What's Your Inner Weather Report?

Sofia Maj

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Inner Weather Report

Students will be able to identify and articulate their current emotional states using a weather metaphor.

Understanding and expressing emotions is crucial for self-awareness, which helps students manage their feelings and build healthier relationships.

Audience

4th Grade Class

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and creative mapping.

Materials

Emotional Forecast Presentation, Daily Emotional Thermometer Check-in, My Emotional Weather Map, and Markers or colored pencils

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Review the Inner Weather Report Lesson Guide and all supporting materials: Emotional Forecast Presentation, Daily Emotional Thermometer Check-in, and My Emotional Weather Map. Ensure the projector/screen is set up for the slide deck and gather markers or colored pencils for students.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-up (10 minutes)

10 minutes

Begin by displaying the first slide of the Emotional Forecast Presentation.
Introduce the concept of 'inner weather' to students. Explain that just like the weather outside, our feelings can change and can be described using different weather patterns.
Facilitate the Daily Emotional Thermometer Check-in activity. Ask students to share their current emotional 'weather' using words or quick drawings.

Step 2

Exploring Emotional Weather (15 minutes)

15 minutes

Advance through the Emotional Forecast Presentation slides, discussing different 'emotional weather' types (e.g., sunny for happy, stormy for angry, cloudy for sad, breezy for calm).
For each weather type, discuss what it might feel like in their bodies and what thoughts might come with it. Encourage students to share examples (e.g., 'When I feel stormy, my face gets red and I might want to yell').
Emphasize that all 'weather' is okay, and it's important to recognize and understand it.

Step 3

My Emotional Weather Map (15 minutes)

15 minutes

Distribute the My Emotional Weather Map worksheet and markers/colored pencils.
Explain that students will create their own personal emotional weather map, drawing or writing how different emotions might look as weather phenomena on their map.
Circulate and provide support, encouraging creative expression and thoughtful reflection. Remind them to think about what helps change their inner weather.

Step 4

Wrap-up & Share (5 minutes)

5 minutes

Invite a few volunteers to share a part of their My Emotional Weather Map with the class, explaining one 'weather pattern' and what it means for them.
Conclude by reiterating that recognizing our inner weather is the first step to understanding ourselves better and managing our feelings.

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Slide Deck

What's Your Inner Weather Report?

Just like the weather outside, our feelings can change! Today, we'll learn to check our 'inner weather.'

Think: What kind of weather matches how you feel right now?

Welcome students and introduce the idea of emotions being like weather. Ask them to think about how weather changes daily.

Daily Check-in: How's the Weather Within?

Let's take a moment to check in with our feelings.

Sunny? (Happy, joyful, bright)
Cloudy? (A little sad, thoughtful, quiet)
Stormy? (Angry, frustrated, overwhelmed)
Breezy? (Calm, relaxed, peaceful)
Rainy? (Tearful, gloomy, down)

What's your inner weather today?

Introduce the Daily Emotional Thermometer Check-in. Explain that this is a simple way to see how everyone is feeling. Encourage participation.

Sunny Skies: Happy & Bright

When you feel 'sunny,' you might feel:

Happy, joyful, excited
Light and energetic
Like smiling or laughing

What makes your inner weather 'sunny'?

Discuss 'Sunny' emotions. Ask students for examples of things that make them feel sunny. Talk about what 'sunny' feels like in their bodies.

Cloudy Days: A Bit Gloomy or Thoughtful

When you feel 'cloudy,' you might feel:

A little sad or quiet
Unsure or confused
Like you need time to think

It's okay for clouds to pass through.

Discuss 'Cloudy' emotions. Emphasize that it's okay to feel cloudy sometimes. Ask what might make them feel cloudy.

Stormy Weather: Angry & Frustrated

When you feel 'stormy,' you might feel:

Angry, frustrated, or upset
Tense in your body, maybe your face gets hot
Like you want to yell or stomp

How can we calm our storms?

Discuss 'Stormy' emotions. Explain that anger is a normal emotion, but it's important to recognize it and find healthy ways to respond. Brainstorm safe ways to handle stormy feelings.

Breezy & Calm: Peaceful Moments

When you feel 'breezy,' you might feel:

Calm, relaxed, peaceful
Your body feels loose
You can think clearly

How do you invite a 'breeze' into your day?

Discuss 'Breezy' emotions. Ask students what helps them feel calm and relaxed.

Create Your Own Emotional Weather Map!

Now it's your turn to be a meteorologist of your emotions!

On your worksheet, draw or write about different 'weather patterns' for your feelings.
What does happy look like as weather? What about sad or calm?
Think about what helps change your inner weather.

Introduce the 'Emotional Weather Map' activity. Explain that they will be creating their own map of feelings. Encourage creativity.

Your Inner Weather Report: A Daily Practice

Remember, knowing your 'inner weather' helps you understand yourself better!

It's okay for your weather to change.
Learning to read your forecast helps you prepare for your day.

Conclude by emphasizing the importance of recognizing and naming feelings to better understand and manage them. Remind them that all feelings are valid.