Healing Hearts Lesson Plan Healing Hearts
Finding Comfort β’ Lesson Plan
Tier 3 Individual Support
1st Grade β’ 30 Minutes
Learning Objective
Help the student understand loss and learn simple coping strategies to express and process their feelings in a safe, supportive environment.
Why This Matters
Early emotional education equips children with essential skills to manage difficult feelings and fosters lifelong emotional resilience.
Prep Checklist
Review Story for Healing Hearts
Cut out Emotion Expression Cards
Prepare crayons and activity sheet
Create a quiet, cozy corner
Setup: 5 Minutes
Instructional Flow
10 min
Introduction
Introduction & Story Time
Introduce the topic by gently explaining that everyone sometimes feels sad or lost. Create a sense of safety.
Read the Story for Healing Hearts aloud with expression.
Encourage the student to listen and reflect on Bella the bird's feelings.
Prompt: "Bella's nest was special to her. How do you think her heart felt after the storm?"
10 min
Exploration
Discussion & Emotion Exploration
Use visual aids to bridge the gap between internal feelings and external expression.
Spread out the Emotion Expression Cards .
Ask the student to identify cards that show emotions they have felt.
Validate every shared feeling: "It makes sense to feel that way. Thank you for sharing that with me."
5 min
Activity
Coping Strategies
Move from understanding to action by practicing simple, physical relaxation techniques.
Introduce the Coping Strategies Activity Sheet .
Practice the "Balloon Breath" technique together.
Give the student time to draw their "Happy Place" or special memory.
5 min
Closing
"You did a wonderful job talking about big feelings today. Remember, your heart is strong, and you have tools to help it feel better anytime you need."
Healing Hearts Slides Healing Hearts
Finding Comfort
Today we'll talk about how it feels when we lose something or someone and learn tools to help us feel better.
Teacher Note: Set a safe, calm tone. Emphasize that all emotions are okay.
Story Time
Exploring Our Emotions
Let's listen to a story about friends who feel different emotions.
Try this:
Can you point to an emotion you have felt before?
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Teacher Note: Read the story gently. Use the Emotion Cards as visual aids.
Our Toolbox
Balloon Breathing
Breathe In
Breathe Out
Breathe in slowly, then out. Imagine blowing away worries. These are tools we can use anytime we feel overwhelmed.
Teacher Note: Guide the student through the exercise. Refer to the Activity Sheet for visual steps.
Healing Hearts Reading Story for Healing Hearts
A Little Tale of Big Feelings
Once upon a time, in a small, sunny town, there was a little bird named Bella. Bella had a beautiful nest in a tall tree where she played with her friends every day.
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One day, after a big storm, Bella's nest was damaged. Suddenly, she felt very sad and confused because it was a place where she felt safe and happy.
Bella wasn't sure what to do with all the big feelings inside. Feeling overwhelmed, she decided to ask her wise friend, Mr. Owl, for help. Mr. Owl listened carefully and said, "Itβs okay to feel sad when something important is lost. It's a part of growing up and understanding our hearts."
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Mr. Owl showed Bella how to take deep breaths, explaining, "When we take deep breaths, it's like giving our heart a gentle hug. It helps us feel calm." Bella practiced this with Mr. Owl until she felt a bit better.
She also painted a picture of her favorite part of her nest, which made her smile again as she remembered the happy times.
By the end of the day, Bella learned that even when things seem lost, she has ways to feel comforted and strong.
Let's Think Together
"Letβs take a moment to think about a time when you felt like Bella. Can you draw a picture of something that makes you feel happy, even on tough days?"
Draw your happy picture here
Emotion Expression Cards Activity Emotion Expression Cards
Cut these out and use them to talk about your heart.
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Happy
I feel sunny and bright inside!
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Sad
My heart feels heavy or rainy.
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Angry
I feel hot and like I want to stomp!
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Calm
My heart feels quiet and still.
How to Use
1. Identify: Look at each card and name the feeling.
2. Reflect: "Have I ever felt this way?" Discuss a time you felt that emotion.
3. Express: Practice making the face and posture of the emotion.
4. Support: Ask: "What might you do if you ever feel this emotion?"
Questions to Ask
"Can you match a card to a time you felt this way?"
"Which card is your favorite today?"
"Which one looks like your heart right now?"
Coping Strategies Worksheet Coping Strategies
Let's Learn How to Feel Better
Student Activity
Name: ___________________
1 Balloon Breathing
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Sit Still
Find a cozy spot and close your eyes.
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Breathe In
Fill up a big, imaginary balloon in your tummy.
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Breathe Out
Slowly let the air out of the balloon.
Remember: Each breath is like a little hug for your heart.
2 Draw Something Happy
Draw something that makes you feel happy. It could be a sunny day, a favorite friend, a pet, or a cozy home.
Your happy place lives in your heart
3 Share Your Feelings
After breathing and drawing, how does your heart feel now? If you want, you can share your drawing or tell a friend or teacher how you feel. Talking helps!