Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education Additional Supports ...

Positive Mental Health and Stress
Public Profile
Unit #3 Activity #4
Teaching Learning Strategy #1
Catholic Profile
Unit #5 Activity #4
Teaching Learning Strategy #3, #8
Teacher Resource (Background Information and Optional Activity)
Positive and Negative Effects of Stress
Instructions:
1. Introduce the topic of stress with the riddle: What Am I? Use the Teacher Resource
(Overheads) to initiate the discussion.
2. Present basic information on stress using overheads (Teacher Resource- Overheads).
Students should take notes or be provided with a handout.
3. Distribute and explain the assignment: Stress Journal (see Student Resource- Journal
Template). Clarify how positive and negative events can be stressful and explain that
students should provide examples of both. Ask students to distinguish between:
a) physical symptoms Ð sweating, blushing, heart racing, etc.
b) emotions Ð anger, excitement, fear, pride, embarrassment, etc.
c) thoughts Ð ÒWow!Ó, ÒIÕm such a loserÓ, etc.
d) behavioural reactions Ð biting fingernails, hugging, crying, cheering, etc.
4. Students will:
• complete a five day Stress Journal
• identify causes of stress and the effects on their bodies, emotions and behaviour
5. Upon completion of the journal entries, students will share some of their examples.
Have them write examples from their journal responses on the blackboard (or large
flip chart sheets). Note: Responses offered will depend on the studentÕs comfort level.
6. Students reflect on and complete a worksheet, by filling in each cell with an
explanation of the sources of stress they have experienced.
Sources of
Stress
Physical Symptoms Emotional
Responses
Thoughts Behavioural
Reactions
Note: The studentsÕ personal experiences will provide the foundation for the ensuing
class discussions.
Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education (PPL30), Module #2 Positive Mental Health and Stress
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