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Second Grade
LESSON
Seven
Coping with Grief & Loss
60 Minutes
This lesson is currently under review with Nest Educational Advisors. Please check back later for updates.
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, students begin with a mindful movement, then revisit the Tree of Care, using tree rings as a metaphor for life experiences. They'll explore grief through a read-aloud of "Why Do I Feel Sad?" identifying related emotions and brainstorming support strategies, represented by sunlight and water droplets added to the Tree of Care. They will learn about resilience through completing the Tree Ring Handout, documenting significant life events, and practice peer check-ins. The lesson concludes with students receiving Hope Flowers, marking the end of the YBH unit.
Lesson Objectives
- Identify feelings of grief and loss.
- Discuss how to ask for help when experiencing grief and loss.
- Practice ways of supporting a friend through grief and loss.
Materials
Handouts
quicklinks
how to prepare for this lesson
Talking about grief and loss in early childhood is an important way to help students process their feelings, validate and acknowledge their loss, and offer healing and copy strategies. Students who have not experienced grief and loss may have many questions or worries after the lesson, and it is wise to leave time in the days following to continue to share resources and remind students that you are there to answer any questions that have come up for them. For more information on teaching grief and loss to young students, please see the Teacher Resource Guide.
Students will be referencing their Feelings Wheel Handouts throughout the lesson and should have them out at the beginning of class to save time.
There are a total of two new handouts for students in this lesson: Sunlight and Water Droplet Handout, and Tree Ring Handout. You will need one copy of each for every student. There is no pre-cutting required. Students will cut out their shapes themselves before adding them to the classroom Tree of Care.
To close the lesson, students will each receive a Hope Flower, pre-cut by the teacher. If extra class time allows, students can color in their flowers. The Hope Flower pdf includes 10 flowers total and can be duplicated as necessary for class size.
Please ensure to pre-check videos before class, as internet policies may vary among schools, to ensure accessibility.
Additional Resources
- Book: Why Do I Feel Sad, by Tracy Lambert
- Tree Rings, Nasa Climate
- Grief Definition Source