Lesson 7.2: Healthy and Unhealthy Ways of Coping
Students will learn about different types of stressors and how we all react to stressors differently. Through scenario-based learning, students will examine various coping strategies and think critically about ways to cope with stressors in a healthier way.
This lesson is aligned with the following learning outcomes from the NL Grade 7 Health Curriculum:
- To develop strategies for dealing with negative feelings
- To recognize sources of stress in our lives
- To understand that stress could be healthy or harmful
- To consider positive ways of dealing with stress
- To recognize the influence of peer groups
- To understand that tobacco contains an addictive drug and other chemicals that affect health
- To identify reasons why people choose to smoke or not smoke
- To be aware of the immediate and long-term effects of cigarette smoking, both physical, social, and psychological
- To understand the effects of secondhand and side-stream smoke
- To use the decision-making model with regard to tobacco use
- To realize that alcohol is a drug that affects the body and has the potential for serious harm
- To promote and encourage appropriate health-related practices
Lesson Plan
Activities
Learning Activity 1: Reacting to Stress
Social Emotional Learning Video About Stress – YouTube
This video discusses stress, how it affects us, and coping strategies that may be helpful.
Stressed Out! Student Activity Card
Students will write down what they learned from the video on their Activity Card.
Exploration Activity: Stress is Different for Everyone
In this activity, students will work together to discuss situations which present youth who are experiencing stress. Students will identify the stressor, explore how this stress could be beneficial or harmful, and describe possible coping strategies.
Situation 1: Jodie and Sam – The English Presentation (Student Version)
Situation 2: Jamal and Hunter – A New School (Student Version)
Situation 3: Chloé and Anton – Losing a Pet (Student Version)
Situation 4: Liam and Esme – Cancelled Plans (Student Version)
Sharing and Reflection: Stress Meter
This Stress Meter will help students to reflect on stressors and how they make them feel.
Reflection: Stress Toolkit Activity Card
Students will create their own personal definitions of stress, include personal examples of stressors, how they feel when they encounter these stressors, and personal coping strategies.
Learning Activity 2: Assessing Coping Strategies
Assessing Risk Spectrum Reference Card
This reference card will help students determine if coping strategies are healthy or high risk.
Exploration Activity
In this activity, students will revisit situations from Learning Activity 1 to examine and assess the different coping strategies proposed for youth in each situation.
Exploration: Situation 1 – Jodie and Sam: The English Presentation
Exploration: Situation 2 – Jamal and Hunter: A New School
Exploration: Situation 3 – Chloé and Anton: Losing a Pet
Exploration: Situation 4 – Liam and Esme: Cancelled Plans
Learning Activity 3: FACE-ing Stressful Situations
FACE Decision-Making Model
Students may refer to the FACE Decision-Making Model as they work through this activity.
Factors Influencing Decision-Making Infographic
Students may find it helpful to refer to the Factors Influencing Decision-Making infographic as they work through this activity.
Teacher Discussion Guide: Exploration – FACE-ing Stressful Situations (Scenarios)
Exploration: Scenario 1: Tom – Stress at Home: Will Nicotine Help?
Exploration: Scenario 2: Nadia – Managing ADHD Symptoms: Will Cannabis Help?
Exploration: Scenario 3: Taylor – Fear of Missing Out: Will Alcohol Help?
Exploration: Scenario 4: Ryan – Friday Night Fatigue: Will Caffeine Help?
Substance Snapshots
Substance Snapshots aim to provide educators with knowledge surrounding specific substances, classes of substances, and methods of consumption. These documents are intended to support educators in their delivery of drug education. They are not for direct use by elementary students.