Mind Matters Sorting Cards
THOUGHTS OR FEELINGS?
Brain Words vs. Body Clues • Quick Guide
Name: ____________
Date: ________
THOUGHT In Your Head 🧠
"Words My Brain Says"
A thought is a whole sentence or an opinion inside your mind. It is like your brain talking to you!
📏
Length: Lots of words (a full sentence).
❓
Can change: Thoughts can be true or false!
🗣️
Clue: "My brain thinks that..."
Easy Examples:
"Math is too hard."
"Nobody wants to play."
"I can try my best."
FEELING In Your Body ❤️
"Emotions in My Body"
A feeling is an emotion you can actually feel inside your body (in your heart, tummy, or face).
🎯
Length: Usually just 1 word!
📍
Body clue: Fast heart, hot face, butterflies.
❤️
Clue: "I feel [one emotion word]."
Easy Examples:
Mad 😡 • Sad 😢 • Happy 😊
Scared 😨 • Proud 🌟 • Tired 🥱
Worried 😟 • Excited 🎈 • Calm 🍃
✨
The Super Easy Rule: Count the Words!
Is it 1 word (like Sad or Angry)? ➔ That is a FEELING! ❤️
Is it a whole sentence (lots of words)? ➔ That is a THOUGHT! 💭
⚠️
Watch Out for the "I Feel Like..." Sneaky Trick!
Sometimes we say: "I feel like everyone is looking at me." Even though we used the word "feel," that is a whole sentence, so it is really a THOUGHT! The feeling underneath is embarrassed or nervous.
Directions: Cut out the cards on Pages 2 & 3. Sort them onto the Page 4 mat!
Page 1 of 4
Card Set 1: Starter Cards (#01 – #12)
Cut along the dotted lines ✂️
CARD 01 🧠
"I cannot do this math problem."
(Whole sentence)
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 02 ❤️
Mad
Clue: Hot face & tight fists 😡
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 03 🧠
"Nobody wants to sit with me."
(Whole sentence)
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 04 ❤️
Happy
Clue: Big smile on face 😊
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 05 🧠
"My teacher is angry at me."
(Whole sentence)
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 06 ❤️
Scared
Clue: Heart beating fast 😨
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 07 🧠
"I made a mistake on my drawing."
(Whole sentence)
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 08 ❤️
Sad
Clue: Tears in eyes & heavy body 😢
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 09 🧠
"I will do better next time."
(Whole sentence)
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 10 ❤️
Worried
Clue: Butterflies in tummy 😟
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 11 🧠
"This game is not fair."
(Whole sentence)
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 12 ❤️
Calm
Clue: Slow, gentle breathing 🍃
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
Remember: 1 Word = Feeling ❤️ • Whole Sentence = Thought 🧠 Page 2 of 4
Card Set 2: Challenge Cards (#13 – #24)
⚠️ Watch out for "I feel like..." tricks!
CARD 13 TRICK!
"I feel like I'm bad at art."
Hint: It is a whole sentence!
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 14 ❤️
Proud
Clue: Standing tall & smiling 🌟
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 15 🧠
"She took my pencil on purpose."
(Whole sentence)
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 16 ❤️
Embarrassed
Clue: Hot, red cheeks 😳
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 17 🧠
"I will definitely lose the race."
(Whole sentence)
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 18 ❤️
Excited
Clue: Bouncy, lots of energy ⚡
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 19 TRICK!
"I feel like today will be bad."
Hint: It is a whole sentence!
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 20 ❤️
Lonely
Clue: Quiet, empty chest 💔
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 21 🧠
"Everyone is looking at my shoes."
(Whole sentence)
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 22 ❤️
Tired
Clue: Heavy eyes & big yawn 🥱
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 23 🧠
"I can ask for help if I need it."
(Whole sentence)
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
CARD 24 ❤️
Relieved
Clue: Big exhale: "Whew!" 😌
⬜ Thought ⬜ Feeling
Cards 13 and 19 are tricky! Did you spot the full sentences? Page 3 of 4
MY SORTING MAT & CHECK KEY
Put your cut cards on the mat, or write their card numbers!
Hands-On Mat
🧠
THOUGHTS
"Brain Words" • Sentences
12 Cards
Place the cards with whole sentences here:
Card: _____
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Clue: Can this sentence be tested or changed? Yes!
❤️
FEELINGS
"Body Clues" • 1 Word
12 Cards
Place the cards with 1-word emotions here:
Card: _____
Place Card #
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Clue: Can you point to where your body feels it? Yes!
Check Your Work (Answer Key) Total: 24 Cards
🧠 THOUGHTS (12 Cards):
#01, #03, #05, #07, #09, #11, #13*, #15, #17, #19*, #21, #23
*Cards 13 & 19 are tricky thoughts using "I feel like..."
❤️ FEELINGS (12 Cards):
#02 (Mad), #04 (Happy), #06 (Scared), #08 (Sad), #10 (Worried), #12 (Calm), #14 (Proud), #16 (Embarrassed), #18 (Excited), #20 (Lonely), #22 (Tired), #24 (Relieved)
🌟 Brain Power Question: When your brain says "I cannot do this," what is a better thought to say instead?
Mind Matters • Social Emotional Learning Cards Page 4 of 4