Navigating Grief and Loss

Yolanda Greene

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Navigating Grief and Loss

Understand stages of grief

This lesson introduces 9th-grade students to the stages of grief and explores how individuals cope with loss differently. Through interactive activities, students will learn to identify and express their emotions healthily. Understanding grief is crucial for developing empathy and emotional intelligence, which are essential skills for personal growth and social interactions.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

45 mins

Approach

Understand stages of grief

Materials

Discussion Questions, Emotion Identification Worksheet, Coping Strategies Handout, and Pens and Paper

Step 1

Introduction to Grief

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on what grief is and why it happens.
Introduce the concept of the stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance).
Explain that everyone experiences grief differently and at their own pace.

Step 2

Emotion Identification Activity

15 mins

Distribute the Emotion Identification Worksheet.
Ask students to think about a time they felt a strong emotion and write it down.
Encourage them to identify which stage of grief that emotion might relate to.
Discuss as a class how these emotions can be expressed healthily.

Step 3

Coping Strategies Discussion

10 mins

Hand out the Coping Strategies Handout.
Discuss different ways people cope with grief (e.g., talking to someone, writing, art).
Encourage students to share any strategies they have used or heard of.

Step 4

Closure and Reflection

10 mins

Ask students to reflect on what they learned about grief and coping.
Facilitate a short discussion on how understanding grief can help in supporting others.
Collect worksheets and thank students for their participation.

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Discussion

Discussion Questions on Grief

A set of questions to guide a classroom discussion on the topic of grief and loss.

What is grief and why do people experience it?

Discuss the emotional and psychological aspects of grief.

Can you think of a time when you or someone you know experienced grief?

Encourage sharing personal experiences while maintaining sensitivity.

How can understanding the stages of grief help us support others?

Focus on empathy and the importance of recognizing different emotional responses.

Worksheet

Emotion Identification Worksheet

A worksheet to help students identify and express emotions related to grief.

Think of a time you felt a strong emotion. What was it?

Which stage of grief do you think this emotion relates to?

How did you express this emotion? Was it healthy?

Reading

Coping Strategies Handout

A handout providing various strategies for coping with grief and loss.

Coping Strategies for Grief

Talk to Someone: Share your feelings with a friend, family member, or counselor.
Write it Down: Journaling can help process emotions.
Engage in Art: Drawing, painting, or crafting can be therapeutic.
Exercise: Physical activity can relieve stress and improve mood.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice being present and calm.
Seek Professional Help: Therapists can provide support and guidance.