Lesson Plan

Worry Talk Plan

Students will identify and share their own worries through storytelling and discussion, then learn coping strategies by creating personal worry dolls to symbolize releasing anxious thoughts.

Building early emotional awareness and coping skills helps first graders recognize anxiety, express feelings, and develop resilience in a supportive classroom community.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Story Time

7 minutes

Step 3

Worry to Wonder Circle

5 minutes

Step 4

Worry Doll Craft

10 minutes

Step 5

Closing and Assessment

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Why Do We Worry?

Welcome students! Today we’ll meet our story character, Lily, and learn what happens when she feels worried.

What Is Worry?

Ask: “What does it feel like when you’re worried? Can you feel butterflies in your tummy?”

Lily’s Big Worry

Pause after reading. Ask: “What do you think Lily is imagining? Have you ever felt that way?”

Sharing Helps

Guide discussion: “How does it help to talk to someone when you’re worried?”

Turning Worry into Wonder

Explain: “Using ‘I wonder…’ helps us turn a worry into a question we can try to answer.”

Feeling Better

Invite students to take three deep breaths along with you on this slide.

Lesson Plan

Worry Talk Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction

Step 2

Story Time

Step 3

Worry to Wonder Circle

Step 4

Worry Doll Craft

Step 5

Closing and Assessment

Slide Deck

Why Do We Worry?

What Is Worry?

Lily’s Big Worry

Sharing Helps

Turning Worry into Wonder

Feeling Better

Reading

Discussion

Activity

Why Do We Worry?

Jill Curry