Feelings Detective Facilitator Guide Week 1 of 4 • Kindergarten Lunch Bunch
Feelings Detective Facilitator Guide
Core Focus: Recognizing Happy & Sad Faces and Body Cues
20–25 Minutes Total
Supplies
• Student lunch items
• Laminated Lunch Mats
• Dry-erase marker per child
• Cleanup wipes
Lunch Norms
1. One mouth chews, ears listen
2. All feelings are welcome!
3. Gentle hands on food & mats
Today's Target
Students point to their feeling face and identify 1 clue for happy vs. sad.
1. Welcome & Open Lunches (Minutes 0–5)
Setup & Settle
Help students open milk cartons and containers, placing food on the designated tray zone of their Lunch Mat.
Script: "Welcome, Feelings Detectives! Unpack your food right on your mat. While you chew, look at the friendly faces on your mat."
2. Face Clue Discovery: Happy & Sad (Minutes 5–12)
Teach & Munch
Model mouth and eye clues while students eat. Contrast upward smile curves with downward sad curves.
Prompt: "Show me with your face: how does your mouth look when you get a sticker? Now how does it look when you drop your crayon?"
3. Mat Finger Check-In & Sharing (Minutes 12–18)
Practice
Students touch their finger to the face on their mat that matches how their heart feels today.
Sharing Stem: "My finger is on [Emotion] because today I felt..."
4. Clean Up & Secret Salute (Minutes 18–22)
Wrap Up
Wipe mats, pack bags, toss trash. Do the 3-second Detective Salute before returning to class.
Connecting to Classroom Teacher
Day 1 Bridge
📧 Quick Teacher Email / Sticky Note:
"In Lunch Bunch today, our group explored happy & sad faces and body cues using feelings mats. They learned that all feelings are okay in our room!"
🍎 Classroom Transfer Prompt:
During transition or afternoon circle, ask: "Detectives, who can show me with their mouth what a calm face looks like?"
Feelings Checkin Lunch Mat My Feelings Check-In Mat
Feelings Crew • Lunch Bunch Table
Detective Name:
Place Your Lunch Box or Tray Here
"Good food gives our bodies energy to grow and feel strong!"
How does your heart and body feel right now?
Point with your finger!
😊
HAPPY Light Body
Smiling mouth, twinkling eyes, feeling bouncy and joyful.
Like a warm sunny day
😌
CALM Quiet Body
Soft face, relaxed shoulders, ready to listen and chew.
Like gentle water
😢
SAD Heavy Body
Frowning mouth, heavy eyes, wanting a warm hug or quiet.
Like a gentle rain
🤪
SILLY Wiggly Body
Giggles, busy fingers, dancing feet, hard to sit still.
Like popping bubbles
Trace with Your Finger: How Do Faces Change?
Happy Smile Path (Curve Up)
Trace left to right and make a smile!
Calm Line Path (Straight & Steady)
Trace slowly while taking one quiet breath.
🌟 Every feeling is okay in lunch bunch! We help each other grow.
Keep mat clean for next week
Storm Weather Facilitator Guide Week 2 of 4 • Kindergarten Lunch Bunch
Storm Weather Facilitator Guide
Core Focus: Mad, Scared & Early Body Signals (Tummy, Hands, Heart)
20–25 Minutes Total
Supplies
• Student lunch items
• Body Storm Lunch Mats
• Dry-erase marker / wipes
Core Concept
Feelings are like weather. Mad is a thunderstorm; scared is windy fog. Storms always pass!
Today's Target
Students identify 1 body clue for mad (tight fists) or scared (fluttery tummy).
1. Unpack & Week 1 Check-In (Minutes 0–5)
Welcome
Unpack lunches onto the Body Storm Lunch Mat tray spot. Prompt: "Who had a sunny smile today?"
2. Storm Weather Inside Our Bodies (Minutes 5–12)
Teach Concept
Demonstrate rock fists and thunder feet for Mad; fast thump-thump heart and butterflies for Scared.
Script: "Our body whispers clues to us before words come out. Squeeze your hands into rocks... now melt them into soft noodles!"
3. Body Clues Lunch Mat Check-In (Minutes 12–18)
Hands-On Mat
Students touch the body zone on their mat where their feeling weather shows up first (tummy, hands, or heart).
Group Check: "Touch your tummy: Is it fluttery or calm right now? Touch your hands: Are they rocks or noodles?"
4. Spaghetti Shake & Clean Up (Minutes 18–22)
Reset & Pack
Shake hands loose like floppy spaghetti for 5 seconds. Wipe down mats, pack lunch items, and clean tables.
Connecting to Classroom Teacher
Day 2 Bridge
📧 Quick Teacher Email / Sticky Note:
"In Lunch Bunch today, students practiced noticing body clues for mad (rock fists) and scared (fluttery tummy), and practiced the 'Spaghetti Noodle Shake' to unclench."
🍎 Classroom Transfer Prompt:
If a child starts tensing up during difficult tasks, offer this gentle cue: "Are your hands rocks or noodles right now? Let's do a noodle shake together."
Body Storm Lunch Mat Body Storm Lunch Mat
Feelings Crew • Day 2 Lunch Bunch Table
Detective:
Place Your Lunch Box or Tray Here
"Eat your healthy lunch while your body listens for feeling clues!"
Touch or Circle Where Your Body Feels Weather Today:
Point with finger
✊ Hands & Fingers Clue 1
🪨 Tight Rock Mad / Angry
🍝 Soft Noodle Calm & Safe
💓 Inside Your Chest Clue 2
🥁 Fast Drum Scared / Nervous
🌊 Gentle Wave Resting
🦋 Inside Your Tummy Clue 3
🌀 Butterflies Worried / Shy
🥪 Warm & Full Comfortable
🌡️ Face & Cheeks Clue 4
🌋 Hot Volcano Big Mad
☀️ Warm Sun Peaceful
🍝 The Spaghetti Noodle Unclench Shake
When hands turn into rocks: Squeeze tight (1... 2)... then shake your fingers loose like warm noodles onto your mat!
🌈 Storms pass through, but the sunny sky is always waiting inside you.
Keep clean for Week 3
Belly Breath Facilitator Guide Week 3 of 4 • Strategy 1 of 2
Belly Breath Facilitator Guide
Core Calming Strategy: 5-Finger Star Breath & Belly Balloon Breathing
20–25 Minutes Total
Supplies
• Student lunch items
• Star Breath Lunch Mats
• Dry-erase markers
• Cleanup wipes
Calming Power
Slow belly breaths signal the nervous system that the body is safe and help settle wiggly emotions.
Today's Target
Students trace the 5-finger star on their lunch mat and take 3 deep belly breaths.
1. Unpack & Check-In (Minutes 0–5)
Welcome
Unpack lunch items onto the Star Breath Lunch Mat tray zone. Check in on week 2 body storm clues.
2. The Magic Belly Balloon (Minutes 5–11)
Teach Breath
Have kids place hands over belly button: smell the flower (nose, 1... 2), blow the candle (mouth, 1... 2... 3).
Facilitator Cue: "Feel your balloon grow big and round... now let the gentle breeze out softly."
3. Star Tracing on Lunch Mat (Minutes 11–18)
Tactile Practice
Students trace the star points on their mat: up the mountain (inhale), pause at the peak, down the mountain (exhale).
Group Chant: "Breathe in slow, watch it grow... breathe out soft, nice and low!"
4. Hand-Star Portable Practice & Clean Up (Minutes 18–22)
Skill Transfer
Show kids how their 5 fingers make a personal star anywhere! Wipe mats and pack lunch bags.
Connecting to Classroom Teacher
Day 3 Bridge
📧 Quick Teacher Email / Sticky Note:
"In Lunch Bunch today, our students mastered Strategy #1: '5-Finger Star Breathing' and 'Belly Balloon Breaths' to help quiet wiggly or overwhelmed bodies."
🍎 Classroom Transfer Prompt:
At line-up or after recess, hold up 5 fingers and say: "Friends, let's take one star breath together before we sit on the rug!"
Star Breath Lunch Mat Star Breath Lunch Mat
Feelings Crew • Day 3 Lunch Bunch Table
Calm Star:
Place Your Lunch Box or Tray Here
"Eat your good lunch while your body practices slow, calm breathing!"
HOLD HOLD HOLD HOLD HOLD START ⭐ CALM STAR
Trace UP: Inhale (1, 2)
Trace DOWN: Exhale (1, 2, 3)
The 3 Steps to Fill Your Belly Balloon:
1
Hands on Belly Feel tummy balloon grow
2
Smell the Flower In through nose: 1... 2
3
Blow Candle Out soft mouth: 1... 2... 3
🖐️ No mat? Spread your hand and trace your 5 fingers anywhere!
Keep clean for Week 4
Belly Breath Classroom Poster Feelings Crew • Calm Down Corner
WHEN MY BODY FEELS BIG...
I Can Take 3 Magic Belly Breaths!
1
Smell The Flower
Breathe In Through Nose
🌸
Tummy grows round like a balloon!
2
Blow The Candle
Breathe Out Through Mouth
🎂
Gentle soft air cools the cake!
3
Trace Your 5-Finger Star!
🖐️ You always have your hand with you!
⬆️ 👃
TRACE UP
Breathe in slow
⏸️ ⭐
PAUSE AT TIP
Hold gently
⬇️ 💨
TRACE DOWN
Breathe out soft
🌟 My feelings are valid • My breath helps me feel safe! 🌟
Kindergarten Feelings Crew • Practice every day at Morning Meeting & Calm Corner
Calm Helpers Facilitator Guide Week 4 of 4 • Final Group Celebration
Calm Helpers Facilitator Guide
Core Focus: Butterfly Squeeze & Asking Grown-Ups for Co-Regulation
20–25 Minutes Total
Supplies
• Student lunch items
• Calm Helpers Lunch Mats
• Pocket Coping Cards
• Gold stickers or stamps
Core Message
Kindergarteners don't have to calm down alone. Asking an adult helper is a great superpower!
Today's Target
Students practice the Butterfly Hug squeeze and recite helper words: "I need help."
1. Unpack & Star Breath Warm-Up (Minutes 0–5)
Unpack & Warm Up
Place lunches on the Calm Helpers Lunch Mat. Warm up with 1 quick finger star breath together while chewing.
2. Strategy 2: The Butterfly Squeeze (Minutes 5–11)
Strategy Introduction
Cross arms over chest with hands on opposite shoulders. Alternate gentle rhythmic taps (Left... Right... Left).
Facilitator Script: "Give your body a gentle butterfly squeeze. It reminds our muscles that we are safe and grounded."
3. Using Helper Words with Grown-Ups (Minutes 11–17)
Partner Practice
Practice the 3-word helper phrase: "I need help." Pair kids up to take turns being the helper and asking for a co-regulation breath.
4. Detective Badges, Cards & Pack Up (Minutes 17–22)
Celebration
Hand out the Pocket Calm Coping Cards with a gold star sticker. Wipe down lunch mats, pack food, and do a final Detective Cheer!
Connecting to Classroom Teacher
Day 4 Bridge
📧 Quick Teacher Email / Sticky Note:
"Our group completed their 4-week Feelings Crew series! They now know how to identify emotions, use Star Breathing, do the Butterfly Squeeze, and ask an adult for support."
🍎 Classroom Transfer Prompt:
Remind students that your classroom Calm Corner is always open, and prompt: "Would you like to do your butterfly squeeze or star breath together?"
Pocket Calm Coping Cards Pocket Calm Coping Cards
Feelings Crew • Cut & Keep Pocket Ring
✂️ Cut along dashed lines
💡 Teacher Tip: Punch hole in the top corner of each card and put on a binder ring or lanyard! 4 Pocket Cards
Card 1 • Check In
My Feelings Compass
😊 HAPPY Light body
😢 SAD Heavy body
😡 MAD Rock fists
😨 SCARED Fast heart
"All my feelings are okay!"
Card 2 • Strategy 1
5-Finger Star Breath
⭐
Trace Your 5 Fingers
⬆️ Trace UP: Inhale (1, 2)
⏸️ At the TIP: Hold
⬇️ Trace DOWN: Exhale (1, 2, 3)
"Belly balloon grows round and slow!"
Card 3 • Strategy 2
Butterfly Squeeze
🦋
Give Yourself a Gentle Hug
1. Cross arms across your chest.
2. Tap shoulders: Left... Right... Left.
3. Say: "My body is safe."
"Melt your rocks into soft noodles."
Card 4 • Adult Support
Grown-Up Helper Words
🗣️🤝 Say These Words to an Adult:
"I have a big feeling. Can you help my body?"
Detective Name:
🌟 Certified Feelings Detective!
🎒 Keep these cards in your backpack or desk pocket for when feelings get big!
Feelings Crew • Week 4 Complete
Calm Corner Station Poster Kindergarten Calm Down Corner
OUR CLASSROOM CALM SPOT
3 Steps to Reset Our Minds & Bodies
1
Check Your Weather
How does your body feel?
😊 HAPPY Sunny & light
😢 SAD Rainy & slow
😡 MAD Stormy & tight
😨 SCARED Windy & fast
2
Try 1 Calming Strategy
Pick one below:
⭐
5-Finger Star Breath
Trace up to breathe in, trace down to blow candle air.
🦋
Butterfly Squeeze Hug
Cross arms, gently tap shoulders: Left... Right... Left.
3
Ask a Grown-Up Helper
You are never alone!
🗣️
Say These Words:
"I have a big feeling. Can you help my body?"
💚 When my body is calm, I am ready to play and learn! 💚
Feelings Crew • Proud Kindergarten Emotion Detectives
Calm Helpers Lunch Mat Calm Helpers Lunch Mat
Feelings Crew • Day 4 Lunch Bunch Table
Detective:
Place Your Lunch Box or Tray Here
"Celebrate with your group! You are now an Official Feelings Detective!"
My 2 Superpower Calming Strategies:
Touch & Practice
⭐ 1. Star Breathing Tool 1
🖐️
Trace 5 Fingers
Up: Inhale flower air • Down: Blow soft candle air
✨ Makes busy bodies quiet & safe
🦋 2. Butterfly Squeeze Tool 2
🤗
Cross Arms & Tap
Gentle taps on shoulders: Left... Right... Left...
✨ Melts tight rocks into soft noodles
🤝
Asking a Grown-Up Helper for Support:
🗣️
Magic Helper Words:
"I have a big feeling. Can you help my body?"
Always Safe
🌟 Hooray! You are a graduated Feelings Detective for your whole school!
Feelings Crew Grad
Feelings Detective Graduation Certificate ⭐
Official Certificate of Completion
⭐
FEELINGS DETECTIVE
Kindergarten Feelings Crew Graduate
This special honor is proudly presented to:
Superstar Detective Name
For actively participating in 4 weeks of Lunch Bunch, learning that all feelings are welcome, and mastering 4 incredible emotional superpowers:
🔍
Body Detective Noticing feeling weather in faces, hearts, and hands.
⭐
5-Finger Star Breath Taking slow, calming belly balloon breaths.
🦋
Butterfly Squeeze Gentle hugs that turn tight rocks into noodles.
🗣️
Adult Helper Words Asking trusted grown-ups for co-regulation help.
Group Facilitator School Counselor / Educator
CERTIFIED
Date Awarded Kindergarten Milestone
"I am kind to my feelings, I breathe to calm my body, and I ask for help when I need it!"
