Anxiety and Worry

Last week, the 4th-8th grade students read Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook. 

After we read the book, the students wrote down their worries on sticky notes (one worry per note). Like the book, the students then divided their worries into "Worries I Can Control" and "Worries I Can't Control."

Most of the students said that they cannot control their worries. We discussed each worry as a class and discovered ways to control our worries (i.e. study for test so that you do well). 

You can purchase this lesson plan here.

In class this week, we filled out the worksheets from this lesson.

Then, students then described where on their body they feel worried and anxious. The somatizations included stomach aches, headaches, clammy hands, feeling like their brain is going crazy, tense shoulders, and much more!

Then, we talked about  healthy ways to cope with our worries and anxiety. The students drew their 'happy' place, listed three people they can talk to about their worries, reviewed 'Push, Pull, Dangle,' practiced square breathing, and learned the cooked/uncooked spaghetti method.

Next week, we will play the Wilma Jean the Worry Machine Game Show!