(CNN Student News) -- Students will learn about different types of stress and stressors and how the body responds to different types of stress. Students will identify ways to manage holiday stress.
Procedure
Inform students that everyone experiences stress; it's a normal part of everyday life. Stress is the reaction our bodies and minds have to everyday demands and threats. There are three different types of stress (acute, episodic acute and chronic), each with its own characteristics, symptoms and treatment approaches. Contrary to popular belief, stress isn't always bad; depending on how it's perceived and managed, it can be helpful. Ask students:
Next, group students and have them consult their texts and other resources to learn about the three different types of stress, different kinds of stressors and how the body responds to different types of stress. Ask students to identify the following:
After groups share their findings, point out that, while there are several reasons that the holidays should be a happy time for students (e.g., they're on vacation, they get to hang out with their friends, they can sleep in), not everyone is in good cheer. Like many adults, children and teenagers can get stressed during the holidays. Ask students: What do you think are some of the reasons why young people might get stressed during the holiday season?
Following the discussion, have each group create a roleplay depicting a student dealing with a stressful holiday situation. Following each group's presentation, have group members ask the audience to strategize a solution to resolve the stressful situation. Have each group demonstrate stress management techniques by acting out the proposed solution.
Correlated Standards
Health Standards
Standard 4: Knows how to maintain mental and emotional health
Level III Grade : 6-8
Benchmark 1: Knows strategies to manage stress and feelings caused by disappointment, separation, or loss (e.g., talking over problems with others, understanding that feelings of isolation and depression will pass, examining the situation leading to the feelings)
Level IV Grade : 9-12
Benchmark 2: Knows strategies for coping with and overcoming feelings of rejection, social isolation, and other forms of stress
McREL: Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education (Copyright 2000 McREL) is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) (http://www.mcrel.org/standards-benchmarks), 2550 S. Parker Road, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80014.
Thinking and Reasoning Standards
Standard 5: Applies basic trouble-shooting and problem-solving techniques
Level III Grade : 6-8
Benchmark 2: Selects the most appropriate strategy or alternative for solving a problem
Benchmark 3: Examines different alternatives for resolving local problems and compares the possible consequences of each alternative
Level IV Grade : 9-12
Benchmark 6: Represents a problem accurately in terms of resources, constraints and objectives
Benchmark 10: Evaluates the feasibility of various solutions to problems; recommends and defends a solution
McREL: Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education (Copyright 2000 McREL) is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) (http://www.mcrel.org/standards-benchmarks), 2550 S. Parker Road, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80014.
Keywords
stress, depression, holidays, cortisol, endorphins, nervous system, endocrine system E-mail to a friend