Storm Stopper Slides Storm Stoppers
Managing Big Emotions Together
The Weather Report
Sunny
I feel calm, happy, and ready to learn.
Rainy
I feel sad, tired, or a little worried.
Stormy
I feel angry, frustrated, or very upset.
What's your weather right now?
What is a Big Emotion?
They hit fast!
Like a sudden gust of wind that knocks you over.
They feel loud!
Even if you are being quiet, they feel loud inside.
They are normal!
Everyone has storms sometimes. It's okay!
The 3-Step Storm Stop
1
Pause
Freeze like a statue for 5 seconds.
2
Breathe
Deep breath in... slow breath out.
3
Choose
Pick a tool to feel sunny again.
My Tool Kit
Positive Self-Talk: "I can handle this."
Take a break: Visit the "Calm Cabin."
Talk to a trusted friend or teacher.
Squeeze a soft pillow or stress ball.
What else can you do to stay safe in the storm?
Let's Talk!
"When was the last time you felt a Stormy Emotion?
What did you do to find the Sun again?"
Weather Map Anchor Chart Weather Map
Finding our way back to Sunny Skies
Explorer:
Date:
Goal: Sunny
My Big Emotion
(Draw or write your "stormy" feeling here)
Tool 1
Tool 2
Tool 3
Tool 4
Journey Steps:
1. Choose a "stormy" feeling you've had.
2. Write its name and draw it in the cloud.
3. Inside each raindrop, draw a tool that helps.
Pause
Breathe
Choose
Calm Cabin Worksheet Calm Cabin
My Personal Safe Space
Explorer:
Date:
1
Warning Signs
When my internal weather starts to get stormy, my body feels like this:
Fast Heart
Hot Face
Tense Hands
2
My Calm Cabin
Imagine a place where you always feel safe and happy. Draw it below!
I will use my Storm Stop:
Pause
Breathe
Choose
Feeling Friends Cards Feeling Friends
Scenario Scouter Roleplay Cards
Set 1 of 2
The Storm
The Wrong Turn
You are playing a board game with a friend. They make a move that wins the game, and you lose. You feel your face getting hot and your hands squeezing tight.
How to play:
Use the 3-step "Storm Stop" to show how you would handle this big feeling.
The Storm
The Oops Moment
You are drawing a beautiful picture. Suddenly, your hand slips and you make a giant mark where you didn't want it. You feel like crying or ripping up the paper.
How to play:
Pretend to be the artist. What tools can you use to stay sunny?
The Storm
The Lunch Swap
You were really looking forward to your favorite snack, but you realize you forgot it at home. You feel a big storm of sadness in your chest.
How to play:
One person is the student, one is a helper. Practice the "Breathe" step together.
The Storm
The Quiet Cut
You are waiting in line for the swing. Another student runs up and cuts right in front of you. You feel your heart beating very fast and you want to yell.
How to play:
Roleplay the "Pause" step. Then, what "Choose" tool would you pick?
Teacher: Print Set 1 and Set 2 on separate pages or double-sided.
Feeling Friends
Scenario Scouter Roleplay Cards
Set 2 of 2
The Storm
The Hallway Rumble
A loud bell rings and people are pushing in the hallway. You feel overwhelmed and your ears feel like they are ringing.
How to play:
What can you do to "Pause" in a busy hallway? Show your strategy.
The Storm
The Library Shush
You are trying to read a book but someone keeps talking loudly nearby. You feel your face getting hot and you want to yell at them to be quiet.
How to play:
Practice taking a "Breathe" break before you say anything to your classmate.
The Storm
Recess Rejection
You ask to join a game of tag, but the other kids say "No, we have enough people." You feel a heavy "rainy" feeling in your chest.
How to play:
Which "Choose" tool would you pick to help you find another activity?
The Storm
The Spilled Secret
A friend accidentally tells someone a secret you told them. You feel a big "stormy" mix of anger and sadness.
How to play:
Emotion Explorers Teacher Guide Emotion Explorers
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Grades K-4 | 20-30 Minutes
Objective
Students identify physical signs of big emotions and apply a 3-step regulation strategy.
Keywords
Storm Stop, Emotional Weather, Pause, Breathe, Choose.
Materials
Slides, Anchor Chart, Worksheet, 8 Scenario Cards, Storm Chaser Game.
0-5m
Weather Report (Opening)
Gauge class mood using the slides. Ask students for a thumb signal (Up: Sunny, Middle: Rainy, Down: Stormy). Stress that all "weather" is natural.
5-12m
The Storm Stop (Instruction)
Practice Pause, Breathe, Choose . Model "Pause" (freeze) and "Breathe" (belly breaths) as a group. Discuss the "Choose" step as picking a tool.
1. PAUSE: Freeze for 5s
2. BREATHE: Deep & slow
3. CHOOSE: Pick a tool
12-25m
Scenario Scouts & Board Game
Students use the Feeling Friends Cards (now with 8 scenarios) to roleplay. For an extended activity, play the Storm Chaser Board Game in small groups to gamify regulation.
Grades K-1
Focus on physical cues and "Breathe" signals. Play the board game with teacher support.
Grades 2-4
Use the 8 complex scenarios (like Spilled Secret) to discuss nuanced feelings.
Continuing the Adventure
Send the Calm Cabin Worksheet home. Use the board game in a "Calm Corner" for students to play independently when they need a regulation break.
Storm Chaser Board Game Storm Chaser Game
Follow the numbers to Sunny Skies
Grades K-4
Path: 1 to 24
0 START Stormy
Bay
1 Cloudy
2
Gust
Back 1
3 Breeze
4
Rainy
Card!
9
Rainy
Card!
8 Cloudy
7
Tools
Jump +2
6 Breeze
5
Pause
Wait
10 Cloudy
11
Breathe
3 Times
12 Breeze
13
Rainy
Card!
14 Cloudy
19 Breeze
18
Rainy
Card!
17
Gust
Back 2
16 Cloudy
15
Choose
Tool!
20 Breeze
21
Tools
Jump +3
22
Rainy
Card!
23 Cloudy
24 FINISH Sunny Skies
Storm Stop Tools
Belly Breathing
Kind Thoughts
Calm Cabin
Ask for Help
P1
P2
P3
P4
Game Scenario Cards
Cut these for "Rainy" card spaces
Someone takes the toy you were using. You feel like yelling!
Storm Stop!
You spill your water all over your desk. You feel very embarrassed.
Storm Stop!
A loud alarm goes off and you don't like the noise.
Storm Stop!
You try to join a game but your friend says "No room."
Storm Stop!
You can't find your favorite pencil when it's time to work.
Storm Stop!
A friend is being mean to someone else in the class.
Storm Stop!
You have to wait a very long time for your turn on the swing.
Storm Stop!
Your team lost a game during PE and you feel frustrated.
Storm Stop!
Teacher: Use these cards alongside the "Feeling Friends" set for 16 total scenarios!