Navigating Grief's Tides Script

Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Today, we're going to talk about a very important topic: grief. It's something that everyone experiences at some point in their lives, and understanding it can really help us navigate tough times."

Teacher: "I've handed out a short warm-up. On it, you'll see the question: 'When you hear the word 'grief,' what thoughts or feelings come to mind?' Please take about 3 minutes to write down your individual responses. There are no right or wrong answers here; I just want to know what you're thinking and feeling."

Teacher: "Alright, who would like to voluntarily share some of their initial thoughts or feelings about grief? Remember, we're creating a safe space here for everyone to share if they feel comfortable." (Call on 2-3 students).

Introduction to Grief (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Thank you for sharing. Let's move to our slides. (Display Navigating Grief's Tides Slide Deck - Slide 1) As the title suggests, we're going to be 'Navigating Grief's Tides' today."

Teacher: "(Display Navigating Grief's Tides Slide Deck - Slide 2) Grief is a natural and healthy response to loss. It's not just about feeling sad; it's a whole range of emotions we experience when something important to us changes or is no longer there. And loss isn't always about death. Can anyone think of other types of losses that might cause grief?" (Allow a few student responses, guiding them to examples like moving, friendships changing, losing a pet, etc.)

The Many Faces of Grief (10 minutes)

Teacher: "(Display Navigating Grief's Tides Slide Deck - Slide 3) As you can see, grief can look and feel very different for different people. It's like a tide, sometimes calm, sometimes strong. We might feel sadness, anger, confusion, even numbness. What are some other feelings you can imagine someone experiencing when they are grieving?" (Encourage a few students to share).

Teacher: "(Display Navigating Grief's Tides Slide Deck - Slide 4) It's super important to find healthy ways to cope with these big feelings. Just like we talked about, it's not about ignoring them, but about finding ways to process them. Let's look at some healthy coping mechanisms on the slide. Have any of you used any of these strategies before, or can you think of others?" (Facilitate a short discussion, using the Grief Discussion Prompts as needed to deepen the conversation and encourage empathy.)

Journal Reflection (5 minutes)

Teacher: "(Display Navigating Grief's Tides Slide Deck - Slide 5) Remember, you are not alone in this journey. We all experience loss and grief. Now, we're going to take some time for personal reflection. I'm going to hand out a My Grief Journal entry sheet. Please choose one of the prompts and spend the next 5 minutes writing quietly. This is for your eyes only; you won't be asked to share your writing." (Distribute journals and set a timer).

Cool-Down: One Takeaway (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright everyone, let's wrap up our lesson for today. I'm handing out a Grief Cool-Down sheet. Please take a moment to write down one key takeaway or one new thing you learned or thought about during our discussion on grief today."

Teacher: "When you're finished, please hand in your cool-down as you leave. Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today. Remember, it's okay to not be okay, and it's always okay to ask for help."

Grief Warm-Up

Instructions: When you hear the word "grief," what thoughts or feelings come to mind? Write down your initial reactions below.

Grief Cool-Down

Instructions: What is one key takeaway or one new thing you learned or thought about during our discussion on grief today?

Grief Discussion Prompts

Use these prompts to facilitate a deeper discussion about grief. Remember to create a safe and empathetic space for students to share, and remind them that they are not obligated to share anything they are uncomfortable with.

1. What are some different emotions people might feel when they are grieving? Is it okay to feel angry or confused when you're grieving?
   
   
   
2. Why do you think it's important to talk about our feelings when we're experiencing loss?
   
   
   
3. Have you ever seen someone you know experience grief? How did you support them, or how do you think you could support someone who is grieving?
   
   
   
4. Besides talking, what are some other healthy ways to express difficult emotions? (e.g., writing, drawing, listening to music, exercise)
   
   
   
5. What does it mean to be patient with yourself when you're going through a difficult time?

My Grief Journal

Instructions: Choose ONE of the prompts below and write your reflections. This is a personal space for you to express your thoughts and feelings. You will not be asked to share your writing.

Journal Prompts:

1. Describe a time when you experienced a significant loss or change. How did you feel, and what helped you through it? If you haven't experienced a major loss, imagine how you might feel and what you would do to cope.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What is one healthy coping mechanism discussed today that you think would be most helpful for you or someone you know, and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Write a letter to a friend who is experiencing grief. What supportive words would you offer them, and what advice would you give about taking care of themselves?