Winter Warm Ups Lesson Plan Winter Warm-Ups
Cultivating Inner Sunshine
Duration
45 MINS
Why This Matters
Developing emotional resilience and a positive outlook is crucial, especially during times that might feel gloomy. This lesson provides students with practical tools to generate their own happiness and navigate seasonal shifts in mood.
Learning Objective
Students will learn to identify and practice simple strategies to cultivate inner warmth and positive feelings during the winter months.
Preparation & Materials
Review Inner Sunshine Slides
Print Winter Warm-Up Worksheets
Yellow, orange, and white construction paper
Scissors, glue sticks, and coloring supplies
Instructional Procedure
01
Introduction: Brrr... It's Cold!
5 Mins
Begin by asking students how they feel about winter. Discuss common feelings like cold, sleepy, or sometimes a bit sad.
Acknowledge that seasonal changes can affect how we feel inside.
Introduce the metaphor of "Inner Sunshine"—the happiness we carry with us regardless of the weather.
02
Direct Instruction: Finding Your Glow
15 Mins
Use the Inner Sunshine Slide Deck to define the concept.
Tell the story of Barnaby the Bear (Slide 4). Focus on how Barnaby shifted his perspective from "grumpy" to "glowing."
Facilitate a brainstorm: "What are some things that act like a warm hug for your brain?"
03
Activity: The Classroom Sun
20 Mins
Distribute the Winter Warm-Up Worksheet for individual reflection and planning.
Transition to the Sunbeam of Happiness Activity . Students create a physical "sunbeam" using construction paper.
As students finish their sunbeams, glue them around a large yellow circle on a bulletin board to create a "Classroom Sun."
04
Closing: Keep on Shining
5 Mins
Gather around the Classroom Sun. Remind students that they can "look" at their sunbeams whenever they feel chilly or sad. End with a "warm-up wiggle" or a deep breath to seal in the warmth.
Pro-Tips for Success
Differentiation
For younger students, focus on drawing pictures of happy things. For older students, encourage them to identify "kind acts" they can do for others to generate warmth.
Environment
Consider playing soft, cheerful music during the sunbeam activity to set a cozy and creative mood in the classroom.
Inner Sunshine Slide Deck Winter Warm-Ups
Cultivating Inner Sunshine
How can we find warmth even when it's cold outside?
Brrr... It's Cold!
Winter can be chilly, and sometimes it makes us feel a little... brrr! 🥶
What are some feelings you have when it's cold or dark outside?
Today, we're going to learn how to cultivate our own "inner sunshine"!
❄️ ⛄ 🌬️
Teacher Notes: Ask students for words describing how they feel on a cold day. Transition to the concept of inner sunshine.
What is Inner Sunshine?
☀️
Inner sunshine is the warm, happy feeling we carry inside us.
🦸
It's like a secret superpower that helps us stay cheerful, even on the coldest days!
✨
It comes from things that make us feel good, like kindness, joy, and positive thoughts.
Teacher Notes: Explain inner sunshine as warm feelings we create ourselves. Give examples like warm hugs or favorite toys.
Story Time: Barnaby's Glow
Imagine a little bear named Barnaby. Winter came, and Barnaby felt grumpy. He missed the bright flowers and warm sun.
But then, Barnaby's wise owl friend showed him how to find his inner glow by remembering happy moments and sharing kindness.
"Even when the outside world is grey, I can make my inside world bright!"
🐻
Teacher Notes: Read the story aloud. Emphasize the character's change in feeling from grumpy to glowing.
Our Inner Glow
What Makes You Shine?
🤗
A warm hug?
🤸
Playing with friends?
🎵
A favorite song?
🤝
Helping someone?
Teacher Notes: Lead a discussion. Ask students to brainstorm things that give them "inner sunshine."
Activity: My Sunbeam!
1
Draw or write things that bring you joy on your sunbeam.
2
These are your special ways to feel warm inside.
3
We'll cut them out and create a giant classroom sun!
Teacher Notes: Show an example of a completed sunbeam. Guide students to their worksheets and materials.
🎨
Time to Create!
Take your time and think about all the wonderful things that make you feel bright and happy.
Be Creative
Be Bright
Teacher Notes: Circulate and offer assistance. Encourage students to think about unique things that make them happy.
Winter Warm Up Worksheet My Inner Sunshine
Winter Warm-Up Worksheet
Name:
Date:
✨
Winter can feel a little chilly, but we have a special power to make our insides feel warm and happy! Think about all the things that make you feel joyful, cozy, and bright .
My Inner Sunshine Sparks
1 A warm memory:
2 Something I love to do:
3 Someone who makes me smile:
4 A kind act I can do:
5 My favorite cozy thing:
Ready to Shine?
On a separate piece of colorful paper, draw a picture of your favorite sunshine spark to create your Classroom Sunbeam !
☀️ ✏️ 🎨
Sunbeam of Happiness Activity Guide Sunbeam of Happiness
Creative Activity Guide
The Activity
In this hands-on activity, students will translate their abstract "inner sunshine" reflections into a tangible piece of art. Individual sunbeams will be combined to create a giant Classroom Sun , serving as a visual reminder of collective joy and emotional resilience throughout the winter months.
Teacher's Goal
To help students externalize positive feelings and recognize that their happiness contributes to the warmth of the entire classroom community.
Supply List
Yellow & Orange Paper
Safety Scissors
Glue Sticks
Bright Markers/Crayons
Large Yellow Poster Board
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Prep the Sunbeams
Cut yellow or orange construction paper into long triangles or rounded "rays." Each student should have at least one ray. You can pre-cut these for younger students or have older students cut their own.
2
Choose a Spark
Ask students to refer to their Winter Warm-Up Worksheet . Have them choose one favorite thing that makes them feel warm and happy inside to feature on their sunbeam.
3
Create the Art
On their sunbeam, students should draw a bright, colorful picture or write a short sentence about their chosen spark. Encourage them to fill the space and use "sunshine colors" like yellow, orange, and red.
4
Build the Classroom Sun
Tape or glue a large yellow circle (the sun's center) onto a bulletin board or wall. As students finish, have them glue their "beams" around the edges. Label the center: "Our Classroom Sunshine" .
Spark Ideas: Helpful Prompts
"My favorite person to hug is..."
"A song that makes me dance is..."
"The best part of a snow day is..."
"I feel warm when I help my..."
"My pet makes me smile by..."
"A happy place I like to think of is..."
Sunbeam Happiness Handout My Sunbeam of Happiness
Sometimes winter days can feel a little grey, but we all have a special power to create our own inner sunshine ! Your inner sunshine is all the happy, warm feelings inside you.
Instructions
1
Take a piece of yellow or orange construction paper (your sunbeam!).
2
Think about things that make your inner sunshine glow: favorite hobbies, happy people, cozy places, or kind things you've done.
3
On your sunbeam, draw a picture or write words about one thing that brings you joy. Make it colorful and bright!
4
When finished, we will put all our beams together to create a giant classroom sun!
My Inner Sunshine Ideas
List a few ideas here before you start decorating your paper sunbeam:
•
•
•
•
•
Let your light shine!
