Navigating the complex world of high school can be challenging for many students. As school-based mental health professionals in high schools, one of our most crucial roles is equipping students with effective coping strategies. This blog post introduces a lesson plan centered around the “Free High School Coping Strategies Sort” worksheet from Everyday Speech, aimed at helping students discern helpful from unhelpful coping mechanisms.
The Importance of Coping Strategies in High School
Why Focus on Coping Strategies?
High school years are formative, often accompanied by academic pressures, social challenges, and emotional waves. Teaching students how to cope healthily is vital for their mental well-being, resilience, and overall success.
Lesson Plan Overview
Objective: To help students identify and understand helpful vs. unhelpful coping strategies.
Materials Needed: Free High School Coping Strategies Sort worksheet, scissors, glue, pens.
Duration: 30 minutes.
The Lesson Plan
1. Introduction to Coping Strategies (5 minutes)
- Begin with a discussion on what coping strategies are and their importance.
- Highlight the difference between helpful and unhelpful strategies.
2. Sorting Activity Using the Worksheet (10 minutes)
- Distribute the “Free High School Coping Strategies Sort” worksheet.
- Guide students to cut out word bank options and sort them as helpful or unhelpful.
- Facilitate a conversation about their choices.
3. Personal Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)
- Encourage students to reflect on their coping strategies and share if they are comfortable.
- Discuss how different situations might require different strategies.
4. Group Sharing and Conclusion (5 minutes)
- Bring the class together for a group discussion on the activity.
- Emphasize the importance of choosing healthy coping mechanisms in challenging situations.
Conclusion
Empowering high school students with the knowledge of healthy coping strategies is essential in their journey to adulthood. The “Free High School Coping Strategies Sort” worksheet is an excellent tool for initiating this vital conversation. By engaging in these activities, students can better navigate the complexities of high school life, equipped with resilience and a stronger sense of well-being.
Sample Video
Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!
Related Blog Posts:
Free High School Identifying Feelings Activity
Engaging Social Emotional Learning Games for High School Students
Teaching High School Students to Read the Situation: Social-Emotional Learning in Action
