Feeling Clouds – Teacher Script

Introduction (5 minutes)

Show Slide 1: Feeling Clouds

“Hello, friends! Welcome to our Feeling Clouds lesson. Today we’re going to talk about feelings—especially the feeling of sadness—and learn ways to feel better when we’re feeling down. Just like clouds, our hearts can feel heavy or gray sometimes. We are going to learn how to notice those feelings and help them float away.”

Show Slide 2: How Do Clouds Feel?

“Have you ever felt like a gray cloud when you’re sad? I know I have. When a cloud is sad, it might look droopy or even cry little raindrops. Can anyone tell me a time when you felt like a gray or droopy cloud?”




“Thank you for sharing those ideas!”

Story Time (7 minutes)

Show Slide 3: Story Time

“Now, let’s read a story about a cloud named Rainbow who feels very sad. We have our special book, Rainbow the Sad Cloud Storybook. Before I open the cover, what do you think might happen to Rainbow?”




Pause for predictions.

Show the cover and read the title.

“Okay, let’s read together!”

(Read the story slowly, pausing on each page.)

• “Oh, look at Rainbow’s face—what do you notice?”
• “How do you think Rainbow is feeling right now?”

After finishing the story, show Slide 4: How Does Rainbow Feel?

“What makes you think Rainbow is sad? Has anyone ever felt that way? It’s okay to feel sad, and it’s good to talk about it.”




“Thank you for sharing!”

Discussion & Emotion Matching (4 minutes)

Show Slide 5: Find the Sad Cloud

“Now we have our Cloud Emotion Cards on the floor. Let’s spread them out face up.”
(Teacher helps spread cards.)
“Please find and hold up the card that shows the cloud feeling sadness.”




(Wait for every child to hold up a card.)
“Great job finding the sad cloud! When a cloud feels sad, what might it need? Maybe a hug, some kind words, or even talking with a friend. Those are all ways we can help sad clouds—and ourselves—feel better.”

Art Activity: Cloud Emotions (8 minutes)

Show Slide 6: Art Activity: Cloud Emotions

“Let’s move to our craft table. I’m giving each of you a Tissue Paper Cloud Craft Sheet, some colored tissue paper, glue sticks, crayons, and markers.”

“First, decorate your cloud to show sadness. You might make gray raindrops or droopy eyebrows.”




(Circulate and offer encouragement.)

“Now, when you’re done showing sadness, add something comforting—maybe a sunshine corner, a rainbow, or a smiling friend on your cloud. These are ways we can help our feelings feel a little lighter.”







(As children work, comment: “I love how you’re adding a rainbow. That’s so cheerful!”)

Coping Strategy: Deep Breathing (3 minutes)

Show Slide 7: Coping Strategy: Deep Breathing

“Let’s gather around our Deep Breathing Cloud Poster. Today we’ll learn the ‘blow the cloud away’ breathing trick.”

“Here’s how it goes: Breathe in slowly through your nose and imagine your cloud filling up with air. Then breathe out gently through your mouth and imagine you’re blowing the cloud away.”

Show Slide 8: Let’s Practice Together

“Okay, everyone, breathe in together… (hands rise up, filling the cloud)… now breathe out… (hands blow forward, cloud floats away).”

(Repeat 2 more times.)

Sharing & Closing (3 minutes)

Show Slide 9: Share Your Cloud

“Who would like to show their decorated cloud and tell us one comforting thing they added? Let’s have two or three friends share.”




(Allow volunteers to share.)

Show Slide 10: Great Job, Feeling Friends!

“You all did an amazing job today talking about sadness and helping our clouds feel lighter. Remember: When you feel like a gray cloud, you can talk about your feelings and use your ‘blow the cloud away’ breaths at home. Thanks for sharing your clouds with me—great work, feeling friends!”

Tissue Paper Cloud Craft

Materials:

• Tissue Paper Cloud Craft Sheets (one per student)
• Colored tissue paper (blue, gray, yellow, rainbow colors)
• Glue sticks
• Crayons and markers
• Child-safe scissors
• Plain white paper (for mounting)

Craft Sheet Layout

On each printed sheet you will find:

• A large cloud outline in the center
• Space below for the child’s name

(Print sheets at standard letter size so the cloud is big enough for decorating.)

Steps for Students (8 minutes)

1. Name Your Cloud
   Write your name below the cloud outline so everyone knows it’s yours.
   
   
   
   
2. Show Sadness
   • Tear or cut small pieces of gray or blue tissue paper.
   • Use glue to stick these pieces inside the cloud to show raindrops or a gray, droopy cloud.
   • Add details with crayons or markers: droopy eyebrows, little raindrops below.
     
     
     
     
3. Add Comforting Elements
   • Tear or cut bright-colored tissue paper (sun yellow, rainbow stripes, smiling faces).
   • Glue these pieces onto or around your cloud to show things that make you feel better.
   • Draw happy suns, rainbows, hearts, or smiling faces with crayons or markers.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
4. Cut and Mount (Optional)
   • Carefully cut out your decorated cloud.
   • Glue it onto a plain white paper background to display in the classroom.

Teacher Tip: Pre-cut tissue paper squares to make it easier for little hands. Encourage children to talk about why they chose certain colors or shapes as they work.

Cloud Emotion Cards

Materials:

• Printable card sheets with cloud outlines (see below)
• Printer and paper or cardstock
• Child-safe scissors
• (Optional) Colored pencils or markers for optional coloring

Card Designs

Create one card for each emotion. Each card should be the same cloud outline with a different facial expression:

1. Happy Cloud

   • Big upturned mouth (smile)
   • Open, curved eyes or crescent shapes

2. Sad Cloud

   • Downturned mouth
   • Teardrop or droopy eyes

3. Angry Cloud

   • Straight or downturned mouth with slight frown
   • Eyes with slanted eyebrows pointing down toward center

4. Calm Cloud

   • Small closed smile or neutral line
   • Soft, relaxed eyes (half-lidded or simple dots)

(Repeat each emotion as needed to create a set of 8–12 cards.)

Preparation

1. Print the cloud cards on cardstock for durability.
2. Cut out each cloud card carefully.
3. (Optional) Laminate cards for repeated use.

How to Use with Students (4 minutes)

1. Emotion Matching
   • Spread cards face up on the floor or table.
   • Ask students: “Can you find the cloud that looks sad?”
   • Invite each child to hold up the matching card.
     
     
     
     
2. Emotion Discussion
   • After a student finds a card, ask: “How can you tell this cloud is sad?”
   • Prompt: “What might help a sad cloud feel better?”
     
     
     
     
3. Quick Sorting Game
   • Mix all cards face down.
   • Take turns flipping one card at a time and naming the emotion.
   • If correct, the student keeps the card; if not, it goes back face down.

Teacher Tip: Keep extra sets on hand for small-group practice or as a calming-corner tool. Use the cards throughout the week to reinforce emotion vocabulary and coping strategies.

Deep Breathing Cloud Poster

Print this poster at large size and display at children’s eye level.

Blow the Cloud Away ☁️

1. Breathe In
   • Slowly inhale through your nose.
   • Watch your little cloud grow big and puffy!
     ☁️ ➡️ ☁️☁️
     
     
     
     
2. Hold
   • Gently hold your breath for a count of 3.
   • Imagine your cloud is full of calm, sparkly air.
     ✨☁️✨
     
     
     
     
3. Breathe Out
   • Exhale slowly through your mouth.
   • Blow the cloud gently away, watching it float off!
     ☁️🌬️➡️🌥️
     
     
     
     

Teacher Tip: Practice together as a class 2–3 times before using independently. Encourage children to use this whenever they feel upset or overwhelmed.