Winter Wellness Lesson Plan Winter Wellness Wheel: Crafting Your Calm
Lesson Plan • 60 Minutes • Grades 5-8
Tier 1 Support
Objective
Students will identify and implement self-care strategies adapted for the winter season, focusing on physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Why This Matters
The winter season brings unique challenges like shorter days and holiday stress, which can impact student well-being. This lesson provides practical strategies to help students proactively manage their physical, mental, and emotional health during this time.
Preparation
Review the Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
Print Wellness Wheel Worksheets for each student.
Gather markers, pens, or colored pencils.
Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready.
Instructional Sequence
10m
Warm-Up
Introduction: What is Winter Wellness?
Begin by projecting the first slide of the Slide Deck .
Ask students: "What comes to mind when you hear 'winter wellness'?" Allow for a brief class discussion.
Introduce the concept of a "wellness wheel" as a tool for understanding different aspects of self-care.
15m
Instruction
Understanding the Wellness Wheel
Use slides 2-4 to explain categories: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social, Spiritual/Environmental.
Provide winter examples:
Physical: Sleep, hydration, indoor exercise.
Mental: Reading, mindfulness, setting holiday expectations.
20m
Activity
Crafting Your Calm: Wellness Wheel Activity
Distribute the Wellness Wheel Worksheet .
Instruct students to fill in each section with specific winter wellness strategies.
Encourage them to think about what they already do and what they could try .
Play calming background music during individual work time.
15m
Reflect
Share & Reflect: Discussion
Bring the class back together. Use the Discussion Guide to facilitate a wrap-up.
Students share one or two strategies they are excited to try.
Emphasize that self-care looks different for everyone.
Conclude by reinforcing the importance of proactive care during seasonal changes.
Winter Wellness Slide Deck Winter Wellness Wheel
Crafting Your Calm
What comes to mind when you hear
"winter wellness"?
What is a Wellness Wheel?
A tool to understand different aspects of your well-being:
P Physical: How you care for your body
M Mental: How you care for your mind
E Emotional: How you care for your feelings
Winter Wellness Categories
Physical Wellness
Getting enough sleep
Staying hydrated
Nutritious foods
Indoor exercise
Mental Wellness
Reading & puzzles
Mindfulness & meditation
Learning new things
Managing screen time
More Winter Wellness
Emotional
• Acknowledge feelings
• Journaling / Creative
• Practice gratitude
Social
• Connect with family
• Volunteering
• Group activities
Spiritual/Env.
• Time in nature
• Quiet reflection
• Create cozy spaces
Your Winter Wellness Wheel
Time to create your own! Think about activities or strategies you can use to stay balanced.
Reflect
What do you already do? What could you try new?
Personalize
No right or wrong answers – it's your wheel!
Share Your Calm!
Why is taking care of ourselves important, especially in winter?
"Your wellness wheel is a tool to help you craft your calm all winter long."
Winter Wellness Activity Guide Winter Wellness Wheel Activity
Crafting Your Calm: Student Activity Guide
Objective
Identify and personalize self-care strategies for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being during the winter season.
Materials Needed
Wellness Wheel Worksheet
Pens or Colored Pencils
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Understand the Wheel
Listen as your teacher explains the 5 categories (Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual/Environmental) and how they relate to staying well in winter.
2
Brainstorm & Reflect
On your worksheet, think about activities that help you feel good in each area. Consider:
What do you already do to take care of yourself?
What new things could you try this winter?
How can you adapt for colder weather or holiday busyness?
3
Fill Your Wheel
Write or draw your ideas in the sections of your wheel. Aim for at least 2-3 ideas per section.
Pro-Tip Example: Physical Wellness
"Bundle up and take a short walk in the snow; try a new indoor sport like basketball; drink warm herbal tea to stay hydrated."
Wellness Wheel Worksheet My Winter Wellness Wheel
Crafting Your Calm
Name:
Date:
Think about how you can take care of your mind, body, and spirit during the winter months. For each section of the wheel, write or draw at least two specific activities or strategies you will use.
Physical Wellness
(Caring for your body)
Mental Wellness
(Caring for your mind & thoughts)
Emotional Wellness
(Caring for your feelings)
Continued on next page...
Social Wellness
(Connecting with others)
Spiritual/Environmental Wellness
(Connecting with surroundings)
Reflection Questions
1. Which section of your Winter Wellness Wheel do you think will be the easiest for you to focus on? Why?
2. Which section might be more challenging? What could help you with that challenge?
3. Name one new wellness strategy from your wheel that you are excited to try this winter.
Winter Wellness Discussion Guide Discussion Guide: Winter Wellness
Facilitating "Crafting Your Calm"
Objective
To facilitate student reflection and sharing of personalized winter self-care strategies, fostering a sense of community and reinforcing the importance of proactive well-being.
1
Introduction (5 Minutes)
Teacher Script
"Alright everyone, you've done a fantastic job crafting your personal Winter Wellness Wheels. Now, let's share some of our insights and learn from each other."
Teacher Script
"To start, thinking about your wheel, what was one new idea or strategy you wrote down that you hadn't really considered before winter?"
2
Sharing & Reflection (8 Minutes)
Teacher Script
"Let's go around the room, or if you prefer, volunteer to share. What is one specific strategy from your wellness wheel that you are either already doing, or are really excited to try this winter? Please also share which category it falls under (Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social, or Spiritual/Environmental)."
Allow 3-4 students to share their strategies. Encourage them to explain briefly why they chose that particular strategy.
Teacher Script
"It's great to hear all these thoughtful ideas! Looking at the reflection questions on your worksheet, who would like to share their answer to question #1: Which section do you think will be the easiest for you to focus on? Why?"
Teacher Script
"And for question #2: Which section might be more challenging? What could help you with that challenge? It's important to acknowledge challenges so we can plan for them."
3
Group Discussion & Connection (7 Minutes)
Teacher Prompt
"Why do you think it's especially important to be mindful of our wellness during the winter months? What are some unique things about winter that can affect us?"
Teacher Prompt
"Beyond individual actions, how can we support each other's wellness in our classroom or school community during winter?"
Teacher Prompt
"What's one thing you learned or were reminded of today about taking care of yourself?"
Closing Statement
"Remember, your wellness wheel is a personal tool. It's not about being perfect, but about being proactive and finding ways to nurture yourself. Keep your wheel somewhere you can see it, and revisit it throughout the winter. Crafting your calm is a skill you can use all year round!"