What Is Grief, Really?

Molly Naxera

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Navigating Loss

Students will define grief, identify common emotional responses, and collaboratively generate healthy coping strategies. By lesson’s end, each student will articulate feelings associated with loss and select at least two personal coping techniques.

Understanding grief builds emotional awareness and empathy. Equipping students with language and coping tools fosters resilience and a supportive classroom community when facing loss.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discussion, brainstorming, and personal reflection.

Materials

Chart Paper, Colored Markers, Grief Concept Presentation, Feelings Word Bank, and Sticky Notes

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print enough copies of the Feelings Word Bank for each student
Review and open the Grief Concept Presentation on your computer
Label chart paper sections: “What Is Grief?”, “Common Emotions”, “Coping Ideas”
Arrange desks in a circle to foster open sharing

Step 1

Introduction to Grief

5 minutes

Display Slide 1–2 from the Grief Concept Presentation
Ask: “What does it mean to experience a loss?”
Record student responses under “What Is Grief?” on chart paper

Step 2

Defining Emotional Responses

5 minutes

Distribute the Feelings Word Bank
Project Slide 3 listing common grief emotions
Invite students to circle words they’ve felt and share brief examples
Add student-named emotions under “Common Emotions” on chart paper

Step 3

Group Brainstorm: Coping Strategies

10 minutes

Project Slide 4: “Healthy Ways to Cope” prompt
In small groups, students write coping ideas on sticky notes
Groups place notes under “Coping Ideas” chart section
Discuss as a class, clustering similar strategies and highlighting healthy options

Step 4

Personal Reflection

5 minutes

Hand out blank index cards
Prompt: “Choose two coping strategies from our chart. How could you use these if you felt grief?”
Students jot down responses and, if comfortable, share one idea aloud

Step 5

Closing and Support

5 minutes

Summarize key points from charts and reflections
Emphasize availability of school counselor if deeper support is needed
Encourage peer support: remind students they can talk with classmates anytime

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Lesson Plan

Grief Lesson Plan

Students will define grief, recognize common emotional responses to loss, and collaboratively generate at least two healthy coping strategies they can apply personally.

Grief is a universal experience; building awareness and empathy empowers students to support themselves and peers, fostering resilience and a caring classroom community.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, group brainstorming, and personal reflection

Materials

Chart Paper, Colored Markers, Grief Concept Presentation, Feelings Word Bank, Sticky Notes, and Blank Index Cards

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print enough copies of the Feelings Word Bank for each student
Review and open the Grief Concept Presentation on your computer
Label chart paper sections: “What Is Grief?”, “Common Emotions”, “Coping Ideas”
Arrange desks in a circle to foster open sharing

Step 1

Introduction to Grief

5 minutes

Display Slide 1–2 from the Grief Concept Presentation
Ask: “What does it mean to experience a loss?”
Record student responses under “What Is Grief?” on chart paper

Step 2

Defining Emotional Responses

5 minutes

Distribute the Feelings Word Bank
Project Slide 3 listing common grief emotions
Invite students to circle words they’ve felt and share brief examples
Add student-named emotions under “Common Emotions” on chart paper

Step 3

Group Brainstorm: Coping Strategies

10 minutes

Project Slide 4: “Healthy Ways to Cope” prompt
In small groups, students write coping ideas on sticky notes
Groups place notes under the “Coping Ideas” chart section
Discuss as a class, cluster similar strategies, and highlight healthy options

Step 4

Personal Reflection

5 minutes

Hand out blank index cards
Prompt: “Choose two coping strategies from our chart. How could you use these if you felt grief?”
Students jot down responses and, if comfortable, share one idea aloud

Step 5

Closing and Support

5 minutes

Summarize key points from the charts and reflections
Emphasize availability of the school counselor if deeper support is needed
Encourage peer support: remind students they can talk with classmates anytime

Slide Deck

What Is Grief, Really?

A 30-minute exploration of loss, emotions, and support.

Welcome students. Introduce today’s topic: grief. Explain that we’ll explore what grief means, common emotions, and healthy ways to cope together.

Defining Grief

Grief is a natural response to loss—whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a friendship, moving away, or other big changes.

Ask: “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘grief’?” Record a few student ideas before revealing the formal definition.

Why We Grieve

To process the pain of losing something or someone important
To honor what we cared about
To adjust to life without that person or situation

Explain why grief matters and remind students that everyone experiences it differently.

Common Emotions of Grief

Sadness or tearfulness
Anger or frustration
Confusion or trouble concentrating
Guilt or regret
Relief (sometimes)

Project this slide and walk through each emotion. Emphasize there’s no right or wrong feeling.

Think-Pair-Share

Which of these emotions have you experienced?
How did it feel in your body?

Have students pause, think quietly, then share with a partner which emotion they recognize in themselves. Invite a few pairs to share aloud.

Healthy Coping Strategies

Talking with a friend or adult
Journaling or drawing feelings
Physical activity (walking, sports)
Listening to music or meditation
Creating a memory box/photo album

Introduce healthy coping. Briefly describe each. Encourage students to find strategies that fit their personality.

Group Brainstorm

In your group:

Think of other healthy ways to cope with grief.
Write each idea on a sticky note.
Place under “Coping Ideas” chart.

Explain the group activity: small teams will brainstorm additional healthy coping ideas. Provide sticky notes.

Sharing & Clustering

Identify patterns in the ideas
Highlight strategies we all can try
Note: Unhealthy coping (isolation, risky behaviors) aren’t on our list

After groups finish, lead discussion: cluster similar notes, highlight unique ideas, and steer away from unhealthy strategies.

Personal Reflection

Choose two strategies from our chart.
Write on your index card:
• What strategy will you use?
• When or how would you use it?

Guide students through personal reflection. Encourage honesty and remind them sharing is voluntary.

Resources & Support

School Counselor: Ms. Rivera (Room 210)
Trusted Adults: family, teachers, coaches
Helpline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Online Support: www.kidshelpline.org

Provide resources and reinforce that it’s okay to seek help. Show contact info or where to go.

Closing Thoughts

Grief is personal—everyone’s timeline is different.
Healthy strategies help us cope and connect.
You’re not alone. Talk to someone you trust.

Summarize key takeaways and encourage ongoing peer support. End on a hopeful note.

Worksheet

Feelings Word Bank

Instructions: Circle any emotion words below that you have experienced when you felt grief. Then, for each circled word, write a brief example of a time you felt that emotion.

Sadness:
Anger:
Confusion:
Loneliness:
Guilt:
Regret:
Relief:
Numbness:
Anxiety:
Frustration:
Denial:
Hopelessness:
Yearning:
Helplessness:
Emptiness:
Fear:
Jealousy:
Shame:
Shock:
Overwhelm:

Cool Down

Grief Exit Ticket

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________

One new thing I learned about grief today:
A coping strategy we discussed that I think will help me most is:
How and when might I use this strategy?
One question or concern I still have about grief or coping with it: