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Journey Through Loss

Lesson Plan

Journey Through Loss

Build the student’s emotional vocabulary around grief, help them identify personal feelings of loss, and introduce coping strategies through guided discussion and reflection.

Grief and loss can be overwhelming, especially for young adolescents. This session fosters emotional awareness and equips the student with practical coping tools, promoting resilience and healthy processing of difficult feelings.

Audience

6th Grade (Tier 3 Individual Session)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided discussion and reflective activities.

Materials

Emotion Word List, Coping Strategies Worksheet, Reflection Journal Template, and Blank paper and pencils

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Welcome the student and briefly explain the goal: exploring feelings of loss.
  • Ask: “What words come to mind when you hear ‘loss’ or ‘grief’?”
  • Invite them to choose words from the Emotion Word List that resonate with them.

Step 2

Guided Discussion

8 minutes

  • Using selected emotion words, ask the student to share a memory or situation where they felt that way.
  • Validate their experience: acknowledge the difficulty of loss and normalize varied reactions.
  • Emphasize that everyone grieves differently and it’s okay to have many feelings at once.

Step 3

Emotion Exploration Activity

8 minutes

  • Provide the Reflection Journal Template.
  • Prompt the student to write or draw: “When I think about this loss, I feel ____, because ____.”
  • Encourage honesty—there are no right or wrong responses.

Step 4

Coping Strategies Brainstorm

6 minutes

  • Hand out the Coping Strategies Worksheet.
  • Review 3–4 example strategies (e.g., talking to someone, drawing, physical activity).
  • Ask the student to list 3 strategies they think would help them when feeling sad or overwhelmed.

Step 5

Reflection and Closing

3 minutes

  • Invite the student to choose one coping strategy they’ll try this week.
  • Reinforce that they can revisit any strategy anytime.
  • Thank them for sharing and remind them you’re available for support.
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Slide Deck

Journey Through Loss

A 30-minute individual session for 6th grade to explore feelings of grief and build coping strategies.

Welcome the student. Introduce yourself and explain that today’s session will explore grief and loss, help them name their feelings, and learn ways to cope.

Learning Objectives

• Expand emotional vocabulary around grief
• Identify personal feelings of loss
• Explore emotions through writing or drawing
• Brainstorm healthy coping strategies

Read through each objective. Emphasize what the student will learn and why it matters.

Warm-Up: Emotion Word List

What words come to mind when you hear “loss” or “grief”?
• Sad • Angry • Confused • Lonely
• Scared • Frustrated • …
(Use the full Emotion Word List)

Explain the Warm-Up. Ask the student to look at the word list and pick any words that resonate.

Guided Discussion

• Think of a time you felt the word you chose.
• What happened? How did it make you feel?
• Everyone grieves differently—and that’s OK.

Guide the discussion. Ask the student to share a memory or situation tied to a chosen word. Normalize varied reactions.

Emotion Exploration Activity

Write or draw in your Reflection Journal:

“When I think about this loss, I feel ____, because ____.”

(There are no right or wrong responses.)

Hand out the Reflection Journal Template. Encourage honesty whether they write or draw.

Coping Strategies Brainstorm

Examples: talking to someone • drawing • going for a walk

List 3 strategies you think would help when you feel overwhelmed:

(See full Coping Strategies Worksheet)

Provide the Coping Strategies Worksheet. Review examples, then let the student brainstorm.

Reflection & Closing

• Choose one coping strategy you’ll try this week.
• Remember: you can revisit any strategy anytime.
• Thank you for sharing—support is always here.

Invite the student to choose one strategy to try this week. Reinforce availability of support.

Need More Support?

You can talk with:
• A trusted teacher or school counselor
• A parent or guardian

Revisit these materials anytime:
– Reflection Journal Template
– Coping Strategies Worksheet

You’re not alone—thank you for your courage.

Share additional resources and encourage ongoing conversations.

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Worksheet

Coping Strategies Worksheet

Instructions: When you’re feeling sad, angry, lonely, or overwhelmed, using healthy coping strategies can help you manage your emotions. Review the examples below, then brainstorm your own.

Examples of Coping Strategies

  • Talking to a friend, teacher, or family member
  • Writing or drawing in a journal
  • Taking deep breaths or doing a quick meditation
  • Going for a walk or doing light exercise
  • Listening to or playing music
  • Reading a book or watching a favorite show
  • Engaging in a hobby (e.g., cooking, crafting, sports)

Your Coping Strategies

  1. Strategy 1:




    Why I chose this:




    How I’ll do it:



  2. Strategy 2:




    Why I chose this:




    How I’ll do it:



  3. Strategy 3:




    Why I chose this:




    How I’ll do it:



Reflection

Which one strategy will you try first? When will you try it?






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Journal

Reflection Journal Template

Date: ____________________

1. Describe the loss or difficult moment you’re thinking about:








2. When I think about this loss, I feel ____, because ____.








3. Choose three words from the Emotion Word List that describe how you feel right now:




4. Draw or doodle something below that shows how you feel:












5. Which coping strategy from the Coping Strategies Worksheet would you like to try? How and when will you do it?








6. One thing I am grateful for (even when I feel sad):




7. A personal goal for today or this week to take care of myself:




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Reading

Emotion Word List

When we experience loss or grief, our feelings can change from mild to very intense. Use this list to find words that match what you’re feeling. You might notice your emotions shift over time.

Mild Emotions

  • Uneasy
  • Disappointed
  • Restless
  • Unsettled
  • Wistful (a gentle sense of longing)

Moderate Emotions

  • Sad
  • Lonely
  • Frustrated
  • Confused
  • Anxious
  • Shocked
  • Nostalgic (miss something from the past)

Intense Emotions

  • Devastated
  • Heartbroken
  • Overwhelmed
  • Helpless
  • Numb
  • Angry
  • Irritable
  • Scared
  • Guilty
  • Regretful
  • Longing (deep missing)

Tip: It’s okay if you feel more than one of these at the same time. Pick the words that fit best, and add new ones if you think of more.

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