Teacher Script: What's The Weather Inside?

Warm-Up: Weather Check-In (5 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone! Let's start by thinking about the actual weather outside today. Is it sunny? Cloudy? Maybe a little rainy? How does that weather make you feel? (Pause for responses)."

"Now, I have a fun question for you. Have you ever noticed that sometimes, our feelings can feel a lot like different kinds of weather? Today, we're going to talk about our 'inner weather' and how it helps us understand our feelings! Let's look at our first slide."

Introducing Feelings as Weather (10 minutes)

(Display Feelings Forecast Slide Deck - Slide 2: Sunny Days = Happy Hearts!)

"Look at this beautiful sunny day! When we feel 'sunny' inside, what do you think that means? (Pause for responses.) That's right! Sunny feelings are happy feelings! They can be joyful, excited, or even just feeling peaceful and calm. When was a time you felt really sunny inside? What made you feel that way? (Encourage a few students to share.)"

(Display Feelings Forecast Slide Deck - Slide 3: Cloudy Skies = Quiet Moments)

"Sometimes, our inner weather might feel a bit cloudy. When you feel 'cloudy,' what might that feel like? (Pause for responses.) Yes, cloudy feelings can mean we're a little sad or gloomy. But sometimes, cloudy can also mean we're just quiet, thoughtful, or even a bit bored. It's totally okay to have cloudy days! What makes you feel cloudy sometimes? (Share and validate feelings.)"

(Display Feelings Forecast Slide Deck - Slide 4: Stormy Weather = Big Emotions)

"Uh oh, here comes a storm! When our inner weather is 'stormy,' these are usually our big, strong emotions. What kind of feelings do you think 'stormy' could represent? (Pause for responses.) Exactly! Anger, frustration, feeling annoyed, or very upset! When a storm comes, what do we usually do? We try to find shelter, right? When we feel stormy inside, it's important to find safe ways to calm our storm, like taking deep breaths or talking to a grown-up. What does a stormy feeling feel like in your body? (Guide students to describe physical sensations without judgment.)"

(Display Feelings Forecast Slide Deck - Slide 5: Windy Worries = Anxious Feelings)

"Sometimes, the wind picks up, and we feel 'windy' inside. This can mean we're feeling worried or a little anxious about something. What kind of things might make you feel windy? (Pause for responses.) It's normal to feel windy sometimes. What helps you feel calmer when those windy worries start blowing? (Encourage strategies like talking, drawing, or a favorite calming activity.)"

My Inner Weather Report Activity (10 minutes)

"Now, it's your turn to be a weather reporter for your own feelings! I'm going to give each of you a worksheet called My Inner Weather Report Worksheet."

"On this worksheet, I want you to draw a picture or write about a time you felt a certain way, using one of our weather metaphors. So, if you felt really happy, you might draw a sunny day! If you felt frustrated, you might draw a storm. Then, write a sentence or two about what that feeling was like or what caused it. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, and all feelings are okay. I'll be walking around to help and answer any questions. For those who like to stick to the rules, remember that even cloudy days can be about being quiet or thoughtful, not just sad!"

(Circulate, offer prompts and support. For students with rigid thinking, gently ask questions like, 'What if this feeling was a little bit cloudy but also had a tiny peek of sun? Feelings can be mixed sometimes!' or 'Can you imagine a feeling that is like light rain – not a big storm, but just a gentle shower?')

Share and Reflect (Cool Down) (5 minutes)

"Alright, class, let's bring it back together. Who would like to share their 'Inner Weather Report' with us? (Invite a few volunteers.) That's wonderful sharing!"

(After a few shares)

"So, what did we learn today about our feelings and inner weather? (Guide responses towards: feelings change, all feelings are okay, it's good to talk about them.)"

(Display Feelings Forecast Slide Deck - Slide 6: Our Feelings Forecast)

"Just like the weather outside, our inner weather can change all the time. One moment it might be sunny, and the next, a little cloudy. And that's perfectly normal! The most important thing is that we recognize our feelings and find healthy ways to respond to them. Great job today, weather reporters!"

My Inner Weather Report

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________

Part 1: Draw Your Inner Weather

Think about a feeling you've had recently. What kind of weather does that feeling remind you of? Draw your 'inner weather' in the box below. You can draw sun, clouds, rain, wind, or even a rainbow!

Part 2: Tell Us About Your Weather

1. What feeling did you draw?
   
   
   

2. What kind of 'weather' was that feeling? (Circle one)

   • Sunny (Happy, joyful, excited)
   • Cloudy (Sad, quiet, thoughtful)
   • Stormy (Angry, frustrated, upset)
   • Windy (Worried, nervous, anxious)
   • Other: ____________________

3. What happened that made you feel this way? Or what did that feeling feel like inside you? (Write a few sentences.)

4. Remember, feelings change! What could you do when you feel this way to help your 'inner weather' shift, if you want it to? (For example, if you're stormy, what helps you calm down?)