Healing Hearts Lesson Plan Healing Hearts
Coping With Loss • Lesson Plan
Tier 3 Individual Support
Duration: 15 Minutes
WHY THIS MATTERS
Losing someone can bring big feelings. This lesson gives students a safe place to share, understand, and learn how to feel a little better, which helps them grow strong inside.
OBJECTIVE
Students will learn to recognize and talk about their feelings when a loved one is gone, find simple ways to feel better, and discover special ways to remember them.
Materials
Whiteboard / Markers
Healing Hearts Slides
My Grief Journal
Coping Handout
Preparation (5 Mins)
• Review the Teacher Script and Slide Deck.
• Ensure a quiet, private space for the individual session.
• Have chart paper/whiteboard ready for brainstorming.
• Print copies of the "My Grief Journal" and "Coping Strategies" handout.
INSTRUCTIONAL STEPS
1
Welcome and Check-in (2 min)
Greet warmly and ensure safety.
Ask: "How are you feeling right now?" Listen carefully and validate.
Introduce topic gently: We're talking about big feelings when someone isn't with us.
2
Understanding Grief (6 min)
Explore the waves of emotion.
Define **Grief**: All the feelings we have when we miss someone.
Show Slides 1 & 2. Ask: "What feelings might someone have?"
Record responses on whiteboard. Validate that feelings come in waves.
3
Coping Strategies (3 min)
Healthy ways to feel better.
Show Slide 3. Review the **Coping Handout**.
Identify 2-3 specific strategies the student wants to try.
Remind them that talking to a trusted adult is always an option.
4
Remembering Loved Ones (3 min)
Keeping their spirit alive.
Show Slide 4. Brainstorm: "How can we honor your special person?"
Introduce the **My Grief Journal** as a special place for memories.
5
Wrap-up (1 min)
Reiterate support: "My door is always open. It's okay to feel all your feelings."
Healing Hearts Slide Deck What is Grief?
"Grief is all the big feelings we have when someone special isn't with us anymore."
Feeling sad or lonely
Feeling mad or confused
Feeling happy from good memories
Important!
All your feelings are okay. There is no right or wrong way to feel.
Healing Hearts
Slide 1
Feelings Can Change
Sometimes our feelings about missing someone change a lot, like waves in the ocean!
"One moment you might feel sad. Another moment you might feel mad or confused. Then maybe you smile at a happy memory."
It's normal for feelings to go up and down.
That's a normal part of missing someone.
Healing Hearts
Slide 2
Ways to Feel Better
Talk to a grown-up
Draw or color
Play outside
Listen to music
What helps YOU?
Finding what works for you is important.
Healing Hearts
Coping
Slide 3
Remembering Our Special People
The love and special memories stay in our hearts.
Look at Photos
Share Stories
Plant a Flower
This helps us stay connected to them.
Healing Hearts
Slide 4
Navigating Grief Teacher Script Navigating Grief Script
Teacher's Guide for Healing Hearts Session
1. Welcome and Check-in (2 min)
Teacher says:
"Hello [Student's Name], thanks for coming to chat with me today. Please, have a seat right here. How are you feeling right now?"
Teacher Tip: Listen actively, make eye contact, and offer a comforting presence. Acknowledge their response without judgment.
Teacher says:
"Today, we're going to talk a little bit about big feelings we have when someone special we care about isn't with us anymore. It's okay if this feels a little sad to talk about, and it's okay to have all your feelings. This is a safe space for you to share or just listen, whatever feels right for you."
2. Understanding Grief (6 min)
Teacher says:
"When someone important to us dies or leaves, we feel a lot of big feelings inside. We call this mix of feelings 'grief.' Grief means all the feelings we have when we miss someone. Everyone feels it differently, and all feelings are okay to have. There's no right or wrong way to feel, and sometimes these feelings can come and go, like waves in the ocean."
SHOW SLIDE 1: "What is Grief?"
"Looking at this slide, you can see some feelings listed. What are some feelings you think someone might have when they miss a loved one?"
Write down student responses on the whiteboard/chart paper.
SHOW SLIDE 2: "Feelings Can Change"
"On this next slide, we see that sometimes our feelings change a lot, like waves! One moment you might feel very sad, then maybe a little mad, then confused, and then you might remember a happy time and smile. It's okay for your feelings to change back and forth."
3. Coping Strategies (3 min)
SHOW SLIDE 3 & HANDOUT
Teacher says:
"When we have these big feelings, it helps to have special ways to cope. On this handout, we see some ideas like talking to a trusted grown-up or drawing. Which of these do you think might be helpful for you?"
4. Remembering (3 min)
SHOW SLIDE 4 & JOURNAL
Teacher says:
"Even though someone might not be with us, the love and memories stay in our hearts. What are some ways you could remember your special person? Maybe looking at photos or planting a flower?"
"I have something special for you. This is your own **Grief Journal**. It's a special book for your thoughts and memories. You can use it whenever you want."
5. Wrap-up (1 min)
"Thank you for sharing your time with me today. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to feel, and I'm always here if you want to talk more. My door is always open."
My Grief Journal Worksheet My Grief Journal
A safe place for my heart and memories
Name
This journal is a special book for your thoughts, feelings, and memories. You can write, draw, or just think here. There is no right or wrong way to use it.
Someone I Miss
Who are you remembering today? What was one special thing you loved about them?
My Feelings Today
Draw or write about how you are feeling right now. It's okay if feelings change!
A Happy Memory
Think of a happy memory you have with your special person. Draw or write it here.
Ways to Remember
One special thing you can do to honor them.
Coping Idea
One healthy way you can help yourself feel better.
"Love stays in your heart forever."
Coping Strategies Handout Healing Hearts Handout
Ways to Feel Better
"When you have big feelings like sadness or anger, these are things you can do to help yourself feel a little better."
Talk About It
Share your feelings with a grown-up you trust or a good friend.
Be Creative
Draw, color, write in your journal, or sing a song.
Move Your Body
Go for a walk, play outside, or do some gentle stretches.
Spend Time Outside
Go to a park or just look out a window. Nature helps you feel calm.
Listen to Music
Put on some music that makes you feel peaceful or happy.
Read a Book
A good story can give your mind a little break and make you smile.
Take Deep Breaths
Breathe in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth.
Do Something Fun
Play a favorite game or watch a cartoon. It's okay to have fun!
Help Someone Else
Helping a friend or family member can make you feel good too.
Remember with Love
Look at photos or tell a story to keep your special person close.
It is always okay to ask a grown-up for help!
