Inner Weather Lesson Plan π¦οΈ
SEL Guide Pre-K β 1st Grade
Inner Weather Lesson Plan
Duration: 35β40 Mins
Focus: Somatic Awareness & Regulation
π€οΈ
The Guiding Truth: Just like the sky outside, our bodies have weather inside! Feelings are not good or badβthey are natural weather patterns that move through our bodies. Every kind of weather is welcome, and we have tools to stay safe and cozy in any storm.
π― Learning Objectives
β’ Identify somatic signals: Notice physical clues (heart rate, tummy, fists, breath).
β’ Map weather to emotion: Connect sunny (calm), cloudy (tired), rainy (sad), stormy (mad), and windy (jittery).
β’ Select calming tools: Practice 4 somatic grounding actions to return to calm skies.
π Materials & Preparation
β’ Slides: "Internal Weather Slides" for interactive circle time.
β’ Manipulative: "Storm Chasers Activity" cut-out dial and calm wheel.
β’ Worksheet: "Body Weather Worksheet" (1 per child + crayons).
β’ Sensory props: Soft chime/bell, calm-down breathing ribbon/scarf.
π§ Teacher's Somatic Weather Key
βοΈ
Sunny & Calm
Soft relaxed belly, slow steady breathing, open hands, warm smile.
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Rainy & Sad
Heavy eyes, slumped shoulders, teary eyes, quiet voice, slow feet.
β‘
Stormy & Mad
Fast racing heart, clenched fists, hot red cheeks, tight teeth/jaw.
π¨
Windy & Wiggly
Butterflies in tummy, bouncing legs, racing thoughts, fidgety fingers.
π Instructional Pacing (Part 1)
Phase 1: Circle Time Weather Scan (7 Mins) Hook & Body Tune-In
Gather learners on the rug. Ring a gentle chime. "Touch your hand to your chest. Can you feel your heartbeat thump? Touch your tummy. Does it feel quiet or jumpy like a frog?" Introduce the big question: "Did you know there is a little weather station living right inside your body?" Show the opening slide.
Phase 2: Meteorologist Detective Modeling (10 Mins) Direct Instruction
Work through slides 2 to 5. Lead children in miming physical sensations:
β’ Sunny: Take a deep sigh, wiggle relaxed fingers, give a gentle smile.
β’ Stormy: Make tight squeeze-fists, stomp feet quietly, freeze like a thundercloud.
β’ Emphasize: "Clouds do not get in trouble for making rain, and you never get in trouble for having feelings! But we can learn how to keep our bodies safe."
Internal Weather Station Curriculum β’ Social-Emotional Learning Page 1 of 2
π§
Calming Tools & Application Guide
Lesson Protocol Continued
Phase 3: The 4 Calming Rescue Tools (10 Mins) Guided Somatic Practice
Demonstrate each somatic technique with high physical fidelity. Have all students practice 2 rounds together:
π 1. Belly Balloon Breath
Hands on tummy. Inhale 3 seconds through nose to blow up the balloon, exhale slowly through lips to deflate.
π 2. Rainbow Cloud Trace
Hold up pointer finger. Trace rainbow arcs across the sky while naming 3 gentle colors you see around the room.
π§£ 3. Cozy Blanket Hug
Wrap both arms across chest to touch opposite shoulders. Squeeze firmly for 5 seconds; release tension.
π¨ 4. Gentle Windmill Blow
Hold up hands like pinwheel blades. Blow a slow, steady stream of cool air to make the pretend windmill spin.
Phase 4: Station Activities & Worksheet (10 Mins) Application
Transitions to tables. Students receive the Body Weather Worksheet . Prompt students to color where they feel sensations in their own body silhouette (e.g., yellow in belly for calm, blue on cheeks for tears, red on hands for stormy clenching). Then, students circle their chosen calming tool.
Phase 5: Daily Weather Station Debrief (3 Mins) Wrap-Up
Gather learners back. Ask volunteer meteorologists: "What weather is your body feeling right now?" Reinforce: "All weather passes! Even the biggest thunderstorms make room for sunshine and rainbows."
π‘ Differentiation & Inclusion Strategies
Pre-K / Non-Verbal Use the cut-out Weather Dial manipulative. Children point to the weather symbol rather than speaking. Offer hand-over-hand modeling for balloon breathing.
Sensory Seekers Provide a weighted plushie or beanbag on lap during the "Cozy Blanket Hug". Add a heavy-work movement (wall push-up) for high stormy energy.
Grade 1 Extension Have students dictate or write one sentence on their worksheet: "When I feel stormy, my hands feel hot, so I will take 3 balloon breaths."
π Informal Assessment Checklist
β Can point to at least 1 body cue (heart, tummy, hands).
β Understands that stormy/rainy feelings are natural & okay.
β Attempts at least 1 calming strategy with guidance.
Internal Weather Station Curriculum β’ Social-Emotional Learning Page 2 of 2
Internal Weather Slides π‘ SEL Circle Time
Pre-K to 1st Grade
βοΈ π€οΈ π§οΈ β‘ π¨
The Internal Weather Station
How does the weather feel inside your body today?
Touch your heart β’ Take a breath Let's check the forecast! π
β
We Have Weather Inside Us!
Inner Skies
π
Outside Weather Changes:
Some days are bright and sunny. Some days bring wind and rain. The sky changes all the time!
π§
Inside Weather Changes:
Your body has weather too! Feelings come and go just like clouds floating across the sky.
β¨ All kinds of weather are natural and okay!
π
Be a Weather Detective!
Body Clues
Where does your body tell you what weather is here?
π«
Your Heart
Is it resting slow and steady... or racing like a drum?
π«§
Your Tummy
Does it feel quiet and soft... or full of fluttering butterflies?
β
Your Hands
Are they loose and open... or curled up into tight fists?
Put your hand on your heart right now. What clue do you feel? π
π§
The 4 Body Weathers
Daily Forecast
βοΈ
Sunny & Calm
Belly is soft, easy breaths, ready to learn and play.
π§οΈ
Rainy & Sad
Heavy eyes, slow footsteps, maybe warm tears falling.
β‘
Stormy & Mad
Fast heart, hot red cheeks, tight hands ready to burst.
π¨
Windy & Wiggly
Bouncing toes, fluttery belly, silly buzzing energy.
Which weather has your body felt before? Raise your hand! π
π‘οΈ
Remember This Big Truth!
Always True
π± π¦οΈ π
Thunder is not "bad" and rain is not in trouble!
Flowers need the rain to grow. And every stormy cloud eventually runs out of rain.
Your feelings are always allowed. You are safe!
When a storm arrives, we just need our cozy calming tools! π§°
π§°
Our Calming Rescue Kit
Try It Together!
π
Belly Balloon
Inhale to blow up your tummy balloon... exhale to deflate!
π§£
Body Weather Worksheet π¦οΈ
My Body Weather Report
Internal Weather Station β’ SEL Daily Check-In
Name: Β
Date: Β
1
What is your inner weather right now? (Color or circle one)
βοΈ
Sunny
Calm & Happy
π§οΈ
Rainy
Sad or Tired
β‘
Stormy
Mad or Frustrated
π¨
Windy
Wiggly or Jittery
2
Where does your body feel clues? (Color on the body outline)
π§ Head & Face Are your cheeks hot (red) or relaxed and cool (yellow)?
π« Chest & Heart Is your heartbeat going fast (orange) or calm and steady (green)?
π«§ Tummy Does it feel tight/fluttery (purple) or soft and quiet (yellow)?
β Hands & Feet Are they clenched tight (red) or wiggle-ready (blue)?
3
My Calming Rescue Tool (Choose 1 to try!)
π
Balloon Breath
Puff up tummy, blow out
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Cozy Hug
Wrap arms & squeeze
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Rainbow Trace
Paint sky with finger
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Windmill Blow
Spin cool gentle breeze
βοΈ Weather Promise: Complete with words or your teacher's help:
When my body feels Β , I can try Β .
The Internal Weather Station β’ Self-Regulation & Somatic Body Check β Every kind of weather is okay!
Weather Station Activity π‘
Personal Weather Dial
Hands-On Manipulative β’ Cut, Pin & Spin!
βοΈ Activity: Cut along dotted lines
π‘
Teacher/Student Tip: Cut out the big circle below and the pointer arrow. Fasten the arrow in the center with a brass fastener (split pin) or use a wooden clothespin. Keep this dial on your desk or calm corner!
βοΈ SUNNY Calm & Peaceful Soft belly β’ Slow breath
β‘ STORMY Mad or Frustrated Fast heart β’ Red cheeks
π§οΈ RAINY Sad or Tired Heavy eyes β’ Quiet sigh
π¨ WINDY Buzzy or Jittery Bouncing feet β’ Wiggly
β
βοΈ Cut Out Arrow 1
Fasten here with a split pin
βοΈ Spare / Clothespin Arrow
Glue onto a clothespin!
βοΈ Bonus Cut-Out: My Desk Calming Strip (Tape this along the top of your desk or cubby)
Touch & Trace
π Five Finger
Tracer:
1
Inhale
2
Pause
3
Exhale
4
Inhale
5
Calm!
π π§£ π π¨
The Internal Weather Station β’ Hands-On Manipulative Page 1 of 2
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Weather Detective Scenario Cards
Circle Time β’ Roleplay & Calming Tool Match
βοΈ Cut out 8 prompt cards
π²
How to Play: Pick a card in circle time or with a partner. Read the situation, spin your Weather Dial to match how your body would feel, and act out the calming rescue tool!
Card 1: Building Blocks π§±
You spent 10 minutes building a giant block castle, and someone accidentally knocked it down!
Weather: β‘ Stormy Tool: π Balloon Breath
Card 2: Morning Drop-Off π
Your grown-up waves goodbye at the door. You feel heavy in your chest and miss home.
Weather: π§οΈ Rainy Tool: π§£ Cozy Hug
Card 3: Recess Buzz π
The teacher says there are 2 minutes until recess! Your legs are bouncing and your hands want to wiggle.
Weather: π¨ Windy Tool: π¨ Windmill Blow
Card 4: Cozy Library π
You are curled up on a beanbag reading a colorful picture book with a friendly friend.
Weather: βοΈ Sunny Tool: π Smile & Savor
Card 5: Waiting for Turns β³
You are waiting in line for the tire swing. Someone cuts right in front of you. Your fists squeeze tight.
Weather: β‘ Stormy Tool: π Balloon Breath