Lesson Plan
Winter Wellness Wheel
Students will identify personal wellness areas, develop strategies for winter well-being, and create a personalized wellness wheel.
This lesson is important because it empowers students to proactively manage stress and maintain overall health during the potentially challenging winter and holiday season, fostering resilience and self-awareness.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, personal reflection, and creative construction of a wellness wheel.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Winter Wellness Wheel Slide Deck, Wellness Wheel Worksheet, My Winter Wellness Journal, Colored pencils or markers, Scissors, and Optional: Glue sticks, construction paper for mounting wheels
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
15 minutes
- Review the Winter Wellness Wheel Lesson Plan, Winter Wellness Wheel Slide Deck, Wellness Wheel Worksheet, My Winter Wellness Journal, and all other generated materials.
- Print copies of the Wellness Wheel Worksheet for each student.
- Print copies of My Winter Wellness Journal for each student.
- Prepare whiteboard or projector for displaying slides.
- Gather colored pencils, markers, and scissors for student use.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Winter Vibes (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick check-in: "What comes to mind when you think of winter?" (Allow a few student responses to be shared verbally or written on the board).
Step 2
Introduction to Wellness (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Display the first few slides of the Winter Wellness Wheel Slide Deck.
- Lead a discussion on what 'wellness' means and why it's important, especially during winter.
- Introduce the concept of a 'wellness wheel' as a tool for balanced well-being.
Step 3
Exploring Wellness Areas (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Distribute the Wellness Wheel Worksheet.
- Guide students through the various dimensions of wellness presented on the slides and worksheet.
- Encourage personal reflection: "Which areas feel strong right now? Which areas might need a little more attention?"
Step 4
Designing Your Wellness Wheel (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Instruct students to personalize their Wellness Wheel Worksheet by writing down specific activities or strategies for each wellness area.
- Encourage creativity in coloring and decorating their wheels.
- Circulate to offer support and ideas.
Step 5
Sharing & Reflection (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Have students briefly share one strategy they included on their wheel or one area they plan to focus on.
- Facilitate a brief discussion about the importance of checking in with their wellness wheel regularly.
- Distribute My Winter Wellness Journal for ongoing reflection.
Step 6
Cool-Down: My Winter Wellness Commitment (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Ask students to write down one small action they can take this week to support their winter wellness in their My Winter Wellness Journal or on an exit ticket.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Winter Wellness Wheel
Navigating the Season with Strength and Balance!
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask a quick warm-up question: "What comes to mind when you think of winter?" Allow a few brief responses.
What is Wellness?
- It's about feeling good in all parts of your life!
- It includes your body, mind, and feelings.
- It's an active process of making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.
Define wellness in simple terms. Emphasize that it's more than just being physically healthy. Ask: "What does 'wellness' mean to you?"
Why Winter Wellness?
- Shorter days, colder weather
- Busy holiday season
- Less time outdoors
- Feeling tired or stressed
- It's important to be intentional about self-care!
Discuss why winter can be a tricky time for wellness. Mention shorter days, holiday stress, less outdoor time. Connect this to the idea of needing extra tools.
Meet Your Wellness Wheel!
- A tool to help you think about different parts of your well-being.
- Helps you see where you are strong and where you might need a little extra care.
- Imagine it like a wheel: if one part is flat, the ride isn't smooth!
Introduce the Wellness Wheel as a visual tool. Explain that it helps us see if all areas of our lives are getting enough attention. Explain they will create their own.
1. Physical Wellness
- Taking care of your body!
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating healthy foods
- Staying active and exercising
- Drinking water
- Personal hygiene
Introduce Physical Wellness. Ask students for examples of how they stay physically well.
2. Emotional Wellness
- Understanding and managing your feelings!
- Identifying emotions
- Expressing feelings in healthy ways
- Managing stress
- Practicing mindfulness (e.g., deep breaths)
Introduce Emotional Wellness. Ask: "What are some healthy ways to express your feelings?"
3. Social Wellness
- Connecting with others!
- Building positive relationships
- Communicating effectively
- Spending time with loved ones
- Being a good friend and teammate
Introduce Social Wellness. Ask: "How do your friends and family contribute to your well-being?"
4. Intellectual Wellness
- Keeping your mind curious and engaged!
- Learning new things
- Reading books or articles
- Solving puzzles or problems
- Exploring new hobbies or interests
Introduce Intellectual Wellness. Ask: "What new things have you learned or tried recently?"
5. Spiritual Wellness
- Finding meaning and purpose!
- Connecting with your values and beliefs
- Spending time in nature
- Practicing gratitude
- Helping others
- Reflecting on what matters most to you
Introduce Spiritual Wellness. Explain this doesn't have to be religious; it can be about values, purpose, and connection to something bigger than oneself.
6. Environmental Wellness
- Creating a healthy and inspiring space!
- Keeping your room tidy
- Spending time in nature
- Reducing waste
- Appreciating beauty around you
Introduce Environmental Wellness. Discuss how their surroundings impact them.
Your Winter Wellness Wheel
- Time to create your own personalized wheel!
- Think about what makes you feel good in each area.
- Write down specific activities or strategies you can use this winter.
Review all areas and transition to the activity. Explain that they will now fill in their own worksheet.
Keep Your Wheel Spinning!
- Wellness is a journey, not a destination.
- Check in with your wheel often.
- What's one small step you can take for your wellness this week?
Encourage students to share. Remind them that wellness is a continuous journey.
Worksheet
My Winter Wellness Wheel
Instructions:
- For each section of the wheel below, think about what makes you feel good and healthy in that area.
- Write down 2-3 specific activities or strategies you can use this winter to keep that part of your wellness strong.
- Color and decorate your wheel to make it your own!
The Wellness Wheel
(Imagine a wheel divided into 6 sections. Use the space below to fill in your ideas for each area.)
1. Physical Wellness (Taking care of your body)
What do you do to keep your body healthy and energetic?
2. Emotional Wellness (Understanding and managing your feelings)
How do you handle your emotions and manage stress?
3. Social Wellness (Connecting with others)
How do you build and maintain positive relationships?
4. Intellectual Wellness (Keeping your mind curious and engaged)
What do you do to learn new things and keep your mind active?
5. Spiritual Wellness (Finding meaning and purpose)
What connects you to your values or a sense of purpose?
6. Environmental Wellness (Creating a healthy and inspiring space)
How do you ensure your surroundings support your well-being?
My Winter Wellness Commitment
What is one specific action you will take this week to support your winter wellness?
Activity
Design Your Winter Wellness Wheel
Get Creative!
Now it's time to bring your Wellness Wheel Worksheet to life! Use colored pencils, markers, and even scissors to personalize your wheel. Think about:
- Colors: What colors represent energy, calm, or happiness to you? Use them in your wheel!
- Symbols or Drawings: Can you draw a small symbol next to each wellness area that represents your strategy? (e.g., a book for intellectual wellness, a heart for emotional wellness).
- Words or Phrases: Write down your favorite motivational words or short phrases within each section.
Personalize Each Spoke:
Go through each wellness area on your worksheet and make sure you have at least two ideas for how you will support that area this winter. Think about things you enjoy doing and things that help you feel your best.
- Physical: How will you move your body, eat well, or get enough rest?
- Emotional: What helps you feel calm, happy, or understood?
- Social: How will you connect with friends and family?
- Intellectual: What will you learn or discover?
- Spiritual: What gives you a sense of purpose or peace?
- Environmental: How can you make your personal space or surroundings better?
Share Your Sparkle (Optional):
Once you've made some progress on your wheel, turn to a partner or your small group. Share:
- One area of wellness that you feel is very strong for you right now, and why.
- One new strategy you are excited to try in an area you want to improve.
Remember, your wellness wheel is a personal map to a happier, healthier you this winter!
Journal
My Winter Wellness Journal
This journal is your personal space to reflect on your well-being throughout the winter months. Use it to check in with yourself, celebrate your successes, and explore any challenges you face.
Journal Entry 1: Checking In
- After creating your Wellness Wheel Worksheet, how do you feel about your overall wellness right now? Which area feels the most balanced, and which might need a little extra care?
Journal Entry 2: Physical Focus
- What is one physical activity you enjoy that you can commit to doing regularly this winter? How does it make you feel?
Journal Entry 3: Emotional Check-Up
- Describe a time this week when you felt stressed or overwhelmed. What strategy from your wellness wheel did you use, or could you have used, to help manage that feeling?
Journal Entry 4: Connecting with Others
- How have you connected with friends or family this week? How did that interaction impact your social wellness?
Journal Entry 5: Learning & Growing
- What is something new you learned or a new skill you practiced recently? How did it make your mind feel engaged?
Journal Entry 6: My Favorite Winter Wellness Tip
- What is the best tip or strategy you've discovered for staying well during winter? Share it here!