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Counseling & Life Skills Self-Awareness Basic Emotion Recognition Complex Emotion Identification Emotional Nuance & Mixed Feelings Building Positive Self-Image Recognizing Strengths & Growth Areas Accurate Self-Assessment Personal Values Identification Cultural & Individual Identity Exploration Values-Based Decision Making Self-Management Stop-and-Think Strategies Delaying Gratification Independent Impulse Management Identifying Stress Triggers Short-Term Goal Setting SMART Goals Development Goal Monitoring & Adjustment Building Perseverance & Resilience Internal Motivation Development Comprehensive Stress Reduction Planning Social Awareness Recognizing Others' Feelings Demonstrating Empathy Respecting Individual Differences Understanding Cultural Diversity Complex Empathetic Responses Multiple Viewpoint Consideration Multi-Perspective Analysis Challenging Stereotypes & Bias Relationship Skills Active Listening Clear Verbal & Nonverbal Communication Building Positive Friendships Working Cooperatively in Groups Communicating Personal Boundaries Respecting Others' Boundaries Assertive Expression Peaceful Problem-Solving Contributing to Team Goals Complex Conflict Navigation Mediation & Negotiation Healthy Romantic Relationships Responsible Decision-Making Daily Problem Identification Brainstorming Multiple Solutions Evaluating Pros & Cons Recognizing Risks & Consequences Applying Ethical Frameworks Informed Risk-Benefit Decisions Root Cause Analysis Mindfulness Mindful Breathing Body Scan Meditation Daily Mindfulness Application Daily Self-Care Routines Balancing Life Demands Advocating for Wellness Needs Mental Health Support Understanding Anxiety Symptoms Worry Management Strategies Progressive Muscle Relaxation Recognizing Depression Signs Building Mood-Supporting Routines Behavioral Activation for Mood Understanding Grief Stages Healthy Grief Coping Creative Expression of Loss Behavioral Support Daily Check-In Procedures Daily Goal Setting & Review Recognizing Escalation Warning Signs Requesting Breaks & Support Self-Calming During Distress Understanding Positive Reinforcement Token Economy Implementation Behavior Chart Tracking Analyzing Behavior Patterns Identifying Antecedents & Consequences Determining Behavior Function Function-Based Interventions Individualized Behavior Contracts Data-Driven Behavior Adjustment Therapeutic Approaches Thoughts-Feelings-Behaviors Connection Recognizing Thinking Patterns Challenging Negative Thoughts Positive Self-Talk Practice Thought Record Tracking Advanced Cognitive Restructuring Comprehensive CBT Plans Behavioral Activation Techniques Building Positive Experiences Exposure Hierarchies for Anxiety Present-Moment Awareness Non-Judgmental Observation Self-Soothing & Distraction Complex Emotion Labeling Reducing Emotional Vulnerability (PLEASE)DEAR MAN Communication GIVE Skills for Relationships FAST Skills for Self-Respect Radical Acceptance Practice Crisis Survival Skills (TIPP)Understanding Trauma Effects Trauma Responses & Triggers Identifying Trauma Feelings Grounding Techniques Regulation During Trauma Distress Safe Place Visualization Processing Through Narrative Developing Trauma Story Personalized Safety Planning Group Support Turn-Taking & Sharing Group Conversation Skills Sharing in Supportive Environment Learning from Similar Challenges Building Community & Belonging Navigating Peer Relationships Group Skill Practice Group Mental Health Education Stress & Anxiety Understanding Crisis Support & Safety Knowing When to Seek Help Identifying Mental Health Crises Grounding During Crisis Using Crisis Hotlines Building Support Networks Accessing Mental Health Resources Warning Signs & Coping Strategies Developing Personal Safety Plans Understanding Suicide Warning Signs Gatekeeper Skills for Peers Digital Literacy Social Media Technology Basics Productivity Tools Internet and Online Research Web Design and Publishing Digital Citizenship Online Safety and Privacy Emerging Technologies Financial Literacy Making Financial Decisions Banking and Accounts Consumer Skills Saving and Investing Credit and Debt Employment and Income Taxes Insurance Major Purchases Economic Concepts Financial Planning College & Post-Secondary Planning Career Exploration Understanding Post-Secondary Options College Research & Selection Admission Requirements College Application Process Personal Statement Writing FAFSA Completion Scholarship Search & Applications Understanding Student Loans Continuing Education Planning Interview Preparation Researching Employers Common Interview Questions STAR Method Responses Professional Interview Presence Virtual Interview Skills Interview Follow-Up Job Search Skills Understanding Job Postings Effective Job Search Strategies Networking for Opportunities Resume Writing Basics Action Verbs & Achievements Tailoring Resumes to Jobs Cover Letter Writing Professional References Professional Communication Business Email Etiquette Phone & Voicemail Professionalism Meeting Participation Presentation Skills Professional Work Ethic Time Management & Productivity Teamwork & Collaboration Adaptability & Flexibility Problem-Solving at Work Constructive Feedback Workplace Rights Understanding Employment Laws Pay & Benefits Understanding Workplace Safety Anti-Discrimination & Harassment

Navigating Grief Compass

An 8-week Tier 3 individual intervention designed for a 7th-grade student to process grief, identify emotions, and build a toolkit of healthy coping strategies. The sequence uses a 'compass' metaphor to help the student navigate the complex landscape of loss and healing.

NCNaromie Charles

Healing Journey Support

A comprehensive 8-session individual support program for students experiencing loss, focusing on emotional literacy, coping mechanisms, and building a support network.

Navigating Grief Compass

An 8-week Tier 3 individual intervention designed for a 7th-grade student to process grief, identify emotions, and build a toolkit of healthy coping strategies. The sequence uses a 'compass' metaphor to help the student navigate the complex landscape of loss and healing.

NCNaromie Charles

Grief Compass Facilitator Guide

Navigating Grief: Your Compass

Facilitator Guide • Tier 3 Individual Support

Program Rationale

Grief is a natural response to loss, and learning how to cope with it and express feelings is a crucial life skill. This lesson series equips students with tools to navigate difficult emotions, promoting emotional well-being and resilience during challenging times. It is designed specifically for a 7th-grade individual context.

Learning Objectives

Identify and understand the non-linear stages of grief.
Expand emotional vocabulary to describe complex feelings.
Develop and practice a personalized toolkit of healthy coping strategies.
Identify and map a personal support system.

At a Glance

Duration 8 weekly sessions (30 min each)

Preparation 15 mins/session

Approach Trauma-informed, 1:1 support

Week 1: Understanding Grief — What Is It?

30 MINS

Introduction (5 min): Establish a safe space. Explain that grief is a normal experience when we lose something/someone important. (Slides 1-3)

Discussion (10 min): Explore different types of loss (moving, friendships, etc.). Use Slide 4. Share without pressure.

The Stages (10 min): Introduce the 5 stages (Slides 5-6). Emphasize they are non-linear and unique.

Journaling (5 min): Introduce the first prompt in the My Grief Journey Journal.

Week 2: Identifying My Emotions — The Feeling Wheel

30 MINS

Check-in (5 min): Quick check-in on last week's topic or journal entry (voluntary sharing).

The Feeling Wheel (15 min): Introduce the wheel (Slide 7). Discuss moving beyond 'sad' or 'mad' to more specific words.

Card Sort (10 min): Use the Expressing Feelings Activity Cards. Sort by frequency or understanding. Expand vocabulary.

Sessions Continued

Week 3: Healthy Coping Strategies — My Toolbox

30 MINS

Review (5 min): Recap the feeling wheel and specific emotions.

Brainstorming (15 min): Use Slide 8 to list healthy coping mechanisms (music, nature, breathing). Identify what works for her.

Action Plan (10 min): Select 2-3 strategies to try this week. Record these in the Journal.

Week 4: Expressing Feelings — Words & Beyond

30 MINS

Coping Review (5 min): Reflect on the strategies tried during the past week.

Verbal Expression (10 min): Practice "I feel..." statements using Slide 9. Focus on brave communication.

Non-Verbal Activity (15 min): Use Activity Cards to express feelings without words (drawing, poetry, movement). Process-focused.

Week 5: Grief Triggers & Self-Compassion

30 MINS

Triggers (10 min): Explain triggers (Slide 10). Help her identify personal triggers (dates, songs, smells).

Self-Compassion (10 min): Discuss being kind to oneself (Slide 11). Focus on positive self-talk and permission to feel.

Reflection (10 min): Journal entry regarding personal triggers and self-care plans.

Closing the Journey

Week 6: Building a Support System

30 MINS

Identification (15 min): Use Slide 12 to map out a support system (family, teachers, friends).

Reaching Out (10 min): Role-play how to ask for help or just ask to be heard when feeling low.

Reflection (5 min): Select one "Support Person" to connect with this week.

Week 7: Moving Forward — Honoring Memories

30 MINS

Reflection (10 min): Discuss what she has learned about herself and her resilience so far.

Honoring (15 min): Explore ways to keep love alive (memory boxes, letters, rituals). Use Slide 13.

Forward Thinking (5 min): Encourage ongoing use of the journal as a lifelong tool.

Week 8: My Grief Toolkit & Celebration

30 MINS

Tool Summary (15 min): Revisit Slide 14. Summarize her personal toolkit: her top strategies, support people, and rituals.

Celebration (10 min): Acknowledge her bravery. Celebrate the growth she has shown during these 8 weeks.

Open Door (5 min): Final check-in. Reiterate that the door is always open for future support needs.

A safe journey is not a journey without storms, but one where the sailor knows how to use the compass.

Navigating Grief Facilitator Guide

Navigating Grief Slides Presentation

Navigating Grief: Your Compass

Finding Your Way Through Big Feelings

A Journey of Understanding and Healing

Teacher Note:

Welcome the student and establish a calm, safe environment. Briefly introduce the purpose of these sessions: to explore grief and feelings in a supportive way.

What is Grief?

Grief is how we feel when something important to us is gone.

It's a natural, normal, and often confusing part of life. There's no "right" or "wrong" way to grieve.

Teacher Note:

Explain that grief is a natural, powerful response to losing something or someone important. Emphasize that it's unique to everyone.

It's Okay to Feel Everything

When we grieve, we might feel many different emotions at once or one after another.

All of your feelings are okay and understandable.

Sadness

Anger

Confusion

Numbness

Guilt

Loneliness

Teacher Note:

Reassure the student that all feelings are valid during grief. It's okay to feel sad, angry, confused, or even nothing at all.

Loss Comes in Many Forms

Loss isn't just about someone dying. It can be:

End of a friendship

Moving to a new place

A pet passing away

Changes in family

Losing identity

Missing the past

Teacher Note:

Broaden the definition of loss beyond death. Discuss examples like moving, changing schools, loss of a friendship, pet loss, loss of a routine, or even loss of a future dream.

The Five Stages of Grief

Not a checklist!

You don't go through them in order. Everyone's journey is unique.

You might visit stages multiple times, skip some, or go back and forth. That's perfectly normal.

Teacher Note:

Introduce the Five Stages as a common framework, but stress they are not linear. Students may jump between stages or experience them in a different order.

Meet the Stages

1

Denial

"This isn't happening."

Shock and disbelief. Your brain trying to protect you.

2

Anger

"Why me?"

Frustration and outrage. Feeling life is unfair.

3

Bargaining

"If only I had..."

Trying to regain control. Thinking of "what ifs."

My Grief Journey Journal

My Grief Journey

Journal

A safe space for my thoughts and feelings

Name

"You are the navigator of your own heart."

Introduction

This journal is a safe and private space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings as you navigate grief. There are no right or wrong answers, just your honest reflections. Use this space to write, draw, or simply jot down notes.

1

Week 1: What is Grief to Me?

Think about what 'grief' means to you right now. Has there been a loss in your life that you're thinking about? It could be anything important to you. How does this loss make you feel?

2

Week 2: Getting Specific

After looking at the Feeling Wheel, pick 2-3 feelings that describe how you've been feeling recently. Describe *when* or *why* you feel this way. Can you think of a time this week when you felt one of those emotions strongly?

3

Week 3: My Coping Toolbox

What are some things you can do when you're feeling overwhelmed or sad? List 2-3 healthy ways you can cope. Try one of these this week and write about how it felt.

4

Week 4: How Do I Express Myself?

When you have big feelings, how do you usually show them? Do you talk, draw, listen to music, or something else? Is there a feeling you find hard to express? What would it look like to express it?

5

Week 5: Triggers & Kindness

Have you noticed anything that unexpectedly brings back strong feelings of grief or sadness? How can you be gentle with yourself when these moments happen? Write down one kind thing you can do for yourself.

6

Week 6: My Support System

Who are the people in your life that you trust and feel supported by? List a few names. What makes them good supporters? How could you reach out to one of them this week?

7

Week 7: Honoring What Was Lost

What is one positive memory or lesson you can hold onto? What is one way you could honor that memory or the person/thing you lost? (e.g., draw a picture, write a letter, listen to a song)

8

Week 8: My Growth Journey

Look back at your journal entries. What have you learned about yourself and your feelings during this time? What tools do you feel you now have to navigate future challenges? How have you grown?

The journey continues, but now you have a map.

Expressing Feelings Activity Cards

Expressing Feelings Activity Cards

Navigating Grief • Activity Resource

Instructions for Facilitator

Preparation: Print these pages (preferably on cardstock) and cut along the dashed lines.
Week 2 Activity: Ask the student to sort the cards into piles: "I feel this often," "I feel this sometimes," and "I don't really understand this feeling." Discuss her choices to expand her emotional vocabulary.
Week 4 Activity: Ask her to pick 2-3 cards and express those feelings non-verbally (through drawing, simple movements, or writing a short phrase).

Sad

Happy

Angry

Confused

Anxious

Calm

Frustrated

Lonely

Hopeful

Guilty

Relieved

Overwhelmed

Peaceful

Jealous

Excited

Empty

Worried

Joyful

Resentful

Numb

Content

Fearful

Inspired

Irritable

Feeling Cards • Tier 3 Individual Support Intervention

4

Depression

"I'm too sad."

Overwhelming sadness and withdrawal.

5

Acceptance

"I can move forward."

Finding a way to live with the loss.

Teacher Note:

Briefly describe each stage. Encourage questions and discussion about what each might feel like.

The Feeling Wheel: Get Specific!

Sometimes we say we feel 'sad' or 'mad', but there are so many other words!

This wheel helps us find the right word for our feelings. When we name it, we can tame it.

Let's try it together!

EMOTIONS

Teacher Note:

Introduce the feeling wheel as a tool. Explain how it helps to identify more specific emotions, moving from general to more precise feelings.

My Coping Toolbox: What Helps?

When big feelings come, what can you do to take care of yourself?

"Coping means finding ways to deal with hard things so they don't feel quite so heavy."

Listen to music

Draw or create art

Spend time in nature

Take deep breaths

Write in a journal

Talk to an adult

Teacher Note:

Brainstorm healthy coping mechanisms together. Write down her ideas and offer suggestions. Emphasize self-care.

Speaking Your Heart

It's brave to share how you feel. Here's how to start:

Find Trust

Who do you feel safe talking to?

Use "I"

"I feel [emotion] when [situation] because..."

It's Okay

You don't need all the answers yet.

Teacher Note:

Discuss the importance of verbalizing feelings. Practice using "I feel... because..." statements. Role-play if appropriate and comfortable.

Grief Triggers

Sometimes, certain things can make big feelings suddenly reappear.

These are called "triggers," and it's normal for them to happen.

A song

A smell

A date

A place

Teacher Note:

Explain that certain things can unexpectedly bring back strong emotions. Help her identify potential triggers and validate their impact.

Be Kind to Yourself

Grieving is hard work. Treat yourself with kindness.

Talk to yourself like you would a best friend.

Give yourself permission to feel whatever comes up.

Practice self-care: sleep, eat well, do things you enjoy.

Don't compare your grief journey to anyone else's.

Teacher Note:

Introduce self-compassion. Talk about treating herself with the same kindness she would offer a friend. Discuss positive self-talk and simple self-care acts.

Building Your Support System

You don't have to go through this alone.

Who are the people in your life who care about you and can offer support?

Let's make a list!

Family members

Friends

Teachers

Counselors

Teacher Note:

Help her identify people in her life who can offer support. Create a list or 'support map' together.

Honoring Memories

Even though something is gone, the love and memories stay with you.

Create a memory box or scrapbook

Write a letter to what you lost

Plant a tree or flower

How would you like to honor your memories?

Teacher Note:

Discuss healthy ways to keep memories alive and honor what was lost. Focus on rituals or creative ways that resonate with her.

Your Grief Toolkit

You are stronger than you know.

What grief is
Naming big feelings
Healthy coping
Building support

You have a powerful toolkit for life!

Teacher Note:

Conclude by summarizing the tools she has gained and celebrating her growth. Reiterate that she has a toolkit for future challenges.

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