Lesson Plan
Winter Wellness Wheel
To proactively address common winter slumps, promote consistent self-care, and support overall resilience by developing personalized strategies for physical, emotional, social, and academic health during winter.
Winter can bring unique challenges to our well-being. This lesson helps students recognize these challenges and equip themselves with practical strategies to maintain their physical, emotional, social, and academic health, fostering resilience and positive habits.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, personalized reflection, and practical strategy development.
Materials
Winter Wellness Wheel Slide Deck, Winter Wellness Worksheet, Winter Wellness Activity Cards, and Winter Wellness Discussion Prompts
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Winter Wellness Wheel Slide Deck and become familiar with the content.
- Print copies of the Winter Wellness Worksheet for each student.
- Cut out the Winter Wellness Activity Cards.
- Review the Winter Wellness Discussion Prompts.
- Ensure projector/screen is set up for the slide deck.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook: What's Your Winter Vibe?
5 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion or warm-up question using the Winter Wellness Wheel Slide Deck to get students thinking about winter's impact on them.
- Pose questions like: 'How does winter make you feel?' or 'What are some good things and challenging things about winter?' (Refer to Slide 1-2).
Step 2
Introducing the Wellness Wheel
10 minutes
- Introduce the concept of the Winter Wellness Wheel, explaining its four dimensions: Physical, Emotional, Social, and Academic (Refer to Slide 3-4).
- Discuss why it's important to keep these areas balanced, especially during winter.
Step 3
Identifying Winter Challenges & Opportunities
15 minutes
- Distribute the Winter Wellness Worksheet.
- Guide students through the worksheet, asking them to brainstorm specific winter challenges and opportunities within each dimension of the wellness wheel (Refer to Slide 5-6).
- Facilitate small group discussions using the Winter Wellness Discussion Prompts to share ideas and perspectives. Encourage students to listen actively and build on each other's ideas.
Step 4
Developing Personalized Strategies: Winter Wellness Activity
15 minutes
- Introduce the Winter Wellness Activity Cards.
- Have students select a few cards that resonate with their identified challenges and opportunities.
- Instruct them to develop 1-2 personalized strategies for each dimension of their wellness wheel, noting them on their Winter Wellness Worksheet (Refer to Slide 7).
- Circulate and provide support, prompting students to think concretely about how they can implement these strategies.
Step 5
Share & Reflect: My Winter Wellness Pledge
5 minutes
- Ask students to share one strategy they are committed to trying this winter (Refer to Slide 8-9).
- Conclude by emphasizing the importance of ongoing self-care and resilience, and encourage students to regularly check in with their Winter Wellness Wheel.
use Lenny to create lessons.
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Slide Deck
Spinning the Winter Wellness Wheel!
How can we stay healthy and happy all winter long?
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic. Get them thinking about how winter affects them.
Winter Vibes: Good or Challenging?
What are some things you LOVE about winter?
What are some challenges winter brings?
Engage students with a quick poll or discussion to get their initial thoughts on winter.
What is a Wellness Wheel?
A way to look at different parts of your life and how they work together.
Keeping your wheel balanced helps you feel your best!
Introduce the concept of 'wellness' as being balanced across different areas of life, and the 'wheel' as a way to visualize this balance.
Our Winter Wellness Wheel
- Physical Health: How you move, eat, and sleep.
- Emotional Health: How you feel and manage stress.
- Social Health: Your connections with friends and family.
- Academic Health: How you focus and learn in school.
Explain each dimension briefly and why it's important to consider during winter.
Winter Challenges: What's Tough?
Let's brainstorm! What makes each of these harder in winter?
- Physical Health: (e.g., less outdoor time, colds)
- Emotional Health: (e.g., feeling tired, less sunshine)
- Social Health: (e.g., fewer hangouts, family visits)
- Academic Health: (e.g., staying focused, early mornings)
Guide students to think about specific winter challenges for each dimension. Prompt for examples.
Winter Opportunities: What's Great?
Now, let's think positive! What opportunities does winter bring for each?
- Physical Health: (e.g., winter sports, cozy foods)
- Emotional Health: (e.g., reflection, quiet time)
- Social Health: (e.g., holiday gatherings, board games)
- Academic Health: (e.g., focused study time, new projects)
Shift focus to positive aspects and opportunities that winter can offer for well-being.
Building Your Winter Wellness Toolkit
Using your worksheet and the activity cards, create 1-2 strategies for each part of your wheel.
Think: What can I actually do?
Explain the activity cards and how students will use them to create personal strategies.
My Winter Wellness Pledge
Share one strategy you are excited to try this winter!
"This winter, I pledge to..."
Ask for volunteers to share one concrete strategy. Emphasize that even small steps help.
Keep Your Wheel Spinning!
Winter wellness is an ongoing journey.
Keep trying new things and find what keeps your wheel balanced!
End with an encouraging message about continuous self-care.
Worksheet
Winter Wellness Wheel: My Personal Plan
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Part 1: Winter Challenges & Opportunities
Think about how the winter months specifically impact each area of your well-being. What makes things harder, and what new possibilities arise?
1. Physical Health
How does winter affect your body, energy, and physical activity?
Challenges:
Opportunities:
2. Emotional Health
How does winter affect your mood, feelings, and stress levels?
Challenges:
Opportunities:
3. Social Health
How does winter affect your connections with friends and family?
Challenges:
Opportunities:
4. Academic Health
How does winter affect your focus, motivation, and schoolwork?
Challenges:
Opportunities:
Part 2: My Winter Wellness Strategies
Based on your challenges and opportunities, brainstorm 1-2 practical strategies for each part of your Winter Wellness Wheel. Use the Winter Wellness Activity Cards for inspiration!
1. Physical Health Strategies:
2. Emotional Health Strategies:
3. Social Health Strategies:
4. Academic Health Strategies:
My Winter Wellness Pledge:
What is one strategy you are committed to trying this winter to keep your wheel spinning?
I pledge to:
Activity
Winter Wellness Activity Cards
Cut along the lines to create individual cards. Use these for inspiration to fill out your Winter Wellness Worksheet!
Physical Health
- Stay Active Indoors: Try an online dance tutorial, build a fort, or do a family workout video.
- Embrace Winter Sports: Go ice skating, sledding, or have a snowball fight (if weather permits).
- Eat Warm, Nutritious Foods: Cook a cozy soup or try a new healthy hot drink recipe.
- Prioritize Sleep: Stick to a regular bedtime and create a relaxing routine.
- Hydrate Often: Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel as thirsty.
Emotional Health
- Mindful Moments: Spend 5 minutes meditating or practicing deep breathing.
- Journal Your Feelings: Write down what's on your mind or things you're grateful for.
- Creative Expression: Draw, paint, write a story, or play an instrument.
- Sunshine Breaks: Spend a few minutes by a sunny window or bundle up for a short walk outdoors.
- Cozy Corner: Create a comfortable space at home for reading or relaxing.
Social Health
- Virtual Hangout: Schedule a video call with a friend or family member.
- Family Game Night: Pull out board games or card games for some fun together.
- Help Others: Volunteer, write a card to a senior, or help a neighbor.
- Group Project: Collaborate with classmates on a school project or study session.
- Connect Locally: Attend a community event (e.g., library story time, local festival).
Academic Health
- Organize Your Space: Declutter your study area for better focus.
- Set Small Goals: Break down big assignments into smaller, manageable steps.
- Take Brain Breaks: Step away from your work every 30-45 minutes to stretch or rest your eyes.
- Review Regularly: Spend 15 minutes each day reviewing notes from class.
- Ask for Help: Don't be afraid to reach out to a teacher or classmate if you're struggling.
Worksheet
Winter Wellness Wheel: My Personal Plan
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Part 1: Winter Challenges & Opportunities
Think about how the winter months specifically impact each area of your well-being. What makes things harder, and what new possibilities arise?
1. Physical Health
How does winter affect your body, energy, and physical activity?
Challenges:
Opportunities:
2. Emotional Health
How does winter affect your mood, feelings, and stress levels?
Challenges:
Opportunities:
3. Social Health
How does winter affect your connections with friends and family?
Challenges:
Opportunities:
4. Academic Health
How does winter affect your focus, motivation, and schoolwork?
Challenges:
Opportunities:
Part 2: My Winter Wellness Strategies
Based on your challenges and opportunities, brainstorm 1-2 practical strategies for each part of your Winter Wellness Wheel. Use the Winter Wellness Activity Cards for inspiration!
1. Physical Health Strategies:
2. Emotional Health Strategies:
3. Social Health Strategies:
4. Academic Health Strategies:
My Winter Wellness Pledge:
What is one strategy you are committed to trying this winter to keep your wheel spinning?
I pledge to:
Activity
Winter Wellness Activity Cards
Cut along the lines to create individual cards. Use these for inspiration to fill out your Winter Wellness Worksheet!
Physical Health
- Stay Active Indoors: Try an online dance tutorial, build a fort, or do a family workout video.
- Embrace Winter Sports: Go ice skating, sledding, or have a snowball fight (if weather permits).
- Eat Warm, Nutritious Foods: Cook a cozy soup or try a new healthy hot drink recipe.
- Prioritize Sleep: Stick to a regular bedtime and create a relaxing routine.
- Hydrate Often: Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel as thirsty.
Emotional Health
- Mindful Moments: Spend 5 minutes meditating or practicing deep breathing.
- Journal Your Feelings: Write down what's on your mind or things you're grateful for.
- Creative Expression: Draw, paint, write a story, or play an instrument.
- Sunshine Breaks: Spend a few minutes by a sunny window or bundle up for a short walk outdoors.
- Cozy Corner: Create a comfortable space at home for reading or relaxing.
Social Health
- Virtual Hangout: Schedule a video call with a friend or family member.
- Family Game Night: Pull out board games or card games for some fun together.
- Help Others: Volunteer, write a card to a senior, or help a neighbor.
- Group Project: Collaborate with classmates on a school project or study session.
- Connect Locally: Attend a community event (e.g., library story time, local festival).
Academic Health
- Organize Your Space: Declutter your study area for better focus.
- Set Small Goals: Break down big assignments into smaller, manageable steps.
- Take Brain Breaks: Step away from your work every 30-45 minutes to stretch or rest your eyes.
- Review Regularly: Spend 15 minutes each day reviewing notes from class.
- Ask for Help: Don't be afraid to reach out to a teacher or classmate if you're struggling.
Discussion
Winter Wellness Discussion Prompts
Use these prompts to guide your small group or whole-class discussions as you work through the Winter Wellness Worksheet.
Introduction to Winter Wellness
- What are some of your favorite things to do in winter? What are some things you find challenging about winter?
- Why do you think it's especially important to think about our well-being during the colder, darker months?
- How does the idea of a "wellness wheel" help us think about our overall health?
Physical Health
- What are some fun ways to stay active when it's cold outside? (Think beyond traditional sports!)
- How can what we eat and drink impact our energy levels and mood during winter?
- Why is sleep so important, especially when the days are shorter?
Emotional Health
- What are some feelings that winter sometimes brings for you? How do you typically handle them?
- What are some healthy ways to deal with stress or feeling down during winter? (What helps you feel better?)
- How can creativity or quiet reflection boost your emotional well-being?
Social Health
- How can we stay connected with friends and family even if it's harder to meet up in person?
- What are some indoor activities you enjoy doing with others?
- Why is it important to keep up our social connections, even when we might feel like isolating ourselves?
Academic Health
- How can the winter environment (e.g., shorter days, holidays) affect your ability to focus on schoolwork?
- What are some strategies you use to stay motivated and organized during this time?
- How can planning ahead help you manage your academic responsibilities through the winter?
Personalized Strategies & Pledges
- Looking at your worksheet, what was one challenge you identified that you're eager to tackle?
- What is one strategy you came up with that you think will be most effective for you?
- Why is it helpful to make a personal pledge or commitment to your wellness strategies?