Lesson Plan
Halloween Feelings Fun
Students will be able to identify and name 'large feelings' (e.g., mad, scared, excited) and understand that these feelings are a natural part of the Zones of Regulation framework, using Halloween-themed examples.
Understanding and naming emotions is a foundational life skill that helps young children develop self-awareness, communicate their needs effectively, and begin to navigate social situations. Connecting emotions to a fun theme like Halloween makes learning more engaging and memorable.
Audience
Pre-K Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through an engaging story, interactive discussion, and a hands-on activity.
Materials
- Halloween Feelings Slide Deck, - Teacher Script, - Pumpkin Emotion Cut-Outs, and - Markers or crayons
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Halloween Feelings Slide Deck and Teacher Script to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
- Print and cut out the Pumpkin Emotion Cut-Outs for each student.
- Gather markers or crayons for the activity.
Step 1
Warm-Up: How Do You Feel?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students how they are feeling today.
- Show the first slide of the Halloween Feelings Slide Deck and use the prompts from the Teacher Script to introduce the idea of different feelings.
Step 2
Halloween Story Time: Big Feelings
10 minutes
- Read an engaging story (real or imagined) about a character experiencing different 'big' Halloween feelings (e.g., a pumpkin feeling excited for carving, a ghost feeling scared by a noise, a witch feeling mad when her spell goes wrong).
- Use the Teacher Script to guide the narrative and discussion.
- Pause the story at key moments to ask students: 'How do you think the pumpkin feels? Why? Has anyone ever felt that way?' Show corresponding slides from the Halloween Feelings Slide Deck to illustrate the emotions and connect them to the Zones of Regulation (e.g., 'Feeling really excited might be a yellow zone feeling!').
Step 3
Pumpkin Emotion Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute the Pumpkin Emotion Cut-Outs and markers/crayons.
- Instruct students to draw a face on their pumpkin that shows a 'big feeling' they just learned about (e.g., excited, mad, scared).
- Circulate and engage students in conversation about their chosen emotion. 'What makes your pumpkin feel excited? When do you feel excited?' Refer to the Teacher Script for guiding questions.
Step 4
Wrap-Up: Sharing Our Feelings
5 minutes
- Have students share their pumpkin creations and the 'big feeling' they depicted.
- Briefly review the concept of large feelings and reinforce that all feelings are okay.
- Conclude by reminding them that we can learn to understand and manage our feelings, just like we can understand different colors in the Zones of Regulation.
- Use the final slide of the Halloween Feelings Slide Deck and prompts from the Teacher Script.
Slide Deck
Halloween Feelings Fun!
Let's explore our emotions with some spooky (but not too spooky!) friends!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of feelings. Ask them to think about how they are feeling right now.
How Do You Feel Today?
Happy? Sad? Excited? What's your feeling word? (Imagine a friend with a different feeling face!)
Ask students to share one word about how they are feeling. Explain that feelings can be big or small.
Big Feelings!
Sometimes our feelings are really, really strong! We call these 'big feelings'. (Imagine a monster with really big, expressive eyes and mouth!)
Introduce the idea of 'big feelings' – emotions that feel very strong. Connect this to the Zones of Regulation, explaining that different feelings can be in different 'zones'.
An Excited Pumpkin!
This pumpkin is SO excited for Halloween! It has a huge smile and wide-open eyes! When do you feel excited? (Yellow Zone)
Introduce the Excited Pumpkin. Discuss what makes a pumpkin excited. Connect to the 'Yellow Zone' for strong, active feelings like excitement.
A Scared Ghost!
Uh oh! This ghost heard a creaky noise and is hiding its face! When do you feel scared? (Blue or Yellow Zone)
Introduce the Scared Ghost. Discuss what might make a ghost scared. Connect to the 'Blue Zone' or 'Yellow Zone' depending on the intensity of fear. Emphasize that it's okay to feel scared.
A Mad Witch!
Her spell didn't work! This witch has a frown and crossed arms! When do you feel mad? (Red Zone)
Introduce the Mad Witch. Discuss what might make a witch mad. Connect to the 'Red Zone' for very strong, uncomfortable feelings.
A Happy Black Cat!
This cat is purring with joy! It has a sweet smile and is stretching happily. When do you feel happy? (Green Zone)
Introduce the Happy Black Cat. Connect to the 'Green Zone' for calm, happy, ready-to-learn feelings.
Your Turn! Draw a Big Feeling!
Now you get to show us a big feeling on your own special pumpkin!
Transition to the activity. Explain that students will get to draw a big feeling on their own pumpkin.
All Feelings Are Okay!
Big or small, all our feelings help us learn and grow. Which zone are you in?
Final slide. Recap that all feelings are okay and we can learn about them. Encourage students to think about their zones.
Script
Teacher Script: Halloween Feelings Fun!
Warm-Up: How Do You Feel? (5 minutes)
(Display Halloween Feelings Slide Deck - Slide 1: "Halloween Feelings Fun!")
"Good morning, my wonderful little learners! Who's ready for some Halloween fun? Today we're going to talk about something super important: our feelings! Everyone has feelings, right? They change all the time!"
(Display Halloween Feelings Slide Deck - Slide 2: "How Do You Feel Today?")
"Look at our slide! It asks, 'How do you feel today?' Can anyone tell me one feeling they have right now? Maybe happy, sleepy, excited, or even a little bit silly? Raise your hand if you want to share!"
Listen to a few student responses and affirm them.
"That's wonderful! It's great to notice how we're feeling."
Big Feelings! (5 minutes)
(Display Halloween Feelings Slide Deck - Slide 3: "Big Feelings!")
"Sometimes our feelings are just a little bit there, like a tiny spark. But sometimes, our feelings are SUPER strong! We call these 'big feelings.' Have you ever had a big feeling? Like when you're super, super excited for something, or really, really mad about something?"
"These big feelings are a part of us, and they can sometimes feel like they're in different 'zones' of our bodies. Let's meet some Halloween friends who are having some big feelings!"
Halloween Story Time: Big Feelings (10 minutes)
"I have a story about some Halloween friends and their big feelings. Let's see if we can guess how they feel!"
(Display Halloween Feelings Slide Deck - Slide 4: "An Excited Pumpkin!")
"First, meet our friend the Excited Pumpkin! Look at his face! Oh my goodness, he is practically jumping for joy! He's so excited because today is the day he gets to be carved into a silly jack-o[-]-lantern! When do you feel super excited like our pumpkin? What does it feel like in your body? Maybe a happy flutter in your tummy?"
"When we feel this kind of big excitement, it can put us in the Yellow Zone! We're active, we're buzzing, and we're full of energy!"
**(Display Halloween Feelings Slide Deck - Slide 5: "A Scared Ghost!")
**
"Next up is our friend, the Scared Ghost! Oh no! He was floating quietly, and then suddenly, he heard a BOO! from a black cat hiding in the bushes! Look at his face! How do you think he feels? Pause for responses.
"Yes, he looks scared! His eyes are wide, and maybe his little ghost body is shaking a bit. Has anyone ever felt scared like our ghost? What made you feel scared? What does feeling scared feel like?"
"Feeling scared can sometimes put us in the Blue Zone if it makes us feel slow or worried, or even the Yellow Zone if it makes us feel jumpy and a little out of control. It depends on how big the scare is! But it's okay to feel scared, and we can find ways to feel safe again."
(Display Halloween Feelings Slide Deck - Slide 6: "A Mad Witch!")
"Oh dear, look at this! Our next friend is a Mad Witch! She was trying to make a delicious potion for her Halloween party, but she accidentally put in spiderwebs instead of sprinkles! Now her potion tastes yucky! Look at her face! How do you think she feels? Pause for responses.
"She looks mad! Her eyebrows are furrowed, maybe her hands are in fists. When do you feel mad? What makes you feel that big feeling of mad? What does it feel like in your body? Maybe your face feels hot?"
"When we feel really, really mad, like our witch, we might be in the Red Zone. This is a very big feeling where we might feel out of control. It's important to know when we're in the Red Zone so we can try to calm our bodies down."
**(Display Halloween Feelings Slide Deck - Slide 7: "A Happy Black Cat!")
**
"Phew! Let's meet a happy friend. This is our Happy Black Cat! She just got a big, comfy pillow to nap on, and she's purring with joy! What kind of feeling is she having? Pause for responses.
"Yes, she's happy! When you feel calm and happy, ready to learn, and feeling good, you're in the Green Zone! This is a wonderful zone to be in!"
Pumpkin Emotion Activity (10 minutes)
(Display Halloween Feelings Slide Deck - Slide 8: "Your Turn! Draw a Big Feeling!")
"Now it's YOUR turn to show us a big feeling! I have a special Pumpkin Emotion Cut-Outs for each of you. I want you to pick one of the big feelings we talked about today – excited, scared, or mad – and draw that face on your pumpkin! Use your markers and crayons to make your pumpkin show that big feeling. I can't wait to see what you create!"
Distribute materials. Circulate around the room, asking students about the feelings they chose and why.
"What big feeling are you drawing on your pumpkin? What does your pumpkin look like when it feels that way? What makes you feel that big feeling?"
Wrap-Up: Sharing Our Feelings (5 minutes)
(Display Halloween Feelings Slide Deck - Slide 9: "All Feelings Are Okay!")
"Wow, look at all these amazing feeling pumpkins! Who would like to share their pumpkin and tell us what big feeling they drew?"
Call on a few students to share.
"That was wonderful! Remember, everyone has feelings – big feelings, small feelings – and all feelings are okay to have. What's important is that we learn to notice how we're feeling and understand what zone we might be in. That helps us learn how to handle those big feelings."
"You all did a fantastic job exploring feelings today! Great work, everyone!"
Activity
Pumpkin Emotion Cut-Outs
Name: ____________________________
Draw a face on each pumpkin to show a BIG FEELING we talked about today!
Pumpkin 1: Excited!
Pumpkin 2: Scared!
Pumpkin 3: Mad!