Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Students will learn what grief means by defining it together and exploring related emotions. They will identify personal feelings, recognize grief-related emotions, and express their thoughts through drawing.
Teaching grief awareness helps students understand and articulate difficult emotions, builds empathy among peers, and lays the foundation for healthy coping strategies throughout the program.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up: Check-In Circle
5 minutes
Step 2
Main Activity: Defining Grief
10 minutes
Step 3
Discussion: Recognizing Emotions
10 minutes
Step 4
Cool-Down: Reflection Drawing
5 minutes

Slide Deck
Journey Through Grief Session 1: What Is Grief?
Session 1 Objectives
Warm-Up: Check-In Circle
Defining Grief
Feelings Chart Activity
Discussion: Recognizing Emotions
Cool-Down: Reflection Drawing
Closing & Next Steps

Lesson Plan
Session 2 Lesson Plan
Students will identify healthy coping strategies for grief, practice selected techniques, and reflect on how these strategies affect their emotions.
Equipping students with coping strategies gives them tools to manage grief, reduces overwhelming feelings, and supports emotional resilience.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up: Feelings Check-In
5 minutes
Step 2
Introduction: Coping Strategies
8 minutes
Step 3
Activity: Strategy Practice Stations
12 minutes
Step 4
Cool-Down: Reflection Journaling
5 minutes

Slide Deck
Journey Through Grief Session 2: Coping Strategies
Session 2 Objectives
Warm-Up: Feelings Check-In
Introduction: Coping Strategies
Activity: Strategy Practice Stations
Cool-Down: Reflection Journaling
Closing & Next Steps

Lesson Plan
Session 3 Lesson Plan
Students will share memories of loved ones, create personalized memory boxes to honor those they miss, and practice offering peer support.
Sharing memories helps students acknowledge their feelings, fosters connection, and teaches them how to support one another through grief, building empathy and resilience.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up: Memory Sharing Circle
5 minutes
Step 2
Activity: Memory Box Creation
15 minutes
Step 3
Discussion: Peer Support Sharing
5 minutes
Step 4
Cool-Down: Reflection and Closing
5 minutes

Slide Deck
Journey Through Grief Session 3: Sharing Memories
Session 3 Objectives
Warm-Up: Memory Sharing Circle
Activity: Memory Box Creation
Discussion: Peer Support Prompts
Cool-Down: Reflection and Sharing
Closing & Next Steps

Lesson Plan
Session 4 Lesson Plan
Students will explore the concept of hope through guided imagery, create personalized hope stones with affirming words or images, set a small goal for the week, and make a group pledge to support one another.
Building hope helps students focus on positive possibilities after loss, strengthens resilience, and fosters a supportive classroom community as they look forward together.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up: Guided Imagery
5 minutes
Step 2
Activity: Hope Stone Creation
15 minutes
Step 3
Goal-Setting: Small Steps
5 minutes
Step 4
Cool-Down: Group Pledge & Closing
5 minutes

Slide Deck
Journey Through Grief Session 4: Building Hope
Session 4 Objectives
Warm-Up: Guided Imagery
Activity: Creating Your Hope Stone
Goal-Setting: Your Small Step
Cool-Down: Group Pledge
