Lesson Plan
Feelings Friends Lesson Plan
Students will identify and name common emotions, practice simple coping strategies for big feelings, and demonstrate empathy by listening and sharing with peers.
Early emotional literacy fosters self-awareness, empathy, and healthy coping skills, building a strong foundation for mental well-being and positive classroom interactions.
Audience
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Emotion naming, interactive activities, and coping strategy practice.
Materials
Chart Paper and Markers, - Emotion Flashcards, - Feelings Chart Poster, - My Feelings Journal, - Calm Down Corner Sign, and - Stickers or Happy Face Tokens
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Print and cut out the Emotion Flashcards.
- Print the Feelings Chart Poster and display it prominently.
- Make copies of the My Feelings Journal for each student.
- Print and set up the Calm Down Corner Sign.
- Arrange seating for circle time and designate a Calm Down Corner with cozy seating and coping tools (e.g., stress balls, fidget toys).
Step 1
Circle Time Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle.
- Introduce the topic: “Today we’re going to be feeling friends! We’ll learn different feelings and how to handle big emotions.”
Step 2
Emotion Flashcard Exploration
7 minutes
- Show each Emotion Flashcard one at a time.
- Ask students to name the emotion and mimic the facial expression.
- Invite volunteers to share times they felt that emotion.
Step 3
Story & Discussion
7 minutes
- Read a short story or describe a scenario involving strong feelings.
- At key moments, pause and ask: “How might this character feel? What would you do?”
- Reference the Feelings Chart Poster to reinforce emotion words.
Step 4
Emotion Matching Activity
5 minutes
- Distribute the My Feelings Journal.
- Prompt students to draw a face showing a given emotion (e.g., happy, sad, angry).
- Circulate and ask each child to name their drawing and emotion.
Step 5
Calm Down Strategy Practice
4 minutes
- Introduce “Belly Breathing” as a calming technique.
- Guide students through three slow breaths, placing hands on their bellies.
- Show the Calm Down Corner and explain its purpose using the Calm Down Corner Sign.
Step 6
Closing Reflection & Sharing
2 minutes
- Invite 2–3 students to share one feeling they learned and how they’d calm down when they feel big emotions.
- Praise classmates for listening and showing empathy.
- Remind students they can always visit the Calm Down Corner when they need support.
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Slide Deck
Feelings Friends
Let’s learn about our emotions and how to handle big feelings.
Welcome, friends! Introduce today’s lesson: “Feelings Friends.” Explain that we’ll learn about different emotions and how to handle big feelings.
What Is a Feeling?
A feeling is something we experience inside. Sometimes we feel:
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Surprised
Ask students: “What is a feeling? Can you name a time you felt happy?” Encourage quick shares.
Explore Emotions
Look at these faces and tell me what feeling each one shows!
Hold up each flashcard and ask volunteers to name the emotion and show the same face.
Story Time
Maya climbed to the top of a tall slide. She felt excited but a little scared.
• How might Maya feel now?
• Which face on our Feelings Chart Poster matches Maya’s feeling?
Read or tell a brief story about Maya on a big slide. Pause and ask questions at key moments.
Draw Your Feeling
Open your My Feelings Journal.
Draw a face showing how you feel right now.
Hand out journals. Encourage creativity and ask each child to name their drawing when finished.
Explain that belly breathing helps us calm down. Play the video and guide students to follow along.
Calm Down Corner
If you ever feel a big feeling, you can visit our Calm Down Corner:
Point out the Calm Down Corner in the room and its tools. Explain that any student can use it when they need a break.
Sharing & Reflection
Who can share one emotion they learned today and how they would calm down when they feel that way?
Invite 2–3 students to share one feeling they learned and how they’d calm down. Praise each speaker for empathy.
Activity
Emotion Flashcards
Use these flashcards to help students recognize and name common feelings. Each card shows a simple face illustration and the emotion word.
Cards Included:
- Happy: A smiling face with a wide grin and open eyes.
- Sad: A frowning face with a downturned mouth and teary eyes.
- Angry: A face with furrowed eyebrows and a scowling mouth.
- Surprised: A face with raised eyebrows and a round open mouth.
- Scared: A face with wide eyes, raised eyebrows, and a trembling mouth.
- Calm: A relaxed face with closed eyes and a gentle smile.
Print and cut out each card. During the lesson, hold up a card and ask students to:
- Name the emotion word.
- Show the same facial expression with their own face.
- Share a quick example of a time they felt that way.
Activity
Feelings Chart Poster
Display this colorful poster in your classroom to help students quickly identify and name common emotions. Use it during discussions, story time, and when practicing coping strategies.
How to Use:
- Hang at children’s eye level near the Circle Time area.
- Point to a face on the chart when naming or discussing emotions.
- Encourage students to refer to the chart when they’re sharing how they feel or when practicing calming strategies.
| Emotion | Illustration (Draw or Paste) |
|---|---|
| Happy | 😊 |
| Sad | 😢 |
| Angry | 😠 |
| Surprised | 😮 |
| Scared | 😱 |
| Calm | 😌 |
Teacher Tips:
- Use thick markers or printed clip art for each face so they’re visible from anywhere in the room.
- Laminate the poster for durability and to allow for small dry-erase notes (e.g., student names or emotion check-ins).
- During lessons, ask: “Which face shows how Maya felt? Which face shows how you feel today?”
- Involve students by letting a different child place a sticky dot next to the emotion they’re feeling at the start of each day.
Return to Lesson Plan | Use With Emotion Flashcards | Calm Down Corner Sign
Worksheet
My Feelings Journal
- Draw a face showing how you feel right now:
- Which feeling is this? Circle one:happy sad angry surprised scared calm
- Draw something you can do to calm down when you feel big feelings:
- Who can help you calm down? Draw or write their name:
Activity
Calm Down Corner
Welcome to the Calm Down Corner! Use this cozy spot whenever you feel a big emotion and need a break.
Steps to Calm Down
- Notice how you feel and point to the matching face on the Feelings Chart Poster.
- Take slow belly breaths. Place hands on your tummy and inhale for 3 counts, exhale for 3 counts.
- Choose a calming tool:
- 🟡 Stress Ball or Fidget Toy
- 🛋️ Soft Cushion or Cozy Pillow
- 📚 Quiet Book or Coloring Pages
- ❤️ Emotion Flashcards
- Think kind thoughts or count to five.
- When you feel calm and ready, return to circle time and share a smile with a friend.
Remember: It’s okay to take a break. You are safe here, and you can always come back when you’re ready!
Warm Up
Emotion Check-In
Time: 2 minutes
Materials: Feelings Chart Poster, Stickers or Happy Face Tokens
- Gather students in a circle.
- Display the Feelings Chart Poster.
- Give each student a token or sticker.
- Ask students to think about how they feel right now and place their sticker on the matching emotion on the chart.
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to name the feeling they chose.
Cool Down
Reflection Share
Time: 3 minutes
Materials: My Feelings Journal or paper, crayons/pencils
- Draw or write one thing you learned about feelings today:
- Circle the feeling you want to practice calming down:happy sad angry surprised scared calm
When you’re finished, place your paper in the reflection basket on my desk as you leave. Great job sharing!