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Hope After Loss

Lesson Plan

Hope After Loss Plan

Guide a 3rd grader to understand and express grief through conversation and creative activities, and learn coping strategies to honor loved ones.

Helps students validate their emotions, build emotional awareness, and develop resilience by providing a safe space to share and tools to cope with loss.

Audience

3rd Grade Individual Support

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Empathetic dialogue, art expression, and coping skill practice.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Greet the student and create a safe, welcoming environment
  • Explain that today’s session is a private space to talk about feelings of loss
  • Share the session goal: understanding emotions and honoring memories
  • Establish a feelings check-in: ask “How are you feeling right now?”

Step 2

Guided Discussion

7 minutes

  • Introduce simple grief vocabulary: sadness, confusion, anger, relief
  • Ask the student to share a memory of their loved one
  • Listen actively, validate feelings (“It’s okay to feel sad.”)
  • Normalize grief: “Everyone experiences loss differently.”
  • Ask follow-up questions: “What do you miss most?”

Step 3

Creative Expression

10 minutes

  • Provide the Memory Prompt Sheet and drawing supplies
  • Encourage the student to draw or write about a special memory
  • Use prompts: “What made this moment special?” / “How did it feel?”
  • Offer gentle support and positive feedback as they work
  • Allow the student to personalize their creation

Step 4

Coping Strategies

5 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Cool-down

3 minutes

  • Ask the student to share one thing they learned or felt positive about
  • Reinforce that feelings can come and go and coping tools can help
  • End with a simple affirmation: “You are strong and loved.”
  • Let the student know support is always available
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Slide Deck

Hope After Loss

A 30-minute individual session to understand and express grief, honor memories, and learn coping strategies.

3rd Grade | Tier 3 Support

Welcome the student warmly. Explain that this session is a private, safe space to talk about feelings. Emphasize empathy and confidentiality.

Introduction

• Create a safe, welcoming space
• Explain today’s goal: understanding emotions and honoring memories
• Feelings check-in: “How are you feeling right now?”

Use a calm tone. Ask the student how they’re feeling and validate their response. Reinforce that it’s okay to have many different emotions.

Guided Discussion

• Learn grief vocabulary: sadness, confusion, anger, relief
• Share a memory of a loved one
• Validate feelings: “It’s okay to feel sad.”
• Ask: “What do you miss most?”

Introduce simple grief words visually or verbally. Listen actively and reflect back the student’s feelings. Encourage sharing without pressure.

Creative Expression

• Use the Memory Prompt Sheet
• Draw or write about a special memory
• Prompts: “What made this moment special?”; “How did it feel?”
• Encourage personalization and positive feedback

Guide the student through the Memory Prompt Sheet. Offer support and praise as they draw or write. Allow personalization.

Coping Strategies

• Practice breathing from the Breathing Exercise Guide
• Introduce Coping Strategies Visual Cards
• Try one strategy: deep breathing or drawing happy memories
• Choose a tool for future use

Demonstrate the breathing exercise and practice together. Show a few Coping Strategies Visual Cards. Let the student choose a favorite tool.

Reflection & Cool-down

• Share one thing you learned or felt positive about
• Remind: feelings come and go; coping tools can help
• Affirmation: “You are strong and loved.”
• Support is always available

Encourage reflection. Reinforce that feelings change and coping tools help. End with affirmation and remind them of support availability.

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Worksheet

Memory Prompt Sheet

Use these prompts to remember a special moment with someone you miss. You can draw and write your answers.

  1. Describe a special memory you have with your loved one. What happened?






  2. How did this moment make you feel? Use words that describe your feelings.






  3. What made this memory special? Why do you remember it?






  4. Draw a picture of your special memory below:
















  5. If you could say something to your loved one right now, what would you like to share?








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Activity

Coping Strategies Visual Cards

Use these cards when you’re feeling sad, upset, or need a quick way to feel calmer. Print, cut apart, and let the student choose one strategy when they need it.

🌬️ Deep Breathing
What to do: Breathe in slowly through your nose for 4 counts, hold for 2 counts, then breathe out through your mouth for 4 counts. Repeat 3 times.

🎨 Memory Drawing
What to do: Grab a pencil or crayon and draw a happy memory with your loved one. Think about how that moment felt and add colors to show your feelings.

✨ Positive Affirmation
What to do: Choose a card with a kind phrase—like “I am strong,” “I am loved,” or “I can get through this.” Say it out loud with a smile.

🌳 Grounding with Senses
What to do: Look around and name 3 things you see, 2 things you hear, and 1 thing you can touch. Take your time noticing each.

🤗 Comfort Hug
What to do: Wrap your arms around yourself in a gentle hug. Close your eyes and take 3 slow, comforting breaths while feeling the hug.

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Reading

Breathing Exercise Guide

Breathing deeply can help you feel calmer, more focused, and in control of your emotions. You can use this one-page guide anytime you need a quick break or a moment of calm.

Why Breathing Helps

When you breathe slowly and deeply:

  • Your heart rate slows down
  • Your muscles relax
  • Your mind becomes clearer
  • You feel more in control of your feelings

How to Do the 4-2-4 Breathing

  1. Get comfortable. Sit or stand with your feet flat on the floor and your back straight.
  2. Relax your shoulders. Drop them down and let them be loose.
  3. Breathe in for 4 counts through your nose. Think “1…2…3…4.”
  4. Hold your breath for 2 counts. Think “1…2.”
  5. Breathe out for 4 counts through your mouth. Think “1…2…3…4.”
  6. Repeat steps 3–5 three times, or more if you like.

Helpful Tips

  • Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest. Notice your belly rise as you breathe in and fall as you breathe out.
  • If counting to four feels tricky, breathe in slowly and breathe out slowly until you feel calmer.
  • Practice when you feel relaxed. That way you’ll remember the exercise when you need it most.
  • Imagine blowing up a big balloon in your belly as you breathe in, then let the air out slowly as you breathe out.

When to Use This Guide

  • When you feel sad, upset, or worried
  • Before a test or performance to help your mind focus
  • During a transition (like moving from one activity to another)
  • Anytime you need a short, peaceful break

Remember: It’s okay to pause and take care of yourself. A few deep breaths can bring you back to a calm, strong place whenever you need it.

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Hope After Loss • Lenny Learning