Grief and Loss wellbeing lesson plan
A secondary wellbeing lesson for Years 7 to 9 that helps Australian teachers introduce grief and loss through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students explore how grief can affect thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and build shared language for supporting themselves and others. Students learn to recognise common responses to grief, understand that people experience loss differently, and practise coping strategies and help-seeking language they can use in everyday school life.
Emotional Regulation & Mental Health
Snapshot
Grief and Loss
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce grief and loss using calm, age-appropriate language and practical coping strategies. Feedback: 4.6/5 average rating from 328 teacher and student responses
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Supporting yourself and others through grief
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise common emotional and physical responses to grief, such as sadness, anger or difficulty concentrating
recognise that grief can follow many kinds of loss, not only the death of someone close
recognise when a friend or classmate may need extra support
Understand
understand that grief looks different for different people and there is no single right way to grieve
understand why checking in on others and asking for help are both healthy responses to loss
Practise
practise simple coping strategies for managing difficult emotions related to grief
practise language for checking in on a friend who may be grieving
practise identifying trusted adults or support pathways they can approach for help
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for secondary students in Years 7 to 9 who are building language and strategies for understanding grief and supporting themselves or others through loss.
It is suitable for:
secondary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care or advisory sessions
emotional regulation and coping skills programmes
general classroom discussion about loss and change
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing grief and loss as a wellbeing topic Use when students have not yet had a structured lesson on grief and need shared language and coping strategies.
Building emotional regulation skills Use when reinforcing coping strategies and healthy ways to manage difficult emotions.
Supporting a caring classroom culture Use when strengthening how students check in on and support one another.
Reinforcing help-seeking pathways Use when students need clarity on who they can talk to and how to ask for support.
Preparing for transition or change Use when students are moving through changes in routine, friendship groups or school stage and may be processing loss alongside change.
Creating a structured wellbeing discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher-led discussion about grief and coping.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Grief is something most students will experience in some form during their school years, whether through the death of a person or pet, family separation, friendship changes or other significant loss. Having shared language for grief helps students make sense of their own experiences and recognise similar feelings in others. Teaching grief proactively, rather than only after a specific event, gives students tools they can draw on before they need them. It also helps normalise seeking support, so students feel comfortable checking in on a friend or approaching a trusted adult when something feels hard to manage. This lesson supports a classroom culture where difficult emotions can be discussed calmly and respectfully, helping students build confidence in supporting themselves and others through loss.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Emotional awareness Students learn to recognise common emotional and physical responses to grief.
Self regulation Students practise simple strategies for managing difficult emotions.
Empathy Students consider how grief and loss can affect others differently.
Communication skills Students practise language for checking in on a friend who may be struggling.
Help seeking Students identify trusted adults and support options they can approach.
Belonging Students reinforce that support is available and everyone's experience of loss is valid.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates or share personal stories about specific people who have died or situations at home
Frame discussion around general examples and scenarios rather than personal disclosures
Identify the trusted adults and support options available at your school before the lesson
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
During delivery
Use general examples of loss, such as the death of a pet, family separation or moving away from friends, rather than asking students to share personal experiences
Give students time to consider responses individually before discussing as a class
Reinforce that there is no single right way to grieve
Allow students to respond through discussion or written reflection depending on confidence and comfort
Supporting safe discussion
Reinforce that asking for help is a healthy response, not a sign of weakness
Explain that ongoing or intense grief reactions can be shared with a school counsellor or trusted adult
Keep the discussion focused on coping and support rather than personal disclosure
Adaptation options
Use written reflection or quieter activities for students who find open discussion difficult
Spend more time on identifying trusted adults and support pathways if students need this reinforced
Adjust examples of loss to suit your cohort's context and maturity
Some students may be currently experiencing grief. Be ready to check in privately with any student who seems distressed and follow your school's usual support processes.
