Feeling Faces Slides Pre-K & Kindergarten SEL
Circle Time Lesson
Feeling Faces & Bodies!
Let’s become emotion detectives! Our faces and bodies give us clues about how we feel inside.
😊
Happy
Smiling mouth
😢
Sad
Heavy eyes
😡
Angry
Tight brows
😲
Surprised
Round mouth
How Do We Spot Clues?
Clue Hunter Guide
👀
1. Look at the Eyes
Are the eyes wide open, crinkled with joy, or looking down with tears?
👄
2. Look at the Mouth
Is it curving up into a smile, frowning down, or open in a big round "O"?
🧍
3. Look at the Body
Are shoulders relaxed, hands clenched into fists, or trembling with fright?
💡 Pro Tip: We can look at a mirror or a friend to see clues!
Pair 1
Happy & Calm
Green Zone Feelings
😄
Happy
Sunny, joyful, excited!
Face: Smiling mouth, bright twinkling eyes
Body: Bouncing, clapping, warm chest
"I loved playing with blocks with you!"
😌
Calm
Peaceful, relaxed, safe.
Face: Soft eyes, gentle mouth, smooth forehead
Body: Soft shoulders, slow deep breaths
"I am ready to listen and learn."
Try it right now: Take one big slow breath and relax your shoulders!
Pair 2
Sad & Scared
Gentle Care Feelings
😢
Sad
Down, hurt, or lonely.
Face: Mouth curved down, tears, looking down
Body: Heavy body, head resting in hands
"I dropped my snack and felt sad."
😨
Scared
Spooked, worried, startled.
Face: Wide eyes, eyebrows up, mouth slightly open
Body: Shivering, hugging self, fast heartbeat
"The loud thunder sounded so big!"
What helps: Ask a caring teacher or friend for a warm hug or quiet space.
Pair 3
Angry & Frustrated
Big Energy Feelings
😡
Angry
Mad, boiling, upset.
Face: Eyebrows pushed down inside, tight lips
Body: Clenched fists, stiff arms, hot face
"Someone snatched my crayon!"
😤
Frustrated
Stuck, trying hard, blocked.
Face: Wrinkled nose, gritting teeth, tight chin
Body: Groaning, tight neck, shaking hands
"My puzzle piece won't fit yet!"
What helps: Squeeze hands tight like lemons, then shake them out and say "I need help!"
Focus 4
Surprised!
Quick Spark Feeling
😲
The "O" Face
Our mouth drops into a big round circle: "Whoa!"
👀
High Eyebrows
Our eyes grow super big and our eyebrows jump high up!
🎁
Can Be Fun or Shocking
Like a surprise birthday visitor or a jack-in-the-box pop!
Try it with your neighbor: Make your biggest, roundest surprise face right now!
Detective Mystery: Who Feels What?
Interactive Check
🧸
Scenario 1
Leo is trying to zip his winter coat. The zipper gets stuck! His eyebrows press tight, and he huffs: "Harrumph!"
How does Leo feel? 😤 Frustrated!
🎨
Scenario 2
Mia finishes her rainbow painting. She looks at her teacher with crinkly eyes and a big wide grin from ear to ear!
How does Mia feel? 😊 Happy!
Great job, Detectives! You used eyes, mouths, and body clues!
All Feelings Are Okay!
Classroom Rule
❤️
1. Name It
Use your words: "I feel frustrated" or "I feel sad right now."
🌬️
2. Breathe
Smell the warm cookie, blow out the birthday candle.
🤝
3. Ask for Care
Teachers and friends are here to help us feel safe and calm.
Ready for Our Detective Practice? Let’s grab our activity sheets! ✏️
Emotion Explorers Teacher Guide Pre-K & Kindergarten SEL Lesson Guide
Emotion Explorers Teacher Guide
Circle Time Duration: 20–25 Minutes • Focus: 7 Core Emotions
Core Skills Naming • Body Clues • Self-Regulation
Learning Objectives
Identify 7 feelings by observing eyes, mouths, and posture: Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared, Surprised, Calm, Frustrated .
Demonstrate matching facial expressions and body postures using handheld mirrors.
Connect bodily sensations (tight fists, heavy eyes, open smiles) to feelings and calming breaths.
Materials Needed
• Feeling Faces Slides
• Handheld safety mirrors
• Detective Worksheet & crayons
• Classroom Feelings Poster
Circle Time Lesson Pacing
1. Hook (4 Min)
Sing the "Feelings Movement Song" and invite students to warm up their faces.
2. Teach (8 Min)
Explore the slides: eyes, mouth, and body clues for each pair of emotions.
3. Mirror (5 Min)
Partner mirror activity: students make each face and whisper clues to a friend.
4. Check (5 Min)
Complete the 1-page exit ticket / scenario check at carpet or small tables.
Warm-Up Song: "Feelings in My Body" (Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It) Movement Prompt
"If you're happy and you know it, show a smile! 😊 (flash big smile)
If you're calm and you know it, breathe a while! 😌 (deep inhale & sigh)
If you're frustrated and stuck, squeeze your hands and then relax! 😤 (squeeze fists, then shake out)
Every feeling is okay, we can talk about our day!"
Facial & Body Clues Guide (Emotions 1–4)
Emotion
Facial Clues
Body Clues
Teacher Script / Guiding Prompt
😊 Happy
Mouth curves up, rosy cheeks, crinkled eyes
Light, bouncy, clapping hands, open arms
"Notice how your cheeks lift up high like sunshine!"
😌 Calm
Soft eyes, smooth forehead, gentle mouth
Relaxed shoulders, slow belly breathing
"Your tummy moves like gentle ocean waves in and out."
😢 Sad
Lip quivers, mouth corners turn down, tears
Slumped shoulders, head down, heavy limbs
"Our bodies feel heavy. We can ask for a cozy quiet spot."
😨 Scared
Wide eyes, eyebrows pulled up, mouth open
Hugging self, trembling, stepping backwards
"When something feels loud or sudden, our eyes grow big!"
Emotion Explorers • Page 1 of 2 Turn page for Anger, Frustration, Surprise & Small Group Scripts
Emotion Explorers Teacher Guide
Regulation Feelings, Scenario Facilitation & Differentiation
Part 2: Practice & Scaffold
Facial & Body Clues Guide (Emotions 5–7)
Emotion
Facial Clues
Body Clues
Regulation Strategy & Script
😡 Angry
Eyebrows slanted down and inward, tight lips
Clenched fists, stiff arms, hot feeling in chest
"Hot Volcano breath: push hands away gently and exhale."
😤 Frustrated
Scrunched nose, gritted teeth, squinting eyes
Tight neck, fidgety hands, pushing object away
"Squeeze lemon hands 3 times: tight, tight, let it go!"
😲 Surprised
High curved eyebrows, wide round eyes, "O" mouth
Hands flying to cheeks, quick intake of breath
"Pause and check: Is this a fun surprise or do I need help?"
Circle Time Scenarios (Read Aloud to Class)
Scenario A: The Tower Crash Frustrated / Mad
"Noah built a 10-block tower. Another student's elbow knocks it down! Noah's hands turn into tight balls and his face turns red."
Teacher prompt: "What do Noah's hands tell us? What can he say instead of yelling?"
Scenario B: The Mystery Box Surprised
"Ms. Rivera opens a big colorful box. Out pops a giant fluffy puppet! Sophia's jaw drops open and her eyes open wide."
Teacher prompt: "Look at Sophia's mouth. What letter shape is it making? (An 'O'!)"
3 Classroom Regulation Resets (Introduce Today)
1. Cookie & Candle Smell the fresh chocolate chip cookie (inhale), blow out the candle (exhale).
2. Lemon Squeezes Squeeze tart imaginary lemons in fists for 3 seconds, then drop and shake out hands.
3. Heart Hands Place two hands flat over chest. Feel the steady heartbeat slow down to peaceful calm.
Pre-K / Emerging Supports
Focus on matching faces to big visual emotion cards rather than verbalizing.
Pair physical gestures (smile vs. cross arms) with feeling names.
Provide a tactile mirror so students observe their own mouth and eyebrows.
Kindergarten / Extension
Differentiate angry (intense mad) from frustrated (stuck on a task).
Have students explain why someone feels that way using "because...".
Encourage peer check-ins: "Ask your buddy: 'Are you feeling calm or frustrated?'"
Emotion Explorers • Page 2 of 2 Post Feelings Friends Poster in Calm-Down Corner
Feeling Friends Poster Pre-K & Kindergarten Feelings Anchor Chart
Our Feeling Friends
Every feeling is okay! Look at the face, listen to your body, and take care of yourself.
😊
Happy
Sunny
Face: Cheeks lift high, big bright smile.
Body: Bouncy, clapping, laughing.
☀️ "I love sharing with my friend!"
😌
Calm
Peaceful
Face: Soft eyes, gentle smooth forehead.
Body: Low shoulders, slow belly breaths.
🍃 "My body feels quiet and safe."
😢
Sad
Down
Face: Mouth turns down, crying tears.
Body: Slumped, heavy arms and legs.
💧 "I need a warm hug or cozy spot."
😨
Scared
Worried
Face: Eyes open wide, eyebrows high.
Body: Fast heartbeat, hugging self.
🛡️ "Hold a teacher's comforting hand."
😡
Angry
Mad
Face: Slanted eyebrows, tight pressed lips.
Body: Hard fists, warm cheeks, tense chest.
🌋 "Stop! Blow out the hot candle."
😤
Frustrated
Stuck
Face: Scrunched nose, gritted teeth, huffing.
Body: Stiff neck, shaking hands.
🍋 "Take a break and ask for help."
😲
Surprised
Whoa!
Face: Mouth makes an "O", eyebrows up.
Body: Quick gasp, hands touch cheeks.
🎁 "I didn't expect that to happen!"
Big Feelings Reset
1. Name It: "I feel ________."
2. Breathe: Inhale sweet flower, blow candle.
3. Choose: Ask a teacher, hug, or quiet rest.
You are safe here!
🤝 We are Emotion Detectives!
Classroom Calm-Down & Circle Time Reference
Emotion Detectives Worksheet Emotion Detective Activity
Emotion Detectives Worksheet
Name:
Date:
🔍 Mission: Use your detective eyes to spot facial clues and draw feeling faces!
Part 1: Match the Clue to the Feeling
Draw a straight line from each clue to its face
1
Wide smile and twinkling eyes when playing with toys!
2
A tear on the cheek and looking down at the floor.
3
Eyebrows slanted down and hands in tight fists.
4
Mouth open like a big round "O" and high eyebrows!
😢 Sad
😲 Surprised
😊 Happy
😡 Angry
Part 2: Draw the Eyes & Mouth!
Look at the emotion name below each blank face. Draw the eyes, eyebrows, and mouth to match!
Face A: Happy Clue: Big smile!
"I am smiling because..."
Face B: Surprised Clue: "O" mouth & round eyes!
"Whoa! Look at that!"
Emotion Detectives • Page 1 of 2 Turn over for Story Scenarios & Check-In
Part 3: Circle the Best Match
Detective Scenarios
1. Leo is trying to tie his shoelace. It gets stuck in a big knot. Leo huffs and shakes his hands. How does Leo feel?
😤 Frustrated
😊 Happy
😌 Calm
2. Maya is resting on a soft rug with her favorite book. Her shoulders are relaxed and her breathing is slow. How does Maya feel?
😡 Angry
😌 Calm
😨 Scared
3. The classroom door clicks shut with a giant sudden SLAM! Emma jumps backwards and her eyes grow huge. How does Emma feel?
😨 Scared
😢 Sad
😌 Calm
Part 4: My Emotion Check-In
How is your body feeling right now?
Draw YOUR face:
Circle the feeling that matches your face:
😊 Happy 😌 Calm 😤 Stuck 😢 Sad
Today I feel:
When I have a big feeling, I can:
Emotion Detectives • Page 2 of 2 Great Detective Work! All feelings are welcome here.
Feelings Check-In Ticket SEL Formative Assessment
Feelings Check-In Ticket
Name:
Date:
⭐ Directions: Listen to each story or look at the picture. Circle the face that shows the right feeling!
Part 1: How Do They Feel? (Circle One Face)
🧁
1. Out pops a surprise birthday cupcake with bright sparkles!
😲 Surprised
😢 Sad
😡 Angry
🖍️
2. Maya presses hard and her blue crayon snaps in half.
😊 Happy
😤 Frustrated
😌 Calm
🍦
3. Ben's ice cream scoop plops down onto the hot sidewalk.
😢 Sad
😊 Happy
😲 Surprised
🧘
4. Nora sits quietly in the reading corner, breathing softly.
😨 Scared
😡 Angry
😌 Calm
Part 2: Body Clues Detective
✊✊
Tight, hard fists
Usually means:
Mad / Angry
🥶
Shivering & hiding
Usually means:
Scared / Afraid
🌬️
Slow deep breath
Usually means:
Calm & Ready
Part 3: My Superpower (Circle what YOU do when feelings get big!)
🌬️ Take 3 Breaths
🤝 Ask a Teacher
🍋 Squeeze Lemons
🧸 Quiet Rest Corner
Teacher Note:
Identified Feelings: [ ] 4/4 [ ] 3/4 [ ] Needs Review Body Clue Check: [ ] Mastered [ ] Developing