Lesson Plan
Stress Less, Live More Lesson Plan
Introduce 7th-grade students to stress management and coping skills, empowering them with strategies to reduce stress and enhance well-being.
Students will learn essential tools to manage stress, promote mental resilience, and apply healthy coping strategies in their daily lives.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, activities, video demonstrations, and reflection.
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Stress Less, Live More Lesson Plan for detailed structure
- Familiarize yourself with the Guided Discussion Prompts for Stress Management and Interactive Stress-Relief Activity Sheet
- Queue up the videos: What is Stress? (Video) and Deep Breathing (Video)
- Prepare any necessary materials (projector, printed activity sheets) ahead of time
Step 1
Introduction and Overview
5 minutes
- Begin with a brief introduction about stress and its impact on daily life
- Ask students what stress means to them, sparking initial discussion
- Introduce the video What is Stress? (Video) to visually explain the concept of stress
Step 2
Video Observation and Discussion
5 minutes
- Play the Deep Breathing (Video) to demonstrate a simple stress-relief technique
- Pause the video periodically to ask clarifying questions and ensure comprehension
Step 3
Interactive Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute the Interactive Stress-Relief Activity Sheet and guide students through the exercises (deep breathing, physical stretches)
- Facilitate small group discussions using the Guided Discussion Prompts for Stress Management to help students share experiences and explore additional coping strategies
Step 4
Reflection and Wrap-Up
10 minutes
- Lead a reflective discussion where students share one new stress management strategy they learned
- Summarize key points from the videos and activities
- Answer any remaining questions and encourage students to apply these techniques in daily life
Slide Deck
Stress Less, Live More
Today we'll explore stress management and coping skills. Let's learn how to handle stress effectively!
Welcome the students and briefly introduce the lesson. Highlight that today's focus is on understanding stress and learning simple techniques to manage it.
What is Stress?
• Stress is a normal response to challenges.
• It can be both good and bad.
• Today, we'll learn ways to manage stress better.
Initiate a discussion on stress. Ask guiding questions such as 'What does stress mean to you?' and 'Can you share a time when you felt stressed?' This slide is meant to set the stage for deeper understanding.
Interactive Stress-Relief Exercise
• Practice deep breathing techniques.
• Do quick physical stretches.
• Share experiences in small groups.
Direct students through an interactive activity. Explain each step, demonstrate deep breathing and simple stretches. Encourage group discussion using the provided discussion prompts.
Reflection & Wrap-Up
• What new strategies did you learn?
• How can you use these strategies in daily life?
• Any questions or thoughts?
Open the floor for reflection. Ask each student to share one stress management strategy they found helpful during the activity.
Discussion
Guided Discussion Prompts for Stress Management
This set of prompts is designed to help you facilitate a discussion on stress management with your 7th-grade students. The goal is to encourage students to share their own experiences and thoughts on stress and to collaboratively explore various ways to cope with it.
Opening Questions
- What does stress mean to you?
- Can you describe a time when you felt really stressed? What was happening at that moment?
- What are some common situations at school or home that might cause stress?
Exploring Coping Strategies
- What are some ways you think you can reduce or manage stress?
- Have you ever tried activities like deep breathing or stretching when feeling anxious? How did it help?
- What is one new technique from today's lesson that you are excited to try?
Group Reflection
- How can we support each other when someone is feeling stressed?
- Can you share a strategy you learned today that you believe will help you or someone else in the future?
Final Thoughts
- What is one key takeaway from this discussion about stress and coping strategies?
Encourage students to listen actively and respect everyone’s experiences. These prompts are meant to create a safe space for sharing and learning, so remind your students that their feelings and experiences are important.
Happy discussing!
Activity
Interactive Stress-Relief Activity Sheet
Welcome to your stress-relief activity! This sheet guides you through exercises to help lower your stress and bring a sense of calm. Follow the instructions below and use the space provided to reflect on your experience.
Part 1: Deep Breathing Exercise
- Sit comfortably with your back straight and your feet flat on the floor.
- Close your eyes, if you feel comfortable, and breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of 4.
- Hold your breath for a count of 4.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 6.
- Repeat this cycle 5 times.
How did this exercise make you feel?
Part 2: Physical Stretches
- Stand up and reach your arms up toward the sky. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds and then slowly lower your arms.
- Next, gently tilt your head to one side, feeling a stretch along the side of your neck. Hold for 10 seconds, then switch sides.
- Finally, gently roll your shoulders backward in a circular motion 5 times, then forward 5 times.
Write about one stretch that helped you feel more relaxed:
Part 3: Reflection
Take a moment to think about the exercises you just completed. Answer the questions below:
- Which exercise did you enjoy the most, and why?
- Do you think you can use these techniques when you feel stressed in school or at home? How?
- What is one thing you learned about managing stress today?
Great job completing the activity! Keep this sheet as a reminder of your personal stress-relief techniques.