Skill: Dealing with Changes | Learning Goal: Self-Control
Grades: 6-8 | Activity Type: Lesson | Purpose: 🟢 Core Instruction
Be Good People Curriculum © St. Croix River Education District
How Do People Deal With Changes?
Today, we'll talk about how to handle stressful changes in our lives by identifying aspects of a situation that we're able to control.
“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Reinhold Niebuhr
Theologian
What do you notice or wonder about this quote? What does it make you think of?
WHY KNOWING HOW TO DEAL WITH CHANGES MATTERS: |
✅ You are more likely to react appropriately rather than over- or underreacting. ✅ You are less likely to experience excessive stress brought on by fixating on parts of the change that you can't control. ✅ You learn how to maximize your control over the situation and obtain the best outcome possible. |
The school announced a new lunch schedule, and Jamal now has lunch with different classmates than he’s used to.
How should Jamal handle this situation? What’s important to consider?
What wisdom would you share with a younger person about how to deal with big changes in their life?
Picture this!
What about this sounds right? 👍
What details might be missing? 🤔
ROADMAP
TIP #1: |
Try to avoid jumping to conclusions. Sometimes we don't know exactly what's changing yet, but in our heads it's already a total catastrophe. This leads us to overreact to small changes. |
Big changes can bring up a lot of emotions. How could someone cope? A few ideas ⬇️
TIP #2: |
“Control your controllables.” Most of the time, you start to feel more calm and comfortable once you find out what choices you can make and you start making them. For example, if your baseball game gets cancelled because of a thunderstorm, making choices about what to do with your day instead is a good way to start feeling better. |
Sofia’s older sister, who she was close to, moved away for college. Sofia feels the house is quieter and less lively.
Skip to end
Play it out: How would the tips and suggestions that we’ve discussed look in this situation?
Words of wisdom: What advice would help someone handle this situation well?
Heads up: What pitfalls should someone try to avoid in a situation like this? How?
Lessons learned: I’ve been through a similar situation and here’s what I learned from it…
Choose one ⬇
Mateo had been excited for weeks about going to the amusement park with his friends, but it was canceled last minute due to bad weather.
Skip to end
Play it out: How would the tips and suggestions that we’ve discussed look in this situation?
Words of wisdom: What advice would help someone handle this situation well?
Heads up: What pitfalls should someone try to avoid in a situation like this? How?
Lessons learned: I’ve been through a similar situation and here’s what I learned from it…
Choose one ⬇
In the middle of the semester, Priya’s favorite math teacher left, and a new teacher with a completely different teaching style took over.
Skip to end
Play it out: How would the tips and suggestions that we’ve discussed look in this situation?
Words of wisdom: What advice would help someone handle this situation well?
Heads up: What pitfalls should someone try to avoid in a situation like this? How?
Lessons learned: I’ve been through a similar situation and here’s what I learned from it…
Choose one ⬇
Aaliyah’s parents brought home a new baby brother, and she’s adjusting to the new dynamics of her household.
Skip to end
Play it out: How would the tips and suggestions that we’ve discussed look in this situation?
Words of wisdom: What advice would help someone handle this situation well?
Heads up: What pitfalls should someone try to avoid in a situation like this? How?
Lessons learned: I’ve been through a similar situation and here’s what I learned from it…
Choose one ⬇
Nice work! To recap, we learned more about: