Calm Weather Lesson Plan SEL Mini-Unit Pre-K – Grade 2
The Calm Weather Report
Emotional Regulation, Bodily Awareness & Grounding Strategies
Duration: 35–45 min
Setting: Whole Group & Pairs
Learning Objectives
Identify physical body sensations associated with 4 weather states (sunny, rainy, stormy, windy).
Communicate current emotional states without judgment using weather metaphors.
Perform at least two somatic calming routines (Rainbow Breathing and Tree Grounding).
SEL Competencies
Self-Awareness: Identifying emotions and somatic sensations.
Self-Management: Stress regulation and coping mechanisms.
Metaphor Architecture & Body Cues
Sunny & Warm
Calm, joyful, focused
Soft shoulders, steady smile
Rainy & Drizzly
Sad, lonely, fatigued
Heavy head, slumped back
Stormy & Booming
Angry, frustrated, overwhelmed
Clenched fists, racing pulse
Windy & Swirling
Silly, restless, worried
Jittery feet, racing thoughts
Instructional Flow: Part 1
Phase 1: Spark & Sky Observation (8 min) Slides 1–2
Look outside classroom window. Ask students: "Can anyone force the rain to stop right this second?" No. Weather comes and goes on its own. Explain that inside our minds and chests, feelings are just like weather patterns.
"Say this with me: 'There are no bad types of weather. Rainy days help plants grow, storms clear the air, and sunshine warms our skin. All weather is welcome here.'"
Phase 2: The Four Weather Stations & Body Radar (12 min) Slides 3–4
Guide students through somatic postures for each state. Have students mirror physical cues: clench fists and stomp lightly for Stormy , drape arms like noodles for Rainy , wiggle toes and flutter fingers for Windy , and take a long smooth exhale for Sunny .
Introduce the Body Radar : where do we notice the forecast first? (Tummy butterfly knots, chest flutter, heavy eyes, clenched jaw).
The Calm Weather Report • Teacher Instructional Guide Page 1 of 2
Grounding Strategies & Classroom Integration
Part 2: Pacing & Tools
Tool 1: Rainbow Arc Breathing
When: Stormy or frustrated.
Action: Trace an imaginary rainbow with arms overhead while inhaling for 4 counts, then paint the ground while exhaling for 4 counts. Repeat 3 times.
Tool 2: The Rooted Mountain Anchor
When: Windy, scattered, or wiggly.
Action: Plant both feet flat like heavy tree roots. Press palms together at heart level. Feel the floor holding you sturdy no matter how fast the wind blows.
Tool 3: The Cloud Blanket Hug
When: Rainy, lonely, or low energy.
Action: Cross arms across chest, placing hands on opposite shoulders. Give a firm, soothing 5-second gentle squeeze, rocking gently side to side.
Tool 4: Sunshine Ray Stretch
When: Sluggish or transitioning.
Action: Reach fingers wide like golden sun rays toward the ceiling on tiptoes, breathe in light, and melt downward like warm butter on an exhale.
Phase 3: Interactive Practice & Student Activity (15 min) Warmup & Activity Sheets
Distribute the Morning Forecast Warmup and Calm Skies Activity . Guide students to check their internal radar, circle their current sky status, identify body locations, and craft their pocket calming toolkit.
Phase 4: Synthesis & Daily Routine Transition (5 min) Closure
Establish the "Weather Check-in Anchor Chart" in the classroom meeting area. Teach students that before reacting or shouting, they can raise two fingers to signal a "Lightning Alert" and immediately take their Rainbow Breath.
Developmental Adaptations
Pre-K & Kindergarten
Use physical feeling cards and mirror gestures rather than written words.
Practice tactile breath: hold up fingers as "birthday candles" to blow clouds away.
Provide pre-cut activity pieces with glue sticks.
1st & 2nd Grade
Have students write 1 sentence describing their body sensation ("My belly feels tight like thunder").
Introduce secondary weather mixes: "Partly Sunny" or "Sun-Shower" (mixed emotions).
Role-play peer support: "What can you offer a friend with a rainy sky?"
Formative Observation Checklist
1. Identification Student can point to or name their current weather state without distress or shame.
2. Somatic Link Student connects physical feeling (heart, tummy, hands) to the emotional label.
3. Grounding Practice Student participates in at least one breath or physical anchor strategy.
The Calm Weather Report • Teacher Instructional Guide Page 2 of 2
Feelings Forecast Slide Deck Inner Sky SEL Series
Pre-K to Grade 2
The Calm Weather
Report
How is the weather inside your body and mind today?
Every feeling is welcome in our sky!
Weather Truth #1
Feelings Come and Go
Outside Weather
Clouds float in, rain falls down, and then the warm sunshine returns. We do not judge the rain!
Inside Weather
Your feelings are just like the clouds. Even when a storm feels big, sunny blue skies are always underneath.
Repeat together: "There are no bad types of weather!"
The 4 Weather Stations
What Does Your Sky Look Like?
Sunny
Happy & Calm
Ready to learn
Rainy
Sad or Tired
Needs a soft hug
Stormy
Mad or Upset
Needs space to calm
Windy
Silly or Wiggly
Needs steady feet
Point with your finger: which weather matches you right now?
Check Your Body Radar
Our Body Gives Us Weather Clues!
In the Head
Spinning thoughts or peaceful silence
In the Heart
Beating fast like drums or slow like a cat
In the Tummy
Fluttering butterflies or tight knots
In Hands & Feet
Tight clenched fists or bouncy wiggly toes
Place one gentle hand on your tummy. Notice what it feels like right now!
Grounding Tool #1
The Rainbow Breath
Great for Storms & Frustration
1
Breathe IN (Arms Up!)
Paint a huge rainbow across the sky with your fingers. Count slowly: 1... 2... 3... 4!
2
Breathe OUT (Arms Down!)
Blow the storm clouds away like blowing dandelion seeds. Count: 1... 2... 3... 4!
Let's practice 3 Rainbow Breaths together right now!
Grounding Tool #2
The Rooted Mountain Anchor
Great for Windy & Silly Energy
1. Plant Feet
Stomp both shoes flat on the floor like deep tree roots.
2. Press Hands
Press palms together right at your chest. Feel your center.
3. Stand Strong
The wind can howl outside, but the mountain stays rock steady!
Feel your strong feet on the floor. You are safe, sturdy, and calm.
Morning Forecast Warmup Daily Feelings Check-In
My Morning Weather Report
Name:
Date:
Check in with your body and heart. How is the weather inside your sky right now? All weather is welcome!
1 Circle the weather inside you right now:
Sunny Calm & Happy
Rainy Sad or Sleepy
Stormy Angry or Upset
Windy Silly or Wiggly
2 Where do you feel this weather? (Color or check the body spots)
In my Head Fast or quiet ideas
In my Chest Fast or calm beats
In my Tummy Butterflies or tight
In my Hands/Feet Tight fists or wiggles
3 Pick one Calming Tool to help your sky today:
Rainbow Breath Arms up & down
Mountain Feet Flat strong roots
Cloud Hug Arms crossed cozy
Sunshine Stretch Tall ray stretch
4 Draw your sky right now:
Draw clouds, sunbeams, raindrops, or colors!
Today I remember: All kinds of weather make me special! The Calm Weather Report • Warm-Up
Calm Skies Activity Hands-On SEL Activity
My Calm Weather Wheel
Name:
Date:
Directions: Color each weather wedge. Cut out the arrow below and use a brass fastener (or tape) in the center to report your daily sky!
Sunny Calm & Happy
Rainy Sad & Tired
Stormy Mad & Frustrated
Windy Silly & Wiggly
●
Cut-Out Spinner Arrow
Carefully cut out this pointer arrow along the dotted lines:
My Sky
Push pin through (+) and connect to center of wheel!
My Weather Action Plan (Write or Draw)
When my sky is STORMY, my calming tool is:
When my sky is WINDY, I can ground myself by:
When my sky is RAINY, one kind thing I can do for myself is:
The Calm Weather Report • Student Activity Station Page 1 of 2
Pocket Calming Toolkit
My Portable Weather Cards
Cut along dotted lines
Keep these 4 cards in your pocket, taped to your desk, or in the class calm-down corner whenever you need a quick reset.
Card 1 • Storm Tamer
🌈 The Rainbow Arc
Use when you feel angry, frustrated, or like shouting.
Breathe in slow: Reach arms way up high.
Hold at the top: See your favorite color.
Breathe out smooth: Float arms gently down.
Repeat 3 calm times • Feel the storm soften
Card 2 • Wind Anchor
🏔️ The Mountain Roots
Use when your body is wiggly, silly, or scattered.
Push both feet flat into the floor like roots.
Press palms together at your heart.
Say silently: "I am steady, I am safe."
Hold for 10 seconds • Mountains do not wobble!
Card 3 • Rain Comforter
☁️ The Cloud Hug
Use when you feel sad, left out, or extra tired.
Cross your arms over your chest.
Rest hands on opposite shoulders.
Give yourself a warm, slow 5-second squeeze.
Rock gently side to side • Rainy days pass
Card 4 • Sunshine Reset
☀️ Sunshine Ray Stretch
Use when transitioning to a new task or waking up.
Stand tall on your tiptoes.