Lesson Plan
My Inner Weather Report
Students will recognize and label their feelings by comparing them to different weather patterns to build emotional vocabulary and self-awareness.
Understanding emotions is crucial for self-management and healthy relationships. This lesson provides a fun, relatable way for students to explore their feelings in a creative and accessible way.
Audience
4th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Through a weather analogy, students will identify, discuss, and record their current emotions.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck, My Inner Weather Report Worksheet, My Inner Weather Report Journal, and Drawing supplies (crayons, colored pencils)
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print enough copies of the My Inner Weather Report Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare drawing supplies for each student.
- Review the My Inner Weather Report Journal for optional extension activities or reflection homework.
Step 1
Warm-up: What's the Weather Outside?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students about the current weather outside. Engage them in a brief discussion about different types of weather (sunny, rainy, cloudy, stormy, windy).
- Transition by asking: 'Just like the weather outside changes, do you think our feelings can change too?'
Step 2
Introducing Inner Weather
10 minutes
- Use the My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck to introduce the concept of 'inner weather.'
- Explain the analogy: different feelings can be like different weather patterns.
- Show examples: Happy = Sunny, Sad = Rainy, Angry = Stormy, Calm = Cloudy, Excited = Windy.
- Ask students to share other feelings and what 'inner weather' they might be like.
Step 3
My Inner Weather Worksheet
15 minutes
- Distribute the My Inner Weather Report Worksheet.
- Guide students to draw or describe their current 'inner weather' and the feelings associated with it.
- Encourage them to think about 'why' they might be feeling that way (without requiring them to share if uncomfortable).
- Circulate around the room to provide support and answer questions.
Step 4
Share and Discuss (Optional)
10 minutes
- Invite students who are comfortable to share their 'inner weather report' with a partner or the class.
- Facilitate a brief discussion: 'Did anyone have similar inner weather today?' 'How does it feel to share your inner weather?'
- Emphasize that it's okay for inner weather to change and that all feelings are valid.
Step 5
Cool-down: Inner Weather Journal Prompt
5 minutes
- Introduce the My Inner Weather Report Journal as a way to continue tracking their feelings.
- Provide a cool-down prompt: 'What is one thing you can do when your inner weather feels stormy?'
- Collect worksheets or allow students to keep them for personal reflection.
Slide Deck
My Inner Weather Report
What's your emotional forecast today?
Welcome students and start by asking them about the weather outside. Engage them in a brief discussion about different types of weather (sunny, rainy, cloudy, stormy, windy). Ask: 'How does the weather outside make you feel?'
Changing Weather, Changing Feelings
Just like the weather changes outside...
...our feelings can change inside too!
Transition from outside weather to inner feelings. Ask students if they think their feelings can change, just like the weather. Introduce the idea of 'inner weather.'
Sunny Feelings ☀️
When you feel:
- Happy
- Joyful
- Excited
- Cheerful
Your inner weather might be SUNNY!
Explain the analogy: happy feelings can be like sunny weather. Ask students to share examples of when they feel sunny. 'What makes you feel like sunshine?'
Rainy Feelings 🌧️
When you feel:
- Sad
- Disappointed
- Upset
- Gloomy
Your inner weather might be RAINY.
Explain how sad feelings can be like rainy weather. Ask for examples of when they feel rainy. 'What makes your inner weather rainy?'
Stormy Feelings ⛈️
When you feel:
- Angry
- Frustrated
- Annoyed
- Irritated
Your inner weather might be STORMY.
Explain how angry or frustrated feelings can be like stormy weather. 'What makes your inner weather stormy?' Emphasize that it's okay to feel stormy, but it's important to find healthy ways to deal with it.
Cloudy Feelings ☁️
When you feel:
- Calm
- Peaceful
- Relaxed
- Thoughtful
Your inner weather might be CLOUDY.
Explain how calm or peaceful feelings can be like cloudy but peaceful weather. 'What makes your inner weather cloudy and calm?'
Windy Feelings 🌬️
When you feel:
- Energetic
- Playful
- Silly
- Restless
Your inner weather might be WINDY.
Explain how energetic or playful feelings can be like windy weather. 'What makes your inner weather windy and full of energy?'
Your Inner Weather Changes!
It's normal for your feelings to change throughout the day, week, or even hour!
All types of inner weather are okay.
Review all the types of inner weather and emphasize that it's normal for feelings to change throughout the day. 'Our inner weather changes all the time, just like the real weather! All feelings are okay.'
Create Your Inner Weather Report!
Now it's your turn!
Think about how you are feeling right now. What is your inner weather like?
Draw and write about it on your worksheet!
Introduce the worksheet activity. Instruct students to think about their current inner weather and draw/write about it. Remind them to think about 'why' they might be feeling that way.
Share Your Report (Optional)
Would anyone like to share their inner weather report?
Remember, all feelings are valid, and it's okay for our inner weather to change.
Explain that sharing is optional but can be helpful. Guide a brief discussion about different 'inner weather reports' and the idea that everyone's feelings are valid.
My Inner Weather Journal
You can keep track of your inner weather in a journal!
What is one thing you can do when your inner weather feels stormy?
Introduce the journal as a tool for continued self-reflection. Provide the cool-down prompt. Encourage students to think about coping strategies for 'stormy' inner weather.
Worksheet
My Inner Weather Report Worksheet
Name: ________________________ Date: _________________
1. What is your inner weather like today?
Draw a picture or describe your inner weather in the box below. Think about what kind of weather best matches how you are feeling right now.
2. What feelings are you experiencing?
List the feelings that are part of your inner weather today.
3. What might be causing this inner weather?
Think about what happened today or recently that might be making you feel this way. (You don't have to share if you don't want to!)
4. What colors would you use to describe your inner weather right now?
Activity
My Inner Weather Report Activity
Objective: To identify and express current emotions using the inner weather analogy.
Instructions:
-
Reflect on Your Feelings: Take a moment to think about how you are feeling right now. Are you happy, sad, excited, calm, frustrated, or something else entirely?
-
Choose Your Inner Weather: Based on your feelings, decide what your "inner weather" is like today. Is it sunny ☀️, rainy 🌧️, stormy ⛈️, cloudy ☁️, or windy 🌬️? Or maybe a mix?
-
Create Your Report: Use the My Inner Weather Report Worksheet to:
- Draw or describe your inner weather in the provided space.
- Write down the specific feelings you are experiencing.
- Briefly explain what might be causing these feelings.
- Choose colors that represent your current inner weather.
-
Share (Optional): If you feel comfortable, you can share your inner weather report with a partner or with the class. Listen respectfully to others and remember that everyone's inner weather is valid and can change.
Remember, just like the weather outside, your inner weather can change, and that's perfectly normal!
Journal
My Inner Weather Report Journal
This journal is your personal space to track your feelings, just like a meteorologist tracks the weather! Write or draw about your inner weather each day or whenever you feel like it. No one else has to see this unless you want to share.
Journal Prompts:
Date: _________________
1. What is your inner weather like today? (Sunny, Rainy, Stormy, Cloudy, Windy, or a mix?)
2. What feelings are you experiencing right now?
3. What might have caused your inner weather to be this way today?
4. Is your inner weather different from yesterday? If so, what changed?
5. If your inner weather feels stormy, what is one helpful thing you can do?
Date: _________________
1. What is your inner weather like today? (Sunny, Rainy, Stormy, Cloudy, Windy, or a mix?)
2. What feelings are you experiencing right now?
3. What might have caused your inner weather to be this way today?
4. Is your inner weather different from yesterday? If so, what changed?
5. If your inner weather feels stormy, what is one helpful thing you can do?
Activity
My Inner Weather Report Activity
Objective: To identify and express current emotions using the inner weather analogy.
Instructions:
-
Reflect on Your Feelings: Take a moment to think about how you are feeling right now. Are you happy, sad, excited, calm, frustrated, or something else entirely?
-
Choose Your Inner Weather: Based on your feelings, decide what your