Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Introduce high school students to stress, its unique impacts on academic and social life, and practical strategies to manage it effectively.

Understanding and managing stress is essential for high school students to navigate academic pressure, social challenges, and future uncertainty, leading to improved well-being and performance.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation and Material Review

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is Stress and Why It Matters

10 minutes

Step 2

Identifying Common Stressors

15 minutes

Step 3

Practical Stress Management Strategies

20 minutes

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Q&A

15 minutes

lenny

Slide Deck

Welcome to Stress Management

Introduce the session by welcoming students, explaining the objectives and structure of today's class. Emphasize that this session will cover what stress is, its effects on their daily lives, and strategies to manage it effectively. Highlight that stress is common especially during exam season and balancing extracurricular activities.

What is Stress?

Discuss the definition of stress in ways that connect with their everyday experiences. Use relatable examples like exam anxiety, club responsibilities, or social pressures to define stress and its impact.

Effects of Stress

Present and explain the various effects of stress on both the body and mind. Encourage students to provide examples from their personal experiences, such as feeling anxious before tests or overwhelmed by a busy week.

Stress Management Techniques

Introduce practical stress management techniques that are easy to apply during school or at home. Demonstrate a brief breathing exercise from the Stress Relief Exercise material and ask students how they might use these techniques in their daily life.

Wrap-Up & Q&A

Summarize key points of today's session by revisiting the causes of stress and the strategies discussed. Invite students to ask questions, share their own methods for handling stress, and prepare them for the next session where more advanced techniques will be introduced.

lenny

Activity

lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Expand high school students' stress toolkit by introducing advanced techniques for managing academic pressure and social challenges.

Advanced techniques help students handle complex stressors like exam pressure and social dynamics, promoting long-term resilience and academic success.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Session 2 Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Recap and Transition

10 minutes

Step 2

Advanced Stress Management Strategies

20 minutes

Step 3

Interactive Advanced Exercise

15 minutes

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Q&A

15 minutes

lenny

Slide Deck

Session 2: Building on Stress Management

Begin with a recap of key points from Session 1, emphasizing how basic stress management techniques helped in academic and social settings. Use relatable examples of exam stress and social pressures to make the content relevant.

Advanced Stress Management Strategies

Discuss advanced stress management techniques, explaining how each method can help handle the more complex stressors felt during high school. Relate these techniques to daily scenarios like exam weeks and social events.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Provide a step-by-step explanation of progressive muscle relaxation. Encourage students to visualize relaxing each muscle group to relieve physical tension often felt during stressful exam periods.

Cognitive Reframing

Introduce cognitive reframing by giving examples of negative thoughts common among students during stressful times. Demonstrate how to transform these thoughts into more positive, manageable perspectives.

Structured Planning

Outline structured planning as a method to reduce overwhelm by organizing tasks and responsibilities. Explain the benefits of creating a daily schedule or to-do list to manage both school assignments and social commitments.

Interactive Advanced Exercise

Introduce an interactive exercise combining mindfulness with cognitive reframing. Provide clear instructions for students to identify a stressful thought and reframe it in a positive manner, then discuss in small groups.

Wrap-Up & Q&A

Wrap up by summarizing the advanced strategies, emphasizing their practical applications for both academic and social stressors. Invite student questions and feedback to ensure comprehension and comfort with the techniques.

lenny

Activity

lenny
lenny

Stress Less, Live More

user image

Addie Achan

Tier 1
For Districts
lenny-learning-logo

Lenny Learning

Create Lesson

CASEL

Health & Wellness

Behavioral Supports

Counseling & Therapy

Family Engagement

School Climate

Special Education

Academic Integration

Seasonal

Career & Life Skills

Arts & Creativity

My Lessons

My Lessons

Video Library

Video Library

Support

Support

Log In