Emotional Weather Report

Jamie S. Hirsch

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Emotional Weather Report

Recognize and express complex emotions

In this lesson, students will explore complex emotions by creating 'weather reports' that express their feelings using a broader range of weather symbols. This activity helps students develop a deeper emotional vocabulary and self-awareness, which are crucial for their social-emotional development. By associating emotions with weather symbols, students can articulate their feelings more effectively, fostering better communication and emotional intelligence.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

35 minutes

Approach

Recognize and express complex emotions

Materials

Weather symbol cards, Crayons, Paper, Printable Weather Symbols, and List of Complex Emotions

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Gather students in a circle.
Discuss how emotions can be complex and change like the weather.
Introduce the concept of using weather symbols to describe a range of emotions (e.g., sunny for joyful, stormy for frustrated).

Step 2

Main Activity

20 minutes

Distribute paper and crayons to each student.
Show the printable weather symbols and explain what each one represents, including complex emotions.
Ask students to think about how they are feeling today and choose a weather symbol that matches their emotion.
Encourage them to draw their chosen weather symbol and write a short paragraph explaining their choice.
Walk around to assist and engage with students as they work.

Step 3

Closure

10 minutes

Invite students to share their weather reports with the group.
Facilitate a group discussion on how understanding and expressing emotions can help in managing them.
Discuss emotional triggers and how they can affect our feelings and reactions.
- Examples of Triggers: Loud noises, changes in routine, or disagreements with friends can trigger emotions like anxiety or frustration.
Introduce self-regulation strategies such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and positive self-talk.
- Mindfulness: Encourage students to take a moment to close their eyes and imagine their mind as a calm, clear sky, allowing any 'stormy' thoughts to pass by like clouds.
- Positive Self-Talk: Suggest students use phrases like "I can handle this," or "It's okay to feel this way," when they identify with a 'stormy' or 'cloudy' emotion.
- Other Strategies: Encourage students to visualize their emotions as weather patterns that change and remind them that they have the power to influence their 'emotional weather' by choosing how to respond.
- Specific Coping Mechanisms: Discuss using a stress ball, counting to ten, or talking to a friend as ways to cope with strong emotions.
Discuss how emotions can influence behavior, such as feeling frustrated leading to snapping at a friend, or feeling joyful leading to helping others.
Encourage students to share strategies they use to manage their emotions, such as deep breathing, talking to someone, or taking a break.
Reinforce the idea that all emotions are valid and it's important to express them.

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Worksheet

Printable Weather Symbols

These cards feature different weather symbols that students can use to express their emotions. Print them for students to reference during the activity.

Sunny

Cloudy

Rainy

Stormy

Windy

Snowy

Reading

List of Complex Emotions

A list of complex emotions to help students expand their emotional vocabulary. This can be used as a reference during the activity.

Joyful
Anxious
Frustrated
Content
Overwhelmed
Curious
Disappointed
Hopeful