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My Inner Weather Report

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Susan McNamara

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

My Inner Weather Report

Students will be able to identify and name basic emotions, understand that emotions can change like weather, and express their feelings using a weather metaphor through drawing and sharing.

Understanding and expressing emotions is a crucial life skill. By learning to identify and communicate their feelings, young children can develop better self-awareness, manage their reactions, and build healthier relationships. This lesson provides a safe and creative way to explore these complex topics.

Audience

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, creative drawing, and group sharing using a weather metaphor.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck, Drawing paper, Crayons or colored pencils, and My Inner Weather Report Worksheet

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare Classroom

15 minutes

  • Review the My Inner Weather Report Lesson Plan, My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck, My Inner Weather Report Worksheet, and My Inner Weather Report Activity.
  • Ensure whiteboard/projector is set up.
  • Prepare drawing paper, crayons, or colored pencils for each student.

Step 1

Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling Today?

5 minutes

  • Greet students and ask them to share one word about how they are feeling.
  • Briefly explain that feelings are like weather, always changing. (Refer to My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Step 2

Introduction to Inner Weather

10 minutes

  • Present the concept of 'inner weather' using the My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck.
  • Discuss different types of weather (sunny, cloudy, rainy, stormy) and how they might relate to feelings (happy, calm, sad, angry).
  • Use open-ended questions: "What does a 'sunny' feeling look like?" "What might make your inner weather 'stormy'?" (Refer to My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck - Slides 2-4)

Step 3

Draw Your Inner Weather

15 minutes

  • Distribute My Inner Weather Report Worksheet and drawing materials.
  • Instruct students to draw their 'inner weather' for today, showing how they feel. Encourage them to use colors and symbols to represent their emotions.
  • Circulate and offer support and encouragement. (Refer to My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck - Slide 5)

Step 4

Weather Report Sharing Circle

10 minutes

  • Invite students to share their 'inner weather reports' with a small group or the whole class if time permits.
  • Encourage active listening and empathetic responses. Emphasize that all feelings are okay and can change.
  • Facilitate discussion: "Did anyone else draw similar weather?" "What helps your inner weather change from stormy to sunny?" (Refer to My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck - Slide 6)

Step 5

Cool-Down: Predicting Tomorrow's Weather

5 minutes

  • Ask students to think about what their 'inner weather' might be tomorrow or what they hope it will be.
  • Reiterate that it's normal for feelings to change and that they have tools to understand them. (Refer to My Inner Weather Report Slide Deck - Slide 7)
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Slide Deck

My Inner Weather Report

How are you feeling today?

Welcome students and ask them to think about how they are feeling right now. Prompt them to share one word to describe their emotion. Transition to the idea that feelings can change, just like weather.

Feelings Are Like Weather

Sometimes it's sunny ☀️
Sometimes it's cloudy ☁️
Sometimes it's rainy 🌧️
Sometimes it's stormy ⛈️

Our feelings can change just like the weather!

Introduce the main concept: feelings are like weather. Explain that just as the weather outside changes, our feelings inside can change too. Emphasize that all weather (and all feelings) are natural.

Sunny Feelings ☀️

Happy, Joyful, Excited, Peaceful

What makes your inner weather feel sunny?

Discuss different 'sunny' feelings. Ask students: "What makes you feel sunny?" "What does a sunny feeling look like on your face or in your body?" Encourage them to share examples.

Cloudy & Rainy Feelings ☁️🌧️

Sad, Calm, Confused, Worried

It's okay to feel cloudy or rainy sometimes.

Discuss 'cloudy' and 'rainy' feelings. Ask: "What does a cloudy feeling mean?" "What might make your inner weather rainy?" Normalize these feelings as part of life.

Stormy Feelings ⛈️

Angry, Frustrated, Scared, Upset

These are strong feelings, and they can pass too.

Discuss 'stormy' feelings. Acknowledge that these can be strong feelings. Ask: "What does a stormy feeling feel like?" "What can we do when our inner weather is stormy?" (e.g., take deep breaths, talk to someone).

Your Inner Weather Report!

Now it's your turn!

Draw how your inner weather feels today.
Use colors and pictures to show your feelings.

Explain the activity. Students will draw their own inner weather report on their worksheets. Guide them to think about how they are feeling right now and use colors and symbols. Refer to the My Inner Weather Report Worksheet.

Share Your Report

Let's share our inner weather with our classmates.

Remember to listen to your friends' feelings too!

Facilitate sharing. Students can share their drawings and explain their 'weather report'. Remind them that listening is important and that everyone's feelings are valid.

Remember: Weather Changes!

Your feelings can change, just like the weather outside.

It's good to notice your feelings and talk about them.

What do you think your inner weather will be tomorrow?

Conclude by emphasizing that feelings change, just like weather. Encourage students to observe their feelings and talk about them. Ask them to think about what their inner weather might be tomorrow.

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Worksheet

My Inner Weather Report

Name: ________________________

Date: ________________________

How does your inner weather feel today?

Draw a picture that shows how you are feeling inside right now. Is it sunny, cloudy, rainy, or stormy? Use colors to show your feelings!













My Weather Report:

Tell us about your drawing! What kind of weather is it, and what does it mean about how you feel?







What helps change your inner weather when it's stormy or rainy?




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Activity

My Inner Weather Report Activity: Sharing Circle

Objective:

Students will practice communicating their emotions using the weather metaphor and develop empathy by listening to their peers' feelings.

Materials:

  • Students' completed My Inner Weather Report Worksheet drawings
  • Comfortable space for a sharing circle

Instructions:

  1. Gather in a Circle (2 minutes)

    • Arrange students in a circle on the carpet or around desks so everyone can see each other.
    • Explain that this is a safe space to share their feelings.

  2. Model Sharing (3 minutes)

    • The teacher should go first, sharing their own inner weather report and explaining their drawing from the My Inner Weather Report Worksheet.
    • Example:
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