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Hope Blooms Anew

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Ronica Lien

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Hope Blooms Anew

Students will recognize that grief is an evolving process and that hope and joy are possible even after loss. They will identify personal sources of hope and engage in activities that symbolize growth and healing.

Understanding that grief is not a permanent state of sadness but a journey that includes hope and healing is crucial for students navigating loss. This lesson helps normalize these feelings and empowers students to actively seek and cultivate sources of comfort and joy in their lives.

Audience

3rd-6th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through a story, video, discussion, and a hands-on activity, students will explore concepts of grief, hope, and healing.

Materials

Small plant pots or cups, Seeds (flower or easy-to-grow vegetable), Soil, Watering cans, Hope Flower Worksheet, Hope After Loss - Sesame Street Video Script, The Rabbit Listened Discussion Guide, Planting Seeds of Hope Activity Guide, Hope and Healing Cool Down, and What Gives You Hope Warm Up

Prep

Gather Materials & Review Content

15 minutes

  • Gather small plant pots or cups, seeds, soil, and watering cans for the 'Planting Seeds of Hope' activity. Consider pre-portioning soil for efficiency.
  • Review the Hope After Loss - Sesame Street Video Script and prepare to show the video. (If video access is limited, the script can be read aloud).
  • Familiarize yourself with The Rabbit Listened Discussion Guide questions and themes.
  • Print copies of the Hope Flower Worksheet for each student.
  • Review the Planting Seeds of Hope Activity Guide.
  • Review the Hope and Healing Cool Down.
  • Review the What Gives You Hope Warm Up.
  • Read 'The Rabbit Listened' by Cori Doerrfeld beforehand.

Step 1

Warm Up: What Gives You Hope?

5 minutes

Begin the lesson with the What Gives You Hope Warm Up to activate prior knowledge and introduce the concept of hope. Ask students to share one thing that makes them feel hopeful. Record responses on the board or chart paper.

Step 2

Read Aloud: The Rabbit Listened

5 minutes

Read 'The Rabbit Listened' by Cori Doerrfeld. Emphasize how Taylor experiences grief and how different animals try to help. Discuss the rabbit's approach and its effectiveness. Use the The Rabbit Listened Discussion Guide to facilitate a brief conversation.

Step 3

Watch & Discuss: Hope After Loss – Sesame Street

5 minutes

Show the 'Hope After Loss – Sesame Street' video. After the video, use the Hope After Loss - Sesame Street Video Script to guide a discussion focusing on the characters' feelings and how they find hope. Highlight that it's okay to feel sad and still find moments of joy.

Step 4

Activity: Planting Seeds of Hope

10 minutes

Lead students in the Planting Seeds of Hope Activity Guide. Provide each student with a pot, soil, and seeds. As they plant, discuss how the act of planting symbolizes hope for new growth and healing, even after something difficult has happened. Have students complete the Hope Flower Worksheet after planting their seeds.

Step 5

Cool Down: Hope and Healing Reflection

5 minutes

Conclude the lesson with the Hope and Healing Cool Down. Ask students to reflect on one new way they can nurture hope in their lives or one thing they learned about grief and healing today.

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Slide Deck

Welcome to Hope Blooms Anew!

Today, we'll explore how feelings change and how we can find hope even when things are tough.

Welcome students and introduce the topic of the lesson. Explain that today's lesson is about understanding our feelings when we're sad and how we can still find hope and joy. Begin with the warm-up activity as outlined in the Hope Blooms Anew Lesson Plan.

Our Story: The Rabbit Listened

A story about big feelings and finding comfort.

Introduce the book, "The Rabbit Listened." Explain that this story shows us how one character experiences big feelings and how a friend helps. Encourage students to listen for how Taylor feels and what helps them.

Discussing Our Story

What did Taylor feel? How did the rabbit help?

Facilitate a discussion about the book using the The Rabbit Listened Discussion Guide. Focus on Taylor's feelings and the rabbit's role.

Even when we're sad, hope can grow.

Introduce the video. Explain that it's from Sesame Street and shows characters talking about losing someone and how they find hope. Ask students to pay attention to how the characters express their feelings and what gives them hope. Use the Hope After Loss - Sesame Street Video Script to guide the discussion after the video.

Planting Seeds of Hope

Let's grow something beautiful together, symbolizing new beginnings and healing.

Explain the planting activity. Connect it to the idea of hope and healing. Distribute materials and provide clear instructions for planting the seeds, emphasizing gentle care and the symbolism of nurturing growth. Have students complete the Hope Flower Worksheet after planting.

Hope Grows!

Just like a seed, hope needs care to grow.

Review the concept of hope as something that can grow, even after difficult times. Discuss how nurturing our own hope is like nurturing a seed. Lead into the cool-down activity.

Reflecting on Hope and Healing

What made you feel hopeful today?

Conclude the lesson with the Hope and Healing Cool Down activity. Encourage students to share their reflections if they feel comfortable.

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