Saying Goodbye Together Lesson Plan
Saying Goodbye Together
Classroom Tier 1 Lesson Plan
Audience: 4th Grade
Time: 15 Minutes
Focus: Empathy & Transitions
Why This Matters
This lesson builds empathy and emotional resilience, helping students process loss, strengthen peer support, and maintain classroom community during transitions.
Preparation
- • Print one Goodbye Reflection Journal per student.
- • Prepare or print Kind Words Cards for each student.
- • Arrange seating in a circle or U-shape for open discussion.
- • Write the coping-strategies prompt on the whiteboard.
Materials
- Goodbye Reflection Journal
- Kind Words Cards
- Whiteboard and Markers
- Paper and Pencils
"Students will explore healthy ways to cope when a classmate leaves by sharing feelings, offering kind messages, and reflecting in a brief journal activity."
Lesson Sequence
3 min
Introduction & Emotional Check-In
- Gather students in a circle and explain the situation clearly.
- Invite students to name one word describing how they feel.
- Acknowledge all feelings as valid and set a supportive tone.
5 min
Kind Words Card Activity
- Distribute one Kind Words Card to each student.
- Ask students to write a positive message or memory for the departing classmate.
- Collect cards in an envelope or box to give to the student when they leave.
3 min
Guided Coping Strategies Discussion
- On the whiteboard, write “Ways to Remember and Stay Connected”.
- Prompt ideas (e.g., drawing pictures, writing letters, making a memory book).
- Record responses and briefly discuss how each strategy can help.
4 min
Journaling Reflection
- Hand out the Goodbye Reflection Journal.
- Instruct students to choose one prompt and write or draw their thoughts.
- Collect journals or allow students to keep them as personal reminders.
Saying Goodbye Slides
Saying Goodbye Together
4th Grade | 15-minute Tier 1 Lesson
Building empathy and resilience when a classmate leaves.
Teacher Notes:
Welcome students and introduce the lesson title. Explain that today we’ll learn healthy ways to cope when a classmate leaves or is absent long-term. Highlight the importance of empathy and supporting each other.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will:
-
•
Name and share feelings about a classmate leaving
-
•
Write kind messages on a Kind Words Card
-
•
Brainstorm ways to remember and stay connected
-
•
Reflect in your Goodbye Reflection Journal
Teacher Notes:
Read aloud the objectives and briefly explain each one. Make sure students understand what they’ll be doing and why it matters.
Emotional Check-In
Step 1: Sit in a circle.
Step 2: Think of one word that describes how you feel about a classmate leaving.
Step 3: Share your word with the group.
Teacher Notes:
Gather students in a circle. Model naming a feeling word yourself first (e.g., “I feel sad”). Encourage any feeling as valid. Use this to set a supportive tone.
Kind Words Card Activity
1
Take a Kind Words Card.
2
Write a positive message or draw a favorite memory for our departing classmate.
3
Place your card in the envelope/box when you’re done.
Share Your Heart
Teacher Notes:
Distribute cards. Encourage neat, heartfelt messages or drawings. Collect cards in an envelope or box.
Guided Coping Strategies
Ways to Remember & Stay Connected:
Draw pictures or make a memory book
Write letters or emails
Schedule a video call or postcards
Share stories in class about happy memories
Teacher Notes:
Write suggested ideas on the whiteboard as students speak. Encourage creative ideas. Highlight how each strategy helps maintain friendship.
Journaling Reflection
Choose one prompt to write or draw:
“What will I miss most?”
“One happy memory I have with my classmate…”
“One thing I can do to stay connected…”
Teacher Notes:
Hand out the Goodbye Reflection Journal. Read the prompts aloud, then let students write or draw. Circulate to support any students who need help.
Takeaways
Review the coping strategies you brainstormed.
Keep your Kind Words Cards and journal as reminders.
Supporting each other helps us all feel connected.
Thank you for your kindness!
Teacher Notes:
Review what the class did today. Encourage students to keep their journals and remind them that it’s okay to revisit feelings later.
Kind Words Cards Activity
Kind Words Card
To:
From:
I’m going to miss you because...
One happy memory we shared...
A kind wish for you is...
Draw a happy memory:
Keep smiling and remember we’re friends forever! ❤️
Kind Words Card
To:
From:
I’m going to miss you because...
One happy memory we shared...
A kind wish for you is...
Draw a happy memory:
Keep smiling and remember we’re friends forever! ❤️
