Lesson Plan
Spin Your Wellness Wheel!
Students will identify the eight dimensions of wellness and assess their personal balance across these dimensions using the Wellness Wheel framework.
Understanding the different facets of wellness empowers students to make holistic choices, build resilience, and actively manage their physical, mental, and emotional health.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and self-reflection.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Spin Your Wellness Wheel Slide Deck, Wellness Wheel Worksheet, and Wellness Check-In Journal
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Spin Your Wellness Wheel Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print or prepare to distribute the Wellness Wheel Worksheet.
- Review the Wellness Check-In Journal prompt for the cool-down activity.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready for use.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick question to gauge students' understanding of 'wellness.'
- Introduce the concept of holistic wellness and the Wellness Wheel using the Spin Your Wellness Wheel Slide Deck.
- Explain that wellness is not just physical health, but a balance of many areas.
Step 2
Exploring the Wellness Dimensions (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Go through each of the eight dimensions of wellness on the Spin Your Wellness Wheel Slide Deck, providing brief explanations and examples for each.
- Encourage brief class discussion for each dimension, asking students for their own examples or initial thoughts on what each dimension means to them.
Step 3
Personal Wellness Wheel Assessment (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the Wellness Wheel Worksheet.
- Instruct students to privately reflect on each dimension and color in their wheel based on their current satisfaction or engagement in that area.
- Emphasize that this is a personal reflection, not a graded assignment, and there's no 'right' answer.
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Reflection (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Ask students to silently consider one dimension they feel strong in and one they'd like to improve.
- Introduce the Wellness Check-In Journal prompt as an optional take-home reflection or quick in-class cool-down activity.
- Reiterate the importance of balanced wellness and that it's an ongoing journey.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Spin Your Wellness Wheel!
Understanding YOU, inside and out!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of wellness. Ask a general question like, "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'wellness'?" Allow for a few responses.
What is Wellness?
It's not just about not being sick!
It's about feeling good and thriving in many areas of your life.
Explain that wellness is more than just physical health. It's about a holistic approach to life.
The Wellness Wheel
A tool to explore different areas of your life that contribute to your overall well-being. There are 8 key dimensions!
Introduce the Wellness Wheel as a tool to visualize different aspects of well-being. Explain there are many models, and this one has 8 dimensions.
1. Emotional Wellness
Understanding, coping with, and expressing your feelings effectively.
- Recognizing your emotions
- Managing stress
- Building resilience
Emotional Wellness: Discuss recognizing, understanding, and managing feelings. Examples: journaling, talking to friends, seeking support.
2. Environmental Wellness
Fostering positive interactions with your surroundings and appreciating nature.
- A tidy personal space
- Connecting with nature
- Being mindful of your impact
Environmental Wellness: Discuss the impact of surroundings on well-being. Examples: clean space, spending time in nature, reducing waste.
3. Financial Wellness
Managing your resources to live within your means and achieve financial goals.
- Understanding your money habits
- Saving for the future
- Making informed financial decisions
Financial Wellness: Discuss managing resources and feeling secure. Examples: budgeting, saving, understanding needs vs. wants.
4. Intellectual Wellness
Engaging in creative and stimulating mental activities to expand your knowledge and skills.
- Learning new things
- Being open to new ideas
- Solving problems creatively
Intellectual Wellness: Discuss engaging in creative and mentally stimulating activities. Examples: learning new skills, reading, problem-solving.
5. Occupational Wellness
Finding personal satisfaction and enrichment from your work, school, or chosen activities.
- Enjoying what you do
- Feeling a sense of purpose
- Developing valuable skills
Occupational Wellness: Discuss finding satisfaction and enrichment through work or activities. Examples: hobbies, volunteering, future career exploration.
6. Physical Wellness
Maintaining a healthy body through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest.
- Eating well
- Staying active
- Getting enough sleep
Physical Wellness: Discuss maintaining a healthy body through habits. Examples: exercise, healthy eating, sufficient sleep, hygiene.
7. Social Wellness
Developing and maintaining healthy relationships and contributing to your community.
- Connecting with others
- Effective communication
- Building supportive networks
Social Wellness: Discuss building healthy relationships and contributing to community. Examples: spending time with friends/family, teamwork, empathy.
8. Spiritual Wellness
Finding purpose, meaning, and a sense of values in your life.
- Living by your values
- Practicing mindfulness
- Connecting to something larger than yourself
Spiritual Wellness: Discuss finding meaning and purpose in life. Examples: personal values, meditation, spending time in nature, acts of kindness (not necessarily religious).
Your Wellness Wheel Journey
Now, let's explore your own unique wellness journey.
Think about each dimension and how it feels for you right now.
Transition to the activity. Explain that they will now reflect on their own wellness. Emphasize it's personal and not a judgment.
Time for Reflection!
On your Wellness Wheel Worksheet:
- Take a moment for each dimension.
- Color in the section based on how satisfied or engaged you feel in that area.
- Closer to the center = less satisfied / needs attention
- Closer to the edge = more satisfied / thriving
Explain how to use the worksheet. They will color closer to the center if they feel less satisfied, and closer to the outer edge if more satisfied.
What Did You Notice?
No wheel is perfectly round, and that's okay!
- Which areas felt strong?
- Which areas might need a little more attention?
Your wellness journey is unique and always evolving. Keep spinning!
Encourage students to think about one area they feel strong in and one they'd like to improve. Introduce the journal as a deeper reflection opportunity.
Worksheet
My Wellness Wheel
Instructions: Reflect on each dimension of wellness. For each section of the wheel, color in how satisfied or engaged you feel in that area of your life right now. The closer you color to the center, the less satisfied you feel. The closer you color to the outer edge, the more satisfied you feel. There are no right or wrong answers – this is for your personal reflection!
(Imagine a circle here, divided into 8 equal pie slices. Each slice extends from the center to the edge. Each slice is labeled starting from the top and going clockwise: Emotional, Environmental, Financial, Intellectual, Occupational, Physical, Social, Spiritual)
Reflect and Respond:
-
Which dimension(s) did you color closest to the outer edge? What makes you feel strong in these areas?
-
Which dimension(s) did you color closest to the center? What is one small step you could take to improve this area?
-
Why do you think it's important to think about all these different parts of your wellness?
Journal
Wellness Check-In Journal
Instructions: Take some time to reflect on your Wellness Wheel experience and your personal well-being. Write your thoughts in response to the prompts below.
Journal Prompts:
-
After learning about the eight dimensions, how has your understanding of "wellness" changed or expanded?
-
Looking at your completed Wellness Wheel, identify one dimension where you feel particularly strong or balanced. Describe what contributes to this strength and how it positively impacts your life.
-
Now, choose one dimension that you would like to give more attention to in the coming week. What is one small, achievable action you could take to nurture this aspect of your well-being?
-
How do you think improving one area of your wellness might positively affect other areas of your life?