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Your Brain on Stress

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Brian Calandruccio

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Your Brain on Stress

Students will be able to identify the physiological responses to stress, explain the impact of stress on the brain and body, and describe effective coping strategies for managing stress.

Understanding how stress affects us physically and mentally empowers students to take control of their well-being. This knowledge is crucial for developing resilience and healthy coping mechanisms in daily life.

Audience

9th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through a video, discussion, and worksheet, students will explore the science of stress.

Materials

Slide Deck: The Science of Stress Slide Deck, and Worksheet: Stress Response Worksheet

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the The Science of Stress Slide Deck and familiarise yourself with the content.
    - Print copies of the Stress Response Worksheet for each student.
    - Ensure the video link is accessible and ready to play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alFoX2C53B0&list=PLGqp7eMG7UmUFl-9tmque5HwB-WT9VUj6&index=5
    - Review all generated materials as needed.

Step 1

Warm-up & Introduction to Stress

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick poll: "On a scale of 1-5, how stressed do you feel today?" (1 = not at all, 5 = extremely).
    - Introduce the lesson: "Today, we're going to explore what actually happens in our brains and bodies when we feel stressed. It's not just 'in our heads'!"
    - Present the first few slides of the The Science of Stress Slide Deck to introduce the topic and the objective.

Step 2

Video & Guided Discussion

15 minutes

  • Play the video: 'The Science of Stress' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alFoX2C53B0&list=PLGqp7eMG7UmUFl-9tmque5HwB-WT9VUj6&index=5).
    - Pause the video at key points to ask questions and check for understanding. (Refer to The Science of Stress Slide Deck for prompts).
    - Facilitate a brief discussion after the video, using questions like: 'What was one surprising thing you learned about stress?' or 'How do you think knowing this science can help us?'

Step 3

Worksheet Activity

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Stress Response Worksheet.
    - Explain the activity: "Now, let's reflect on what we've learned and apply it to our own experiences. Complete the worksheet individually."

Step 4

Wrap-up & Share Out

3 minutes

  • Ask students to share one key takeaway or one coping strategy they find helpful from their worksheet or the video.
    - Emphasize that managing stress is an ongoing process and encourages students to practice the strategies they've learned.
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Slide Deck

Your Brain on Stress

How stressed do you feel today (1-5)?
1 = Not at all
5 = Extremely stressed

Today, we'll explore what happens in our brains and bodies when we feel stressed, and how to manage it!

Greet students and start with a quick poll to gauge their current stress levels. This helps activate prior knowledge and connect to their personal experiences.

Learning Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Identify physiological responses to stress.
  • Explain the impact of stress on the brain and body.
  • Describe effective coping strategies.

Introduce the learning objective. Explain that stress isn't just a feeling; it's a physical and mental response with a scientific basis.

Watch this video to understand what happens when your brain experiences stress.

Introduce the video. Encourage students to listen for key terms and concepts related to the brain and body's response to stress.

Discuss and Debrief

What was one surprising thing you learned about stress from the video?

How do you think knowing this science can help us in our daily lives?

After the video, facilitate a discussion using these prompts. Encourage students to share their initial thoughts and any surprising facts.

Apply Your Knowledge

Now, let's reflect on what we've learned and apply it to our own experiences.

Complete the Stress Response Worksheet individually.

Transition to the worksheet. Explain that it's a chance to apply what they've learned and reflect on personal strategies. Remind them the Stress Response Worksheet is for individual completion.

Key Takeaways & Coping

What is one key takeaway from today's lesson?

What is one coping strategy you find helpful or would like to try?

Conclude the lesson by having students share a takeaway or a coping strategy. Reinforce the idea that stress management is a skill that can be developed.

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Worksheet

Stress Response Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

Part 1: Understanding Your Stress Response

After watching "The Science of Stress" video, answer the following questions:

  1. Before watching the video, how did you typically describe or think about stress?





  2. The video mentions the "fight, flight, or freeze" response. Describe what happens in your body during this response (e.g., what organs or chemicals are involved, and what are their effects)?










  3. What is one specific part of the brain mentioned in the video that plays a role in the stress response? What does it do?




  4. The video explains that stress can be both short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic). What is the difference between these two types of stress in terms of their impact on your body and health?










Part 2: Reflecting on Stress & Coping Strategies

  1. Think about a time you felt stressed. How did your body react? Did you notice any of the physiological responses discussed in the video?










  2. The video briefly touches on ways to manage stress. What are some healthy coping strategies that you already use, or that you learned about in the video that you would like to try?










  3. Why do you think it's important to understand the science behind stress rather than just trying to "power through" it?






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