Understanding and Coping with Grief

Marshetta Wheeler

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Understanding and Coping with Grief

Dealing with Trauma

This lesson introduces 5th-grade students to the concept of grief and provides them with strategies to cope with it. Using a combination of restorative practices, trauma-informed teaching, and game-based learning, students will engage in a discussion, watch a video, and complete a reflective activity. This lesson is important as it equips students with the emotional tools to handle loss and trauma, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

15 mins

Approach

Restorative Practices, Trauma-Informed Teaching, Game-Based Learning

Materials

Discussion Questions, Coping with Grief for Kids Video, and Reflective Worksheet

Step 1

Introduction

2 mins

Begin with a brief introduction about emotions and how everyone experiences them differently.
Explain that today, we'll talk about grief, a strong emotion that can occur when we lose something or someone important.

Step 2

Video Viewing

6 mins

Show the video Coping with Grief for Kids.
Encourage students to pay attention to the different ways people can experience and cope with grief.

Step 3

Discussion

3 mins

Use the discussion questions to facilitate a conversation about the video.
Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings about grief and coping strategies.

Step 4

Reflective Activity

4 mins

Distribute the reflective worksheet.
Ask students to write or draw one way they can cope with grief, inspired by the video.
Allow students to share their reflections if they feel comfortable.

Step 5

Closure

1 min

Summarize the key points discussed.
Remind students that it's okay to feel grief and that there are healthy ways to cope with it.

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Discussion

Grief and Coping Discussion

A guided discussion to help students process the video and share their thoughts on grief and coping strategies.

What is grief, and how can it affect us?

Discuss the definition of grief as presented in the video and explore different emotional and physical effects.

What are some ways to cope with grief mentioned in the video?

Encourage students to recall and discuss the coping strategies highlighted in the video.

Why is it important to talk about our feelings when we're grieving?

Highlight the importance of communication and support from friends and family during difficult times.

Worksheet

Reflective Coping Worksheet

A worksheet for students to reflect on and express their understanding of coping with grief.

Draw or write about a memory that makes you happy when you think about someone or something you've lost.

Think about a positive memory that brings you comfort.

List one activity you can do to help you feel better when you're sad.

Consider activities like drawing, talking to a friend, or playing a sport.