Lesson Plan
Your Wellness Journey Lesson Plan
Students will define holistic wellness, identify areas for personal growth, and develop actionable strategies to enhance their overall well-being across various dimensions.
Understanding and actively improving one's wellness helps students build resilience, manage stress, and thrive academically and personally during a crucial developmental stage.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Interactive exploration and personal reflection.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, and Wellness Reflection Worksheet
Prep
Prepare Materials & Review
5 minutes
Review the Your Wellness Journey Slide Deck and the Wellness Reflection Worksheet. Ensure you have a whiteboard or projector ready, along with markers or pens.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction (3 minutes)
3 minutes
Display the first slide of the Your Wellness Journey Slide Deck.
Engage students with a quick poll: "On a scale of 1-5, how 'well' do you feel today? (1=not so great, 5=amazing!)"
Briefly introduce the concept of 'wellness' beyond just physical health. Explain that today they will explore different parts of their wellness.
Step 2
Exploring Wellness Dimensions (7 minutes)
7 minutes
Transition through the Your Wellness Journey Slide Deck, discussing each dimension of wellness (e.g., Physical, Mental, Social, Emotional, Academic).
For each dimension, ask students for quick examples of what it looks like to be 'well' in that area. Keep it fast-paced and interactive.
Encourage brief movement breaks between slides if students are restless (e.g., 'stretch your arms up for physical wellness,' 'take a deep breath for mental wellness').
Step 3
Personal Reflection & Goal Setting (7 minutes)
7 minutes
Distribute the Wellness Reflection Worksheet.
Explain that students will silently reflect on each wellness dimension and rate themselves, then choose one area they want to improve.
Guide them to brainstorm one simple, actionable step they can take to improve that chosen area this week.
Circulate around the room to offer support and answer questions.
Step 4
Share & Cool Down (3 minutes)
3 minutes
Ask for a few volunteers to share one small action they plan to take to improve their wellness.
Emphasize that even small steps make a big difference.
Conclude by reiterating that wellness is an ongoing journey and encouraging them to keep thinking about their well-being.
Slide Deck
Your Wellness Journey
Let's explore what it means to be truly well!
Greet students warmly. Ask: "On a scale of 1-5, how 'well' do you feel today? (1=not so great, 5=amazing!)" Take a quick mental note of responses. Introduce the idea that wellness is about more than just being 'not sick.'
What is Wellness, Anyway?
It's about feeling good in all parts of your life!
It's not just about not being sick, it's about thriving!
Explain that wellness is about feeling good in ALL parts of your life, not just your body. It's how healthy and happy you are in different ways. Ask: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'wellness'?"
Physical Wellness
Taking care of your body so it can do all the amazing things you want it to!
- Eating nutritious food
- Getting enough sleep
- Staying active
- Hydrating (drinking water)
Discuss physical wellness. Ask students for examples: "What are some things we can do to take care of our bodies?" (e.g., exercise, healthy food, sleep). Briefly demonstrate a quick stretch for students to mimic.
Mental Wellness
Keeping your brain sharp and happy!
- Learning new things
- Solving problems
- Managing stress
- Mindfulness and focus
Discuss mental wellness. Ask: "What does a 'healthy' mind feel like?" (e.g., calm, focused). "How can we keep our minds healthy?" (e.g., learning new things, solving puzzles, mindfulness).
Emotional Wellness
Understanding and handling your feelings in a healthy way!
- Recognizing your emotions
- Expressing feelings constructively
- Coping with challenges
- Having a positive outlook
Discuss emotional wellness. Ask: "What are some different emotions we feel? Is it okay to feel all of them?" Emphasize healthy ways to express feelings. "How do we handle big feelings?"
Social Wellness
Connecting with others and building strong relationships!
- Spending time with friends and family
- Communicating effectively
- Respecting others
- Being part of a community
Discuss social wellness. Ask: "What makes a good friend?" "Why is it important to have friends or people you can talk to?" Encourage students to think about how they interact with others.
Academic Wellness
Engaging with your learning and growing your knowledge!
- Staying organized
- Asking for help when needed
- Trying your best in school
- Setting learning goals
Discuss academic wellness. Ask: "How does feeling good about school contribute to your overall wellness?" (e.g., less stress, pride in work). "What helps you do your best in school?"
Your Wellness Check-In
Now, let's take a personal look at YOUR wellness.
What areas are strong for you?
What areas might need a little extra attention?
Transition to the worksheet. Explain that they will now reflect on their own wellness journey. Emphasize choosing one small, achievable step. "No need to change everything at once!"
Small Steps, Big Impact!
What's ONE small thing you can do this week to improve your wellness?
Every little step counts on your wellness journey!
Once students have completed the worksheet, ask for volunteers to share. "Who has one small, simple step they are going to try this week to boost their wellness?" Thank students for sharing and for their hard work. Reinforce that wellness is a journey, not a destination.
Worksheet
Your Wellness Reflection
Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Wellness is about feeling good in all parts of your life! Let's check in with different areas of your wellness.
Part 1: How Am I Doing?
For each area, put an X next to the statement that best describes how you feel most of the time.
1. Physical Wellness (Taking care of your body)
- A. I usually eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and stay active.
- B. I sometimes eat healthy, get enough sleep, or exercise.
- C. I often struggle to eat healthy, get enough sleep, or move my body.
Reflect: What is one physical activity you enjoy or would like to try?
2. Mental Wellness (Keeping your brain sharp and happy)
- A. I feel calm and focused, and I enjoy learning new things.
- B. I sometimes feel stressed or unfocused, but I try to learn.
- C. I often feel overwhelmed or bored with school and new ideas.
Reflect: What helps you feel calm or focused when your mind is busy?
3. Emotional Wellness (Understanding and handling your feelings)
- A. I understand my feelings and can express them in healthy ways.
- B. I sometimes struggle to understand or express my feelings.
- C. I often have big feelings that are hard to manage or talk about.
Reflect: Who is someone you trust to talk to when you have big feelings?
4. Social Wellness (Connecting with others)
- A. I have good friends and enjoy connecting with family and my community.
- B. I have some friends, but sometimes feel left out or struggle to connect.
- C. I often feel lonely or have trouble getting along with others.
Reflect: What is one way you can show kindness to a friend or family member this week?
5. Academic Wellness (Engaging with your learning)
- A. I feel organized, ask for help when needed, and try my best in school.
- B. I sometimes feel disorganized or hesitate to ask for help, but I try.
- C. I often feel confused, unprepared, or unmotivated in school.
Reflect: What is one subject you enjoy learning about and why?
Part 2: My Wellness Goal
Look at your answers above. Choose ONE area of wellness that you would like to improve this week. It could be an area where you marked 'B' or 'C', or even an 'A' where you want to do even better!
The wellness area I want to focus on this week is: ________________________________________
Why is this area important for you to focus on right now?
Now, think of ONE small, specific action you can take this week to improve in that area. Make it something you can actually do!
My wellness action plan for this week:
Example: If I chose Physical Wellness, my action plan might be: "I will drink one extra glass of water every day."
Example: If I chose Mental Wellness, my action plan might be: "I will spend 5 minutes drawing quietly after school."
Remember, even small steps make a big difference on your wellness journey! ✨