Internal Weather Slides Internal Weather Report
Mood Mechanics: Lesson 1
Big Question
How can we use our actions to change our mood when we feel sad or worried?
What are Mood Mechanics?
The Mechanics
Mechanics fix things! A Mood Mechanic knows how to "tune up" their brain and body to feel better.
The Dashboard
Just like a car has a dashboard, our bodies give us signals when we need a "mood tune-up."
Checking the Weather
Sadness
• Slumped shoulders
• Heavy feeling
• Frowning face
Worry
• Tight stomach
• Fast heartbeat
• Fidgety hands
Anger
• Clenched fists
• Red face
• Hot feeling
Time for Statues!
When the teacher calls an emotion, freeze like a statue showing that feeling in your whole body!
Freeze!
Pose!
scan!
The Mechanic's Scan
1
Close your eyes or look at your toes.
2
Think about your head, then your shoulders, then your tummy, then your toes.
3
What is your body trying to tell you?
Body Signal Map Worksheet Body Signal Map
Mood Mechanics: Lesson 1
Name:
Date:
The Mechanic's Scan
Our bodies are like dashboards! They give us signals when our "internal weather" changes. Choose an emotion (Sad, Worried, or Angry) and draw where you feel it in your body.
My Emotion Signal Map:
Sad
Worried
Angry
Face/Head
Shoulders
Hands
Stomach
Legs/Feet
What did you feel?
Tight Tummy
Frown
Heavy Legs
Hot Cheeks
Fast Heart
Tight Fists
The Mood Report
My body feels this way because I am feeling...
One thing I can do with my body right now is...
Great job, Mechanic! Knowing the signals is the first step to a mood tune-up.
The Action Experiment Slides The Action Experiment
Testing the Power of Movement
The Big Discovery
Your Brain and Body are Best Friends.
"When the body moves, the brain changes its tune!"
Can our actions "flip the switch" on a bad mood?
The Glitch Challenge
Try to keep a sad face and heavy shoulders while you jump up and down and smile!
What happens? Is it easy or hard? Why?
Experiment #1: High Voltage
THE FAST MOVE
Action:
30 Seconds of Silly Dancing or Star Jumps!
Wait for the whistle!
Observation Scan:
Heart rate?
Energy level?
Your smile?
Experiment #2: Cool Down
THE SLOW MOVE
Action:
Slow Stretching & 3 Deep "Belly Breaths"
Move like a slow-motion movie...
Observation Scan:
Muscle tension?
Racing thoughts?
Quiet brain?
The Mechanic's Rule
If you want to change how you FEEL...
You must change what you DO.
Actions are the remote control for your mood!
Action Lab Log Worksheet Action Lab Log
Mood Mechanics: Lesson 2
Name:
Scientist's Note: We are testing how moving our body changes our brain!
Test #1
High Voltage Move
How did your body feel after jumping or dancing?
Heart beating fast
Feeling sweaty
Full of energy
Draw your "Scientist Smile" after the move:
Test #2
Cool Down Move
How did your body feel after stretching and breathing?
Calm and quiet
Muscles feel loose
Sleepy or relaxed
Draw your "Quiet Brain" after the move:
Lab Conclusion
When I am feeling a "Low Battery" mood (sad or bored), I can use a move to feel better.
Result: Action changes my mood!
Mood Fixers Case Files Slides Mood Fixers Case Files
Prescribing Positive Actions
Today's Mission
The Team
You are Mood Medics!
We are going to look at "Case Files" of friends who are stuck in a low mood.
Your job: Prescribe a Positive Action to help them flip the switch!
Case #001
Sad Sammy
The Symptoms
"I don't want to get out of bed today."
Body feels heavy like a lead weight.
Everything feels boring and gray.
The Prescription?
What is ONE small action Sammy could do right now to move his body?
Discussion...
Case #002
Worried Wendy
The Symptoms
"The math test is coming... I'm scared!"
Tummy feels like it has butterflies.
Brain is racing 100 miles an hour.
The Prescription?
Wendy needs a "Cool Down" action. What could she do at her desk?
Discussion...
Time to Prescribe!
Grab your Mood Medic Pads. Your patient is waiting for their positive action plan!
Observe
Prescribe
Heal
Mood Medic Prescription Worksheet Mood Medic Pad
Case File: #003
Medic Name:
Patient Profile
Patient Name: Sad Sammy
Sammy is feeling very heavy and sad. He hasn't moved from his chair for an hour.
Diagnosis
Physical Signals Spotted:
Slumped Shoulders
Frown
Heavy Legs
Quiet Voice
Rx
Mood Tune-Up
Prescribed Positive Action:
What should Sammy DO to flip his mood switch?
Instructions for Sammy:
How many times should he do it? For how long?
Expected Result:
How will Sammy's body feel after his action?
Quick Scan: Patient Worried Wendy has butterflies in her tummy.
Prescribe a "Cool Down" action for her:
The Mood Switch Simulator Slides Mood Switch Simulator
Practice the Power of Choice
The Goal
In a simulator, we practice hard things until they become easy!
The 3-Step Switch:
1 FEEL the signal
2 PICK an action
3 SWITCH your mood!
The Joy Menu
What's on your order today?
Body Boosters
Fast moves like jumping, dancing, or running in place.
Brain Calmers
Slow moves like deep breathing, drawing, or reading.
Joy Makers
Happy moves like humming a song or high-fiving a friend.
Level 1: The Rainy Day
SIMULATION ACTIVE
The Scenario:
"Recess is cancelled because of rain. You feel slumped and bored. Your body feels like a heavy rain cloud."
How do you switch?
Pick a Body Booster from your menu!
Co-Op Mode
Work with a partner to act out a low mood, then show each other your Mood Switch Move!
Player 1
Shows the signal (Frown, Slump)
Player 2
Suggests the "Mood Switch" Action
Joy Menu Worksheet The Joy Menu
Simulation Tool: Lesson 4
Name:
Hungry for a better mood? Pick an Action Entree to flip your switch!
High Energy
Body Boosters
10 Star Jumps
Silly Dance Break
Run in Place (Fast!)
Your Choice...
Low Energy
Brain Calmers
3 Deep Belly Breaths
Quick Doodle or Sketch
Read for 5 Minutes
Your Choice...
Social/Fun
Joy Makers
Hum your favorite song
Give a High-Five
Say 1 kind thing to a peer
Your Choice...
Anywhere
Quick Fixes
Sit tall like a Mountain
Stretch to the ceiling
Take a cool sip of water
Your Choice...
Tip for Simulation: If your "Internal Weather" is cloudy (sad), pick a Body Booster. If it's stormy (worried), pick a Brain Calmer.
Master Mood Mechanics Slides Master Mood Mechanics
Your Personal Blueprint for Resilience
The Bouncy Ball Rule
Resilience
When a ball has air, it bounces back when it hits the ground.
Having a Plan is like putting the air back in your ball!
The Bounce-Back Plan
Emergency Card
It's a small card you can keep in your desk or pocket that tells you exactly what to do when you feel a "low battery" mood.
No guessing, just doing!
Identifies the Signal
Lists 3 Positive Actions
Puts YOU in control
Picking Your "Top 3"
Think back to our experiments and simulations.
Which moves made you feel the best?
Master Tip:
• Pick one "Fast Move" (Body Booster)
• Pick one "Slow Move" (Brain Calmer)
• Pick one "Joy Move" (Joy Maker)
Master Mechanic Status
You have the tools. You know the signals. Now, create your Bounce-Back Blueprint!
Ready Set Bounce!
Bounce-Back Blueprint Worksheet Bounce-Back Blueprint
Master Mechanic Emergency Card
Master Mechanic:
Issue Date:
1
Spot the Signal
When my internal weather feels like... (Draw or write the feeling)
Slumped Shoulders
Tight Stomach
Quiet Voice
2
The Triple-Switch Plan
Fast
Body Booster
Slow
Brain Calmer
Joy
Joy Maker
Master Mechanic Oath
"I have the power to flip the switch and change my mood!"
Official Badge
Cut out this blueprint and keep it in your desk for a quick mood tune-up!