Feelings Lab Guide
Feelings Lab Guide
Session: Big vs. Small Feelings (3rd Grade)
25 Minutes
Objectives
- Differentiate between small, medium, and big feelings.
- Identify physical cues of emotional escalation.
- Practice "The 10-Count Reset" breathing.
Materials
- Feelings Lab Slides & Workbook
- Situation Scanner Cards
- Crayons/Markers (Red, Yellow, Green)
Procedural Script
3 min
Warm-Up: Lab Check-In
Reviewing last session's basic emotions.
Script: "Welcome back to the Feelings Lab! Last time, we named our basic feelings like happy, sad, and mad. Today, we're becoming scientists of intensity. Just like water can be a tiny drop or a giant wave, our feelings can be small or big. How are you feeling right now on our scale of 1 to 10?"
7 min
The Feelings Thermometer
Introducing the scaling concept.
Script: "Scientists use tools. Our tool is the Thermometer. Look at the Green zone—those are Small Feelings. They feel like a tiny fly buzzing. The Red zone? Those are Big Feelings—they feel like a volcano! Where do you think 'annoyed' goes? What about 'furious'?"
Activity: Student colors the Green (1-2), Yellow (3-4), and Red (5) zones on their workbook.
8 min
Situation Scanners
Applying the scale to school scenarios.
Script: "I’m going to scan a situation. You tell me: is this a Small, Medium, or Big feeling? 'You can't find your favorite pencil.' Is that a tiny fly or a volcano? Let's use our thermometer to decide."
7 min
The 10-Count Reset
Coping skill and sentence starter.
Script: "When we hit the Red zone, our 'Thinking Brain' turns off. We need a Reset. Let's count to 10 together, but slowly—like we're blowing out 10 tiny candles. [Model breathing]. Now, complete this for your lab report: 'My feelings get big when...'"
Activity: Student completes workbook drawing and sentence starter.
Pro-Tip for DMDD Symptoms
Students with high emotional dysregulation often perceive "Small" problems as "Big." Do not invalidate their feeling. Acknowledge: "That FEELS like a volcano right now." Then help them categorize the situation versus the reaction. Use neutral "Lab" language to keep it objective.
Feelings Lab Slides
Feelings Lab
Big Feelings vs. Small Feelings
Student Session: 3rd Grade
Our Lab Mission
1
Spot the Size of our feelings.
2
Use the Feelings Thermometer.
3
Learn the 10-Count Reset.
The Scale
Big Zone (Red)
"The Volcano" — Boiling over!
Medium Zone (Yellow)
"The Rumble" — Getting shaky.
Small Zone (Green)
"The Breeze" — Easy to handle.
Lab Observation: Body Clues
Fast Heart
Thump-thump-thump!
Hot Face
Feeling the heat.
Tight Fists
Squeezing hard.
Short Breath
Quick huffing.
The 10-Count Reset
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
"Count slow... like you're blowing out 10 tiny candles."
Finish the Thought:
"My feelings get big when..."
Feelings Lab Workbook Page
Feelings Lab Report
Scientist:
Date:
1
Color the Zones
Color the TOP zone RED (Big Feelings)
Color the MIDDLE zone YELLOW (Medium Feelings)
Color the BOTTOM zone GREEN (Small Feelings)
2
Draw Your Feelings
Small Feeling (Green Zone)
Big Feeling (Red Zone)
I practiced the 10-Count Reset
Feelings Lab: Continued
4
The Body Scanner
Circle the places where you feel Big Feelings start.
Hot Face
Fast Heart
Tight Fists
Fast Breath
Butterflies
Frown
5
My Lab Observations
My feelings get BIG when...
6
The Reset Plan
When I see a BIG feeling coming, I will:
Situation Scanner Cards
Situation Scanners
Cut these cards to practice scaling your feelings!
Scenario 01
You can't find your favorite pencil for writing.
Small? Medium? Big?
Scenario 02
Someone bumps into you in the lunch line by mistake.
Small? Medium? Big?
Scenario 03
Your teacher says "No" to five extra minutes of recess.
Small? Medium? Big?
Scenario 04
Your team loses a game of tag during P.E.
Small? Medium? Big?
Scenario 05
You feel stuck on a hard math problem on your test.
Small? Medium? Big?
Scenario 06
The fire alarm goes off unexpectedly and it's loud.
Small? Medium? Big?
Counselor Note: Ask the student to place the card on their colored thermometer. If they categorize a "Small" problem as "Big," ask: "What body cues would you feel for a big problem?" This helps build awareness between the situation and the physical response.