Rhonda Soukup Jennifer
Witt
Professional School Counselor MSUM
Intern, 2003
Hidden Oaks Middle School Hidden
Oaks Middle School
Prior Lake, Minnesota Prior
Lake, Minnesota
Feed Your Head is a handbook
and a component of the Caring Circle program developed by Hazelden of
Minnesota. This book is broken
down into 26 chapters, each discussing various topics of concerns for teens. There are various activities and
handouts that accompany each lesson. The following lesson is an activity
developed for use in either a classroom setting or small group setting.
Materials Needed: Feed Your Head handbook, accompanying
worksheets, balloons, and rubber bands.
Activity: Place students in groups of 3-4. Give each group one balloon and have
them blow it up full, yet leaving some elasticity. Ask students to open their handbook to page 109. Discuss the description of stress and
ask students in their groups to describe times when they have felt Òstressed
out.Ó Each time that a student can
relate to stress in their lives, have them place a rubber band around the
balloon. Allow students adequate
time to discuss those things that are most stressful in their lives. As more rubber bands are place around
the balloon, it will become smaller and will bulge out in different
directions. Ask students to
describe what has happened to the balloon, and have them discuss ways in which
stress has a similar effect on their own lives. Hand out worksheet number 28, entitled Stress
Checklist. Ask each student to
personally answer each question.
Have students return to their small group setting to discuss the
worksheet.
When discussion is complete,
ask students to open their handbook to page 113. Discuss the many ways that stress can be recognized and
managed in positive, healthy ways.
Handout worksheet number 29, entitled Symptoms of Inner Peace (Managed
Stress). Ask students to reflect
on these positive and healthy coping mechanisms, while removing the rubber
bands placed around the balloon.
Discuss how after each rubber band is removed, the balloon regains itÕs
original shape and appears unharmed.
Stress: Dealing with the Feeling, directly relates to Minnesota Graduation Standard: Physical Education and Lifetime Fitness; Personal Health. This lesson specifically addresses the benefits of making healthy choices regarding the recognition of and the management of stress. This lesson also is reflective of the Personal and Social developmental domain of the Minnesota School CounselorsÕ Model of Developmental Guidance and Counseling. The lesson attaches itself to this domain by allowing the participants to reflect on how stress affects them personally and to reach within themselves to find healthy ways to manage stress.
References and Resources
Hipp, Earl (1991). Feed Your Head: Some Excellent Stuff on Being Yourself, Hazelden Educational Materials, Center City, MN 55012. 1-800-328-9000
For Further Information
Jennifer Witt
School Social Worker
Counseling Intern
Hidden Oaks Middle School
Prior Lake, MN
Phone: 952-226-0720
Fax: 952-226-0749
E-mail: jwitt@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us