Big Feelings Lesson Plan Big Feelings, Little Hearts
Tier 1 Social-Emotional Learning • Kindergarten
30 Minutes
Why This Lesson
Providing a safe space to talk about grief helps young children build emotional vocabulary, foster empathy, and strengthen classroom community after a loss.
Preparation
TIME: 10 MINUTES
• Print Emotion Wheel Poster and Big Heart Craft Template (1 per student)
• Gather crayons and tissues at each table
• Set up chart paper on an easel with markers ready
• Arrange seating in a circle for support
• Review vocabulary on Emotion Wheel
Approach
Guided sharing, visual tools, and collaborative art.
Materials
Emotion Wheel Poster
Big Heart Craft Template
Crayons & Tissues
Chart Paper & Markers
Objective
Students will identify and express emotions related to loss, share and validate classmates’ feelings, and create a comforting memory heart to support one another.
Instructions
5'
Welcome and Breathing
• Greet students calmly; explain this is a safe time to share.
• Lead a simple breathing exercise: inhale for 3, exhale for 3.
5'
Explore Feelings
• Display the Emotion Wheel Poster .
• Point to and name feelings: happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised.
• Invite volunteers to share how they feel today and why.
7'
Discuss Loss
• Gently explain: it's okay to feel many emotions when someone dies.
• Model a memory of the classmate; invite others to share (optional).
• Record words under "Our Feelings" on chart paper.
10'
Big Heart Craft
• Give each student a Big Heart Craft Template and crayons.
• Draw/write something that reminds them of their classmate or brings comfort.
• Circulate to offer encouragement and help as needed.
3'
Closing Circle
• Place hearts in a memory box or on a memory wall.
• Reassure students: it's okay to feel sad or happy.
• Offer tissues and a listening ear.
Big Feelings Slides Social-Emotional Learning
Big Feelings,
Little Hearts
Understanding and sharing our feelings when we miss a friend.
Teacher Note: Welcome students warmly. Explain that this is a safe space to share how we feel and to remember our friend.
Welcome and Breathing
1
Inhale slowly for 3 counts .
2
Exhale slowly for 3 counts .
Repeat 3 times to settle into our circle.
Teacher Note: Lead students through the breathing. Model inhaling and exhaling slowly. Remind them: breathing helps us feel calm.
Explore Feelings
😀 Happy
😢 Sad
😠 Angry
😨 Scared
😲 Surprised
Let's name each feeling together.
Who would like to share how they feel today?
Teacher Note: Show the Emotion Wheel Poster. Point to each feeling and name it. Ask volunteers to share a time they've felt each emotion.
Talking about Loss
When someone we care about dies, it’s okay to feel many different emotions at once.
A memory to share:
"I remember when our friend loved to ________________."
Our Feelings:
We will write your words on chart paper
Teacher Note: Speak gently. Share a simple memory to model, then invite children to share words. Record their responses as "Our Feelings."
Big Heart Craft
Your Task
Draw a picture or write a comforting word for your classmate.
Decorate
Make your heart warm and colorful with your favorite crayons.
Teacher Note: Distribute templates and crayons. Encourage creativity. Remind them they can draw a word or picture. Offer support and praise.
Closing Circle
Place your decorated hearts in our Memory Box or on the Wall .
You are not alone.
It is always okay to feel sad, happy, or any feeling at all.
Thank you for supporting each other today. ❤️
Teacher Note: Bring children together. Invite them to place their hearts. Close by reassuring them it’s okay to talk about feelings anytime.
Memory Heart Craft Activity Name:
Date:
Memory Heart
Activity Sheet
My Special Memory
Think of a happy memory or a kind word about our classmate. Inside the big heart below, draw a picture or write a word that reminds you of them.
Cut out your heart along the dotted line when you are finished!
Teacher Notes
Classroom Guidance
• Remind students there’s no right or wrong way to remember someone—pictures, words, and colors all count.
• Encourage quiet reflection and offer help spelling words or sketching ideas.
Post-Activity
After cutting, have students place their hearts in a shared memory box or on a memory wall during the Closing Circle. This provides a physical representation of their shared care and community.
Breathing Warm-Up Guide Breathing Warm-Up
Tier 1 Social-Emotional Learning • Teacher Resource
"We’re going to help our bodies feel calm by breathing together."
Facilitation Steps
1
Sit Comfortably
Have students sit comfortably in a circle with their hands resting in their laps.
2
Explain the Purpose
Explain that taking deep breaths helps our brains and bodies feel ready to listen and share.
3
Demonstrate
Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 3 while raising your arms up. Hold briefly, then exhale for a count of 3 while lowering your arms.
4
"Ready? Inhale... 1, 2, 3; exhale... 1, 2, 3."
Lead the class through 3 rounds of this breathing together.
Facilitation Tips
• Model a calm, steady pace and encourage soft voices and gentle movements.
• Remind students: "If we feel upset or nervous, we can always use this breathing to help us feel better."
Feelings Circle Discussion Guide Feelings Circle
Guided Discussion Resource • Tier 1 SEL
Purpose
• Give every child a chance to share how they feel today.
• Help students recognize and name emotions using the visual wheel.
• Build empathy by listening and offering support.
Time 5–7 Minutes
Materials Emotion Wheel, Chart Paper, Soft Ball
Circle Guidelines
Sit with hands in lap or on knees.
Only the person with the object speaks.
Listen quietly and respectfully.
Every feeling is okay.
Prompt Guide
1. Check-In
"Show me on the Emotion Wheel how you feel right now. Can you say the word that matches your feeling?"
Follow-up: "What helps you feel calm when you notice this feeling?"
2. Remembering
"Who can share one word or picture in your mind when you think about our classmate?"
Follow-up: "How does sharing that memory make you feel?"
3. Supporting
"If a friend feels sad or scared, what can you do to help them feel better?"
Follow-up: "Who can give an example of a kind thing they’ve done before?"
Closing Reflection
"What is one thing you can tell yourself when you wake up tomorrow and you feel a big feeling?"
Handling Big Emotions
If a child is very upset, offer a tissue, a hug, or a quiet moment outside the circle. Acknowledge contributions with: "Thank you for sharing, that's brave."
Recording Thoughts
Record key words on chart paper under "Our Feelings." This visual record helps students see their experiences are shared by others.
Emotion Wheel Poster My Emotion Wheel
How am I feeling today?
😀
Happy
Smiling face, warm heart, feeling light and ready to play!
😢
Sad
Tears or frown, heavy chest, wanting a hug or quiet time.
😠
Angry
Frowning, hot face, tight body, feeling like things are unfair.
😨
Scared
Wide eyes, butterflies in stomach, wanting to hide or stay close.
😲
Surprised
Raised eyebrows, open mouth, feeling a quick beat in my heart!
All feelings are okay!
Everyone has these feelings sometimes. If they feel too big, we can always stop and take our 3 slow breaths together.
