Loss & Bereavement Lesson Plan

The VotesforSchools lesson plan for Key Stage 1 poses a sensitive question: "Is loss too hard to talk about?" It is designed to gently guide young learners through the complex emotions associated with loss and bereavement. The lesson begins with a short activity where pupils are introduced to The Feelings Family, a set of characters representing different emotions. In pairs, children discuss which emotion each character could symbolise, setting the stage for the lesson's theme of understanding and articulating feelings.

As the lesson unfolds, the whole class discusses the relevance of the topic, especially in the context of the pandemic and the work of The UK Commission on Bereavement. Pupils then engage with scenarios depicting children who have experienced loss, encouraging them to empathise and articulate the emotions involved by referring back to The Feelings Family. Subsequent activities include selecting supportive actions for those experiencing loss and suggesting coping strategies. The lesson concludes with a reflection on their newfound understanding and a vote where pupils express their views on whether discussing loss is too challenging. Throughout the lesson, keywords such as 'loss', 'feelings', and 'coronavirus' are highlighted, with the primary learning objectives being to explore the emotional impact of loss and to consider ways to manage it. Support materials are provided for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and suggestions for home learning extend the conversation beyond the classroom.