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Emotion Exploration Adventure

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Lesson Plan

Emotion Exploration Adventure

Basic emotion identification and coping skills

In this lesson, kindergarteners will explore basic emotions and simple coping skills through engaging activities. The lesson begins with a storytelling session where a story introduces different emotions, making them relatable for the students. This is followed by a discussion to help students express their feelings. Students will then participate in a creative activity to practice identifying emotions and coping strategies, and complete a simple worksheet to reinforce learning. This lesson is important as it helps young children recognize and manage their emotions, promoting emotional well-being and social skills.

Audience

Kindergarteners

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Experiential Learning, Active Learning, Collaborative Learning

Materials

Storybook about Emotions, Discussion Questions, Emotion Identification Worksheet, Crayons, and Paper

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

  • Start by asking students if they have ever felt happy, sad, or mad.
  • Introduce the topic of feelings and how we can feel better when we have big feelings.
  • Explain that they will listen to a story about emotions to learn more about this.

Step 2

Storytelling

10 mins

  • Read a storybook about emotions to the class.
  • Pause at key moments to ask students how they think the characters are feeling and why.

Step 3

Discussion

5 mins

  • Use the discussion questions to talk about the story.
  • Encourage students to share their own feelings and what they do to feel better.

Step 4

Basic Strategies

5 mins

  • Introduce basic strategies for managing emotions: talking it out with a mediator, compromising, and using Kelso's Choices.
  • Discuss how these strategies can help resolve conflicts and promote healthy emotional expression.

Step 5

Define Conflict

3 mins

  • Explain what conflict is and introduce the idea that not all conflicts are bad.
  • Discuss the differences between healthy conflict (where people express their feelings and work towards a solution) and unhealthy conflict (where feelings are hurt and problems are not resolved).

Step 6

Scenario Discussion

5 mins

  • Present the scenario: A group of three friends usually plays together at recess, but lately, one of them has been acting rude. Two of the friends like to play soccer, but the third friend doesn’t enjoy soccer and prefers playing on the swings or drawing. The two soccer players want their friend to join them, but when the third friend says they don’t want to play soccer, one of the soccer players starts making fun of them, calling them "boring" or "no fun." The third friend feels upset and left out, and now they don’t want to hang out with the others at recess. The two soccer players don’t understand why their friend is upset and think they’re just being difficult. The group is no longer having fun together, and the situation is making everyone feel bad.
  • Have students discuss the scenario in pairs, identifying key issues and brainstorming solutions to address unkind behavior, encourage apologies, and find inclusive ways to play together.

Step 7

Creative Activity

5 mins

  • Give each student paper and crayons.
  • Ask them to draw a picture of a time they felt happy, sad, or mad.
  • Have students share their drawings with the class and talk about their feelings.

Step 8

Worksheet Completion

3 mins

  • Hand out the Emotion Identification Worksheet.
  • Help students complete the worksheet by drawing faces and matching them with feelings.

Step 9

Closure

2 mins

  • Recap the key points of the lesson.
  • Encourage students to talk about their feelings and use their new skills at home.
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Discussion

Emotion Discussion

A guided discussion to help kindergarteners reflect on the story and their own experiences with emotions.

What are some feelings you have felt?

Encourage students to think about times they felt happy, sad, or mad.







What did you do to feel better during the story?

Guide students to remember simple coping skills like taking deep breaths or talking to someone.







Can you think of a time when you did something to feel better?

Help students connect their own experiences with the coping skills discussed in the story.







Why do you think conflicts happen?

Discuss reasons why conflicts might arise and how they can be resolved using the strategies learned.







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Worksheet

Emotion Identification Worksheet

This worksheet helps kindergarteners identify different emotions and associate them with simple coping strategies.

Draw a face showing a feeling you often have.








What is the name of this feeling?








What is one thing you can do to feel better when you have this feeling?

Think about the things you heard in the story.







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Worksheet

Emotion Summary Worksheet

This worksheet helps kindergarteners summarize key concepts about emotions and coping skills learned in the lesson.

What are the steps to feeling better when you have big feelings?








Name one thing that can make you feel big feelings.








What is one thing you can do to feel better?








Why is it good to talk about your feelings?








How can knowing your feelings help you every day?








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