Feelings Forecast Lesson Plan K-2 SEL Facilitator Guide 45 Minutes
Feelings Forecast Lesson Plan
Unit: Mindful Me
Somatic Body Awareness
Essential Question
How do our bodies give us weather clues to tell us how we feel inside?
"I Can" Targets
I can notice body clues (warm, tight, bubbly).
I can name my feelings using weather words.
Materials Prepared
• Lesson Slide Deck (Visuals)
• Student Body Weather Trackers
• Weather Wheels (1 per child)
• Crayons & brass brad fasteners
Core Terms:
Sensation (Body Clue) Internal Weather Calm Breeze Storm Cloud Sunny Energy
1
Mindful Gathering: The Sky Inside Us (8 Mins)
Circle Time
Invite students to sit in criss-cross "mountain posture." Ring a chime or cue a gentle bell sound. Guide students through a gentle somatic scan from head to toes.
Teacher Script: "Put your hand on your heart and close your eyes or look softly down. Take a slow breath like a gentle wind. Just like the sky outside has rain, sun, or wind, our bodies have feelings weather inside. Is your heartbeat fast like lightning, or steady like a calm sunshine morning?"
2
Direct Instruction: The 4 Weather Stations (12 Mins)
Slide Presentation
Display the Feelings Forecast Slide Deck . Teach children that all weather is normal and welcome; no weather is "bad." Weather changes naturally throughout the day.
Sunny & Warm
Joyful, proud, safe. Body: relaxed jaw, light smile, easy belly breathing.
Rainy & Drizzly
Sad, lonely, tired. Body: heavy shoulders, droopy eyelids, slow movements.
Thunderstorm & Lightning
Frustrated, angry. Body: clenched fists, hot face, tight chest, loud voice.
Breezy & Swirly
Nervous, bouncy, excited. Body: fluttery tummy (butterflies), wiggly toes.
Core Grounding Rule: "You are the blue sky. The feelings are just the weather passing through."
Page 1 of 2
Instructional Flow
Practice, Calm Down Tools & Differentiation
Part II: Guided Action
Hands-On & Reflection
3
Hands-on Lab: Weather Wheel & Body Map (15 Mins)
Individual & Pairs
Distribute the Body Weather Tracker Worksheet and Weather Wheel Craft Activity . Guide students through coloring and identifying their current internal climate.
Body Mapping Step
Students color body zones where they feel sensations: red/orange for warm or tight, blue for heavy or tired, green/yellow for calm or fluttery.
Peer Forecast Sharing
Partners show their dial: "My weather today is drizzly rain because my shoulders feel heavy and I miss my dog." Partner responds: "I hear your forecast."
4
Mindful Reset & Closing Circle (10 Mins)
Cool-Down
Teach the Cloud Breathing Technique to help soothe stormy or high-wind weather:
3-Step Cloud Breath Sequence:
Inhale (4 counts): Breathe in deep through your nose, puffing your belly out like a fluffy white cloud.
Hold (2 counts): Let the cloud float quietly at the top of your chest.
Exhale (5 counts): Gently blow a slow, cooling breeze through your lips to float the cloud away.
Grade-Level Differentiation
Kindergarten: Focus on 2 contrasts: Sunny (good/calm) vs. Stormy/Rainy (uncomfortable). Use physical motion (jumping vs. curling up).
Grade 1-2: Introduce complex blended weather: "Sun shower" (happy but nervous) or "Foggy morning" (confused/unsure).
ELL / Non-Verbal: Rely on icon pointing on the Weather Wheel and facial cue cards without requiring full sentences.
Formative Assessment Look-Fors
✔ Can the student locate at least one somatic clue (chest, belly, hands, head)?
✔ Does the student recognize that emotions change and feelings aren't permanent?
✔ Can the student demonstrate one calming somatic tool (Cloud Breath, hand on heart)?
Daily Morning Check-in Idea: Have students turn their desk Weather Wheels to match their morning feelings upon arrival each day for a quick teacher scan.
SEL Standards: CASEL Self-Awareness & Self-Management Page 2 of 2
Feelings Forecast Slide Deck Mindful SEL Check-In
Grades K-2
Feelings Forecast
What is your emotional weather today?
Listen to the clues inside your body to discover how you feel.
Sunny
Rainy
Stormy
Windy
Big Idea
You Are the Big Blue Sky!
The Outside Sky
Some days have rain, some have bright sun, and some have booming thunder!
The weather outside always changes.
Your Inside Feelings
Inside you, emotions come and go just like weather passing through the sky.
No weather is "bad" — all feelings are welcome!
Golden Rule: The storm might roar, but the blue sky is always underneath!
Somatic Clues
How Does Your Body Tell You?
Heartbeat
Is it beating steady like a walk, or fast like a drum?
Chest Area
Temperature
Do your cheeks feel warm and flushed, or cool and relaxed?
Face & Hands
Tummy
Does your tummy feel soft, or fluttering with butterflies?
Belly Zone
Muscles
Are your fists squeezed tight, or are your shoulders loose?
Shoulders & Fists
Try this now: Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly!
The 4 Weather Reports
Match the Feeling to the Weather
Sunny & Calm
Happy • Peaceful • Safe
Body clue: Soft breathing, easy smile, shoulders relaxed.
Rainy & Drizzly
Sad • Lonely • Tired
Body clue: Heavy eyes, slumping body, quiet voice.
Thunderstorm
Mad • Frustrated • Boiling
Body clue: Clenched fists, tight jaw, fast heartbeat.
Windy & Gusty
Nervous • Bouncy • Excited
Body clue: Fluttery tummy, wiggly toes, fast talking.
Remember: Clouds always blow past. No storm lasts forever!
Partner Turn & Talk
Weather Reporter Time!
Reporter A Speaks
"My weather report right now is..."
☀️ 1. Name the weather: "I feel sunny / stormy / rainy / windy."
🔍 2. Give one body clue: "Because my belly feels fluttery."
Partner B Listens
Kind Listening Response:
👂 Listen until your friend finishes speaking.
Weather Wheel Craft Activity Hands-On Craft & Check-In Dial
My Daily Weather Wheel
Name:
Date:
Directions: 1. Color your weather wheel. 2. Cut along the dashed line. 3. Fasten the arrow in the center with a brass brad!
SUNNY
Happy • Calm • Safe
Relaxed smile & steady heart
WINDY
Excited • Bubbly • Nervous
Fluttery tummy & wiggly toes
RAINY
Sad • Lonely • Tired
Heavy eyes & quiet body
STORMY
Mad • Frustrated • Boiling
Tight fists & fast breath
Fasten
Pointer Arrow
Today
Cut out arrow and punch hole over the black dot.
Alternative: No brads? Place the wheel flat on your desk and spin a paperclip using your pencil point in the center!
Daily Desk Check-In Game:
Each morning or after recess, turn your wheel to show your weather. When your teacher calls "Weather Check!" , hold up your wheel and show your neighbor!
Feelings Forecast • K-2 Mindful Craft Activity Page 1 of 2
Kinesthetic Movement Stations
Somatic Weather Action Cards
Cut into 4 Station Cards
Cut along the dashed lines to make 4 classroom movement cards. Post them at learning stations, or use them during circle time to explore somatic body cues through physical play.
Station 1
The Sunshine Stretch
For Sunny & Calm Feelings
1. Reach Up: Reach your fingers up high like golden sunbeams.
2. Open Wide: Spread your arms wide to open your heart.
3. Soft Smile: Take a deep breath in through your nose and smile!
💡 Body sensation: Warm chest, loose shoulders, relaxed face.
Station 2
The Raindrop Melt
For Rainy & Drizzly Feelings
1. Gentle Taps: Lightly tap your fingertips on your lap like rain.
2. Slow Melt: Let your shoulders drop down heavy and soft.
3. Deep Sigh: Inhale gently, then let out a soft "ahhhhh" sigh.
💡 Body sensation: Heavy limbs, sleepy eyes, gentle heart.
Station 3
Thunder Stomp & Shake
For Stormy & Mad Feelings
1. Three Stomps: Stomp feet firmly:
Body Weather Tracker Worksheet Student Mindful Journal
My Emotional Weather Report
Name:
Date:
1 Map Your Body Weather Clues
Color where you feel clues right now!
Body Clue Color Key:
Warm
calm & smiling
Heavy
tired or sad
Tight / Hot
mad or upset
Fluttery
butterflies
Check-In Clues:
• Head: Is it thinking fast or calm?
• Chest: Is your breath deep or shallow?
• Hands: Are they soft or clenched in fists?
2 My Weather Forecast Today (Check One)
Sunny
Calm & Glad
Rainy
Sad or Tired
Stormy
Mad or Frustrated
Windy
Fluttery or Bouncy
3 Weather Reporter Notes (Write or Dictate)
My emotional weather is:
I know because my body clue is:
Feelings Forecast • K-2 Emotional Weather Tracker Page 1 of 2
Mindful Strategies
My Weather Calming Toolbox
Self-Management Skills
4 Connect the Weather to a Calming Tool
Draw a line to match!
When You Feel:
Thunderstorm (Angry)
Windy (Wiggly / Nervous)
Rainy (Sad / Heavy)
Try This Helper:
Butterfly Hug & Slow Feet
Gentle Blanket & Soft Sigh
Big Cloud Breath & Shake Out
5 Draw Your Peaceful Sky
What does calm feel like to you?
Draw a picture of your peaceful, happy sky. Include colors, a rainbow, sunshine, or whatever makes you feel safe inside:
"No matter how big the storm, the blue sky always waits for you." Page 2 of 2