Feelings Weather Lesson Plan Lesson 1 of 3 • Teacher Facilitation Guide
Weather Inside Me
Grade K-2 • 35 Mins
Instructional Purpose
Young children often experience intense physiological arousal before they can cognitively name what they feel. This lesson uses concrete weather metaphors to help learners detect bodily sensations (clenched fists, racing heartbeat, heavy limbs) and link them to four core emotional zones without shame or judgment.
Core Objectives
• Identify 4 weather feeling zones
• Name 2 body clues for emotions
• Affirm that all feelings are safe
The Four Feelings Weather Zones
Sunny
Happy, Calm, Proud
Body Clues: Relaxed shoulders, smiling face, soft breathing.
Cloudy
Tired, Shy, Bored
Body Clues: Heavy eyelids, slow moving, slumped posture.
Rainy
Sad, Hurt, Lonely
Body Clues: Lump in throat, teardrops, tummy ache.
Stormy
Angry, Scared, Frustrated
Body Clues: Tight fists, hot cheeks, pounding heart.
Phase 1: Circle Time Meteorologist (8 mins)
Whole Group
Gather learners on the carpet. Display a simple window cutout or gesture toward the window. Introduce the core truth: "Just like the sky outside has different weather, our bodies have feelings weather inside us too!"
Teacher Script Prompt:
"Look outside today. Is it bright sunny, or are there gray clouds? The sky doesn't get mad at itself for raining; it just lets the rain fall. Today we are feelings meteorologists. We notice our weather clues without being upset at our bodies!"
Phase 2: The Body Detective Scan (10 mins)
Kinesthetic Activity
Guide students to touch each body anchor while checking internal sensations. Model each posture exaggerating physical clues:
1. Head & Face
Are brows furrowed like thunder? Or smooth like morning sunshine?
2. Chest & Tummy
Is heart drumming fast like hail, or slow and calm like a gentle breeze?
3. Hands & Feet
Are fingers clenched into thunderous rocks, or soft and open like sunny leaves?
Unit: Calm Superpowers • Lesson 1 Teacher Guide Page 1 of 2
Phase 3 & 4 Instruction • Facilitation Details
Lesson 1: Weather Inside Me
Phase 3: Weather Station Activity (12 mins)
Individual Work
Distribute the Emotion Weather Station Worksheet . Walk students through Section 1 (Body Clue matching) together, then allow quiet drawing time for Section 2 (My Weather Today).
Emphasize that no weather is bad weather . A stormy feeling is not "in trouble"; it is just energy asking for help.
Circulate with colored crayons, prompting non-verbal students to point to weather symbols if writing is difficult.
Phase 4: Weather Report Debrief (5 mins)
Closing Ritual
Students turn to a shoulder partner and give a 1-sentence "Weather Broadcast": "Today my weather feels like [Sunny / Cloudy / Rainy / Stormy] because [reason or body clue]." Conclude with the class chant:
"Storms roll in, and storms roll past. No big feeling has to last!"
Anticipating Misconceptions
Misconception: "Stormy is bad."
Children may think being angry means they are "bad kids." Clarify that anger tells us when something feels unfair or overwhelming. The feeling is normal; our actions can be safe.
Misconception: "I only have one feeling."
Children can feel mixed weather (e.g. sun shower: excited to go to recess, but shy with new friends). Validate that mixed weather is completely okay.
Differentiation & Accommodations
Support (Emerging)
Use 4 large physical foam weather icons. Student points to icon or points to thumbs up/down rather than speaking or writing.
Standard (On-Target)
Completes worksheet body clue matching, draws weather self-portrait, and articulates 1 physical sensation.
Extension (Advanced)
Identifies what trigger caused the weather shift (e.g., "The storm started when the blocks fell") in complete sentences.
Unit: Calm Superpowers • Lesson 1 Teacher Guide Page 2 of 2
Emotion Weather Station Worksheet Weather Inside Me • Student Activity
Feelings Weather Station
Name:
Date:
1
Match the Weather Clue!
(Draw a line from the feeling weather to its body clue)
Feelings Weather
Sunny (Happy / Calm)
Cloudy (Tired / Quiet)
Rainy (Sad / Hurt)
Stormy (Angry / Frustrated)
Body Clues
Heavy eyes, slow footsteps, slouching
Fists tight, cheeks hot, pounding heart
Relaxed shoulders, soft breathing, smile
Tears in eyes, quiet voice, tummy tight
2
Body Detective Check
(Circle where you feel big feelings the most)
In my Face
In my Heart
In my Hands
In my Tummy
3
My Inner Weather Today
(Draw what your feelings weather looks like right now)
Right now, my inner weather is:
I know this because my body feels:
Remember: Any weather you feel is okay! Storms always pass. Calm Superpowers • Lesson 1
Calming Wind Slides Calm Superpowers • Lesson 2
Grades K-2
Calming Wind Tools
Three simple superpowers to help our bodies reset when feelings get stormy.
Breath • Touch • Muscle Reset
1
Balloon Belly Breaths
Tool: Breathing
Hands on Tummy
Rest both gentle hands right on your belly button.
Inhale: Blow Up Balloon
Breathe in slowly through nose. Belly grows big!
Exhale: Gentle Deflate
Blow out softly like cooling hot soup. Tummy sinks.
Try It 3 Times!
"Breathe in slow... fill the balloon.
Breathe out gentle... soft as a cloud."
Clue: Watch your hands rise and fall like ocean waves!
2
Star Finger Trace
Tool: Sensory Touch
Spread Your Star Hand
Open one hand wide like a twinkling five-point star.
Trace Up = Breathe In
Trace up the thumb with your pointer finger and inhale.
Trace Down = Breathe Out
Slide down into the finger valley and exhale slowly.
5 Full Breaths
Follow all 5 fingers from thumb to pinky.
Feel the gentle touch on your skin!
Your hand is always with you wherever you go!
3
Freeze & Melt
Tool: Muscle Reset
1. Freeze Like an Ice Cube
Squeeze fists, scrunch shoulders, hold for 3 seconds!
2. The Warm Sun Arrives
Let out a big "Whoosh" sigh and open your hands.
3. Melt Like Warm Butter
Let shoulders drop and limbs turn soft like cooked noodles.
Feel the Release!
Tight muscles can let go.
You have the power to help your body soften.
Notice how heavy and warm your hands feel after melting!
Which Tool Fits You Best?
Reflect & Choose
Balloon Breaths
Great when heart is beating fast or head feels crowded.
Inhale • Exhale
Star Trace
Great when feeling worried, lonely, or fidgety.
Trace • Count 5
Freeze & Melt
Great when feeling stormy, angry, or tense.
Squeeze • Soften
Next: Grab your Calming Practice Mat to trace and test your tools!
Tactile Calm Mat Activity Calm Tools • Tactile Practice Mat
My Finger-Trace Calming Mat
Name:
Date:
Place your pointer finger on START and follow the lines with slow, gentle breaths!
Desk & Calm Corner Mat
A
Star Finger-Trace Mountain
Breathe in UP ⬆ • Breathe out DOWN ⬇
Thumb
1
Start
Pointer
2
Tall
Middle
3
Peak
Ring
4
Gentle
Pinky
5
Calm!
B
Balloon Breath Calm Wave
Trace with your finger across the waves
Breathe In...
🎈 1
Belly Rises
Breathe Out...
🍃 2
Soft Sigh
Breathe In...
🎈 3
Big & Slow
Breathe Out...
⭐ 4
Body Soft
C
Body Check After My Practice
(Circle how your body feels now)
Calm & Soft
Heart Slower
Ready to Learn
My favorite calming tool on this mat is:
Keep this mat inside your desk or folder whenever you need a calm pause! Calm Superpowers • Lesson 2
Calm Choice Scenario Cards Lesson 3 • Partner Practice & Roleplay
Calm Choice Scenario Cards
Grades K-2 Activity
How to Play: Pick a situation card. Name the weather feeling, then act out the best calming tool together!
Cut along dashed lines ✂️
Card 1 • Stormy
Tower Tumbles Down
You spent 15 minutes building a tall block tower. A friend accidentally bumps it and it crashes down. Your hands clench into fists!
Calm Superpower to Try:
Freeze & Melt! Squeeze fists, exhale big, and say: "I feel frustrated, but I can rebuild."
Card 2 • Rainy
Left Out at Recess
You run over to play tag, but two classmates say the game is already full. You feel a heavy lump in your throat and tears welling up.
Calm Superpower to Try:
Balloon Belly Breaths. Hand on heart, 3 slow breaths, then ask a teacher for help joining another group.
Card 3 • Stormy
Sudden Loud Noise
The loud fire alarm buzzes during quiet work time. Your ears hurt, your shoulders jump up to your ears, and your heart races fast!
Calm Superpower to Try:
Star Finger Trace. Put hands near your chest, trace your 5 fingers quietly while walking in line.
Card 4 • Cloudy
Waiting a Long Turn
You really want to play on the blue swings, but three students are ahead of you. You feel grumpy, fidgety, and want to stomp.
Calm Superpower to Try:
Turtle Shell Reset. Cross arms across your chest, give yourself a gentle squeeze, count to 10.
Card 5 • Stormy
Spilled Water & Paint
You were coloring your favorite picture when water drips onto the paper, smudging your drawing. Cheeks feel hot and red!
Calm Superpower to Try:
Blow Out Birthday Candles. Hold up 5 fingers and blow each one out one by one until cheeks cool down.
Card 6 • Sunny Shift
Helping a Classmate
You see a friend sitting alone crying on the bench. You remember what it feels like to have stormy weather inside your body.
Calm Superpower to Try:
Co-Regulation Buddy. Walk over gently, say: "Would you like to do a star breath with me?"
Partner Question: Which situation happens to you most often at school? What tool will you choose?
Calm Superpowers • Practice Cards Lesson 3 Activity
My Calm Shield Assessment Unit Summative Assessment • Grades K-2
My Calm Superpower Shield
Name:
Date:
Draw and write your personal calming superpowers inside each section of your shield!
Self-Regulation Portfolio
1
My Storm Warning Clues
Draw or write what happens to your body when feelings get stormy (fists, heartbeat, tears):
2
My Go-To Calming Breath
Draw your favorite breathing tool (Balloon Breath, Star Finger Trace, Candle Breath):
3
My Body Reset Move
Draw your physical reset move (Freeze & Melt, Turtle Squeeze, Drink Water):
4
My Safe Helper & Space
Draw the safe adult or calm corner you can go to when you need extra support:
My Calm Pledge: "When big feelings come my way, I stop, breathe, and choose my calm!"
Signed:
Teacher Assessment Scoring Rubric
Total Score: _____ / 9 pts
Domain
Emerging (1 pt)
Developing (2 pts)
Proficient (3 pts)
1. Body Clue Awareness
Identifies 0-1 clue with heavy prompting.
Identifies 1 clear physical body clue.
Independently identifies 2+ specific physical sensations.
2. Calming Tool Selection
Needs teacher assistance to name a tool.
Names 1 breath or physical reset strategy.
Selects and demonstrates 2 concrete regulation tools accurately.
3. Help-Seeking & Safety
Unsure who to ask for help when overwhelmed.
Identifies a helper with teacher suggestion.
Clearly identifies a trusted adult and safe physical space.
Unit: Calm Superpowers • Lesson 3 Summative Assessment Standards: CASEL Self-Awareness & Self-Management