Lesson Plan
What is Grief?
Students will be able to identify and express feelings associated with grief and understand that it's okay to feel sad when experiencing loss.
Understanding grief is a vital life skill that helps students process difficult emotions, build resilience, and develop empathy. This lesson provides a safe introduction to these complex feelings.
Audience
Kindergarten - 3rd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through stories, discussion, and expressive activities.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, What is Grief? Slide Deck, Computer/tablet with internet access for video, Book: The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, Feelings Faces Worksheet, Crayons or markers, Invisible String Coloring Page Project Guide, and Art supplies (optional, for project)
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the entire What is Grief? Lesson Plan and all linked materials: What is Grief? Slide Deck, Feelings Faces Worksheet, and Invisible String Coloring Page Project Guide.
- Preview the 'Explaining Grief to Kids' video from Child Mind Institute to ensure it's appropriate for your students.
- Gather the book 'The Invisible String' by Patrice Karst.
- Print copies of the Feelings Faces Worksheet and Invisible String Coloring Page Project Guide for each student.
- Prepare crayons or markers.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What are Feelings?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students what different feelings they know. Guide them to think about happy, sad, angry, surprised feelings.
- Introduce the idea that sometimes when something sad happens, we can feel many different feelings at once. Show What is Grief? Slide Deck - Slide 1.
Step 2
Introducing Grief
7 minutes
- Show the short clip: 'Explaining Grief to Kids' (Child Mind Institute) via What is Grief? Slide Deck - Slide 2. Pause to discuss key points about grief being a big sadness when someone or something important is gone.
- Read 'The Invisible String' by Patrice Karst. Focus on the idea that even when we can't see someone, our love connects us. Show What is Grief? Slide Deck - Slide 3.
Step 3
Activity: Feelings Faces
8 minutes
- Distribute the Feelings Faces Worksheet.
- Explain that grief can feel different for everyone, and it's okay to feel many emotions.
- Ask students to point to or color the faces that show how they might feel when they are very sad or miss someone. Encourage them to talk about why they chose those faces if they feel comfortable sharing. Show What is Grief? Slide Deck - Slide 4.
Step 4
Discussion: Sharing Our Feelings
5 minutes
- Facilitate a brief discussion using prompts: 'What did you learn about grief today?' 'Is it okay to feel sad?' 'Who can you talk to when you feel sad?'
- Reiterate that all feelings are okay and talking about them helps. Show What is Grief? Slide Deck - Slide 5.
Step 5
Cool-Down & Project Introduction
5 minutes
- Introduce the Invisible String Coloring Page Project Guide as a way to remember and connect with those we love.
- Explain that they can work on this individually or as a group. Show What is Grief? Slide Deck - Slide 6.
- Collect Feelings Faces Worksheet.
Slide Deck
What Are Feelings?
• Happy, Sad, Angry, Surprised...
• Can we feel many feelings at once?
Welcome students and start with a warm-up by asking about different feelings they know. Transition into discussing how some feelings can be big and complex.
What does grief mean?
Introduce the video. Explain that it helps us understand big sadness. Play the short clip and pause to discuss what grief means in simple terms.
The Invisible String
Even when we can't see someone, our love connects us.
Introduce the book 'The Invisible String.' Emphasize the message of connection and love, even when someone is not physically present.
Activity: Feelings Faces
• How do you feel today?
• It's okay to feel different feelings.
Explain the 'Feelings Faces' activity. Reiterate that all feelings are valid, especially when experiencing a big sadness like grief. Guide students to complete their worksheets.
Sharing Our Feelings
• What did you learn about grief today?
• Is it okay to feel sad?
• Who can you talk to when you feel sad?
Facilitate a short discussion, encouraging students to share (if comfortable) what they learned and who they can talk to when they feel sad.
Connecting Through Love
A creative way to remember and connect with those we love.
Introduce the coloring page as a creative way to remember loved ones and the invisible string that connects us. Explain it's a project they can continue.
Worksheet
Feelings Faces Worksheet
Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________
Sometimes when we feel sad, we can also feel other things. It's okay to feel all sorts of feelings!
Instructions: Look at the faces below. Color or circle the faces that show how you feel when you are very sad or miss someone.
Happy Face
:)
Sad Face
:(
Angry Face
:O
Surprised Face
:O
Scared Face
:S
Confused Face
:/
Bonus: Draw your own feeling face here! What feeling is it?
Activity
Feelings Check-in Activity
Objective: Students will identify and express their current feelings and understand that it is okay to have different emotions, especially when experiencing big feelings like sadness.
Materials:
- Feelings Faces Worksheet (one per student)
- Crayons or markers
Instructions:
- Introduce the Idea of Feelings (2 minutes):
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Game
Grief Go Fish: Feeling Match-Up Game
Objective: Students will recognize and name various feelings associated with grief in a fun, interactive way.
Materials:
- Feeling Cards: Create sets of cards with simple drawings or words representing different emotions (e.g., Sad, Mad, Confused, Scared, Missing, Happy Memories, Calm, Love, etc.). Make 4 cards for each feeling, similar to a deck of Go Fish. You can use pictures from the Feelings Faces Worksheet as inspiration.
- Example Feeling Cards (you will need to draw or print these):
- 4 cards with a
- Example Feeling Cards (you will need to draw or print these):
Project Guide
The Invisible String: Connecting Through Love
Objective: Students will create a visual representation of their connection to loved ones, understanding that love keeps us connected even when we are apart.
Materials:
- Invisible String Coloring Page
- Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
- Optional: Glitter, yarn, stickers, or other decorative items
Instructions:
- Recall the Story (2 minutes): Briefly remind students of the book, "The Invisible String," and how it talks about a special string made of love that connects us to everyone we love, no matter where they are.
- Introduce the Coloring Page (2 minutes): Hand out the Invisible String Coloring Page.
- Explain that this coloring page is a special way to think about those invisible strings of love.
Activity
The Invisible String Coloring Page
Instructions: Color the picture below. As you color, think about all the people you love and the invisible strings that connect you to them. You can draw your loved ones, or symbols of your connection.
Project Guide
The Invisible String: Connecting Through Love
Objective: Students will create a visual representation of their connection to loved ones, understanding that love keeps us connected even when we are apart.
Materials:
- Invisible String Coloring Page
- Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
- Optional: Glitter, yarn, stickers, or other decorative items
Instructions:
- Recall the Story (2 minutes): Briefly remind students of the book, "The Invisible String," and how it talks about a special string made of love that connects us to everyone we love, no matter where they are.
- Introduce the Coloring Page (2 minutes): Hand out the Invisible String Coloring Page.
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