Lesson Plan
Inner Weather Report Lesson Plan
Students will be able to identify and describe their emotions using weather metaphors to build self-awareness and emotional vocabulary.
Understanding and communicating emotions is a critical life skill. By connecting feelings to relatable weather concepts, students can better grasp and express their internal states, leading to improved emotional regulation and social interactions.
Audience
3rd Grade Class
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and a reflective journaling activity.
Materials
Smartboard or projector, Forecast Your Feelings Slide Deck, Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, My Daily Emotional Forecast Journal, and Feeling Thermometer Chart Activity
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Inner Weather Report Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Set up the projector/smartboard for the Forecast Your Feelings Slide Deck.
- Print or prepare to distribute copies of the My Daily Emotional Forecast Journal and Feeling Thermometer Chart Activity.
Step 1
Introduction: What's the Weather Inside?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students about their favorite type of weather and why.
- Introduce the idea that just like the weather outside, our feelings can change throughout the day, like an "inner weather report."
- Show the first slide of the Forecast Your Feelings Slide Deck.
Step 2
Exploring Emotional Weather
15 minutes
- Go through the Forecast Your Feelings Slide Deck, discussing different emotions and their corresponding weather metaphors (e.g., 'sunny' for happy, 'stormy' for angry, 'cloudy' for sad).
- Encourage students to share examples of when they've felt like a particular "weather."
- Facilitate a short discussion: "Can our inner weather change quickly? What can cause it to change?"
Step 3
Feeling Thermometer Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute the Feeling Thermometer Chart Activity.
- Explain how to use the thermometer to gauge the intensity of their emotions.
- Guide students through an example, asking them to identify a recent emotion and where it would fall on their thermometer.
- Have students complete the activity individually or in small groups.
Step 4
My Daily Emotional Forecast Journal
8 minutes
- Introduce the My Daily Emotional Forecast Journal.
- Explain that this journal is a place for them to record their
Step 5
Cool Down: My Inner Weather Report
2 minutes
- Ask students to reflect on the main takeaway from the lesson: 'What is one thing you learned about your emotions today?'
- Have students share their reflections with a partner or the class, if time permits.
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Slide Deck
What's Your Inner Weather?
Just like the weather outside changes, your feelings can change too! Today, we're going to learn about our "inner weather report."
Greet students and ask them to think about their favorite type of weather. Engage them by asking why they like it. This helps set a positive tone and connects to the lesson's theme.
Feelings Like Weather
Our feelings are like different kinds of weather:
- Sunny when you're happy!
- Cloudy when you're sad or a little down.
- Stormy when you're angry or frustrated.
- Rainy when you feel like crying or are upset.
- Windy when you're feeling silly or a bit restless.
Introduce the idea of feelings as weather. Use simple, relatable language. Emphasize that all types of weather (and feelings) are okay.
Sunny & Bright!
When do you feel sunny?
Maybe when you:
- Get a good grade
- Play with friends
- Eat your favorite snack
- Feel happy and joyful!
Discuss 'Sunny' feelings. Ask students to share examples of when they felt sunny.
A Little Cloudy...
When might your inner weather be cloudy?
Perhaps when you:
- Feel a bit sad
- Are disappointed
- Need a hug
- Feel quiet or thoughtful
Discuss 'Cloudy' feelings. Reassure students that it's normal to feel cloudy sometimes.
Uh Oh, Stormy Skies!
What makes your inner weather stormy?
It could be when you:
- Are very angry
- Feel frustrated
- Are annoyed
- Feel like yelling or stomping your feet
Discuss 'Stormy' feelings. Emphasize that it's important to find healthy ways to manage stormy feelings.
Raining Tears?
When do you have rainy feelings?
This might happen when you:
- Are very sad
- Feel hurt
- Need to cry
- Are feeling lonely
Discuss 'Rainy' feelings. Let students know it's okay to cry and feel sad.
Feeling Windy!
When might you feel windy inside?
Maybe when you:
- Are excited
- Feel silly and want to run around
- Have lots of energy
- Are a bit restless
Discuss 'Windy' feelings. Explain that this can be a fun, energetic feeling, but sometimes it might mean they need to calm down a bit.
Can Our Weather Change?
Just like the weather outside can change from sunny to rainy, our inner weather can change too!
What helps you change your inner weather when you're feeling stormy or cloudy?
Transition to the idea of changing weather patterns. Ask students what they do to change their 'inner weather' when it's not a feeling they like.
Your Daily Emotional Forecast
Every day, you can check your inner weather! Knowing how you feel is the first step to managing your emotions.
We'll be using a special journal to help us do this.
Introduce the idea of observing their 'inner weather' daily. This sets up the journal activity.
Journal
My Daily Emotional Forecast
Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________
Today, we're going to think about our feelings like the weather! Use the weather words we learned (sunny, cloudy, stormy, rainy, windy) to describe how you feel.
Morning Forecast
How was your inner weather this morning? Why do you think you felt that way?
My morning inner weather was: ____________________________
I felt this way because:
Afternoon Update
How is your inner weather now, in the afternoon? Has it changed? What caused it to change?
My afternoon inner weather is: ____________________________
It changed/stayed the same because:
My Forecast for Tomorrow
What kind of inner weather do you hope for tomorrow? What can you do to help bring about that feeling?
Tomorrow, I hope my inner weather is: ____________________________
I can help make it that way by:
Draw Your Inner Weather!
Draw a picture of what your inner weather looks like right now! Include details that show how you are feeling.
Activity
My Feeling Thermometer
Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________
Just like a thermometer tells us how hot or cold it is, your Feeling Thermometer can help you understand how strong your feelings are!
Color in the thermometer to show how intense each feeling is for you today. Then, think about what might make the feeling go up or down.
How I Feel Today:
1. Happy (Sunny!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am bursting with joy!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I feel great and cheerful.
- 4-6 (Medium): I'm feeling okay, a little happy.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm calm, not super happy right now.
Color the thermometer for Happy (imagine coloring in the thermometer below):
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my happy feeling go up or down?
2. Sad (Cloudy/Rainy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I feel heartbroken and can't stop crying.
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I'm really sad and might need a quiet moment.
- 4-6 (Medium): I feel a bit down or disappointed.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm a little gloomy, but it's not bothering me too much.
Color the thermometer for Sad:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my sad feeling go up or down?
3. Angry (Stormy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am furious and want to yell!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I'm really mad and frustrated.
- 4-6 (Medium): I feel annoyed or a bit grumpy.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm a little irritated, but it's not a big deal.
Color the thermometer for Angry:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my angry feeling go up or down?
4. Excited (Windy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am so excited I can barely sit still!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I feel very eager and energetic.
- 4-6 (Medium): I'm feeling good, a little bit energized.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm calm, but looking forward to something.
Color the thermometer for Excited:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my excited feeling go up or down?
Activity
My Feeling Thermometer
Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________
Just like a thermometer tells us how hot or cold it is, your Feeling Thermometer can help you understand how strong your feelings are!
Color in the thermometer to show how intense each feeling is for you today. Then, think about what might make the feeling go up or down.
How I Feel Today:
1. Happy (Sunny!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am bursting with joy!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I feel great and cheerful.
- 4-6 (Medium): I'm feeling okay, a little happy.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm calm, not super happy right now.
Color the thermometer for Happy (imagine coloring in the thermometer below):
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my happy feeling go up or down?
2. Sad (Cloudy/Rainy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I feel heartbroken and can't stop crying.
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I'm really sad and might need a quiet moment.
- 4-6 (Medium): I feel a bit down or disappointed.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm a little gloomy, but it's not bothering me too much.
Color the thermometer for Sad:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my sad feeling go up or down?
3. Angry (Stormy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am furious and want to yell!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I'm really mad and frustrated.
- 4-6 (Medium): I feel annoyed or a bit grumpy.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm a little irritated, but it's not a big deal.
Color the thermometer for Angry:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my angry feeling go up or down?
4. Excited (Windy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am so excited I can barely sit still!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I feel very eager and energetic.
- 4-6 (Medium): I'm feeling good, a little bit energized.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm calm, but looking forward to something.
Color the thermometer for Excited:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my excited feeling go up or down?
Activity
My Feeling Thermometer
Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________
Just like a thermometer tells us how hot or cold it is, your Feeling Thermometer can help you understand how strong your feelings are!
Color in the thermometer to show how intense each feeling is for you today. Then, think about what might make the feeling go up or down.
How I Feel Today:
1. Happy (Sunny!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am bursting with joy!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I feel great and cheerful.
- 4-6 (Medium): I'm feeling okay, a little happy.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm calm, not super happy right now.
Color the thermometer for Happy (imagine coloring in the thermometer below):
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my happy feeling go up or down?
2. Sad (Cloudy/Rainy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I feel heartbroken and can't stop crying.
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I'm really sad and might need a quiet moment.
- 4-6 (Medium): I feel a bit down or disappointed.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm a little gloomy, but it's not bothering me too much.
Color the thermometer for Sad:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my sad feeling go up or down?
3. Angry (Stormy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am furious and want to yell!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I'm really mad and frustrated.
- 4-6 (Medium): I feel annoyed or a bit grumpy.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm a little irritated, but it's not a big deal.
Color the thermometer for Angry:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my angry feeling go up or down?
4. Excited (Windy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am so excited I can barely sit still!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I feel very eager and energetic.
- 4-6 (Medium): I'm feeling good, a little bit energized.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm calm, but looking forward to something.
Color the thermometer for Excited:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my excited feeling go up or down?
Activity
My Feeling Thermometer
Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________
Just like a thermometer tells us how hot or cold it is, your Feeling Thermometer can help you understand how strong your feelings are!
Color in the thermometer to show how intense each feeling is for you today. Then, think about what might make the feeling go up or down.
How I Feel Today:
1. Happy (Sunny!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am bursting with joy!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I feel great and cheerful.
- 4-6 (Medium): I'm feeling okay, a little happy.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm calm, not super happy right now.
Color the thermometer for Happy (imagine coloring in the thermometer below):
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my happy feeling go up or down?
2. Sad (Cloudy/Rainy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I feel heartbroken and can't stop crying.
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I'm really sad and might need a quiet moment.
- 4-6 (Medium): I feel a bit down or disappointed.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm a little gloomy, but it's not bothering me too much.
Color the thermometer for Sad:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my sad feeling go up or down?
3. Angry (Stormy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am furious and want to yell!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I'm really mad and frustrated.
- 4-6 (Medium): I feel annoyed or a bit grumpy.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm a little irritated, but it's not a big deal.
Color the thermometer for Angry:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my angry feeling go up or down?
4. Excited (Windy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am so excited I can barely sit still!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I feel very eager and energetic.
- 4-6 (Medium): I'm feeling good, a little bit energized.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm calm, but looking forward to something.
Color the thermometer for Excited:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my excited feeling go up or down?
Activity
My Feeling Thermometer
Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________
Just like a thermometer tells us how hot or cold it is, your Feeling Thermometer can help you understand how strong your feelings are!
Color in the thermometer to show how intense each feeling is for you today. Then, think about what might make the feeling go up or down.
How I Feel Today:
1. Happy (Sunny!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am bursting with joy!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I feel great and cheerful.
- 4-6 (Medium): I'm feeling okay, a little happy.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm calm, not super happy right now.
Color the thermometer for Happy (imagine coloring in the thermometer below):
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my happy feeling go up or down?
2. Sad (Cloudy/Rainy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I feel heartbroken and can't stop crying.
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I'm really sad and might need a quiet moment.
- 4-6 (Medium): I feel a bit down or disappointed.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm a little gloomy, but it's not bothering me too much.
Color the thermometer for Sad:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my sad feeling go up or down?
3. Angry (Stormy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am furious and want to yell!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I'm really mad and frustrated.
- 4-6 (Medium): I feel annoyed or a bit grumpy.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm a little irritated, but it's not a big deal.
Color the thermometer for Angry:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my angry feeling go up or down?
4. Excited (Windy!)
- 10 (Very Strong!): I am so excited I can barely sit still!
- 7-9 (Pretty Strong): I feel very eager and energetic.
- 4-6 (Medium): I'm feeling good, a little bit energized.
- 1-3 (A Little): I'm calm, but looking forward to something.
Color the thermometer for Excited:
10 (Very Strong!)
9
8
7 (Pretty Strong)
6
5
4 (Medium)
3
2
1 (A Little)
What makes my excited feeling go up or down?