Reading the Sky Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson: Reading the Sky (Grades K-5)
Learning Objectives
Identify internal emotional states using weather metaphors (Sunny, Cloudy, Stormy, Foggy).
Connect physical body sensations to emotional "forecasts."
Select and practice at least two "weatherproofing" (regulation) strategies.
Materials Needed
• Weather Station Slides
• Daily Forecast Worksheet
• Inner Weather Anchor Chart
• Calm-down kit items
1
The Morning Report (10 mins)
Start with a question: "If your feelings today were the weather outside, what would they look like?" Introduce the four states:
Sunny
Cloudy
Stormy
Foggy
2
Reading the Body (15 mins)
Use the "Inner Weather Anchor Chart" to discuss clues. Ask: "How does your stomach feel during a Storm? How do your shoulders feel when it's Sunny?"
Teacher Tip:
Use "I feel..." statements instead of "I am...". This helps students see emotions as temporary weather patterns that pass, rather than permanent traits.
3
Weatherproofing (20 mins)
Distribute the **Daily Forecast Worksheet**. Guide students through identifying their current weather and choosing one "weatherproofing tool" (a regulation strategy) from the Activity Guide.
Differentiation Strategies
K-2 Support
Focus on the colors and simple weather icons. Use movement (act out the weather) to build physical awareness of emotions.
3-5 Extension
Introduce "Mixed Weather" (feeling two things at once). Discuss how our weather affects the "forecast" of those around us.
Daily Forecast Worksheet Daily Forecast
Emotional Weather Station Log
Pilot:
Date:
1. Check your internal sensors. How do you feel right now?
Sunny
Focused & Calm
Cloudy
Sad or Bored
Foggy
Silly or Distracted
Stormy
Angry or Scared
2. What are your body clues? Circle the ones you feel.
Tippy-toe energy
Tight muscles
Fast heartbeat
Tired eyes
Butterflies in tummy
Bouncy brain
3. Choose a weatherproofing tool!
Draw or write which strategy you will use to help your weather stay or get back to Sunny.
Inner Weather Anchor Chart My Inner Weather
How I feel and what I can do
Sunny
Ready to Learn!
Happy, Calm, Focused, Kind
Strategy:
Enjoy the feeling! Keep doing your best work.
Cloudy
Low Energy
Sad, Bored, Tired, Lonely
Strategy:
Talk to a friend, stretch, or take a deep breath.
Foggy
Wiggly Energy
Silly, Hyper, Distracted, Worried
Strategy:
Square breathing, wall push-ups, or a drink of water.
Stormy
High Energy
Angry, Scared, Panicked, Out of Control
Strategy:
Safe space, count to 10, or squeeze a stress ball.
"Weather changes, and so do my feelings!"
Weatherproofing Activity Guide Weatherproofing Guide
Self-Regulation Strategy Cards
When your inner weather gets Cloudy, Foggy, or Stormy, use these "weatherproofing" tools to help find your way back to Sunny.
Square Breathing
In for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4. Repeat while drawing a square in the air.
Wall Push-Ups
Push hard against the wall, then let go. Feel the "squeeze" in your muscles. Great for Foggy energy.
5-4-3-2-1 Tool
Find 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you can taste.
Kind Self-Talk
Whisper: "I am safe," "This will pass," or "I can handle this."
Lemon Squeezes
Squeeze hands into tight fists for 3 seconds. Release and feel the tension melt away.
The Safe Harbor
Go to your designated safe space to rest until the big Storm passes.
Lazy 8 Breathing
Trace an "8" on your palm. Breathe in for one loop, out for the other. Keep it slow.
The Big Hug
Wrap your arms around yourself and give a firm, steady squeeze. Count to 10.
The Cooling Fan
Blow out slow, cold air like you're cooling down hot soup. Excellent for Stormy feelings.
Finger Tracing
Trace up a finger while breathing in, and down while breathing out. Do all 5 fingers.
Weather Charades Activity
One student acts out a "weather state" (e.g., jumping for Foggy or stomping for Stormy). The class identifies the weather, then everyone practices one tool from this list together!
Weather Station Slides Reading
The Sky
An Inner Weather Report
Feelings are like The Weather
They change all the time.
No weather is "bad."
Every storm eventually passes.
We can prepare for any forecast!
Checking the Sensors
Heart
Is it beating fast like a drum or slow like a clock?
Brain
Is it bouncy and loud or quiet and focused?
Muscles
Are they tight and wiggly or loose and floppy?
Time to Practice!
Square
Breathing
Let's follow the square together to calm our weather and clear the fog.
1. In 💨
2. Hold 🛑
3. Out 😮💨
4. Hold 🛑
