Feeling Explorer Lesson Plan How Are You Feeling Today
Building Emotional Literacy in Kindergarten
Duration 30 MIN
Learning Objective
Students will be able to identify and name basic emotions (happy, sad, angry, scared) in themselves and others, as demonstrated by a pre-assessment drawing and class discussion.
Why This Matters
Developing emotional literacy helps students understand their own feelings and empathize with others. It builds a foundation for social-emotional learning and a positive, supportive classroom environment.
Materials Needed
Whiteboard or Projector
My Feelings Pre-Assessment
Lesson Slide Deck
"The Way I Feel" Storybook
Crayons / Colored pencils
Blank paper
Teacher Prep (10 Minutes)
Review lesson plan and all digital/physical materials.
Ensure projector and markers are ready.
Print a copy of the My Feelings Pre-Assessment for each student.
Gather blank paper and crayons for the drawing activities.
Have "The Way I Feel" storybook ready (physical or digital).
Lesson Procedure
5 Min
Warm-Up: Introduction to Feelings
Greet students and ask, "How are you feeling today?" Display the first slide of the deck. Briefly explain that everyone has feelings and it's okay to feel different ways. Ask students to mimic happy, sad, or angry faces.
5 Min
Pre-Assessment: My Feelings Drawing
Distribute the My Feelings Pre-Assessment . Ask students to draw how they feel right now . Encourage details and colors. Collect drawings once finished to gauge baseline emotional expression.
10 Min
Exploration: "The Way I Feel" Storybook
Read the story aloud. Pause at each chapter to discuss the characters. Ask: "How do you think they feel? What makes you say that?" Emphasize that feelings are like weather—they change and are all normal.
5 Min
Creative Expression: Drawing Emotions
Display the slide with emotion words (Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared). Ask students to pick one and draw something that makes them feel that way on a new sheet of paper.
5 Min
Sharing & Reflection: Feelings Circle
Gather in a circle. Invite volunteers to share their drawings. Facilitate a discussion on how feelings look and why they happen. Reiterate that all feelings are okay and important to talk about.
Feeling Explorer Slides 😡
😢
😊
😨
How Are You Feeling Today?
It's okay to have feelings! Let's explore them together.
Teacher: Greet students warmly and introduce the topic.
Draw Your Feelings!
Draw a picture of how YOU are feeling right now.
Use colors and details to show your emotion!
Let's Read Together!
We're going to read "The Way I Feel" to learn about different emotions.
Pay attention to how the characters feel!
Show Me How You Feel!
😊 Happy
😢 Sad
😡 Angry
😨 Scared
Choose ONE feeling and draw a picture of something that makes you feel that way!
Our Feelings Circle
Share your drawing and tell us:
What feeling did you draw?
What makes you feel that way?
All our feelings are important!
My Feelings Pre-Assessment My Feelings
Name: __________________________ Date: ____________
1
Draw a picture of how you feel right now.
Use colors and details to show your emotion!
2
Tell us about your drawing. How are you feeling?
😊 😢 😡 😨
The Way I Feel Storybook The Way
I Feel
A Story About Our Big Feelings
😊😢😡😨
😊
Chapter 1:
Lily's Sunny Morning
Lily woke up and the sun was shining bright! She hopped out of bed and ran to the window. A little bird was singing outside. Lily giggled. Her heart felt light and bubbly. She smiled a big, wide smile.
How do you think Lily is feeling?
😢
Chapter 2:
Tom's Rainy Cloud
Tom was building a tall tower with his blocks. He worked very carefully. Just as he put the last block on top, crash! The tower fell over. Tom's lips turned down. A tear started to roll down his cheek.
How do you think Tom is feeling?
What happened to make him feel that way?
😡
Chapter 3:
Mia's Grumpy Bear
Mia was playing with her favorite toy car. Suddenly, her little brother grabbed it! Mia's face got hot, and her hands clenched into fists. She wanted to shout. She stomped her foot.
How do you think Mia is feeling?
Have you ever felt that way?
😨
Chapter 4:
Sam's Spooky Shadow
Sam was walking home from school. The trees made long, wiggly shadows on the ground. One shadow looked like a big monster! Sam's eyes got wide, and he felt a little jump in his tummy. He held his grown-up's hand extra tight.
How do you think Sam is feeling?
What can help Sam feel better?
Chapter 5:
All Kinds of Feelings
Lily, Tom, Mia, and Sam all had different feelings. Happy, sad, angry, scared!
All these feelings are okay. Our feelings can change, like the weather.
It's good to talk about how we feel and to help our friends when they have big feelings too.
😊 Happy
😢 Sad
😡 Angry
😨 Scared