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My Inner Weather Report

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Lesson Plan

My Inner Weather Report

Students will be able to recognize and name various emotions as 'inner weather' states and identify simple coping strategies for different emotional states.

Understanding and managing emotions is a crucial life skill. By learning to identify their feelings and having tools to respond, students can build greater self-awareness and emotional resilience, leading to healthier relationships and improved well-being.

Audience

2nd Grade Students

Time

45-60 minutes

Approach

Using the familiar metaphor of weather, students will explore emotions.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Construction paper or drawing supplies, Inner Weather Report Slide Deck, My Inner Weather Activity Cards, My Inner Weather Worksheet, and My Inner Weather Journal Prompt

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What's Your Inner Weather?

10 minutes

  • Begin by asking students about the weather outside. "What's the weather like today? Is it sunny, cloudy, rainy?"
    * Introduce the concept of "inner weather." Explain that just like the weather outside, our feelings can change, and we can have different kinds of 'weather' inside us.
    * Show Slide 2 and discuss the idea of 'sunny' feelings (happy, excited), 'cloudy' feelings (sad, grumpy), 'stormy' feelings (angry, frustrated), and 'calm' feelings (peaceful, relaxed).
    * Ask students for examples of situations that might make them feel 'sunny' or 'cloudy.' Use the Inner Weather Report Slide Deck to guide the discussion.

Step 2

Exploring Emotional Weather

15 minutes

  • Distribute the My Inner Weather Activity Cards. Each card will depict an emotion or a situation.
    * Have students work in small groups or pairs to discuss what 'inner weather' matches the feeling on their card. They can also share what it feels like in their body when they have that 'weather.'
    * Bring the class back together and have a few groups share their cards and discussions. Reinforce that all feelings are okay and that they are temporary, just like weather.
    * Transition to discussing coping strategies. Show Slides 3-5 which introduce simple strategies for different emotional states (e.g., deep breaths for stormy, talking to a friend for cloudy).

Step 3

Drawing Your Inner Weather

10 minutes

  • Distribute the My Inner Weather Worksheet.
    * Instruct students to draw their current "inner weather" and write one word describing how they feel.
    * Then, ask them to draw or write one thing they can do if their "inner weather" changes to something they don't like as much (e.g., if it becomes 'cloudy' or 'stormy').
    * Circulate and provide support and encouragement. Emphasize that there's no right or wrong answer.

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Reflection

10 minutes

  • Ask students to share their drawings if they feel comfortable. Focus on the strategies they chose.
    * Distribute the My Inner Weather Journal Prompt. Explain that this is a way to continue thinking about their feelings.
    * Conclude by reiterating that it's okay for our inner weather to change and that we have tools to help us through all kinds of emotional climates. Show Slide 6 for a final positive message.
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Slide Deck

What's Your Inner Weather Today?

Just like the weather outside changes, our feelings can change too!

Sometimes we feel sunny, sometimes cloudy, and sometimes a little stormy!

Welcome students and set a calm, curious tone. Ask about the physical weather to connect to the metaphor. Introduce the idea that just like outside, our feelings can change.

Emotional Forecast: Sunny, Cloudy, Stormy, Calm

Sunny Feelings: Happy, joyful, excited, proud

Cloudy Feelings: Sad, grumpy, disappointed, confused

Stormy Feelings: Angry, frustrated, worried, scared

Calm Feelings: Peaceful, relaxed, content, thoughtful

Introduce the different 'weather' types for emotions. Ask students to share examples of what makes them feel each way. Emphasize that all 'weather' is okay.

When It's Stormy Inside...

What can you do when you feel angry or frustrated?

  • Take 3 deep breaths.
  • Count to 10.
  • Squeeze a stress ball.
  • Talk about it when you're ready.

Discuss strategies for 'stormy' feelings. Emphasize active, calming techniques. Encourage students to think about what helps them.

When It's Cloudy Inside...

What can you do when you feel sad or a little down?

  • Talk to a trusted adult or friend.
  • Draw a picture.
  • Listen to calm music.
  • Give yourself a hug.

Discuss strategies for 'cloudy' feelings. Focus on seeking comfort and connection. Ask for student ideas too.

Keeping Your Inner Sun Shining (or finding your calm!)

What helps you feel happy, peaceful, or relaxed?

  • Play with a friend.
  • Read a favorite book.
  • Spend time in nature.
  • Help someone else.

Discuss strategies for maintaining or returning to 'sunny/calm' feelings. Highlight activities that bring joy or peace.

Your Inner Weather Report is YOURS!

Remember, your feelings are like the weather – they change!

It's okay to feel all kinds of feelings, and you have ways to help yourself through them.

Concluding slide for a positive message and encouragement. Reinforce the main takeaways.

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Activity

My Inner Weather Activity Cards

Instructions: Work with a partner or in a small group. Read each card and discuss:

  1. What kind of "inner weather" does this feeling or situation sound like (sunny, cloudy, stormy, calm)?
  2. What does this "inner weather" feel like in your body?
  3. What is one thing you can do if you have this "inner weather"?

Card 1: Joyful Jumps

You just got a new puppy! You feel so happy and excited you want to jump for joy.




Card 2: Grumpy Gray

Your favorite toy broke, and you feel really sad and a little grumpy.




Card 3: Frustrated Frown

You are trying to build a tall tower, but it keeps falling down. You feel very frustrated.




Card 4: Peaceful Puddle

You are sitting quietly by a stream, watching the water flow. You feel calm and peaceful.




Card 5: Angry Cloud

Someone took your crayons without asking, and you feel a big angry cloud building inside you.




Card 6: Excited Sparkles

Tomorrow is your birthday, and you feel sparkly and excited!




Card 7: Shy Shower

You have to give a presentation in front of the class, and you feel a little shy and nervous.




Card 8: Thoughtful Breeze

You are thinking about a new idea for a story. You feel thoughtful and creative.




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Worksheet

My Inner Weather Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

1. What's your Inner Weather today?

Draw a picture of your inner weather right now. Is it sunny, cloudy, stormy, or calm?













2. How do you feel in one word?




3. What can you do if your Inner Weather changes to something you don't like as much?

Draw or write one strategy you can use to help yourself.













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Journal

My Inner Weather Journal Prompt

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

My Changing Feelings

Think about a time when your "inner weather" changed during the day. Maybe you woke up feeling sunny, but then something happened that made you feel cloudy or even stormy.

Write about what happened and how your feelings changed. What did you do to help yourself when your inner weather wasn't what you wanted it to be? Or, what could you do next time?






















Drawing My Inner Weather Journey

On the back of this paper, draw a picture that shows your inner weather changing. You can show different scenes or different parts of your day.

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