Thermometer Lesson Plan
My Inner Thermometer
Self-Regulation Superpowers • Lesson Plan
Duration: 45 Minutes
Small Group (Tier 2)
The "Why"
Understanding and communicating emotions is a foundational skill for self-regulation, enabling students to proactively manage their reactions and interact more effectively with others.
Preparation
- • Review Cool Down Strategies Slide Deck and Mindful Breathing Activity.
- • Gather construction paper (red, yellow, green), glue, and markers.
- • Pre-cut thermometer shapes and prepare feeling word cards.
Learning Objective
Students will learn to identify different emotional states and associate them with a metaphorical "inner thermometer" to better understand and communicate their feelings.
Materials Needed
- • Whiteboard & Markers
- • Construction paper (R, Y, G)
- • Glue sticks
- • Thermometer shapes
- • Feeling word cards
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction: What Are Feelings?
10 MIN
Begin by asking: "Who can tell me what a feeling is?" Encourage open sharing and normalize all emotions.
Introduce the Inner Thermometer concept. Explain that just as a real thermometer measures temperature, our inner thermometer measures how "hot" or "cold" our feelings are.
Display feeling word cards (happy, sad, calm, frustrated, etc.) and discuss their meanings.
2
Introducing the Zones
10 MIN
GREEN ZONE
Calm, happy, ready to learn. Feeling "cool."
YELLOW ZONE
Frustrated, worried, excited. Feeling "warm."
RED ZONE
Angry, overwhelmed. Feeling "hot."
Ask students for examples of situations that move their thermometer between these colors.
3
Activity: Thermometer Craft
15 MIN
Students use thermometer shapes and colored paper to build their visual aid. They divide the thermometer into three sections (Bottom=Green, Middle=Yellow, Top=Red).
Encourage them to draw or write one "feeling word" in each section that they experience personally.
4
Cool Down Superpowers
5 MIN
Transition to the Cool Down Strategies Slide Deck. Explain that when feelings get "hot" (yellow or red), we can use powers to cool them down.
Briefly preview the Star Breathing technique from the practice activity.
5
Wrap-up & Reflection
5 MIN
"What is one new thing you learned about your inner thermometer today?"
Remind students: All feelings are okay! The thermometer just helps us know when we need a superpower break.
Cool Down Strategies Slides
Cool Down
Superpowers!
What do you do when your feelings get too big? Let's learn how to calm our inner thermometers!
TEACHER NOTE: Welcome students and remind them about the Inner Thermometer. These strategies help when feelings get too "hot."
Breathe Like a Balloon
- 1 Take a slow, deep breath in.
- 2 Hold it for a moment.
- 3 Slowly let it out.
Imagine your belly is a balloon expanding and shrinking!
🎈
Breathe Deep
TEACHER NOTE: Guide students: "Smell the flower, blow out the candle." Practice 3 times together.
Take a Brain Break
Sometimes, all we need is a moment to ourselves.
- Find a quiet corner
- Sit in a comfy chair
- Close your eyes
TEACHER NOTE: Discuss taking a short break. It's okay to step away for a minute to calm down.
Talk It Out
Share Your Feelings
Tell a grown-up or a friend how you feel. Talking helps lighten the load!
Use your tool:
"My thermometer is in the Yellow Zone right now."
TEACHER NOTE: Practice using the "I feel..." sentence starter with their thermometer color.
Move Your Body
Get some wiggles out!
🏃 Jumping Jacks
🙆 Big Stretches
TEACHER NOTE: Suggest physical activity as a way to release energy and strong emotions.
Practice Your Superpowers!
Breathe
Break
Talk
Move
The more you practice, the stronger your powers become!
TEACHER NOTE: Ask students: "Which superpower will you try first tomorrow?"
Mindful Breathing Practice Activity
Star Breathing
Mindful Breathing Superpower Practice
Super Student Name
Date
Why practice this superpower?
This activity helps you practice calm breathing when your feelings move into the Yellow or Red zones. Use it to cool down your inner thermometer anytime, anywhere!
How to do Star Breathing
1
Find Your Star
You can use the star on this page, your own hand, or imagine one in front of you.
2
Trace and Breathe
Start at any point. Trace up a side as you breathe in through your nose.
3
Pause and Release
Trace down the other side as you breathe out slowly through your mouth.
4
Repeat
Go all the way around the star until you feel calm and your thermometer is back in the Green Zone.
Trace with your finger
Breathe In
Breathe Out
Tip: You can also use your hand! Trace up your fingers to breathe in, and down to breathe out.
Superpower Reflection
How did you feel BEFORE practicing?
How did you feel AFTER practicing?
