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Vacation to Classroom

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Lesson Plan

Vacation to Classroom Lesson Plan

Students will reflect on vacation experiences, identify and share emotions, and co-create strategies for a smooth return to the classroom.

Reentry after a break can be unsettling. This SEL lesson helps 2nd graders process feelings, strengthen peer connections, and reengage classroom routines.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection, sharing, and collaborative brainstorming.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Check-In

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle around the chart paper
  • Explain that today’s lesson focuses on feelings about returning from vacation
  • Invite a few volunteers to name where they went and one fun thing they did

Step 2

Vacation Reflection

10 minutes

  • Distribute Vacation Reflection Worksheet
  • Ask students to draw or write about their favorite vacation moment
  • Encourage them to note how they felt during that moment

Step 3

Emotion Sharing

8 minutes

  • Show Emotion Faces Cards
  • Have students select a card matching how they felt during and after their vacation
  • Pair students to share their worksheet and chosen emotion card with a partner

Step 4

Transition Strategies

5 minutes

  • Present the Transition Strategies Chart on chart paper
  • Brainstorm simple strategies to feel ready for class (e.g., deep breaths, talking with a friend)
  • Record student ideas on the chart

Step 5

Closing and Next Steps

2 minutes

  • Summarize the strategies and emotions discussed
  • Remind students they can use these tools anytime they need support
  • Thank everyone for sharing and smoothly transition to the next activity
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Slide Deck

Vacation to Classroom

Today we’ll:
• Share about our vacations
• Talk about how we felt
• Brainstorm ways to feel ready for school

Welcome students and set a positive tone. Introduce today’s goal: reflecting on vacation and transitioning back to class. briefly review objectives: share experiences, talk about feelings, and create helpful strategies.

Welcome and Check-In

Questions to answer:
• Where did you go on your vacation?
• What was one fun thing you did?
• How did you feel when you came back to school?

Gather students in a circle around your chart paper. Invite volunteers to answer the prompts. Use this time to learn about where each child went and what they enjoyed most.

Vacation Reflection

• Draw or write about your favorite vacation moment
• Describe how you felt during that moment
• Use colors or pictures to show your mood
(Material: Vacation Reflection Worksheet)

Distribute copies of the Vacation Reflection Worksheet. Encourage students to draw or write about their favorite vacation moment and note the emotion they felt. Circulate to support any students who need help expressing ideas.

Emotion Sharing

• Choose an emotion card that matches how you felt
• Pair up and share:
– Your vacation drawing/writing
– Why you picked that feeling card
(Material: Emotion Faces Cards)

Show the Emotion Faces Cards so students remember the range of emotions. Model choosing a card that matches your own vacation feeling. Then have students pair up to share their worksheet and chosen card.

Transition Strategies

Brainstorm ways to feel ready for class:
• Take deep breaths
• Talk with a friend
• Stretch or move quietly
• Use a fidget toy
• Positive self-talk
(Material: Transition Strategies Chart)

Display the Transition Strategies Chart on chart paper. Ask students to suggest simple strategies for feeling calm and ready. Record each idea, praising contributions.

Closing and Next Steps

• Review our top transition strategies
• Remember: it’s OK to share feelings anytime
• Thank you for participating!

Summarize the strategies and emotions discussed. Remind students they can use these tools anytime they need support. Thank them for sharing and smoothly transition to the next classroom activity.

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Worksheet

Vacation Reflection Worksheet

1. Draw Your Favorite Vacation Moment

Draw a picture of your most fun or special moment during your vacation:











2. Describe Your Moment

In a few sentences, write about what you drew. Where were you? What were you doing?





3. How Did You Feel?

Use words or draw a small face to show how you felt during that moment. You can choose from happy, excited, calm, surprised, or another feeling you want to share:





Bonus (if you have time):
What is one thing you’re looking forward to now that you’re back at school?





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Activity

Emotion Faces Cards

Cut apart these cards so each student can choose one to show how they’re feeling. You can print and then cut along the lines.

Happy 😊

I feel joyful, smiling, and full of energy.

Excited 🤩

I feel thrilled, eager, and can’t wait for what’s next.

Calm 😌

I feel peaceful, relaxed, and at ease.

Surprised 😲

I feel amazed, caught off guard, or curious.

Sad 😢

I feel down, disappointed, or a bit tearful.

Nervous 😬

I feel jittery, unsure, or a little worried.

Your Own ✏️

Draw a face and write the word for any other feeling you have today.

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Activity

Transition Strategies Chart

Use this chart to record our class’s ideas for feeling calm and ready after vacation. Write each strategy and draw or describe when to use it.

StrategyWhen I Can Use It
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________________________
6. __________________________________________________________________
7. __________________________________________________________________
8. __________________________________________________________________

Teacher can display this on chart paper and fill in as students share their ideas.

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lenny