Building Resilience Lesson Plan Building Resilience
School Success Strategy
40 Minutes
7th Grade (Tier 1)
Objective
Address school refusal by teaching students to understand resilience, manage challenging emotions, and develop practical strategies to cope with stress and change.
Approach
Active Learning, Collaborative Learning, Trauma-Informed Teaching
WHY THIS MATTERS
This lesson addresses school refusal by equipping students with resilience. By developing these skills, students can better manage the emotions and situations that contribute to avoiding school, fostering a more supportive and positive learning environment.
MATERIALS
Slide Deck & Video
Discussion Guide
Post-it Notes & Markers
Journal Templates
INSTRUCTIONAL SEQUENCE
5 MIN
Introduction
Begin with a brief discussion on what resilience means and why it's important.
Ask students to share any personal experiences where they had to be resilient.
8 MIN
Video Viewing
Watch the On Resilience video.
Encourage students to take notes on key points about resilience strategies using the provided templates.
8 MIN
Activity: Resilience Brainstorm
Provide each student with post-it notes and markers.
Ask them to write down one strategy from the video that they found helpful.
Have students share their strategies with the group and discuss application in school.
5 MIN
Resilience Journal
Distribute the Resilience Journal Template to each student.
Ask students to write about a time they overcame a challenge and how they felt.
Encourage reflection on specific strategies used.
7 MIN
Group Discussion
Facilitate a group discussion where students share journal entries (voluntarily).
Identify common themes and encourage supportive peer feedback.
7 MIN
Closure
Summarize key takeaways.
Encourage students to set a personal goal related to resilience for the upcoming week.
Resilience Discussion Guide Resilience & School Success
Guided Discussion Guide
Use these prompts to facilitate a deep dive into the concept of resilience and how it specifically applies to overcoming the challenges of attending and succeeding in school.
1. What does resilience mean to you?
Facilitator Note: Encourage students to think about resilience as the ability to "bounce back" from challenges rather than just "toughing it out."
2. How can resilience help you in school?
Facilitator Note: Discuss how resilience can help manage stress, improve school attendance, and handle academic setbacks.
3. What strategies from the video can you use to build resilience?
Facilitator Note: Guide students to reflect on specific strategies like accepting change, deep breathing, or reframing negative thoughts.
4. How can we support each other in building resilience?
Facilitator Note: Encourage thinking about peer support, creating a safe classroom environment, and knowing when to ask for help.
Key Takeaway
Resilience isn't something you're born with—it's a muscle you build. Every challenge at school is an opportunity to practice your "bounce back" skills.
Resilience Power Slides Building Resilience
Strategies for Success at School & Beyond
7th Grade Skills
Tier 1 Support
What is Resilience?
"The ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events."
— Resilience Definition
It’s a skill you can practice.
It helps us handle school stress.
It’s about getting back up.
Video: On Resilience
As you watch, look for strategies you can use tomorrow.
Watch the "On Resilience" Video
demo.lennylearning.org/view/on-resilience
Take notes on your favorite strategy
Brainstorm Time
Pick one strategy that sticks with you.
08:00
Step 1
Write one strategy from the video on your post-it.
Step 2
Share your strategy with the small group.
Step 3
Discuss: How could this help you at school?
Resilience Journal
1
Think of a time you overcame a challenge.
2
What did you feel? How did you get through it?
3
Which resilience strategy did you use?
Weekly Resilience Goal
"Resilience isn't just about big challenges. It's about the small choices we make every day to keep going."
Your Challenge:
Set one goal for this week to practice resilience at school.
Asking for help
Deep breathing
Positive self-talk
Resilience Journal Template Resilience Journal
Building my "bounce back" muscle
Name
Date
1
My Resilience Story
Think about a time you faced a challenge—maybe it was a tough test, a problem with a friend, or a day when you really didn't want to come to school. How did you get through it? How did you feel afterward?
2
My Toolbox
Which resilience strategies did you use in the story above? Or, which strategies from the video do you want to try next time?
Strategies Used/Planned:
How they helped (or will help):
3
My Resilience Goal for the Week
One specific thing I will do this week to practice resilience at school is...
