Lesson Plan
Pumpkin Emotions Patch Lesson Plan
Students will identify and express four basic emotions (happy, sad, angry, surprised) by decorating pumpkin faces and discussing feelings, strengthening emotional vocabulary and self-awareness.
Understanding and expressing emotions helps students manage feelings, develop empathy, and build positive relationships; this engaging pumpkin theme makes SEL accessible and seasonal.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on pumpkin decorating + guided discussion
Materials
- Pumpkin Emotions Cards, - Blank Pumpkin Worksheet, - Emotion Word List, - Crayons and Markers, - Scissors and Glue, and - Chart Paper and Marker
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Pumpkin Emotions Cards
- Print one Blank Pumpkin Worksheet for each student
- Print & cut out the Pumpkin Emotions Cards
- Review the Emotion Word List
- Gather crayons, markers, scissors, glue, chart paper, and a marker
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle.
- Introduce seasonal pumpkins and ask: “What do you know about pumpkins?”
- Transition by explaining: “Today we'll use pumpkins to learn about our emotions!”
Step 2
Emotion Identification
10 minutes
- Display each Pumpkin Emotions Card one at a time.
- Ask: “What emotion is this pumpkin feeling?” Encourage use of words from the Emotion Word List.
- Discuss examples of when they’ve felt each emotion.
- Record student responses on chart paper.
Step 3
Pumpkin Decorating Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute a Blank Pumpkin Worksheet to each student.
- Have students pick an emotion card and decorate their pumpkin to match that feeling using crayons and markers.
- Instruct them to label facial features (eyes, mouth) and write the emotion word below.
- Circulate to support vocabulary use and creativity.
Step 4
Sharing & Reflection
5 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share their decorated pumpkins and explain how their pumpkin feels.
- Ask classmates to identify the emotion shown.
- Conclude with: “How can recognizing feelings in ourselves and others help us?”
- Summarize key emotion words and praise insightful reflections.
Slide Deck
Pumpkin Emotions Patch
2nd Grade • Tier 2 Group Lesson
30 minutes
Exploring Emotions Through Pumpkin Decorations
Welcome everyone to our Pumpkin Emotions Patch lesson. Introduce yourself and explain that today we’ll learn about our feelings by decorating pumpkins. Get students excited about the seasonal theme and set a positive tone.
Objectives & Why
- Identify and express four basic emotions: happy, sad, angry, surprised
- Strengthen emotional vocabulary and self-awareness
Why?
Understanding and expressing feelings helps us manage emotions, develop empathy, and build positive relationships.
Review the objectives so students know what they’ll accomplish and why it matters. Emphasize that naming and talking about feelings helps us understand ourselves and others.
Materials
- Pumpkin Emotions Cards
- Blank Pumpkin Worksheet
- Emotion Word List
- Crayons and Markers
- Scissors and Glue
- Chart Paper and Marker
Quickly check that all materials are ready. Remind students they’ll use the cards, worksheet, and art supplies during the lesson.
Warm-Up Discussion
- Gather in a circle and look at a pumpkin (real or picture)
- Ask: “What do you know about pumpkins?”
- Transition: “Today we’ll use pumpkins to learn about our emotions!”
Encourage students to engage. If needed, show a real pumpkin or photo to spark interest. Guide their sharing gently to build confidence.
Emotion Word List
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Surprised
Go through each emotion word slowly. Ask for examples or synonyms (“What’s another word for happy?”). Reinforce correct uses.
Emotion Identification
- Display each Pumpkin Emotions Cards one at a time
- Ask: “What emotion is this pumpkin feeling?”
- Encourage use of words from the Emotion Word List
- Record examples and personal connections on chart paper
Display each card clearly. Pause after showing to let students name the emotion. Write examples on chart paper to make connections.
Pumpkin Decorating Activity
- Distribute a Blank Pumpkin Worksheet to each student
- Students pick an emotion card and decorate their pumpkin to match that feeling
- Label facial features (eyes, mouth) and write the emotion word below
- Circulate to support vocabulary use and creativity
Guide students step-by-step. Encourage creativity while making sure labels and words are clear. Offer vocabulary support as they work.
Sharing & Reflection
- Volunteers share their decorated pumpkins and explain the feeling
- Classmates identify the emotion shown
- Discuss: “How can recognizing feelings help us in school and at home?”
- Summarize key emotion words and praise insights
Invite each volunteer to share. Praise participation and thoughtful answers. Emphasize how recognizing feelings helps us communicate and care for one another.
Great Job!
Thank you for exploring feelings with pumpkins today!
Keep using these skills to understand and share emotions.
Thank students for their hard work. Encourage them to notice emotions in themselves and friends throughout the day.
Worksheet
Blank Pumpkin Worksheet
Instructions:
- Choose one emotion from the Pumpkin Emotions Cards.
- Draw your pumpkin’s face to show that emotion in the space below.
- Label the facial features (eyes, mouth, eyebrows) that help show the feeling.
- Write the emotion word on the line at the bottom.
Draw your pumpkin here:
Label your pumpkin’s features:
Eyes: ____________________________
Mouth: ___________________________
Eyebrows: ________________________
Emotion word: ____________________________
Activity
Pumpkin Emotions Cards
Print and cut along the dotted lines. Each card shows a pumpkin face and the emotion word below. Use during the Emotion Identification step to help students name and discuss feelings.
----- cut here -----
Happy
[Insert pumpkin face illustration depicting a smiling pumpkin with upturned eyes]
----- cut here -----
Sad
[Insert pumpkin face illustration depicting a frowning pumpkin with downturned eyes]
----- cut here -----
Angry
[Insert pumpkin face illustration depicting a scowling pumpkin with furrowed brows]
----- cut here -----
Surprised
[Insert pumpkin face illustration depicting a pumpkin with wide, round eyes and open mouth]
----- cut here -----
Reading
Emotion Word List
Below are four basic emotions. Read each definition and example to help you understand how people feel.
Happy
Definition: Feeling joy or pleasure.
Example: You feel happy when you play with your best friend or eat your favorite snack.
Sad
Definition: Feeling unhappy or upset.
Example: You feel sad when you lose a toy or when it rains and you can’t play outside.
Angry
Definition: Feeling mad or frustrated.
Example: You feel angry when someone takes your turn in a game or when things don't go your way.
Surprised
Definition: Feeling shocked or amazed by something unexpected.
Example: You feel surprised when you get a birthday present you didn’t expect.