Feeling Friends Lesson Plan MY FEELING FRIENDS
Tier 1 Classroom Lesson Plan
Time 30 MIN
Why This Lesson?
Understanding and managing emotions is a crucial life skill. This lesson provides 1st graders with foundational tools to recognize their feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms, leading to increased self-awareness and improved social interactions.
Objective
Students will be able to identify at least three basic emotions and demonstrate one simple strategy for managing an uncomfortable feeling.
Materials
My Feeling Friends Slide Deck
My Feeling Friends Script
My Feeling Friends Worksheet
Art supplies (crayons, markers)
Prep (10 min)
Review the slides and script. Print worksheets for each student. Gather crayons and markers for the activity.
Lesson Flow
5'
Warm-Up: How Do You Feel?
Greet students and ask them to share one emotion they are feeling right now, using a word or a quick facial expression (e.g., "I feel happy!"). Introduce the idea that everyone has feelings, and it's okay to feel different things.
10'
Introduction to Feeling Friends (Slides)
Use the Slide Deck to introduce emotions (happy, sad, angry, scared). Discuss what each feels like in our bodies and what might trigger them. Ask for student examples of when they felt these emotions.
8'
Coping Strategies Brainstorm
Discuss what to do with big or uncomfortable emotions. Suggest strategies: deep breathing, counting to three, talking to a grown-up, or drawing. Refer to the Script for guided questions.
5'
My Feeling Friends Activity
Distribute worksheets. Students draw themselves experiencing a feeling and then draw/write one thing they can do to manage that feeling. Circulate for assistance.
2'
Wrap-Up: Share & Reflect
A few students share their drawings and strategies. Reiterate that all feelings are okay and we are learning ways to understand and manage them.
Feeling Friends Slides Welcome, Feeling Friends!
Hello everyone! Today we're going to explore our amazing feelings!
😊😢😡😱
Teacher Notes: Welcome students and set a positive tone. Explain that today we'll be talking about feelings, something everyone has!
What Are Feelings?
Feelings are what we feel inside. They can be big or small, happy or sad!
❤️
💭
💪
Teacher Notes: Introduce the concept of emotions. Ask students to think about what 'feelings' are.
Hello, Happy!
😊
This is Happy! When are you happy?
Teacher Notes: Introduce 'Happy'. Discuss what makes them feel happy. Ask for examples of what 'happy' looks like.
Meet Sadness.
😢
Sometimes we feel sad.
Teacher Notes: Introduce 'Sad'. Discuss what makes them feel sad. Emphasize that it's okay to feel sad.
Oh No, Angry!
😡
When do you feel angry?
Teacher Notes: Introduce 'Angry'. Discuss what makes them feel angry. Talk about how anger feels in the body and that it's okay to feel it, but we need safe ways to show it.
Uh Oh, Scared!
😱
What makes you feel a little scared?
Teacher Notes: Introduce 'Scared'. Discuss what makes them feel scared. Reassure them that feeling scared is normal.
Big Feelings, Big Ideas!
Sometimes our feelings can feel really big!
Teacher Notes: Transition to coping strategies. Ask students for ideas on how to handle big feelings.
Take a Deep Breath!
One deep breath in... and out!
Breathe...
Teacher Notes: Suggest a simple breathing exercise. Practice it together.
Talk to a Grown-Up!
When you have a big feeling, tell a grown-up you trust. They can help!
Teacher Notes: Encourage talking to an adult. Explain why it's helpful.
Do Something Calm!
Draw a picture, read a book, or listen to quiet music. What helps you feel calm?
Teacher Notes: Suggest a calming activity. Provide a simple example like drawing.
All Feelings Are Okay!
It's okay to feel happy, sad, angry, or scared.Feeling Friends!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Teacher Notes: Recap that all feelings are okay and we are learning how to manage them. Introduce the worksheet.
Feeling Friends Script Teaching Script
My Feeling Friends
30 MIN
1
Warm-Up: How Do You Feel? (5 min)
Teacher says:
“Good morning/afternoon, everyone! I am so excited to see all your wonderful faces today. Let’s start by checking in with our feelings. I want each of you to think about one feeling you have right now. Maybe you feel excited, sleepy, happy, or even a little bit silly! When it's your turn, just say how you feel or show me with a quick facial expression. I'll start! Right now, I feel happy to be here with all of you! What about you, [Student Name]?”
Go around the room, allowing each student to share. Affirm all responses.
“Wow, thank you for sharing! It’s amazing how many different feelings we can have, even at the same time. Today, we’re going to talk all about our 'Feeling Friends' – the different emotions we feel inside.”
2
Slide Presentation (10 min)
Slide 1-2
“Welcome, Feeling Friends! Our feelings are so important. They tell us a lot about what’s happening around us and inside us. Let’s explore some of these 'Feeling Friends' together.”
“What exactly are feelings? Feelings are what we feel inside our bodies and our minds. They can be big or small, happy or sad, and they can change really quickly! Can anyone tell me where they feel feelings in their body? Like, when you’re excited, where do you feel it?”
Slide 3-4
Happy & Sad:
“Let’s meet our first feeling friend: Happy! Look at that big smile! When do you feel happy? What does happy feel like in your body?”
“Sometimes we meet Sadness. It’s okay to feel sad. Everyone feels sad sometimes. What might make you feel a little sad? How does your body feel when you’re sad?”
Slide 5-6
Angry & Scared:
“Here’s Angry! Angry can be a very strong feeling. What makes you feel angry? Where do you feel angry in your body? Do your fists clench, or does your face feel hot?”
“And sometimes, we meet Scared. Feeling scared can be a little uncomfortable. What makes you feel a little scared? How does your body feel when you’re scared?”
3
Coping Strategies (8 min)
Slide 7: Big Feelings “Sometimes our feelings can feel really, really big! When feelings like angry or scared feel too big, it can be hard to think clearly. But guess what? We have amazing tools inside us to help manage these big feelings! What are some things you do when you feel a big or uncomfortable feeling?”
Slide 8: Breathing Exercise “Great ideas! Here’s one simple trick: taking a deep breath. Let’s try it together! Put your hands on your tummy. Take one slow, deep breath in through your nose, like you’re smelling a flower, and feel your tummy get big. Now, slowly breathe out through your mouth, like you’re blowing out a candle...”
Feeling Friends Worksheet My Feeling Friends
😊🌟
Name:
Date:
1
My Feeling Face!
Draw a picture of yourself, or a character, showing a feeling.
I am feeling:
2
My Feeling Tool!
What can you do to help with that feeling? Draw or write about it!
My feeling tool is:
You are an amazing Feeling Friend!
