Lesson Plan

Weathering the Storm Lesson Plan

In this one-on-one session, students identify and express grief-related emotions using visual tools and journaling, then develop and practice personalized coping strategies to support ongoing emotional well-being.

Addressing grief early fosters resilience, self-awareness, and healthy emotional processing, helping 6th graders navigate loss and build lasting coping skills.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Emotion Identification

10 minutes

Step 3

Coping Strategy Exploration

10 minutes

Step 4

Reflection & Closing

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Weathering the Storm

Welcome the student warmly. Establish trust and privacy. Introduce the session goal and outline how we’ll spend the next 30 minutes together.

Session Objectives

Read through each objective aloud. Ask the student if they have any questions or thoughts about what they hope to get from today.

What Is Grief?

Define grief in simple terms. Invite the student to share what comes to mind when they hear the word “grief.” Emphasize there’s no right or wrong way to feel.

Emotion Identification

Spread out the [Grief Emoji Cards](#grief-emoji-cards). Ask the student to pick 3–4 that resonate. For each, prompt “Why does this image fit how you feel?” Record their words in the journal.

Coping Strategies

Introduce the [Coping Strategies Worksheet](#coping-strategies-worksheet). Briefly describe each strategy. Ask the student to pick 2–3 and tell you why they think those will help.

Play the [Relaxation Audio Guide](#relaxation-audio-guide). Guide the student through the breathing exercise: inhale… exhale… Encourage focusing on the breath.

Reflection & Self-Care Plan

Have the student open their [Feelings Journal Template](#feelings-journal-template) and write a self-care plan. Prompt them to specify when and how they’ll use each strategy.

Closing & Encouragement

Offer a positive affirmation: acknowledge their courage in sharing. Remind them these tools are always available. Confirm any next check-in or follow-up.

Lesson Plan

Weathering the Storm Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

Step 1

Introduction

Step 2

Emotion Identification

Step 3

Coping Strategy Exploration

Step 4

Reflection & Closing

Slide Deck

Weathering the Storm

Session Objectives

What Is Grief?

Emotion Identification

Coping Strategies

Reflection & Self-Care Plan

Closing & Encouragement

Worksheet

Activity

Journal

Reading

Cool Down

Weathering the Storm

Alyssha Walker