Feelings Check-In Cards

Description: A set of 8 colorful, printable cards—each featuring a different emotion word paired with a matching facial-expression illustration. Students choose one card that reflects how they feel today and share it with a partner.

Cards (Print and Cut Along Borders)

Instructions for Use

1. Print the card sheet (one set per 4–6 students).
2. Cut out cards along the solid lines.
3. At the start of class, lay cards face-up on a table or distribute one per student.
4. Ask each student to pick the card that best shows how they feel today.
5. In pairs, students share why they chose that emotion.
6. Return cards for next time or let students keep theirs during the lesson.

Print Notes:

• Use sturdy cardstock for durability.
• Laminate if you plan to reuse throughout the year.
• Optional: Add Velcro dots for use on a classroom feelings chart.

Treasure-Hunt Emotion Stations Setup

Description: Students rotate through four summer-themed Emotion Stations, completing a quick challenge at each to practice identifying feelings, building self-awareness, and using self-management strategies. Teams earn a sticker at every stop before moving on.

Overview & Rotation

• Teams of 3–4 students
• 4 stations around the room
• 5 minutes per station
• Chime, timer bell, or slide cue signals rotation
• Teams follow a clockwise path to the next station

Materials for Each Station

• Station sign and instruction card
• Station-specific activity materials (detailed below)
• A small themed sticker (sun, seashell, palm tree, or ice pop)
• Team recording sheet or sticker chart

Scavenger Hunt Sticker System

1. At each station, teams complete the task and find their station’s hidden sticker pack.
2. They peel off the matching sticker and place it on their team’s chart.
3. Once they collect all four stickers, they return to the home base for reflection.

Station Details

1. Emotion Identification Station

Materials:

• Emotion Word Cards (happy, sad, angry, surprised)
• Facial Expression Cards (illustrations)
  Instructions:
• Match each word card to the correct face.
• When you’re confident, grab your station sticker and add it to your chart.

2. Self-Awareness Puzzle Station

Materials:

• Scenario Cards (e.g., “You drop your ice cream,” “You win a beach game”)
• Emotion Labels (calm, excited, nervous, frustrated)
  Instructions:
• Read each scenario and decide which emotion it might bring.
• Place the scenario under its emotion label, then collect your sticker.

3. Self-Management Maze Station

Materials:

• Paper Maze with branching paths
• Calming Strategy Prompt Cards (deep breath, count to five, positive self-talk)
  Instructions:
• Start at the maze entrance and choose a calming strategy at each fork.
• Follow the correct path out of the maze, then take your sticker.

4. Emotion Charades Station

Materials:

• Emotion Prompt Cards (words and emoji icons)
  Instructions:
• One student picks a prompt and silently acts it out.
• Team members guess the emotion. Rotate actors so everyone has a turn.
• After four charades, grab your station sticker.

Reflection Sun Journals

☀️ Name: ____________________ Date: ________________

1. My favorite station and why:

2. One new strategy I’ll try next time I feel this way:

3. How did you feel during the Emotion Adventure? (Draw or write about your feelings below)

Great job, Emotion Explorer! Keep using these strategies all summer long.