Session 1 Warm-Up

This warm-up activity is designed to set a positive, forward-thinking tone for the session. It will help students transition into the lesson by thinking about the future in an optimistic way and by engaging them in a brief, interactive activity.

Instructions:

• Welcome and Introduction: Start by welcoming the students and briefly introducing the focus of the session on transitions and the exciting new possibilities that await them.

• Icebreaker Activity: Ask each student to share one positive thought or expectation they have for their future (college or work). Encourage them to think about what they are most looking forward to, whether it's a new experience or a challenging goal.

• As students share, gently remind them of the importance of listening attentively to one another, a key social pragmatic skill highlighted in our class goals.

This activity not only energizes the class but also helps ease any apprehension by focusing on positive aspects of change.

Session 1 Main Activity

This activity is designed to facilitate an open discussion about the emotions that students may experience as they transition from high school to the next chapter, whether that be college or entering the workforce. By engaging in guided questions and sharing personal experiences, students will develop their social pragmatic skills such as active listening, staying on topic, and reading the room.

Activity Guidelines:

1. Introduction (2 mins):

   • Remind students of the session's goal: exploring and understanding the range of emotions linked to the transition from high school.
   • Briefly highlight the importance of sharing experiences and listening to peers to build a supportive atmosphere.

2. Guided Discussion (10 mins):

   • Begin with a few guided questions to spark conversation. Consider using these prompts:
     • What emotions do you think you might feel as you move to a new phase of your life?
     • Can you recall a time when you had to face a significant change? What did you learn from that experience?
     • How can sharing your feelings help you understand and manage them better?
   • Encourage students to share their thoughts in small groups or pairs if they feel more comfortable, before opening the discussion to the entire class.

3. Personal Experience Sharing (8 mins):

   • Ask each student to share one personal experience or feeling related to change. Remind them that all responses are valued and that there is no right or wrong answer.
   • As students share, encourage the rest of the class to practice active listening and empathy.

4. Wrap-Up (5 mins):

   • Summarize the key points discussed during the session.
   • Ask students to write down one new insight they gained about themselves or about coping with change.
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Close the activity by acknowledging everyone's contributions and reinforcing that it's normal to have a range of feelings during transitions.

This activity not only helps you understand your own emotions better but also builds important communication skills that will support you during transitional periods.

Session 1 Cool Down

This cool-down activity is designed to help students reflect on the discussions from the session. By taking a moment to identify an emotion they experienced and a strategy to manage that emotion, students can consolidate their learning and prepare for future changes.

Instructions:

• Reflection Writing: Ask students to quietly reflect and write down one emotion they encountered during the discussion and one strategy they can use to manage that emotion.

• Sharing Circle: Invite volunteers to share their thoughts with the group. As they speak, encourage active listening and support from peers.

This cool-down activity not only solidifies the day's learning but also empowers students with a personal strategy for managing their emotions during transitions.

Session 2 Warm-Up

This warm-up activity is designed to help students transition smoothly into Session 2 by revisiting the key points from the previous session. It will reinforce continuity and set the stage for exploring practical coping strategies for managing change.

Instructions:

• Recap: Begin by briefly summarizing the main discussion points from Session 1. Highlight the various emotions discussed and the importance of understanding personal reactions to change.

• Takeaway Sharing: Ask each student to share one key takeaway from the previous session. This could be an insight about their own emotions, a coping strategy they found useful, or a moment from the discussion that resonated with them.

• Guided Reflection: Encourage students to think about how their takeaway might connect to the new strategies they will explore today, emphasizing the continuity between the sessions.

This activity not only reinforces previous learning but also prepares the students for a deeper dive into practical strategies for managing transitions.

Session 2 Main Activity

This activity introduces practical coping strategies to manage the changes associated with the transition from high school to the next phase in life. Students will engage in role-play exercises applying strategies like mindfulness, journaling, and structured planning to hypothetical scenarios, all while enhancing their social pragmatic skills.

Activity Guidelines:

1. Introduction (3 mins):

   • Explain that today's focus is on learning and practicing coping strategies.
   • Briefly introduce each coping strategy (e.g., mindfulness for staying calm, journaling to process feelings, and structured planning to organize thoughts) and discuss their benefits.

2. Strategy Exploration (7 mins):

   • Divide the class into small groups.
   • Assign each group one coping strategy or allow groups to choose one they find most helpful.
   • Provide a brief discussion prompt: How might this strategy help you manage a specific challenge you might face during your transition?
     
     
     

3. Role-Play Exercise (10 mins):

   • Present hypothetical scenarios related to the transition (e.g., starting college, entering a new work environment, or managing a major change in routine).
   • In their groups, students will role-play the assigned scenario, incorporating their chosen coping strategy into the dialogue. Encourage them to focus on clear communication, active listening, and staying on topic, keeping in mind their social pragmatic skills.
   • Rotate roles within the groups so all students get the chance to lead and contribute.

4. Group Discussion & Feedback (5 mins):

   • Reconvene as a whole class.
   • Ask each group to share insights from their role-play: Which coping strategy was used? How did it help manage the scenario? What challenges did they face in applying it?
   • Encourage constructive feedback and discussion about how these strategies might be applied in real-life situations.

5. Wrap-Up Reflection (5 mins):

   • Invite students to individually write down one coping strategy they plan to try moving forward and why they believe it will be effective.
     
     
     
     
     
   • Optionally, have a few students share their chosen strategy with the group.

Through this role-play based exploration, students not only learn practical strategies for managing change but also practice essential social pragmatic skills like active listening, effective communication, and group collaboration.

Session 2 Cool Down

This cool-down activity is designed to help students reflect on the coping strategies discussed during Session 2 and to identify one strategy they will use to navigate future transitions. By reflecting on the effectiveness of these strategies, students can solidify their learning and feel empowered to manage change in their lives.

Instructions:

• Individual Reflection: Ask students to take a few minutes to think about the coping strategies explored during the session. Have them write down which strategy resonated most with them and why they believe it will be effective in managing their transitions.

• Group Sharing: Invite students to share their chosen strategy with the group. Encourage them to explain their reasoning and listen attentively as peers share their reflections, reinforcing the social pragmatic skills of active listening and staying on topic.

This cool-down activity not only consolidates today's learning but also equips you with a practical tool to help manage future changes as you transition to new adventures.

Session 1 Discussion: Emotions & Transitions

This discussion session is designed to create a safe space for students to explore the range of emotions they might experience as they transition out of high school. It uses guided questions to foster an open conversation, encourages sharing personal experiences, and develops essential social pragmatic skills like active listening, staying on topic, and empathetic communication.

Discussion Guidelines:

1. Setting the Tone:

   • Begin by reminding the group that every emotion is valid, and there is no right or wrong way to feel during this transition.
   • Emphasize the importance of listening carefully when others speak and to support one another in a non-judgmental space.

2. Guided Discussion Questions:

   • What emotions do you anticipate experiencing as you prepare for life after high school?
     
     
     
   • Can you share a past experience with change, and what did you learn from that situation?
     
     
     
   • How do you think sharing your feelings with others can help you manage them better?
     
     
     
   • What strategies have you heard of or used before to help manage challenging emotions?

3. Personal Experience Sharing:

   • Invite students to share their thoughts or personal stories related to change. Consider small group or pair discussions if the larger group feels intimidating.
     
     
     
   • Encourage students to describe a time when understanding a range of emotions helped them cope with a difficult situation.

4. Reflection Questions:

   • After discussing, ask each student to reflect on one new insight they gained about how they relate to change.
     
     
     
   • What is one action you could take that might help you feel more prepared for the transition ahead?

Follow-Up Prompts:

• If the discussion leads to identifying common fears or excitements, ask: "How can we use our personal strengths to turn these feelings into positive action?"

• To deepen understanding, ask: "What does it mean to practice empathy in this transition, and how can we support each other better?"

• If students mention strategies they've used before, prompt further: "How might these strategies be adapted for new and unforeseen challenges in the future?"

This discussion is a key step in recognizing and validating your emotions during this transitional period. Your willingness to share and listen builds a supportive community that empowers everyone on this journey.