feel.
    - Lead a quick grounding exercise (e.g., deep breaths, noticing 5 things in the room) to help students settle in. Use the Healing Hearts Slide Deck to guide this portion.

Step 2

Understanding Grief (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Use the Healing Hearts Slide Deck to discuss what grief and loss can feel like, acknowledging that it's not just about death, but any significant change or loss.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion using prompts like: 'What are some different kinds of losses people experience?' and 'How do these losses make people feel?'
    - Encourage students to share general thoughts, not specific personal losses, unless they feel comfortable and safe to do so. Remind them of confidentiality.

Step 3

My Grief Journey Journal (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Distribute the My Grief Journey Journal.
    - Guide students through the journaling prompts on the slide deck, allowing them quiet time to reflect and write. Remind them that this is for their personal reflection and they do not have to share anything they write.
    - Offer to answer any questions they might have about the prompts.

Step 4

Closing & Support (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Bring the group back together.
    - Reiterate that it's okay to feel whatever they're feeling and that healing takes time.
    - Share resources for continued support (e.g., school counselor's office, trusted adult).
    - Thank students for their participation and bravery. Use the Healing Hearts Slide Deck for closing remarks.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Welcome, Everyone!

Healing Hearts Together

  • A safe space to share and understand feelings.
  • Confidentiality is important here.

Let's take a moment to ground ourselves.

  • Close your eyes gently or look at a fixed point.
  • Take 3 deep breaths: Inhale slowly, exhale slowly.
  • Notice 5 things you can see.
  • Notice 4 things you can feel.
  • Notice 3 things you can hear.
  • Notice 2 things you can smell.
  • Notice 1 thing you can taste.

Welcome students to the group. Introduce yourself and the purpose of the session: to talk about big feelings related to loss and change. Emphasize that this is a safe, confidential space where all feelings are okay. Briefly explain confidentiality within the group setting. Lead a simple grounding exercise.

What is Grief and Loss?

It's more than just sadness.

Loss can be:

  • The death of a loved one or pet.
  • Moving to a new place or school.
  • Friends growing apart.
  • A change in family situations.
  • Losing a special item.
  • Losing a part of yourself (like a dream or a routine).

How does loss make us feel?

  • Sadness? Anger? Confusion? Emptiness?
  • Even relief or numbness?

It's okay to feel any of these emotions.

Transition to discussing grief. Explain that grief isn't just about death. It's about any kind of loss. Give examples like moving, friends changing, pets, loss of a routine, etc. Facilitate a discussion with the prompts provided on the slide. Ensure students understand they don't have to share personal experiences if they don't want to, but can talk about general feelings or observations.

My Grief Journey

A Time for Personal Reflection

Sometimes writing down our thoughts can help us understand them better. This journal is for YOU.

Prompts:

  1. What does the word "loss" mean to you?
  2. What are some of the feelings that come with loss?
  3. What are some healthy ways people cope with big feelings?
  4. If you could give advice to someone experiencing a loss, what would it be?

Introduce the journal activity. Explain that this is a personal reflection tool. Distribute the journals. Read the prompts aloud, giving students time to write privately. Reassure them they do not need to share what they write, but you are available for questions.

Remember, You Are Not Alone

Key Takeaways:

  • Grief is a natural response to loss, and it affects everyone differently.
  • All your feelings are valid and deserve kindness.
  • Healing is a journey, not a race.

Where to find support:

  • Talk to a trusted adult (parent, teacher, coach).
  • Visit the school counseling office.
  • Reach out to a friend or family member.

You are strong. You are resilient. And you are not alone.

Bring the group back together. Reiterate key messages about feelings being valid and healing taking time. Provide clear, actionable resources for ongoing support. Thank students for their engagement and vulnerability.

lenny

Journal

My Grief Journey Journal

This journal is a personal space for you to explore your feelings about grief and loss. There are no right or wrong answers, and you only need to share what you feel comfortable sharing.

Prompt 1: What does the word "loss" mean to you?

Think about different kinds of losses you or people you know might experience. It doesn't always have to be about someone passing away. It could be a change, an ending, or something you miss.













Prompt 2: What are some of the feelings that can come with loss?

Grief can bring up many different emotions. List as many as you can think of. It's okay if they seem contradictory.













Prompt 3: What are some healthy ways people cope with big feelings?

When we feel sad, angry, or confused, what are some things we can do that are helpful for us and don't hurt others? Think about things you do, or things you've seen others do.













Prompt 4: If you could give advice to someone experiencing a loss, what would it be?

Imagine a friend or someone you know is going through a tough time with a loss. What kind words or helpful tips would you share with them?













lenny
lenny