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Supporting Friends Through Grief

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Lesson Plan

Supporting Friends Through Grief

Grief and supporting a friend

This lesson helps 5th graders understand grief and how to support a friend who has lost a parent. Through a combination of video, discussion, and activities, students will learn about the emotions associated with grief and practical ways to offer support. This lesson is important as it fosters empathy, emotional intelligence, and supportive peer relationships, which are crucial for social development.

Audience

5th graders

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Experiential Learning, Game-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, Restorative Practices, Trauma-Informed Teaching, Blended Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, Active Learning, Collaborative Learning

Materials

Video: Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care, Discussion Questions, Role-Playing Scenarios, Worksheet: Understanding Grief, and Exit Ticket: Supporting a Friend

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

  • Begin by asking students the icebreaker question: "What is empathy and how can it help us to support someone who is grieving?"
  • Encourage students to share their thoughts and introduce the video Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care to help them understand the importance of empathy in supporting someone who is grieving.

Step 2

Video Viewing

7 mins

Step 3

Discussion

5 mins

  • Use the discussion questions to facilitate a conversation about the video.
  • Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings about grief and supporting friends.

Step 4

Role-Playing Activity

8 mins

  • Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a role-playing scenario.
  • Have students act out how they would support a friend who is grieving.
  • Encourage them to use strategies from the video and discussion.

Step 5

Worksheet Completion

3 mins

  • Distribute the worksheet on understanding grief.
  • Allow students to complete it individually, reinforcing what they learned.

Step 6

Exit Ticket

2 mins

  • Hand out the exit ticket and ask students to write one way they can support a friend who is grieving.
  • Collect the exit tickets to assess understanding.
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Discussion

Grief Support Discussion

A discussion to help students express their understanding of grief and how to support a friend who is grieving.

What is grief and how does it affect people?

Encourage students to think about the emotions and physical effects of grief as discussed in the video.







How can you support a friend who is grieving?

Guide students to consider empathy, listening, and being present as ways to support a grieving friend.







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Worksheet

Understanding Grief Worksheet

A worksheet to reinforce students' understanding of grief and coping strategies.

Define grief in your own words.

Think about how grief was described in the video.







List two ways you can help a friend who is grieving.

Consider the strategies mentioned in the video and discussion.







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Quiz

Supporting a Friend Exit Ticket

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Worksheet

Role-Playing Scenarios for Grief Support

Printable cards with scenarios for students to role-play how to support a friend who is grieving.




Scenario 1: Your friend just lost their pet and is feeling very sad. How can you show them support?







Scenario 2: A classmate's parent has passed away, and they are feeling alone. What can you do to help them feel supported?







Scenario 3: Your friend is moving away and is upset about leaving their friends. How can you be there for them?







Scenario 4: A friend is upset because their parents are getting divorced. How can you offer your support?







Scenario 5: Your friend lost a special item and is feeling down. How can you help them cope with their loss?




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