LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read about a teen who uses art to spread a message of self-care; explain how reaching out to others for help can have positive health impacts.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 4: Demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.

CASEL: Relationship skills

KEY VOCAB

self-care

scholarship

Lesson Plan: Drawing to Connect

Google doodle winner Sophie Araque-Liu uses art to bring people together.

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the article “Drawing to Connect,” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

What does it mean to practice self-care when you are struggling?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the article “Drawing to Connect” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have students take turns reading different sections of the article out loud.
  • After they’ve read the article, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION AND VOCAB

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Comprehension Quiz
  • Vocab Builder

EXPANDING SEL OPPORTUNITIES

Continue the learning journey with the following writing prompt:

In SELF-CARE SUPERPOWER, have students share their experiences with self-careby writing a two- to three-page essay about the importance of asking for help when you need it. Have them start by thinking about why kids and teens may not generally feel comfortable asking for help during challenging times. From there, they should list some of the health benefits of reaching out for help when you need it—even when it feels hard. Have them conclude by reflecting on a time they reached out to someone for help and how that person’s presence and support made them feel. Alternatively, they can conclude by describing a time when they were the person who helped a friend or family member in need. If they choose this option, they should explain how it felt to help the person who was struggling.

Print the Lesson Plan

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