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Weathering Family Storms

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tyler.hackett1

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Weathering Family Storms Individual Plan

Over four 30-minute one-on-one sessions, the student will gradually identify and express emotions related to family conflict, explore triggers and intensity, learn and practice 2–3 coping strategies, and reflect on applying these skills for ongoing support.

Spreading content over multiple sessions allows deeper emotional processing, skill scaffolding, and trust building—essential for a student facing ongoing family stress.

Audience

6th Grade Student (Individual)

Time

Four 30-minute sessions

Approach

Scaffolded dialogue, hands-on practice, and personalized reflection.

Materials

  • Family Feelings Chart, * Coping Strategies Handout, and * Reflection Worksheet

Prep

Review Student Profile & Materials

5 minutes before each session

  • Check notes on IEP, 504, or language needs.
  • Print fresh copies of Family Feelings Chart, Coping Strategies Handout, and Reflection Worksheet.
  • Prepare two relevant family-stress examples to personalize discussion.

Step 1

Session 1: Emotional Expression

30 minutes

  • Warm-Up: Take three deep breaths together.
  • Introduce the Family Feelings Chart.
  • Ask the student to name and record 3–5 feelings they’ve had about family arguments/divorce.
  • Validate each emotion and discuss why sharing feelings is important.

Step 2

Session 2: Triggers & Intensity

30 minutes

  • Review emotions listed last session with the Family Feelings Chart.
  • For each emotion, ask “What triggered this feeling?” and “How intense was it (1–5)?”
  • Chart triggers and intensity together, modeling reflective listening.
  • Encourage student to add or adjust any emotions based on reflection.

Step 3

Session 3: Coping Strategies Introduction

30 minutes

  • Hand out the Coping Strategies Handout.
  • Explain and demonstrate deep breathing, journaling, and positive self-talk.
  • Practice a 2-minute guided breathing exercise.
  • Role-play two positive self-talk statements; have the student create personal affirmations.

Step 4

Session 4: Integration & Reflection

30 minutes

  • Briefly revisit the breathing and self-talk strategies.
  • Choose one journaling prompt from the handout; write for 3–4 minutes.
  • Complete the Reflection Worksheet:
    1. One thing learned
    2. One coping strategy to try at home
    3. One support resource to reach out to
  • Discuss responses, reinforce strategies, and plan any needed follow-up.

Step 5

Adaptations & Accommodations

Throughout

  • Offer verbal
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Slide Deck

Weathering Family Storms

30-Minute Lesson for 6th Grade
Expressing Feelings • Coping Mechanisms • Adapting to Change

Welcome students and introduce the lesson title. Explain that today we’ll explore emotions and coping strategies when families go through conflict or divorce.

Lesson Objectives

• Identify and name emotions related to family changes
• Share experiences in small groups safely
• Practice 2–3 coping strategies for emotional well-being

Read each objective aloud. Emphasize that by the end of the lesson they’ll have tools to understand and manage feelings.

Warm-Up: Emotion Check-In

  1. Take three deep breaths as a class.
  2. View the Family Feelings Chart.
  3. Volunteer to name one word for how they feel when families argue or divorce.
  4. Teacher records words to show all feelings are okay.

Guide students to sit in a circle. Display the chart visually (project or poster). Invite volunteers to share one feeling word.

Identifying Emotions

• Write 3–5 emotions you’ve felt about family changes on your Family Feelings Chart.
• In pairs, share one or two feelings and discuss what triggered them.
• Listen and validate each other’s experiences.

Distribute charts. Observe pairs, prompt deeper sharing, and model empathy.

Coping Strategies Overview

From the Coping Strategies Handout, we’ll practice:
• Deep Breathing
• Journaling
• Positive Self-Talk

Introduce each strategy briefly. Encourage questions before practice.

Practice: Guided Breathing

  1. Sit comfortably with eyes closed or focused.
  2. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts.
  3. Hold breath for 2 counts.
  4. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 counts.
  5. Repeat 3 times.

Lead the guided breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, hold, exhale for 6. Repeat 3 times.

Practice: Journaling

• Choose one prompt from your Coping Strategies Handout:

  • “When I feel upset, I will… ”
  • “A positive thought I can use is… ”
    • Write for 3 minutes.
    • Share one sentence if you’re comfortable.

Distribute handouts. Walk around to support students choosing prompts.

Cool-Down: Reflection

On your Reflection Worksheet:

  1. One thing you learned today
  2. One coping strategy you’ll try at home
  3. One support resource (peer, adult, activity)

Distribute reflection worksheet. Encourage honesty and assure confidentiality.

Closing & Resources

• Remember: All feelings are valid.
• Practice these tools regularly.
• Reach out to school counselor or a trusted adult for support.

Thank students for their participation. Remind them they can revisit strategies anytime and talk to a trusted adult if needed.

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Worksheet

Family Feelings Chart

Instructions: Think about a time when your family had a conflict, argument, or is going through divorce. Use the chart below to record 3–5 emotions you experienced. For each emotion, note what triggered it and how intense it felt.

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________

Emotion 1

Emotion word: _______________________



What triggered this emotion? _______________________



Intensity (1 = low, 5 = high): ____

Emotion 2

Emotion word: _______________________



What triggered this emotion? _______________________



Intensity (1 = low, 5 = high): ____

Emotion 3

Emotion word: _______________________



What triggered this emotion? _______________________



Intensity (1 = low, 5 = high): ____

(Optional) If you want to list more, use the space below:

Emotion 4

Emotion word: _______________________



What triggered this emotion? _______________________



Intensity (1 = low, 5 = high): ____

Emotion 5

Emotion word: _______________________



What triggered this emotion? _______________________



Intensity (1 = low, 5 = high): ____

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lenny

Worksheet

Coping Strategies Handout

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________

1. Deep Breathing

Instructions: Find a comfortable seated position. Follow the steps below to calm your body and mind.

  1. Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly.

  2. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts, feeling your belly rise.

  3. Hold your breath for 2 counts.

  4. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 counts, feeling your belly fall.

  5. Repeat this cycle 3 times.

Reflection: How did deep breathing make you feel?
______________________________





2. Journaling

Choose one prompt and write your response below:

  • "When I feel upset, I will…"
  • "A positive thought I can use is…"
  • "Something I am grateful for today is…"

Write for 3–4 minutes:
______________________________










3. Positive Self-Talk

Positive self-talk means using encouraging words to support yourself when you feel stressed or worried.

Examples:

  • “I can handle this.”
  • “I am capable and strong.”

Write two positive statements you can say to yourself when you’re feeling upset:

  1. ___________________________


  2. ___________________________


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Worksheet

Reflection Worksheet

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________

1. One thing I learned today:







2. One coping strategy I’ll try at home:







3. One support resource (peer, adult, activity) I can reach out to:







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lenny