lenny

Feelings Traffic Light

user image

Lesson Plan

Traffic Light Emotions

Students will learn to identify and categorize their emotions using a traffic light system (green = calm, yellow = cautious, red = stop) and select safe self-management strategies for each zone.

Helps 2nd graders build self-awareness and control by recognizing feelings early and choosing appropriate behaviors, improving classroom climate and social–emotional health.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, visual aids, and guided practice with a worksheet.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and greet them warmly
  • Ask each student to name one feeling word and act it out for the class
  • Introduce the traffic light analogy: green = safe, yellow = caution, red = stop

Step 2

Teach Traffic Light Emotions

8 minutes

  • Project the Green Yellow Red Slides
  • Explain each color zone with examples of feelings (e.g., green = calm, yellow = worried, red = angry)
  • Discuss safe strategies for each zone: green = keep going, yellow = take deep breaths, red = ask for help or take a break

Step 3

Worksheet Activity

8 minutes

  • Distribute the My Traffic Light Tracker
  • Instruct students to color each light section and draw or write a feeling that matches
  • Have students list one self-management strategy under each zone
  • Circulate to support, prompt thoughtful responses, and model if needed

Step 4

Cool-Down & Reflection

3 minutes

  • Reconvene as a class and invite a few volunteers to share their tracker
  • Ask: “How will you use this tool when you notice your feelings?”
  • Reinforce that noticing early helps them choose safe behaviors

Step 5

Differentiation

1 minute

  • Provide an emotion-word bank or icons for students who need extra support
  • Encourage advanced students to suggest additional coping strategies or role-play scenarios
  • Offer one-on-one check-ins for students who need more practice planning responses
lenny

Slide Deck

Traffic Light Emotions

Understanding our feelings can help us make safe choices.

Welcome! Today we will learn about our feelings using a traffic light like signals. Explain that just like a real traffic light helps cars know when to go, slow down, or stop, our feelings can guide our actions so we stay safe and calm.

Green Light Zone

I feel calm, happy, and ready to learn.

Explain green = go! When we feel calm and happy, it’s safe to keep doing what we’re doing. Show the green light graphic and point out examples.

Yellow Light Zone

I feel worried, shy, or frustrated.

Explain yellow = caution. It means we need to slow down and pay attention to our feelings before we act. Show the yellow light graphic.

Red Light Zone

I feel angry, sad, or scared.

Explain red = stop. It means we need to pause and use a strategy before we do something we might regret. Show the red light graphic.

Green Zone Strategies

• Keep going as you are
• Share your ideas
• Help a friend

Point out that when we are calm (green), we can keep doing what’s working—like helping friends or focusing on our task.

Yellow Zone Strategies

• Take 3 deep breaths
• Count to 5
• Use a calm-down corner

Model taking three deep breaths slowly. Explain that counting helps slow our brain down when we feel unsure (yellow).

Red Zone Strategies

• Ask a teacher or friend for help
• Take a break
• Talk it out

Emphasize it’s okay to ask for help when we feel very big feelings (red). Remind students they are not alone.

lenny

Worksheet

My Traffic Light Tracker

Today we will use our Traffic Light Zones to notice our feelings and plan safe actions. For each zone below:

  1. Color the circle the right color.
  2. Draw or write a feeling you have in this zone.
  3. List one self-management strategy you can use.

Green Light Zone (Go!)

Color this circle GREEN: ○


  1. Draw or write a feeling you have when you’re in the Green Light Zone:






  2. Write one strategy you can use when you’re in the Green Light Zone:






Yellow Light Zone (Caution!)

Color this circle YELLOW: ○


  1. Draw or write a feeling you have when you’re in the Yellow Light Zone:






  2. Write one strategy you can use when you’re in the Yellow Light Zone:






Red Light Zone (Stop!)

Color this circle RED: ○


  1. Draw or write a feeling you have when you’re in the Red Light Zone:






  2. Write one strategy you can use when you’re in the Red Light Zone:






Remember: Green means keep doing what’s working, Yellow means slow down and think, and Red means pause and use your strategy or ask for help!

lenny
lenny