Lesson Plan
My Words, My Voice
The student will be able to identify and verbalize at least three different emotions using appropriate feeling words.
Learning to express feelings with words helps students communicate their needs, reduce frustration, and develop healthier ways to cope with strong emotions.
Audience
2nd Grade Student (Tier 3 Individual Support)
Time
25 Minutes
Approach
Through visual aids, guided practice, and role-playing, the student will connect emotions to specific words and practice verbalizing them.
Materials
- Feelings Flashcards, - Feeling Scenario Cards, - My Feelings Journal, and - Pencils or crayons
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 Minutes
- Review the My Words, My Voice Lesson Plan to ensure familiarity with the steps and objectives.
- Print and cut out the Feelings Flashcards. Consider laminating them for durability if you plan to use them repeatedly.
- Print and cut out the Feeling Scenario Cards.
- Print copies of the My Feelings Journal.
- Gather pencils or crayons for the student.
- Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can work one-on-one with the student without distractions.
Step 1
Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling Today?
2 Minutes
- Greet the student with a calm, friendly tone.
- Start with a simple check-in: "Hi [Student's Name]! How are you feeling right now?"
- Briefly share how you are feeling to model verbal expression (e.g., "I'm feeling calm and happy to work with you today.")
- Acknowledge their response, no matter how brief.
Step 2
Introducing Feelings Words
5 Minutes
- Introduce the Feelings Flashcards.
- "Today, we're going to learn about using our words to tell people how we feel. It's really helpful to share our feelings so others can understand us and help us when we need it."
- Go through each flashcard, stating the emotion clearly. Encourage the student to mimic the facial expression or body language for each emotion, and then repeat the emotion word after you. "This is 'Happy'. When you're smiling and feel good inside, you might be happy."
- Discuss a simple situation where one might feel that emotion (e.g., "You might feel happy when you play with your favorite toy.").
Step 3
Practice: Matching Feelings to Scenarios
8 Minutes
- Lay out the Feelings Flashcards on the floor or a large table. Present a simple scenario or show a picture depicting an emotion (e.g., a child dropping an ice cream cone, a child getting a new puppy).
- Ask the student, "How might the person in this picture/story be feeling? Can you walk to or point to the flashcard that shows that feeling? What words could they use to tell us?"
- Encourage the student to say the emotion word aloud. Prompt them if needed: "They might feel... [sad]? Can you say 'sad'?"
- Guide the student through a few different scenarios, gradually encouraging them to verbalize the feeling more independently.
- Transition to the My Feelings Journal: "Now, let's pick one or two feelings we talked about. Can you draw a picture in your journal about a time you felt that way? While you draw, we can talk about what words you used, or what words you could use next time to tell someone how you feel." Provide support for drawing or writing, focusing on the verbal expression aspect and minimizing prolonged seated time.
Step 4
Role-Play: What Would You Say?
7 Minutes
- Use the Feeling Scenario Cards. "Now, let's pretend we are in some of these situations. I will read a card, and you can tell me how you might feel and what words you could use to tell someone."
- For each scenario, ask: "How would you feel? What words could you use to tell someone you feel that way?" Encourage the student to also show with their body or face how they might feel.
- Model appropriate verbal responses as needed (e.g., "I feel sad because my toy broke.").
- Encourage the student to use their words and the flashcards to help them express the feeling verbally. Provide positive reinforcement for any attempt to verbalize.
Step 5
Cool-Down: My Words Are Important
3 Minutes
- Briefly review the emotions discussed. "We talked about being happy, sad, angry, and scared today."
- Reiterate the main takeaway: "Remember, your words are important! When you use your words to tell us how you feel, we can understand you better and help you. It helps us know what you need."
- Praise their effort: "You did a great job today practicing your feelings words and trying to tell me how you would feel. I'm really proud of you for trying!"
- End with a positive and encouraging statement.
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Activity
Feelings Flashcards
Instructions: Print and cut out these flashcards. Use them as visual aids to help the student identify and verbalize different emotions.
Happy 😊
Sad 😢
Angry 😠
Scared 😟
Surprised 😮
Confused 🤔
Excited 🤩
Activity
Feeling Scenario Cards
Instructions: Print and cut out these cards. Use them for role-playing activities to help the student practice verbalizing emotions in different situations.
Scenario 1
Your friend accidentally knocks over your block tower you worked hard on.
How would you feel? What words could you use to tell your friend or a grown-up?
Scenario 2
It's your birthday, and you get to open presents!
How would you feel? What words could you use to tell someone?
Scenario 3
You are playing outside, and a big dog barks loudly right next to you.
How would you feel? What words could you use to tell a grown-up?
Scenario 4
You finished all your homework and can now play your favorite game.
How would you feel? What words could you use to tell someone?
Scenario 5
You can't find your favorite toy, and you've looked everywhere.
How would you feel? What words could you use to tell a grown-up?
Scenario 6
Your teacher says it's time for silent reading, but you really want to talk to your friend.
How would you feel? What words could you use to tell a grown-up later?
Game
Safe Choices Match-Up Game
Instructions: Print and cut out the 'Situation Cards' and 'Safe Choice Cards'. Shuffle both sets of cards. Lay out the 'Situation Cards' face up. Have the student pick a 'Safe Choice Card' and explain which 'Situation Card' it would help with, and why. Alternatively, lay out both sets face down and play a memory-style matching game.
Situation Cards
Card 1
I feel really frustrated because my drawing isn't turning out right.
Card 2
I feel angry because my friend took my toy without asking.
Card 3
I feel sad because I miss my family.
Card 4
I feel too loud and need a quiet moment.
Card 5
I feel confused about what to do next.
Safe Choice Cards
Card A
Talk to my teacher, Mr./Ms. [Teacher's Name].
Card B
Go to the quiet corner/calm down space.
Card C
Ask for a short break.
Card D
Draw a picture or write in my journal.
Card E
Use my words to tell someone how I feel.
Journal
My Feelings Journal
Name: _____________________________
Date: ______________________________
Today I feel...
Draw a picture of how you feel right now. Then, try to use your words to describe it.
My words for how I feel are: _____________________________________________________________________
A time I felt HAPPY was when...
Draw or write about a time you felt happy. What words did you use or could you use to tell someone?
I could say: _____________________________________________________________________
A time I felt SAD was when...
Draw or write about a time you felt sad. What words did you use or could you use to tell someone?
I could say: _____________________________________________________________________
A time I felt ANGRY was when...
Draw or write about a time you felt angry. What words did you use or could you use to tell someone?
I could say: _____________________________________________________________________