Lesson Plan
Feelings Festival Plan
Students will identify and express a range of emotions by creating artwork and sharing insights, aiming to build empathy, expand emotional vocabulary, and foster a supportive classroom community.
Developing social awareness helps students recognize and understand emotions in themselves and others. This skill promotes empathy, effective communication, and positive relationships, laying the foundation for a respectful and inclusive learning environment.
Audience
2nd Grade Class
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Art creation and group discussion to explore emotions.
Materials
Paper, Crayons, Chart Paper, Markers, Color Your Mood Slide Deck, Emotion Art Stations Activity, and Share Your Palette Discussion Prompts
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Color Your Mood Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with emotion prompts and visuals.
- Print any station templates and organize art supplies for the Emotion Art Stations Activity.
- Prepare the discussion circle area and review the Share Your Palette Discussion Prompts.
- Set up chart paper and markers for capturing key vocabulary and student reflections.
Step 1
Introduction & Emotion Vocabulary
5 minutes
- Project the first slides from the Color Your Mood Slide Deck.
- Introduce 4–5 core emotions (happy, sad, angry, surprised, calm).
- Ask students to share times they’ve felt each emotion; record responses on chart paper.
- Highlight emotion words to build vocabulary.
Step 2
Emotion Art Stations
20 minutes
- Divide class into small groups and assign each to an art station set up for one emotion.
- At each station, students use provided art supplies to create an image representing that emotion.
- Rotate groups every 5 minutes so every student visits each station.
- Encourage creativity and remind students there’s no right or wrong way to express feelings.
Step 3
Share Your Palette Discussion
10 minutes
- Gather students in a circle with their completed artworks.
- Using the Share Your Palette Discussion Prompts, invite volunteers to describe their artwork and emotion choices.
- Facilitate empathetic listening: prompt peers to ask questions or share similar experiences.
- Note any new emotion words on the chart for future reference.
Step 4
Closing Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask students to complete a quick exit ticket: draw one emotion face and write the emotion word.
- Collect exit tickets to assess understanding of emotion vocabulary.
- Praise students for their openness and reinforce the value of recognizing feelings in themselves and others.
Slide Deck
Color Your Mood
Today we will explore our feelings by coloring and drawing. Let’s learn some emotion words and their colors!
Welcome students! Introduce today’s fun activity: using colors and art to show how we feel.
Happy
When we feel joy or excitement, like playing with friends or eating ice cream.
Color to use: Bright Yellow
[Insert happy face icon]
Point to the yellow background and happy face image. Ask a volunteer to show a happy face.
Sad
When we feel down, lonely, or disappointed, like when we miss someone.
Color to use: Sky Blue
[Insert sad face icon]
Point out the blue shade. Encourage students to mime a sad face.
Angry
When we feel upset or frustrated, like when things don’t go our way.
Color to use: Bold Red
[Insert angry face icon]
Use a firm, expressive voice to describe anger. Ask: “What makes you angry?”
Surprised
When something unexpected happens, like a surprise party!
Color to use: Bright Orange
[Insert surprised face icon]
Show a surprised face and ask students to show big eyes.
Calm
When we feel peaceful and relaxed, like sitting by a quiet pond.
Color to use: Soft Green
[Insert calm face icon]
Speak softly to evoke calm. Invite students to breathe in and out quietly.
Emotion Art Stations
• We have 5 stations: Happy, Sad, Angry, Surprised, Calm
• At each station, use crayons and paper to draw that feeling.
• You will spend 5 minutes at each station, then rotate.
Explain how each station works. Show art supplies and station signs around the room.
Station Rotation Plan
Station 1: Happy
Station 2: Sad
Station 3: Angry
Station 4: Surprised
Station 5: Calm
Rotation: 5 minutes each
Display a simple timer on the board or projector. Call out rotations.
Share Your Palette
Let’s share our artwork and feelings.
Use these prompts:
- Which emotion did you draw?
- Why did you choose these colors?
- How do you feel when you see your drawing?
Invite volunteers to share. Use prompts to guide discussion and encourage empathy.
Emotion Vocabulary Review
We learned these words today:
• Happy
• Sad
• Angry
• Surprised
• Calm
Summarize the emotion words. Ask students to say each one aloud.
Exit Ticket Reflection
Draw one emotion face and write the emotion word below your drawing. Then bring it to the front to turn in.
Explain the exit ticket. Hand out paper. Collect when students are done.
Activity
Emotion Art Stations
Time: 20 minutes
Objective: Rotate through five emotion-themed art stations, using color and imagery to explore and express different feelings.
## Materials (per station)
- Large sheet of drawing paper
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Station sign with emotion name and icon
- Prompt card (see below)
- Timer or bell for rotations
## Station Set-Up
1. Label five tables or areas with signs: Happy, Sad, Angry, Surprised, Calm.
2. At each station, place art supplies and a prompt card describing the drawing task.
3. Arrange five small student groups (3–4 students each); assign each group a starting station.
4. Set a timer for 5 minutes per station.
## Prompt Cards
Station: Happy
• Draw something that makes you feel joyful.
• Use bright yellow and warm colors.
Station: Sad
• Draw a time you felt sad or lonely.
• Use cool blue and muted tones.
Station: Angry
• Draw what anger looks like for you.
• Use bold reds or strong, dark hues.
Station: Surprised
• Draw something unexpected or exciting.
• Use bright orange and contrasting shades.
Station: Calm
• Draw a peaceful scene that soothes you.
• Use soft greens and gentle pastels.
## Instructions for Students
1. When the timer starts, begin drawing at your assigned station using the station’s prompt.
2. There’s no right or wrong way—focus on colors and shapes that show the feeling.
3. Continue until you hear the timer or bell; then quietly rotate to the next station.
4. At each new station, read the prompt and add a fresh drawing on that paper (or start a new sheet, if preferred).
5. Listen to peers and talk about color choices if time allows at the end of each rotation.
## Teacher Tips
- Circulate to encourage discussion: “Why did you choose that color?”
- Remind students to keep hands and voices calm during rotations.
- After the final rotation, collect all drawings to use during the group discussion.
### Rotations at a Glance
• 5 minutes – Station 1 (Happy)
• 5 minutes – Station 2 (Sad)
• 5 minutes – Station 3 (Angry)
• 5 minutes – Station 4 (Surprised)
• 5 minutes – Station 5 (Calm)
By the end of the rotations, each student will have contributed to five emotion drawings, reinforcing how color and imagery can communicate different feelings.
Discussion
Share Your Palette Discussion Prompts
Time: 10 minutes
Materials: Completed drawings, discussion circle area, chart paper, marker
Discussion Guidelines
- Listen with your eyes and ears.
- Speak kindly and wait your turn.
- Ask questions to show you care.
Questions & Prompts
- Who would like to share their artwork first? Show your drawing and tell us which emotion you chose.
• Follow-up: Why did you pick those colors?
- How do you feel when you look at your picture?
• Follow-up: Does this feeling remind you of a time you felt the same way?
- What shapes or details in your drawing help us see the emotion?
• Follow-up: What else could you add to show the feeling more clearly?
- Has anyone else ever felt this emotion? You can nod, add a word, or share a short story.
Closing Reflection
- Add any new emotion words you heard to our chart paper.
- Thank everyone for sharing and for listening carefully.