Lesson Plan
Emotion Word Workshop Plan
Students will learn and practice at least five new emotion words by identifying, discussing, and using them in games and stories to build empathy and self-awareness.
Expanding emotional vocabulary helps 2nd graders articulate feelings, improves communication, and fosters empathy and self-regulation in social settings.
Audience
2nd Grade Tier 2 Small Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive games, story-sharing, and reflective drawing.
Prep
Prepare Materials and Space
5 minutes
- Review the Mood Monster Vocabulary Slides to familiarize yourself with featured emotion words and images
- Print or project the Feelings Bingo cards and gather markers (e.g., chips or crayons)
- Prepare story prompts for Emotion Story Circles
- Set out paper and coloring supplies for Draw-a-Feeling
Step 1
Welcome and Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Greet each student and introduce today's goal: learning new feeling words
- Display Slide 1 of Mood Monster Vocabulary Slides featuring a friendly monster and ask: "How might this monster feel?"
- Prompt quick choral responses (e.g., happy, sleepy, excited)
Step 2
Emotion Word Workshop Game
5 minutes
- Advance through 4–5 slides of Mood Monster Vocabulary Slides
- For each slide, label the emotion word, discuss facial cues and body language
- Ask volunteers to act out or show the emotion with their own faces
Step 3
Story Sharing in Circles
8 minutes
- Form a circle with students and introduce Emotion Story Circles
- Read a short prompt: e.g., "Tell about a time you felt surprised"
- Each student names the feeling and shares a one-sentence example
- Encourage applause or supportive nods after each share
Step 4
Feelings Bingo
7 minutes
- Distribute Feelings Bingo sheets and markers
- Call out emotion words randomly; students cover matching images or words
- First to get three in a row calls 'Bingo!' and names each covered feeling
- Continue until time allows
Step 5
Draw-a-Feeling Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Hand out paper and crayons for Draw-a-Feeling
- Prompt: "Draw a time you felt a strong emotion we learned today"
- Students quietly sketch; then share their drawing title and emotion word
- Praise efforts and collect drawings for display
Slide Deck
Mood Monster Vocabulary
Meet the Mood Monster!
Today we’ll learn five feeling words by looking at our monster’s expressions and actions. Ready to explore?
Welcome! Introduce today’s goal: learning new emotion words with our Mood Monster friend. Explain that each slide shows the monster feeling something different. Encourage students to spot facial and body cues.
Happy
Definition: Feeling pleasure or joy.
Cues: Smiling mouth, bright eyes, relaxed body.
Point to the monster’s big smile, wide eyes, and upright posture. Ask: “What clues tell you the monster feels happy?” Confirm answers and invite choral response: “Happy!”
Surprised
Definition: Feeling astonished or caught off guard.
Cues: Wide eyes, raised eyebrows, open mouth, hands up.
Highlight the monster’s raised eyebrows, open mouth, and hands up. Ask: “When have you felt surprised like this monster?” Encourage one or two quick shares.
Frustrated
Definition: Feeling annoyed or stuck.
Cues: Furrowed eyebrows, clenched jaw, tense posture.
Focus on the monster’s clenched fists, furrowed brows, and tight lips. Ask volunteers to show their best frustrated face and body stance.
Calm
Definition: Feeling peaceful and relaxed.
Cues: Gentle smile, relaxed muscles, steady breathing.
Note the monster’s soft smile, closed eyes, and relaxed arms. Discuss when it might be helpful to feel calm. Invite students to take a deep breath together.
Curious
Definition: Feeling eager to learn or know more.
Cues: Tilted head, focused eyes, slight smile.
Point to the monster’s wide eyes and tilted head. Ask: “What might the monster be curious about?” Encourage students to act out a curious look.
Game
Feelings Bingo
A fun and interactive bingo game to help students practice and reinforce emotion words!
Players: 2–6 students
Time: 7 minutes
Materials:
- Bingo cards (3×3 grid) featuring the five target emotion words and matching images
- Markers (e.g., chips, counters, or crayons)
- Call sheet with emotion words (see below)
Setup
- Distribute one bingo card and a set of markers to each student.
- Designate a caller (teacher or student volunteer) and place the call sheet where it’s easy to read.
How to Play
- Explain that you will call out emotion words one at a time.
- When students hear a word that matches a square on their card, they cover that square with a marker.
- Continue calling words at a steady pace until a student covers three squares in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally).
- The first student to complete a row calls out “Bingo!” and then names each covered emotion word.
- Check the student’s card against the call sheet. If all three match, they win that round!
- Optional: Clear cards and play additional rounds or let runners-up earn a shout-out.
Call Sheet (Emotion Words)
- Happy
- Surprised
- Frustrated
- Calm
- Curious
Bingo Card Template Example
(Teacher: Create several cards by rearranging these words in a 3×3 grid.)
┌───────────┬───────────┬───────────┐
│ Surprised│ Frustrated│ Happy │
├───────────┼───────────┼───────────┤
│ Calm │ Free Spot*│ Curious │
├───────────┼───────────┼───────────┤
│ Happy │ Calm │Surprised│
└───────────┴───────────┴───────────┘
*Free Spot: Covered at the start to help students get a row more quickly.
Variation:
- Use only images instead of words, or mix words and images on the cards.
- Let students take turns calling the emotions to build speaking confidence.
Happy playing and feeling fluent with feelings!
Activity
Emotion Story Circles
Description: A storytelling circle where each student practices using our new emotion words by sharing a quick personal example. This builds confidence in identifying and expressing feelings, and fosters supportive listening.
Materials:
- Emotion Prompt Cards (each card names one target emotion: Happy, Surprised, Frustrated, Calm, Curious)
- A talking stick or other “sharing token” to indicate whose turn it is
Setup (2 minutes):
- Arrange seats in a circle so everyone can see each other.
- Place the Emotion Prompt Cards face down in the center.
- Introduce the talking stick: only the student holding it may share, helping everyone listen without interruptions.
Instructions (8 minutes):
-
Form the Circle & Introduce the Talking Stick (1 minute)
- Have students sit in a circle.
- Explain the sharing rules: hold the talking stick to speak, then pass it to the next person.
-
Model a Story (1 minute)
- The teacher holds the talking stick, draws a prompt card (e.g., “Tell about a time you felt calm”), names the emotion, and shares a one-sentence example: “I felt calm when I listened to soft music before bed.”
-
Student Sharing (6 minutes)
- Students take turns holding the talking stick.
- On their turn, each student draws or chooses an emotion word, names it (“Curious”), and shares a short story about a time they felt that way.
- After each share, classmates give a supportive nod or round of applause.
Follow-Up Points:
- Highlight use of feeling words: “I liked how Maria said ‘frustrated’ when she was stuck.”
- Encourage connection: “Did anyone else ever feel surprised like that?”
- Reinforce listening: “Notice how we wait our turn and focus on the speaker.”
Cool Down
Draw-a-Feeling
Description: A calm and creative drawing activity for students to reflect on and express an emotion they learned today. This cool-down helps them consolidate vocabulary and self-awareness.
Materials:
- Plain drawing paper or sketchbook
- Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
Instructions (5 minutes):
- Distribute drawing supplies to each student.
- Ask students to think of a time today (or recently) when they felt one of our target emotions: Happy, Surprised, Frustrated, Calm, or Curious.
- Prompt: “Draw that moment. Then write the emotion word and give your drawing a title.”
- Allow students to work quietly and thoughtfully, moving around to offer support and ask them to name the emotion as they draw.
- After drawing time, invite volunteers to briefly show their work, name the emotion, and share their title.
Teacher Tips:
- Encourage clear use of the emotion word in their title (e.g., “Calm Lake”).
- Reinforce that there’s no right or wrong way to draw feelings—every drawing is unique.
- Collect drawings for a classroom “Feeling Gallery.”