Lesson Plan
Recharge & Thrive Lesson Plan
Students will identify, create, and practice personalized self-care strategies and coping skills, building emotional resilience and daily wellness habits.
Teaching self-care and coping skills equips students with practical tools to manage stress, boost mental health, and foster a supportive classroom culture.
Audience
8th Grade
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive brainstorm, hands-on creation, guided reflection
Materials
- Recharge & Thrive Slide Deck, - Self-Care Strategy Brainstorm Worksheet, - Coping Skills Trading Cards, - Mood Tracker Template, - Chart Paper or Whiteboard, and - Markers or Pens
Prep
Review & Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Recharge & Thrive Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with definitions and examples
- Print one copy of the Self-Care Strategy Brainstorm Worksheet per student
- Print one set of Coping Skills Trading Cards templates per student
- Prepare copies of the Mood Tracker Template for each student
- Ensure chart paper or whiteboard and markers are available for whole-class brainstorming
Step 1
Warm-Up: Stress Snapshot
5 minutes
- Ask students to rate their current stress on a 1–10 scale on a sticky note or quick journal entry
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one thing contributing to their stress today
Step 2
Introduction to Self-Care & Coping Skills
10 minutes
- Present definitions of self-care and coping skills via the Recharge & Thrive Slide Deck
- Discuss why managing stress and building resilience matters for teens
- Highlight benefits: improved focus, mood, and well-being
Step 3
Self-Care Strategy Brainstorm
15 minutes
- Divide students into pairs or small groups
- Distribute the Self-Care Strategy Brainstorm Worksheet
- In groups, list as many self-care ideas as possible (physical, emotional, social, creative)
- Record top ideas on chart paper or whiteboard
- Debrief: ask groups to share their favorite strategy
Step 4
Coping Skills Trading Cards
15 minutes
- Give each student the Coping Skills Trading Cards template
- Students create 3–4 cards: name of coping skill, illustration, brief description
- After crafting, students trade cards with classmates and discuss how to use each skill
Step 5
Independent Reflection & Mood Tracking Plan
10 minutes
- Hand out the Mood Tracker Template
- Students choose three coping strategies from today’s activities
- On their template, schedule when and how they will practice each skill over the next week
- Write a short reflection on why these strategies feel helpful
Step 6
Closure & Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share one new strategy they plan to use
- Remind students to complete their mood tracker daily and keep their trading cards handy
- Encourage continued discussion and support for one another
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Recharge & Thrive
Self-Care & Coping Skills for 8th Grade
Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today we’ll learn self-care and coping tools to manage stress and feel our best.
Learning Objectives
• Identify personal self-care strategies
• Understand coping skills to manage stress
• Create and plan to practice personalized tools
Read through each objective and emphasize why these goals matter. Invite students to keep them in mind during activities.
Understanding Stress
Stress is your body and mind’s response to challenges or demands. It can feel like tension, worry, or overwhelm.
Define stress and ask students to think of times they’ve felt stressed. Collect a few brief examples.
Why Stress Matters
• Physical: headaches, muscle tension, fatigue
• Emotional: mood swings, irritability
• Cognitive: trouble focusing, memory issues
• Behavioral: sleep changes, appetite shifts
Highlight both short-term and long-term effects. Ask: “How does stress show up for you?”
What Is Self-Care?
Self-care means taking intentional actions to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Explain that self-care is proactive—done before stress gets out of hand.
Types of Self-Care
• Physical
• Emotional
• Social
• Creative
Briefly describe each category and invite students to think of examples.
Self-Care Examples
• Physical: exercise, good sleep, healthy snacks
• Emotional: journaling, mindfulness
• Social: talking with friends, family game night
• Creative: drawing, playing music, crafting
Share one or two personal examples for each category to model the activity.
What Are Coping Skills?
Coping skills are specific techniques you use to calm your mind and body when you feel stressed or overwhelmed.
Define coping skills as tools you can use in the moment when stress feels high.
Coping Skills in Action
• Deep breathing or box breathing
• Taking a short walk or stretch
• Positive self-talk (“I can handle this!”)
• Progressive muscle relaxation
Demonstrate one quick deep-breathing exercise to engage students.
Activity Overview
- Self-Care Strategy Brainstorm Worksheet
- Coping Skills Trading Cards
- Mood Tracker & Reflection Plan
Explain the three main activities and how they build on what we’ve learned so far.
Activities: Brainstorm & Trading Cards
• Brainstorm self-care ideas in pairs/groups
• Fill out your worksheet with top strategies
• Create 3–4 trading cards: name, illustration, description
• Trade cards and discuss usage
Guide students through the Self-Care Brainstorm: group up, list ideas, share top picks. Then explain the Trading Cards template and trading process.
Reflect & Plan
• Choose 3 favorite strategies from today
• Schedule when/how to use each in the next week
• Write why you picked them and how you expect to feel
Show the Mood Tracker template. Walk through how to schedule strategies and write reflections.
Closure & Reminders
• Share one new strategy you’ll use
• Complete your mood tracker daily
• Keep trading cards handy and help classmates
Wrap up by inviting volunteers to share one strategy they’re excited to try. Remind them to support each other and use tools daily.
Worksheet
Self-Care Strategy Brainstorm Worksheet
Instructions
In your group, brainstorm self-care ideas in each category below. Aim to list at least 3–5 ideas per category. Be creative and think of activities you enjoy or want to try.
| Category | Idea 1 | Idea 2 | Idea 3 | Idea 4 | Idea 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical | |||||
| Emotional | |||||
| Social | |||||
| Creative |
Personal Reflection
- Which two ideas from the table above are your favorites? For each, explain:
- What appeals to you about this idea?
- When and how could you practice it this week?
Favorite Strategy #1:
Why I like it:
When/How I’ll do it:
Favorite Strategy #2:
Why I like it:
When/How I’ll do it:
-
Is there another self-care idea you’d like to try (one not listed above)? Describe it below:
-
Which category do you feel most drawn to? Why?
-
How might practicing these self-care strategies help you manage stress or improve your mood this week?
When you finish, be prepared to share one strategy you’re excited to try during our class discussion!
Activity
Coping Skills Trading Cards Template
Instructions
Use this template to create 3–4 trading cards. On each card, write the name of a coping skill, illustrate it, and include a brief description of when and how to use it. After finishing, trade cards with a partner and discuss each skill.
Trading Card 1
Skill Name: ____________________________________
Illustration (draw here):
Description:
What is this skill and when would you use it?
Trading Card 2
Skill Name: ____________________________________
Illustration (draw here):
Description:
What is this skill and when would you use it?
Trading Card 3
Skill Name: ____________________________________
Illustration (draw here):
Description:
What is this skill and when would you use it?
Trading Card 4
Skill Name: ____________________________________
Illustration (draw here):
Description:
What is this skill and when would you use it?
After Trading:
- Partner up and share each card’s skill and description.
- Choose one new coping skill from a partner’s card to try this week.
- Write a quick note on the back of the card about how you used it and how it helped you.
Worksheet
Mood Tracker Template
Use this tracker to record your mood, note which self-care or coping strategy you used, and reflect on how it helped. Aim to fill it out each day for one week.
Day 1
Date: ________________
Mood Rating (1–10): ________________
Coping Strategy Used: ________________
When & How I Practiced It:
Reflection: How did it affect your mood or stress level?
Day 2
Date: ________________
Mood Rating (1–10): ________________
Coping Strategy Used: ________________
When & How I Practiced It:
Reflection: How did it affect your mood or stress level?
Day 3
Date: ________________
Mood Rating (1–10): ________________
Coping Strategy Used: ________________
When & How I Practiced It:
Reflection: How did it affect your mood or stress level?
Day 4
Date: ________________
Mood Rating (1–10): ________________
Coping Strategy Used: ________________
When & How I Practiced It:
Reflection: How did it affect your mood or stress level?
Day 5
Date: ________________
Mood Rating (1–10): ________________
Coping Strategy Used: ________________
When & How I Practiced It:
Reflection: How did it affect your mood or stress level?
Day 6
Date: ________________
Mood Rating (1–10): ________________
Coping Strategy Used: ________________
When & How I Practiced It:
Reflection: How did it affect your mood or stress level?
Day 7
Date: ________________
Mood Rating (1–10): ________________
Coping Strategy Used: ________________
When & How I Practiced It:
Reflection: How did it affect your mood or stress level?
Weekly Reflection
- What patterns did you notice in your mood this week?
- Which coping strategy helped you the most? Why do you think that was?
- What will you continue to practice next week to support your well-being?