Lesson Plan
Stress: Hero or Villain
Students will identify and differentiate between eustress and distress, analyze real-life scenarios, and develop strategies to transform stress into a positive force, fostering emotional resilience.
Understanding good versus bad stress empowers students to manage challenges healthily, build coping skills, and improve well-being both in and out of school.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, hands-on sorting, and reflective brainstorming.
Materials
- Stress Venn Diagram Template, - Stress Scenario Cards, - Stress Management Strategy Posters, and - Chart Paper and Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of Stress Venn Diagram Template for each student.
- Print and cut out sets of Stress Scenario Cards for small groups.
- Post Stress Management Strategy Posters around the room or prepare digital display.
- Gather chart paper and markers for group work.
- Review scenario cards and ensure a mix of eustress/distress examples as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
5 minutes
- Ask: “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘stress’?”
- Record student responses on the board.
- Introduce terms eustress (positive stress) and distress (negative stress).
Step 2
Venn Diagram Exploration
10 minutes
- Distribute Stress Venn Diagram Template to each student.
- Define eustress and distress with examples (e.g., excitement before a game vs. worry about a test).
- Students fill in: unique features of each stress type and similarities in the overlap.
- Circulate to support and prompt deeper examples.
Step 3
Scenario Sorting Activity
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups; give each group a set of Stress Scenario Cards.
- Groups sort cards into eustress or distress piles on chart paper.
- For each eustress card, groups suggest one coping/enhancing strategy; for distress, one stress-reduction strategy.
- Reference Stress Management Strategy Posters for ideas.
Step 4
Closure & Reflection
5 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share a scenario they sorted and the strategy they chose.
- Ask each student to write one personal action: how they’ll use eustress or reduce distress this week.
- Collect responses and post on a “Stress-Smart Pledge” display.
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Slide Deck
Stress: Hero or Villain
• Today’s Objective:
– Identify eustress vs. distress
– Explore real-life examples
– Develop strategies to use stress positively
• Let’s become stress heroes!
Welcome students and introduce today’s topic. Explain that we will learn about two types of stress—good stress (eustress) and bad stress (distress)—and practice turning stress into a positive force.
What Is Stress?
• Think-Pair-Share:
– What do you feel or think when you hear “stress”?
• New Vocabulary:
– Eustress = positive stress
– Distress = negative stress
Ask: “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘stress’?” Record answers. Then introduce the terms eustress and distress.
Eustress vs. Distress
Eustress (Positive)
• Excitement before a game
• Motivation to practice
Distress (Negative)
• Worry about failing a test
• Feeling overwhelmed by homework
Define each term clearly and give simple examples: excitement before a game for eustress; worry before a test for distress. Invite students to share their own examples.
Venn Diagram Exploration
- Grab a Stress Venn Diagram Template.
- Label one circle “Eustress” and the other “Distress.”
- Fill in:
• Unique traits of each
• Shared qualities in the overlap
Distribute the Stress Venn Diagram Template. Ask students to write unique features of eustress and distress, then list their similarities in the overlap.
Scenario Sorting Activity
- In groups, sort Stress Scenario Cards into:
• Eustress
• Distress - For each eustress card, propose one way to enhance it.
- For each distress card, propose one way to reduce it.
Divide students into small groups. Hand out Stress Scenario Cards and chart paper. Monitor group progress, ensure each card is sorted correctly, and guide strategy suggestions.
Stress Management Strategies
Refer to Stress Management Strategy Posters:
• Exercise & movement
• Deep breathing & mindfulness
• Positive self-talk
• Time management
Point out the posters around the room or display them digitally. Encourage students to use these ideas when developing their strategies.
Closure & Reflection
• Share one sorted scenario and chosen strategy
• Write one personal action for this week:
– How will you use eustress?
– How will you reduce distress?
• Post your action on our “Stress-Smart Pledge”
Invite volunteers to share one scenario and strategy. Then have each student write a personal action plan and add it to the “Stress-Smart Pledge” display.
Worksheet
Stress Sorting Worksheet
Name: ________________________ Date: ______________
Part 1: Venn Diagram – Eustress vs Distress
Use the circles below to organize your ideas. You can draw your own Venn diagram or use a printed copy of the Stress Venn Diagram Template.
In the Eustress-only circle, list 2 unique traits or examples:
In the Distress-only circle, list 2 unique traits or examples:
In the overlap area, list 2 shared qualities of both types of stress:
Part 2: Scenario Sorting
Using your Stress Scenario Cards, sort at least 4 scenarios and record your work below.
| Stress Scenario | Type (Eustress/Distress) | Strategy to Enhance or Reduce |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ||
| 2. | ||
| 3. | ||
| 4. |
Part 3: Personal Reflection
-
How will you use eustress to support your goals this week?
-
How will you reduce distress to stay balanced this week?
-
Which strategy from the Stress Management Strategy Posters will you try?
Reading
Stress Scenarios
Below are eight real-life situations that can cause stress. As you read each one, think about whether it feels like a positive challenge (eustress) or negative pressure (distress). You will sort these scenarios into the two categories during our activity.
-
The Big Game
Alex’s soccer team is playing the championship match this afternoon. Alex feels thrilled at the chance to help the team win, but their heart races and hands sweat as kickoff approaches. -
Homework Overload
Jordan has three long essays and two math assignments due tomorrow. They stay up late trying to finish everything, but the pile of work feels never-ending. -
Talent Show Performance
Maria signed up to sing in the school talent show. She practices every day, excited to perform in front of friends, but also a little nervous about remembering all the lyrics. -
Unkind Comments
During lunch, Taylor overhears classmates whispering that Taylor isn’t smart enough for advanced math. Taylor’s stomach knots and they wonder if they really belong. -
Science Fair Project
Riley builds a volcano model for the science fair and can’t wait to see it erupt. Working on experiments after school gives Riley energy and a sense of accomplishment. -
Family Tension
Liam comes home to parents arguing about bills. The shouting makes Liam feel tense and unsafe in their own house. -
First Day of Club
Nia arrives at the robotics club for the first meeting. She feels butterflies in her stomach but looks forward to meeting new teammates and building something cool. -
Missed the Bus
Devin wakes up late and watches the bus pull away before they reach the stop. Devin panics about being late to class and getting in trouble.
Activity
Stress-Management Strategy Posters
🌬️ Deep Breathing
Take slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Focus on filling your belly with air, then exhale all the tension to feel calm.
🏃♂️ Physical Activity
Move your body with activities like walking, dancing, jumping jacks, or stretching. Exercise releases “feel-good” chemicals and helps shake off stress.
💬 Positive Self-Talk
Use kind, uplifting words with yourself. Say things like “I’ve got this,” or “I’m doing my best” to replace worries with confidence.
⏰ Time Management
Break big tasks into smaller steps. Use a checklist or set a timer to focus on one thing at a time, so you feel more in control and less rushed.