Lesson Plan Teacher Guide Rewriting Your Story
Lesson Plan: What Comes Next?
9TH GRADE
30 MINUTES
Objective
Students will reflect on their personal writing/processing journey and create a stress management plan incorporating WET strategies and cognitive reframing.
Materials
Moving Forward Slide Deck
My Stress Management Plan
Reflection Journal Pages
Teacher Prep
TIME: 15 MINUTES
Review slide deck and all linked worksheets.
Ensure tech is ready for presentation.
Print physical copies of Journal and Stress Plan.
Instructional Steps
MIN 5
Hook: Story Starter
Reflection & Sharing
Activity: Ask students to think about a time they overcame a challenge. How did they "rewrite" the ending?
Action: Allow 2-3 minutes for writing. Invite 2-3 volunteers to share their stories with the class.
MIN 10
Introduce & Model: Reframing & WET
Direct Instruction
Use the Moving Forward Slide Deck to introduce cognitive reframing and post-traumatic growth.
Explain WET (Write, Exercise, Talk) as a toolkit. Model a personal reflection: "When I'm overwhelmed, I write down thoughts to just get them out."
MIN 5
Guided Practice: Brainstorming
Journaling & Discussion
Distribute Reflection Journal Pages . Guide students through Prompt 1: Identifying stress triggers and current coping mechanisms.
Facilitate a brief class discussion on shared coping strategies.
MIN 7
Independent Practice: Draft Plan
Application
Students begin drafting their Personal Stress Management Plan . Encourage them to incorporate WET and reframing techniques.
Circulate to offer support and answer specific questions.
MIN 3
Debrief: Key Takeaways
Closing
Ask students to share one thing they plan to include in their plan. Collect all work for review.
Moving Forward Slide Deck Rewriting Your Story: What Comes Next?
Taking control of our narratives and building resilience for the future.
9th Grade Wellness
What Does it Mean to 'Rewrite Your Story'?
"It's about shifting your perspective on challenges and focusing on growth."
It's about empowering yourself to shape your future responses.
Cognitive Reframing: Shifting Your Lens
The Concept
Looking at a situation or thought from a different, more positive or realistic angle.
Example
"This assignment is impossible."
"This assignment is challenging, but I can break it down into smaller steps."
Growth from Challenges
Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG)
The positive psychological change experienced as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances.
Key Idea: Difficult experiences, while painful, can lead to new strengths, perspectives, and appreciation for life.
Your Coping Toolkit: W.E.T. Strategies
W
Write
Journaling, brain dumping, expressive writing.
E
Exercise
Physical activity to clear your mind and release tension.
T
Talk
Sharing feelings with a trusted friend, family, or adult.
Building Your Personal Plan
We all experience stress. Having a plan helps us respond effectively instead of just reacting.
Your turn to draft what comes next.
Your plan will include:
Identifying stress triggers
Current coping strategies
New W.E.T. strategies
Knowing when to ask for help
Your Story, Your Strength
You have the power to influence your story. Let's build a plan to empower you for what comes next.
My Stress Management Plan Worksheet My Stress Management Plan
Rewriting My Response
Name: ____________________
Date: _____________________
1
Understanding My Stress
My Stress Triggers: (What situations, thoughts, or feelings cause you stress? List 3-5 examples)
My Current Coping Strategies: (How do you currently deal with stress? Are they effective? Why?)
2
Building My Toolkit with W.E.T.
W - WRITE Journaling, brain dumps, letters...
Specific Action:
When & Where:
E - EXERCISE Walking, dancing, sports, stretching...
Specific Action:
When & Where:
T - TALK Friends, family, mentors, counselors...
Specific Action:
When & How:
3
Knowing When to Seek Help
Warning Signs: (Signs that stress is becoming too much - mood, sleep, or appetite changes)
My Support System: (List at least two trusted adults or resources you can reach out to)
Reflection & Commitment
What is one new thing you learned about managing stress today?
My commitment level to trying a new strategy (Circle one):
1 2 3 4 5
Reflection Journal Pages Worksheet Reflection Journal
Rewriting My Story & Managing Stress
Personal Reflection Space
01
My Current Story
5 MINUTES
Think about a recent challenging experience or a stressful situation you faced. How did you react? What thoughts or feelings did you have? How did you currently cope with it?
02
Exploring New Chapters
5 MINUTES
Considering the WET strategies (Write, Exercise, Talk) we discussed, which one resonates most with you? Why? How might you use this strategy to approach a similar stressful situation in the future?
03
Recognizing My Strength
5 MINUTES
Reflect on the concept of cognitive reframing. Can you think of a situation where changing your perspective helped you overcome a challenge? Describe how you "reframed" it.
