Lesson Plan
Emotional Thermometer: Understanding My Feelings
Students will learn to identify and articulate their emotions using a visual 'emotional thermometer' scale, developing self-awareness and recognizing when to seek support.
Developing emotional literacy is crucial for students to understand their inner world, manage challenging feelings, and communicate their needs effectively, leading to improved well-being and social interactions.
Audience
Elementary School Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and self-reflection activities.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Emotional Thermometer Slide Deck, My Emotional Thermometer Worksheet, Coping Strategies Activity Cards, and Feelings Check-In Journal
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
15 minutes
- Review the Emotional Thermometer Slide Deck for content and flow.
- Print copies of the My Emotional Thermometer Worksheet.
- Prepare or print Coping Strategies Activity Cards.
- Ensure students have access to their Feelings Check-In Journal or a blank sheet of paper for reflection.
- Set up the whiteboard or projector for the slide deck presentation.
- Consider examples of different feelings and how they might register on the thermometer for discussion.
Step 1
Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students, "How are you feeling today?" Allow a few students to share a single word.
- Introduce the idea that sometimes our feelings can be big or small, and it can be helpful to have a way to describe them.
- Transition to the Emotional Thermometer Slide Deck to introduce the main concept.
Step 2
Introducing the Emotional Thermometer
10 minutes
- Present the Emotional Thermometer Slide Deck (Slides 1-4).
- Explain what an emotional thermometer is and how it can help us understand our feelings.
- Go through each level (Green, Yellow, Orange, Red), discussing example feelings for each level.
- Emphasize that all feelings are okay, and the thermometer helps us recognize what we need.
- Facilitate a brief discussion, asking students to think of a time they felt a 'Green' or 'Red' feeling.
Step 3
My Emotional Thermometer Worksheet
15 minutes
- Distribute the My Emotional Thermometer Worksheet.
- Guide students to fill in their own examples of feelings for each color level.
- Circulate and provide support, encouraging students to be honest about their feelings.
- Discuss a few examples as a class, reinforcing that everyone's thermometer might look a little different.
Step 4
Coping Strategies Activity
10 minutes
- Introduce the Coping Strategies Activity Cards.
- Explain that once we know how we're feeling (our temperature), we can choose strategies to help us.
- Divide students into small groups or work as a whole class to discuss which coping strategies might be helpful for different
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Slide Deck
What's Your Inner Temperature?
Understanding My Feelings
Sometimes our feelings can be big, sometimes they can be small. How do we know what's going on inside?
Welcome students to the lesson. Ask them to think about how they are feeling right now. Explain that today we'll learn a tool to help us understand our feelings better.
Introducing the Emotional Thermometer
Imagine a thermometer, but instead of showing if you have a fever, it shows how your feelings are!
It helps us figure out if our feelings are calm, a little worried, or really big.
Introduce the concept of an Emotional Thermometer. Explain that it's a tool to help us check in with our feelings, just like a regular thermometer checks our body temperature.
Green Zone: Cool, Calm, & Collected
Feeling Great! 💚
When you're in the Green Zone, you feel:
- Happy
- Calm
- Ready to learn
- Peaceful
- Focused
These are comfortable feelings!
Explain the Green Zone. Emphasize that these are comfortable, calm feelings. Ask students for examples of when they feel green.
Yellow Zone: A Little Wobbly
Feeling A Bit Uneasy 💛
When you're in the Yellow Zone, you might feel:
- Frustrated
- Worried
- Anxious
- Annoyed
- A little silly/over-excited
These feelings are a signal to notice what's happening!
Explain the Yellow Zone. These are feelings where you might start to feel a little uncomfortable or frustrated. Discuss that it's a signal to pay attention. Ask for examples.
Orange Zone: Heating Up!
Feeling Strong Emotions 🧡
When you're in the Orange Zone, you could feel:
- Angry
- Very Anxious
- Scared
- Overwhelmed
- Confused
These feelings tell us we need to do something to calm down.
Explain the Orange Zone. These feelings are more intense and can be difficult. Discuss that this is when we really need to think about what strategies we can use. Ask for examples.
Red Zone: Boiling Over!
Feeling REALLY Big Emotions ❤️
When you're in the Red Zone, you might feel:
- Furious
- Panicked
- Terrified
- Out of Control
- Extremely Upset
When you're in the Red Zone, it's hard to think. This is when you might need to ask for help from an adult!
Explain the Red Zone. These are very big, intense feelings. Emphasize that in the Red Zone, it's hard to think clearly and we might need help. Ask for examples and what they might do.
All Feelings Are Okay!
Remember, it's okay to feel ALL these feelings. Feelings come and go.
The Emotional Thermometer just helps us understand our feelings so we can choose what to do next!
Reinforce that all feelings are okay. The goal isn't to stay green, but to understand and manage all zones.
What Can I Do?
Once you know your inner temperature, you can choose a way to feel better or stay calm!
We call these Coping Strategies.
Explain that once we know our feeling, we can choose a coping strategy. Briefly introduce the idea of strategies.
Time to Practice!
Now, let's create our own Emotional Thermometers and learn some cool coping strategies!
This will help you be a feelings detective! 🕵️♀️
Transition to the worksheet and activity. Explain that they will practice identifying their own feelings and strategies.
Worksheet
My Emotional Thermometer: What's My Inner Temperature?
Just like a regular thermometer shows how hot or cold it is, your Emotional Thermometer shows how you are feeling inside! Use the colors below to think about different feelings and write them in. You can also draw a picture for each feeling if you like!
❤️ Red Zone: Boiling Over!
These are HUGE, intense feelings. When you feel red, it's hard to think or calm down by yourself. This is a time to ask an adult for help!
Feelings that make me feel red:
What I might look like or do when I feel red:
🧡 Orange Zone: Heating Up!
These are strong feelings that tell you something needs to change. You might feel uncomfortable or want to act out. It's a good time to try a coping strategy!
Feelings that make me feel orange:
What I might look like or do when I feel orange:
💛 Yellow Zone: A Little Wobbly
These are feelings that let you know you're starting to get a bit uneasy or frustrated. It's a signal to pay attention and think about what you can do to get back to green.
Feelings that make me feel yellow:
What I might look like or do when I feel yellow:
💚 Green Zone: Cool, Calm, & Collected
These are comfortable and happy feelings. You feel good and ready to learn or play! We all want to spend time here, but it's okay to visit other zones too.
Feelings that make me feel green:
What I might look like or do when I feel green:
Activity
Coping Strategies Activity Cards
Cut out these cards and discuss when you might use each strategy. Which feelings might these strategies help with? You can also add your own ideas!
Card 1: Take 3 Deep Breaths 🌬️
- How it helps: Calms your body and mind.
- When to use: When you feel a little worried (Yellow Zone) or frustrated (Orange Zone).
Card 2: Count to Ten Slowly 🔟
- How it helps: Gives you time to think before reacting.
- When to use: When you feel angry (Orange Zone) or annoyed (Yellow Zone).
Card 3: Talk to a Trusted Adult 🗣️
- How it helps: They can listen and help you find solutions.
- When to use: When you feel overwhelmed (Orange Zone), scared, or out of control (Red Zone).
Card 4: Draw or Doodle 🎨
- How it helps: Expresses feelings creatively and can be calming.
- When to use: When you feel stressed (Yellow Zone) or sad (Orange Zone).
Card 5: Go for a Short Walk or Move Your Body 🚶
- How it helps: Releases energy and changes your environment.
- When to use: When you feel restless (Yellow Zone) or very angry (Orange Zone).
Card 6: Listen to Calm Music 🎶
- How it helps: Soothes your mind and changes your mood.
- When to use: When you feel anxious (Yellow/Orange Zone) or sad (Orange Zone).
Card 7: Drink a Glass of Water 💧
- How it helps: Gives you a moment to pause and can be refreshing.
- When to use: Any time you need a quick break or to refocus.
Card 8: Use a Fidget Toy (if you have one) 🤏
- How it helps: Helps you focus and releases nervous energy.
- When to use: When you feel anxious (Yellow Zone) or distracted.
Card 9: Think of Your Happy Place 😊
- How it helps: Shifts your focus to something positive.
- When to use: When you feel sad (Orange Zone) or stressed (Yellow Zone).
Card 10: Ask for a Hug (from someone you trust) 🤗
- How it helps: Provides comfort and reassurance.
- When to use: When you feel lonely (Orange Zone), sad, or scared.
Journal
My Feelings Check-In Journal
Use this journal to regularly check in with your feelings. You can write or draw about how you're feeling, what might have caused those feelings, and what you did to help yourself.
Date: ________
How am I feeling today? (Circle the color that matches your Emotional Thermometer)
💚 Green 💛 Yellow 🧡 Orange ❤️ Red
What feelings am I having right now? (You can list more than one!)
What made me feel this way? (Think about what happened or what I was thinking)
What did I do (or what will I do) to help myself with these feelings? (Or what could someone do to help me?)
Date: ________
How am I feeling today? (Circle the color that matches your Emotional Thermometer)
💚 Green 💛 Yellow 🧡 Orange ❤️ Red
What feelings am I having right now? (You can list more than one!)
What made me feel this way? (Think about what happened or what I was thinking)
What did I do (or what will I do) to help myself with these feelings? (Or what could someone do to help me?)