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Jingle Bell Emotions

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Lesson Plan

Jingle Bell Emotions Lesson Plan

Students will identify and describe common Christmas-themed emotions (excitement, disappointment, stress) and practice coping strategies to regulate these feelings during the holiday season.

During the holidays, young learners can feel intense emotions that may impact their behavior and learning. This lesson builds emotional awareness and self-regulation skills in a small-group setting, supporting social-emotional growth.

Audience

2nd Grade Small-Group Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive scenarios, strategy matching, and reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and briefly discuss what emotions are.
  • Ask: “How do you feel when you see holiday lights or open a gift?”
  • Model naming one feeling (e.g., excitement) and share a personal tip for handling it.

Step 2

Emotion Scenario Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute one scenario card to each student from Christmas Emotion Scenario Cards.
  • Students take turns reading their scenario aloud (e.g., “I wanted a red toy, but I got blue.”).
  • Group identifies and names the emotion in the scenario (disappointment, excitement, stress).

Step 3

Coping Strategy Matching

8 minutes

  • Lay out all Coping Strategy Cards face up.
  • Students match a strategy to each scenario (e.g., deep breathing for stress).
  • For each match, ask: “How would you use this strategy?” and encourage role-play.

Step 4

Reflection & Wrap-Up

7 minutes

  • Hand out the Emotion Reflection Sheet.
  • Students draw or write one emotion they felt this week and the coping strategy they will use next time.
  • Invite volunteers to share one plan and praise their ideas.
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Slide Deck

Jingle Bell Emotions

A Tier 2 small-group lesson for 2nd graders to explore holiday feelings (excitement, disappointment, stress) and practice coping strategies.

Welcome everyone! Today we’re going to learn about Christmas‐themed emotions and how to handle them. Let’s get excited to explore our feelings together.

Lesson Objectives

• Identify Christmas-themed emotions (excitement, disappointment, stress)
• Describe what these emotions feel like in our bodies
• Practice coping strategies to regulate holiday feelings

Read each objective aloud and explain why it’s important. Emphasize that naming feelings helps us understand and manage them.

Introduction & Warm-Up

• What are emotions?
• How do you feel when you see holiday lights or open a gift?
• Share one tip for handling a strong feeling

Gather students in a circle. Ask the warm-up questions and model sharing one emotion and tip for managing it.

Emotion Scenario Activity

  1. Each student reads a Christmas scenario (e.g., “I wanted a red toy but got blue.”)
  2. Group names the emotion: excitement, disappointment, or stress

Hand out one scenario card to each student. Invite them to read aloud. Guide the group to name the emotion in each scenario.

Coping Strategy Matching

• Match strategies (deep breathing, positive self-talk, taking a break) to each scenario
• Role-play: “How would you use this strategy?”

Lay out the coping strategy cards face up. Encourage students to match each strategy to a scenario and role-play using the strategy.

Reflection & Wrap-Up

• Draw or write one emotion you felt this week
• Choose a coping strategy you will use next time
• Share your plan with the group

Give each student a reflection sheet and crayons/pencils. Circulate to support drawing or writing. Invite volunteers to share at the end.

Closing

Great job exploring your holiday feelings! Remember: naming emotions and using strategies can help us feel calm and enjoy the season.

Praise all contributions and remind students they can use these strategies anytime they feel big holiday emotions. Thank them for participating.

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Activity

Christmas Emotion Scenario Cards

Use these cards during the Emotion Scenario Activity. Print, cut them out, and let each student read one aloud. The group will identify the feeling in each situation.

  1. “You see a giant Christmas tree for the first time this season and feel your heart racing.”
  2. “You wanted a new bicycle but you got socks instead.”
  3. “You baked holiday cookies with your family, but they burned in the oven.”
  4. “Your family surprises you with tickets to a special holiday concert.”
  5. “Your little cousin spills hot chocolate on your brand-new sweater.”
  6. “A big snowstorm cancels your planned trip to visit grandparents.”
  7. “You finish wrapping all your gifts earlier than ever and can’t wait for people to open them.”
  8. “You still have lots of chores to do before the school holiday play starts.”
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Activity

Coping Strategy Cards

Use these cards during the Coping Strategy Matching activity. Print, cut them out, and lay them face up. Students will choose a strategy to match each scenario and practice how to use it.

  1. Deep Breathing
    Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose (count to 3), then breathe out through your mouth (count to 3). Repeat until you feel calmer.


  2. Positive Self-Talk
    Say to yourself: “I can do this,” “I am safe,” or “I can handle my feelings.”


  3. Counting to Five
    Slowly count aloud from 1 to 5 while thinking of something that makes you happy (like playing in the snow).


  4. Taking a Break
    Stand up, stretch, or walk to a calm corner for a minute. Then come back when you feel ready.


  5. Drawing Feelings
    Draw a picture of how you feel or something that makes you feel calm (e.g., a cozy fireplace or your pet).


  6. Asking for Help
    Tell a teacher, friend, or family member: “I’m feeling (name your emotion). Can you help me?”
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Worksheet

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