Human Relations in Libraries

REVISED LESSON PLAN

Stress Management Module
General Information
Instructor: Lesson:
Tabitha Nordby Stress Management
Course: Time: 100 minutes
Human Relations in Libraries
Learning Module/Unit:
Stress Management-Week 10 in Next Lesson:
Human Relations Course Emotional Intelligence
Student Profile:
Library Tech Students (ages 18+)
Safety Notes:
Talking about stress can be stressful! It is important for the instructor to be aware of
the mood/tone of the lesson throughout. Its helpful to keep things upbeat without
being falsely cheerful. Acknowledge that stress is stressful, that it is real and
frustrating to combat, but that there are many effective techniques to deal with it
when it arises.
Lesson Focus
Learning Goal:
Students should be able to understand what stress looks like, what can cause it
and how to deal with it in order to lead a healthier life, both personally and
professionally.

Specific Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Define Stress
2. Identify causes of stress in their personal and professional lives
3. Identify unhealthy behaviours that may occur as a result of stress
4. List stress management techniques to use in times of stress
5. Share stress management techniques and resources with each other
Rationale:
Stress is one of the major causes of poor attendance and poor performance in the
work place. By getting students to recognize where their own stress comes from and
by having them provide examples to each other about how they can manage it, they
will be better prepared to be productive and happy employees when embarking
upon their careers.
Required Materials
Handouts:
Blank sheets of paper/scrap paper to take notes on in class reading and to identify
stress and stress techniques

Presentation Materials:
Brief PPT (5-6 slides only) on stress (defining it, identifying it and combatting it)

Resources:
 White board
One green marker
One red marker
Technology:
Overhead projector
screen

Lesson Outline
Guiding Questions:

1. What is stress?
2. What causes stress? (after initial PPT presentation, students will identify what
causes them stress specifically.)
3. How does stress affect people in their personal and professional lives?
4. What can you do (from small techniques to more complex) to combat stress
in your own lives?

Focusing Event:

Activating Comment- As you listen to the lecture, consider what causes stress in your
own life. Jot it down or remember it for discussion after.

Lesson Activities:

1. Go through Stress PPT/lecture.

2. Have students be thinking about stressors in their own lives while you are
lecturing.
3. At end of lecture, have students identify their list of stressors.
4. Write stressors down on left hand side of white board in red marker.
5. Have students read an article in class on stress and stress management in
the workplace (10-15mn).
6. Now have them get into small groups (3) and discuss this question: 1-What
techniques can you use to manage your own stress in the workplace? Have
them come up with at least 5 techniques per group.
7. Have each small group share their collective answers with the larger group
8. Write down all students stress combat techniques on right hand side of the
board in green marker.
9. Take a photo of the list of stressors and stress combat techniques to email to
students as a handy reminder.
10. Remind them to keep the list handy so they can actually use it in their
everyday lives starting now!

Next Class

Remind students that next weeks class is about emotional intelligence. Remind
them of the reading to be done in advance of class. Remind them to jot down
thoughts or questions they have about the reading to discuss in next class.