1B 7th Grade Mental and Emotional Health Teacher Notes
I.
Stress management
Stress (8th Grade textbook pp. 66-67; chapter 4.1)
A. definition = __body’s response to change; fight or flight response
1. Stressors (class brainstorm) – situations that cause stress
a. divorce; step parent or step sibling
b. grades
c. moving
d. death
2. Strategies for handling stress (7.1p)
a. It’s important to become resilient when handling stressful situations.
“Resiliency” means to be able to bounce back from stressful situations.
b. Examples of ways to handle my stress
i. exercise, physical activity, or play sports
ii. laughter/positive outlook
iii. time management
iv. listen to music; talk to someone you trust
3. Achievable goals for handling stressors (7.2q)
a. When I begin to feel stressed, I feel
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b. An (more) effective way for me to handle my stress will be to
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c. Write a personal goal stating how you will more successfully manage your stress.
Avoid using general words such as “better” or “more”. Be specific.
I am going to successfully handle my stress by _______________________________
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If I’m faced with disappointment, I will _____________________________________
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4. Benefits of being emotionally flexible, stress management, and stress-reduction
techniques for emotional health (7.2p)
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B. Getting help (8th Grade textbook; Chapter 4.3)
1. The first step is to recognize you need help and talk to a trusted adult
2. Other ways
a. Therapy/Counseling
-ways to teach you how to behavior or act differently
-individual, group or family
b. Mental Health Providers
-Psychologists – PhD; trained, licensed to perform therapy/counseling
-CSW Clinical Social Worker – master degree; can perform therapy,
counseling but may not be as specialized
-Psychiatrist – medical doctor; can prescribe medicine
3. Create a strategy to promote seeking help for mental health concerns
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II. Success in School Lesson 5.2 (7th Grade text: Chapter 5, Lesson 2): Read aloud
A. Success at school
1. Sharing something positive about yourself with a partner. Share a success and a
failure. What did you learn from each? Which had the most impact on you? Which
comes to mind more readily?
2. Factors that promote school success (class discussion)
a. nutrition = eat breakfast, balanced meals, healthy choices, drinking water
b. physical =being active, healthy weight, healthy environment, recommended
amount of sleep
c. mental/emotional = what you think and feel about yourself
mental: high self-esteem, positive body image, positive self-worth,
confident; uses healthy stress management techniques
emotional: being happy, optimistic, resilient
d. social health = healthy friendships, support at home, positive relationship
with parents/guardian, relatives, coach, teacher,
e. spiritual = relationship with religious leader
f. academic = be prepared, organized; take notes; listen attentively; pay
attention; ask for help when needed
3. Obstacles/preventing school success (class discussion)
a. hanging out with the wrong crowd
b. poor nutrition; lack of sleep
c. situations at home
d. lack of motivation
e. low self-esteem and confidence
f. getting sick often
4. Brainstorm with your classmates: Explain 2 reasons why it’s the important to
have a positive (emotionally safe) climate for school success (7.2r)
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