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Riding Grief's Waves

Lesson Plan

Riding Grief's Waves Lesson Plan

Students will understand grief as a normal response to loss, identify common feelings, and learn healthy coping strategies to support themselves and others.

Teaching grief literacy builds emotional resilience, fosters empathy, and equips students with tools to handle loss, improving overall well-being.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discuss feelings, explore strategies, and reflect together

Materials

Grief Coping Strategies Handout, Feelings Reflection Chart, Index Cards, Markers, and Tissues

Prep

Lesson Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Display the question: “What does loss mean to you?” and invite a few volunteers to share.
  • Distribute the Feelings Reflection Chart and ask students to circle emotions they’ve felt after a loss.
  • Acknowledge all responses, emphasizing that grief looks different for everyone.

Step 2

Defining Grief

8 minutes

  • Define grief: deep sadness or confusion after losing something or someone important.
  • Provide relatable examples (e.g., moving, pet passing, friendship changes).
  • In pairs, students list 2–3 emotions tied to those examples on their chart.
  • Invite pairs to briefly share one emotion they noted.

Step 3

Coping Strategies Brainstorm

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Grief Coping Strategies Handout and review 4–5 healthy strategies (journaling, talking with a friend, drawing, breathing exercises).
  • Have students pair up and choose two strategies they think would help them.
  • Give each pair 2 index cards. On each, write one chosen strategy and a short plan for using it.
  • Circulate to prompt deeper thinking or model examples as needed.

Step 4

Reflection & Wrap-Up

7 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share one coping plan they created.
  • Distribute tissues and remind students it’s okay to feel emotional.
  • On a fresh index card, students draw a small heart and write an encouraging message (“You’re not alone,” “I care about you,” etc.).
  • Collect cards to display on a Class Support Wall, reinforcing community and ongoing empathy.
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Slide Deck

Riding Grief's Waves

Understanding and Coping with Loss

Welcome the class and introduce today’s lesson. Explain that we’ll explore what grief is, share experiences, learn healthy coping strategies, and support each other.

Today's Agenda

• Warm-Up Discussion (5 min)
• Defining Grief (8 min)
• Coping Strategies Brainstorm (10 min)
• Reflection & Wrap-Up (7 min)

Briefly walk through each part of the lesson so students know what to expect.

Warm-Up Discussion

What does “loss” mean to you?

• Circle any emotions you’ve felt after a loss on your Feelings Reflection Chart.

Display the prompt visually or on the board. Pass out the Feelings Reflection Chart. Encourage everyone to participate, emphasizing there are no right or wrong answers.

Defining Grief

Grief is a deep sadness or confusion after losing something or someone important.

Examples:
• Moving to a new home
• Losing a pet
• Friendship changes

Define grief in your own words, then invite students to restate it. Offer examples if needed. Pair students up to list 2–3 emotions tied to each example.

Healthy Coping Strategies

• Journaling or writing
• Talking with a friend or family member
• Drawing or creating art
• Deep breathing exercises
• Listening to music

Introduce the Grief Coping Strategies Handout. Review each strategy briefly and invite questions about how they work.

Plan Your Strategies

In pairs, choose two coping strategies.

On each index card:

  1. Write the strategy name
  2. Describe a short plan for using it

Have students form pairs. Distribute two index cards to each pair. Prompt them to think about when and how they could use each chosen strategy.

Reflection & Wrap-Up

• Share one coping plan with the class
• On a new index card, draw a heart and write an encouraging message

(We’ll display these on our Class Support Wall!)

Invite a few volunteers to share their plans. Distribute tissues and remind students that all feelings are valid. Pass out fresh index cards for the final activity.

You’re Not Alone

If you ever feel overwhelmed, talk with:
• A trusted teacher or counselor
• A family member or friend
• A helpful adult at school

Reassure students of available support and encourage them to reach out to a teacher, counselor, or trusted adult whenever they need help.

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Worksheet

Grief Coping Strategies Handout

Use this handout to explore healthy ways to cope when you’re experiencing grief. Read each strategy, then personalize how you might use it.

1. Journaling or Writing

Write down your thoughts and feelings to help sort through sadness.
How could you use this strategy?






2. Talking with a Friend or Family Member

Sharing with someone you trust can lighten your emotional load.
Who could you talk to, and what might you say?






3. Drawing or Creating Art

Use art to express feelings when words are hard to find.
What could you draw or create to show how you feel?






4. Deep Breathing Exercises

Focus on your breath to calm your mind and body.
Describe a breathing routine you could try (e.g., 4-count inhale, hold, 4-count exhale):






5. Listening to Music

Music can comfort you, change your mood, or help you release emotions.
What songs or playlists might help you cope?






Plan Your Top Two Strategies

Pick two strategies above. On each line below, name the strategy and describe when and how you will use it.

  1. Strategy Name: ________________________
    Plan (when, where, with whom, how long):






  2. Strategy Name: ________________________
    Plan (when, where, with whom, how long):






Reflection

Which coping strategy feels most helpful for you right now, and why?











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Worksheet

Feelings Reflection Chart

When we experience loss, we can feel many different emotions.
Look over the list below and circle any feelings you’ve experienced after a loss.

Sadness & Loneliness
sad 😢 lonely 😔 empty 🥀 tearful 😭 hopeless 😞

Anger & Frustration
frustrated 😤 angry 😡 annoyed 😠 irritable 😒 resentful 😣

Confusion & Shock
shocked 😲 confused 😕 numb 😶 overwhelmed 😵 disoriented 😵‍💫

Fear & Worry
anxious 😰 worried 😟 uncertain 😬 scared 😱 vulnerable 😥

Guilt & Regret
guilty 😔 regretful 😞 blaming 😣 ashamed 😳 responsible 😓

Relief & Acceptance
relieved 😌 calm 😌 accepting 🤗 hopeful 🌅 peaceful 🕊️

Reflection Questions

  1. Which emotion(s) did you circle the most? Why do you think you felt this way?






  2. Think of a time you experienced one of these feelings. What helped you cope in that moment?






  3. How could you use one of the coping strategies from the Grief Coping Strategies Handout to support yourself when you feel this emotion again?










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Riding Grief's Waves • Lenny Learning