SEL Support: Navigating Gun Violence

Viktoriya Mushailova

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

SEL Support: Navigating Gun Violence

Provide SEL surrounding gun violence

This lesson aims to provide social-emotional learning (SEL) support to high school students in the context of recent gun violence situations. By using trauma-informed teaching strategies, the lesson will help students process their emotions, understand the importance of seeking help, and develop coping strategies. This lesson is crucial in fostering a supportive environment where students feel safe to express their feelings and learn how to manage stress and anxiety related to traumatic events.

Audience

High school students at Clara Barton HS

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Trauma-Informed Teaching

Materials

Discussion Questions, Activity Worksheet, Exit Ticket, Video: How to Help Someone Who is Suicidal, Sentence Starters, and Translations in French, Haitian Creole, and Spanish

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

Welcome students and create a safe space by acknowledging the sensitivity of the topic.
Briefly introduce the lesson's objective: to provide support and strategies for dealing with emotions related to gun violence.
Show the video How to Help Someone Who is Suicidal to highlight the importance of seeking help.

Step 2

Discussion

10 mins

Use the provided discussion questions to facilitate a conversation about students' feelings and thoughts on recent events.
Encourage students to share their emotions and listen actively to each other.
Provide sentence starters and translations to support ELL students.

Step 3

Activity

10 mins

Distribute the activity worksheet where students can write or draw their feelings and coping strategies.
Encourage students to think about who they can reach out to for support and what actions they can take to feel safer.
Offer assistance and support as needed, especially for students with IEPs.

Step 4

Closure

5 mins

Collect the exit tickets where students can express one thing they learned or a feeling they want to share.
Reassure students that their feelings are valid and remind them of available support resources.
Thank students for their participation and courage in discussing a difficult topic.

Discussion

Discussion Questions: SEL & Gun Violence

Facilitate a discussion to help students express their feelings and thoughts about recent gun violence events.

How do you feel about the recent events involving gun violence?

Encourage students to share their emotions openly and validate their feelings.

What are some ways we can support each other during these times?

Guide students to think about empathy, active listening, and reaching out for help.

Who can you talk to if you're feeling overwhelmed or scared?

Discuss the importance of seeking help from trusted adults, friends, or mental health professionals.

Worksheet

Activity Worksheet: Coping Strategies

This worksheet helps students identify their feelings and develop coping strategies related to gun violence.

Write or draw how you feel about the recent events.

List three people you can talk to when you feel scared or anxious.

What are two actions you can take to feel safer in your environment?

Quiz

Exit Ticket: SEL & Gun Violence