Health Education - 3rd Grade
Strand 2: MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH (MEH) Standard 3.MEH.2:
5 class periods of 30 minutes each
This lesson is designed to help kids learn about stress management and the need for self care.
Writing
Each child will need a journal page for each journal prompt.
Science
Give each child an observation journal.
Art
Art supplies: Paint, paper, clay, scissors, glue, markers, pencils, erasers, canvas, etc.
Music
A music player and access to music upon request (i.e. online streaming program)
Practice
Access to online meditation walkthrough.
Teachers need to be aware of their own ability to manage stress. Also, teachers should have the ability to be vulnerable to discuss openly with kiddos.
Knowing what stress is.
Students should develop an understanding of how to have appropriate self care and stress management techniques that are varied according to interests of kiddos.
Social Skills Discussion
To begin the unit, start with a class discussion about what stress is and what things may cause stress. Introduce to the students the varying ways that will be used to teach them about stress management. Teach them that there are more than one way to manage stress. Keep the conversation open for students to feel more inclined to contribute personal thoughts.
Writing
Give students multiple opportunities throughout the week to write about how they handle stress via journal prompts. Some prompts may include:
Science
Throughout the week make a list of all observations students make of their own stress and those around them. This will help them recognize stress in their own lives more fully, but also help them practice their observational skills for future science experiments.
Art
Using varying mediums, discuss how art can be a tool for people to alleviate stress in their lives. Have students work on art projects, and recognize how they are feeling throughout the projects. What they work on is not as important as how they feel while working. Does this method add to or take away from their stress levels?
Music
Discuss music as a way to relieve stress. Have the students share some of their favorite songs. Take turns listening to these songs. Then share a few calming songs that you enjoy and discuss how they make you feel. Encourage kids to share their feelings as well.
Practice
Introduce mindfulness/meditation for kids to learn other ways to handle stress. Access (online) a meditation for kids to listen to calmly to get a feel for how this can be effective. Discuss afterward how it makes them feel.
All of these activities should be useful across the spectrum of ability.
An assessment for this unit may come in the form of a KWL chart, but may not be necessary. Assessment can be seen over time based on how kiddos handle stress throughout their day at school.