Lesson Plan : Working Through Grief
Teacher Name: | Jennifer Simmonds |
Grade: | Grade 7-8 |
Subject: | Other |
Topic: | Most people associate grief and loss with situations that are related to the death of a loved one. However, many people experience situations of loss and feelings of grief that may be due to a range of life experiences and situations. The following are examples of significant family changes that can trigger feelings of loss and grief: a parent leaving home, divorce/separation, moving, changing schools, illness of a loved one, a parent in jail, a new baby brother or sister, living in a foster home, homelessness, etc. |
Content: | This class will give students' information about the grief cycle, and students will have an opportunity to identify their own experiences with various stages of the grieving process. Time will be spent on recognizing and understanding depression. Also, students will identify ways to cope with situations of loss and feelings of grief, including seeking out further help for dealing with depression. |
Goals: | This session�s focus is to give participants information about grief, loss,and depression. |
Objectives: | Participants will: 1. Understand the natural grieving process associated with any significant loss. 2. Examine the grief cycle and have participants individually identify aspects of the grieving process that they have experienced and/or are experiencing. 3. Learn the warning signs of depression. 4. Identify healthy strategies for coping with loss and grief. |
Materials: | 1. Copies of �Grief Loop� (link tktktkktktkt) 2. Copies of �Signs of possible depression� (link tktktkktktkt) 3. �Real Life� Scenarios" (link tktktkktktkt) 4. A sheet of newsprint and a marker |
Introduction: | Distribute copies of the Grief Loop to each student and read it aloud as a group. Discuss the handout, explaining the more complex concepts. Emphasize the following points about the grief cycle: � You may experience the stages of grief �out of order�. � You could go through all of these stages in one day, or it could take you a month, or a year. Most people go through the Grief Loop over and over again. Also, significant dates or milestones may trigger your grief all over again. � Unfortunately, no one can tell you when you will feel better. Everyone heals in their own time and in their own way. � There is no right or wrong way to grieve. |
Development: | Break students into groups and tell them to individually point to where they think they fall within the grief loop today. Ask them to share where they started, and what has changed, if anything, since the loss has occurred. After everyone has had a chance to identify and share where they are in their own process of grief, have a brief discussion with the entire class. Follow-up discussion questions: � How do you express your grief? Do you tend to get angry easily? Cry? Have trouble eating or sleeping? Disconnect from people you care about? � How do you think your family members express their grief? � What stage(s) of grief can you relate to the most? The least? � Are there feelings or stages that you feel you have experienced that are not on this Grief Loop? If so, explain. |
Practice: | Say to the class, �There is a big difference between feeling sad due to a particular situation and having depression. Usually when someone feels temporarily sad, it is for a short period of time (a number of hours or days, but not commonly more than two weeks). However, when someone is actually depressed, the sad feelings are usually more intense and last for at least two weeks with very little hope or relief.� Distribute the �Signs of possible depression� handout. Read through the warning signs of depression and ask them to check individually the box next to the description if/when they have experienced that. Next, read aloud the �Real Life Scenarios� and ask the class the follow-up questions included there. |
Accommodations: | |
Checking For Understanding: | |
Closure: | Coping with grief: Using a blank sheet of newsprint, ask the class to identify some healthy and positive things they can do when they feel numb, sad, or angry. Write down their suggestions as they say them aloud. Examples of healthy coping methods: � Call a friend � Talk to a trusted adult � Draw or write about your feelings � Write a letter to the person for whom you are grieving (even if they have died or are gone) � Share your feelings with a trustworthy person � Cry � Breathe deeply and say to yourself, �This difficult feeling will eventually pass. Things will get better.� � Eat healthy foods |
Evaluation: | |
Teacher Reflections: |
| Create New Lesson Plan | Lesson Plan Center |