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When Hearts Hurt

Lesson Plan

When Hearts Hurt Lesson Plan

Students will learn to recognize grief, express related emotions safely, and practice two healthy coping strategies to build emotional resilience.

Grief can affect students’ well-being and learning. This lesson normalizes feelings of loss, fosters empathy among classmates, and equips students with practical ways to manage sadness and support each other.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, sharing activities, and guided practice.

Materials

Prep

Materials Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and explain the goal: understanding grief and healthy coping.
  • Ask if anyone knows or has heard the word “grief,” and record responses on the board.
  • Point to the Feelings Chart Poster and discuss emotions commonly felt after a loss.

Step 2

Defining Grief

7 minutes

  • Prompt students: “What is grief?” and compile their ideas.
  • Offer a simple definition: grief is the natural reaction to losing someone or something important.
  • Highlight examples from the Grief Coping Strategies Handout.

Step 3

Emotion Sharing Activity

8 minutes

  • Hand out the Emotion Sharing Reflection Sheet and sticky notes.
  • Ask students to write or draw a time they felt sad or missed someone.
  • Invite volunteers to share their reflections, emphasizing respectful listening.
  • Collect sheets confidentially or let students keep them based on comfort.

Step 4

Coping Strategies Practice

8 minutes

  • Introduce two strategies from the Grief Coping Strategies Handout: deep breathing and artful expression.
  • Model deep breathing: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 2, exhale for 6.
  • Lead the class in one minute of guided breathing.
  • Give students time to sketch or note in their reflection sheet which strategy they’d try when upset.

Step 5

Closure

2 minutes

  • Recap: grief is a normal response to loss, sharing feelings helps, and practicing coping strategies supports healing.
  • Encourage students to use these strategies whenever they feel sad.
  • Remind them the teacher and school counselor are available for support at any time.
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Slide Deck

When Hearts Hurt

Understanding grief and practicing healthy ways to feel better.

Welcome the class warmly. Introduce today’s topic: grief and healthy coping. Briefly explain the flow of the lesson.

Today’s Goals

• Define grief
• Recognize common feelings
• Share experiences safely
• Practice two coping strategies

Outline the objectives clearly. Emphasize that it’s okay to feel sad and that sharing helps.

What Is Grief?

Grief is the natural reaction to losing someone or something important.

Examples:
• Missing a pet or friend
• Feeling sad after a big change

Ask students what they think grief means. Guide them toward the definition.

Recognizing Feelings

Refer to the Feelings Chart Poster to:
• Name how you feel (sad, angry, confused)
• Notice that many feelings are normal after a loss

Direct students’ attention to the poster on the wall. Explain how to use it to label and express emotions.

Emotion Sharing Activity

  1. Take an Emotion Sharing Reflection Sheet.
  2. Write or draw a time you felt sad or missed someone.
  3. Add a sticky note with one word that describes your feeling.
  4. Volunteers can share—listening respectfully.

Explain the instructions step by step. Model a quick drawing or note.

Coping Strategy 1: Deep Breathing

From the Grief Coping Strategies Handout:
• Inhale for 4 counts
• Hold for 2 counts
• Exhale for 6 counts

Let’s do it together for one minute.

Model the breathing technique slowly. Count out loud and have students follow.

Coping Strategy 2: Artful Expression

From the Grief Coping Strategies Handout:
• Draw or paint how you’re feeling
• Write a poem or letter
• Use music or movement to express emotion

Encourage creativity. Show examples like drawing or journaling.

Closure & Support

• Grief is a normal reaction to loss
• Sharing feelings helps us heal
• Use breathing and artful expression when sad

Remember: Your teacher and school counselor are here for support.

Summarize key points. Remind students they are not alone and can seek help anytime.

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Worksheet

Grief Coping Strategies Handout

Below are two healthy ways to help manage grief. Read each strategy and then answer the questions that follow.

Strategy 1: Deep Breathing

• Inhale slowly for 4 counts
• Hold for 2 counts
• Exhale gently for 6 counts

  1. In your own words, write the steps for deep breathing:



  2. When might you use deep breathing outside of class? Name two situations:






Strategy 2: Artful Expression

• Draw, paint, or sketch how you feel
• Write a poem or letter
• Use music or movement to express emotions

  1. Which type of art would you like to try? Explain why:






  2. If you choose drawing or painting, sketch a simple picture below showing how you might feel when you use art to cope:











My Coping Plan

Choose one of the strategies above and make a plan for when you will use it.

  • Strategy I will use: ___________________________
  • When I will use it (time or place): ___________________________
  • Who can support me (friend, teacher, family): ___________________________












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Worksheet

Emotion Sharing Reflection Sheet

Instructions: Take a moment to think about a time when you felt sad or missed someone important. Use words and pictures to share your experience.

1. Describe what happened:












2. One word to describe how you felt:



3. Why do you think you felt this way?







4. Draw a picture of your feeling below:













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Reading

Feelings Chart Poster

Use these words and icons to help you name and share your feelings:

🙂 Happy – feeling joyful, cheerful, or excited.

😢 Sad – feeling down when something disappointing happens or when you miss someone.

😠 Angry – feeling mad or upset when things seem unfair.

😨 Scared – feeling afraid or worried about something.

😕 Confused – feeling unsure or puzzled when you don’t understand something.

😲 Surprised – feeling startled or amazed by something unexpected.

😌 Calm – feeling peaceful and relaxed.

😂 Silly – feeling playful and like laughing.

😟 Worried – feeling anxious or concerned about what might happen.

🤗 Loved – feeling cared for and supported by others.

😇 Hopeful – feeling positive and looking forward to good things.

😭 Overwhelmed – feeling like your emotions are too big to handle all at once.

Tip for Students: When you’re not sure how you feel, look at this chart and pick the word and icon that match what’s in your heart.

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