Sensory Joy Teacher Guide Sensory Joy Teacher Guide
Lesson 1: Exploring Sensory Joy
Sequence Sunshine Toolkit
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, students discover that positive experiences don't have to be "big" events. They explore how simple sights, smells, sounds, and textures can change how they feel. This foundational lesson helps students identify personal "joy triggers" for their Sunshine Kits.
Key Skill Sensory Awareness
Target Age 1st Grade (6-7 years)
Materials
Mystery "Blind Bags"
Sensory Station items (see below)
Joyful Senses Slides
Sense-ational Joy Log
The Hook: Blind Bag Challenge (10 mins)
"Today, we are going to use our detective skills. Inside these bags are mystery objects. We aren't going to look! We are just going to feel."
Instructions:
Have 3 bags with distinct textures: one soft (fleece/plush), one bumpy (pinecone/lego), one smooth (river stone/marble).
Ask students: "How does this make you feel? Does it feel cozy? Or does it feel surprising?"
Explain: "Our skin, ears, eyes, and noses can send 'happy messages' to our brains!"
Station Setup Guide
Visual & Scent Station
Provide colorful glitter jars, photos of baby animals, and scented markers or scratch-and-sniff stickers (lemon, lavender, peppermint).
Sound & Touch Station
Provide headphones with nature sounds vs. upbeat music. Add fabrics like velvet, silk, or "fidget" sequins that change color.
Questions to Ask
? "If you were feeling a little bit sad, which of these smells would help you feel better?"
? "Does everyone like the same music? Why is it important that we choose what WE like for our kits?"
? "Can a feeling change just by looking at a pretty picture?"
Joyful Senses Slides Joyful Senses
Building Your Sunshine Kit
What is a Sunshine Kit?
ðĶ
A special box or folder filled with things that make you smile .
âïļ
A tool to help us when we feel sad, bored, or worried .
Coming Soon: Your Design!
The 5 Sensory Power Tools
SIGHT
What do I see?
SOUND
What do I hear?
SMELL
What do I sniff?
TOUCH
What do I feel?
TASTE
What do I eat?
Station Rules
1
Use your Quiet Voices.
2
Be Gentle with the items.
3
Draw or Write what you LOVE.
What tools can we build today...
...to help us find happiness later?
Sense-ational Joy Log Sense-ational Joy Log
What makes your senses go POP? ðĨ
Name:
Date:
Visit each station. Try the sensory tools. If something makes you feel happy or calm, draw it in the box!
SIGHT
I love to look at...
SOUND
I love to listen to...
TOUCH
I love to feel...
SMELL
I love to sniff...
My Number One Pick:
If I can only put ONE sensory tool in my kit today, it would be:
Movement Energy Teacher Guide Movement & Energy Guide
Lesson 2: Movement and Energy Shifts
Sequence Sunshine Toolkit
Lesson Overview
Students learn to use their bodies as a remote control for their feelings. By experimenting with different movements, they discover how to "boost" their energy when sad/tired and "calm" their energy when overstimulated.
Key Skill Physical Regulation
Concept Energy Classification
Materials
Timer/Stopwatch
Upbeat & Slow Music
Energy Shifts Slides
Booster or Downer Sort
The Hook: Shake It Out Challenge (10 mins)
"Everyone, stand up! We are going to shake our 'sillies' out as fast as we can for 60 seconds!"
Play fast music. Let them shake, jump, and wiggle.
Stop! Ask: "How does your heart feel? Is it fast or slow? How does your brain feel?"
Then, do 30 seconds of slow "sloth" stretching.
Ask: "What changed? Did your 'energy remote' just switch channels?"
The Two Channels
ð Energy Boosters
Activities that wake up our bodies when we feel "low" (sad, sleepy, bored).
Examples: Jumping jacks, dancing, wall pushes.
â Calm Downers
Activities that slow down our bodies when we feel "high" (anxious, wild, angry).
Examples: Slow breathing, floor stretches, yoga.
Support & Extension
For Students with Limited Mobility:
Focus on isometric exercises (squeezing muscles), chair stretches, or controlled breathing patterns.
Extension:
Have students lead a "Movement Minute" where they choose the channel (Booster or Downer) for the whole class.
Energy Shifts Slides Body Remotes
Switching Your Energy Channel
How do you feel?
Low Energy
"I feel sleepy, sad, or bored. My body is slow."
High Energy
"I feel wiggly, wild, or worried. My heart is fast!"
Energy Boosters!
When we are LOW, we need a BOOST!
ðš
Dance Party
ðļ
Frog Jumps
ðïļ
Wall Pushes
Calm Downers
When we are HIGH, we need to CALM.
ð
Belly Breaths
ðĶ
Slow Stretches
ð§
Sitting Still
Your Body, Your Rules!
Today, you will choose 1 Booster and 1 Downer to put in your Sunshine Kit.
ð
â
Booster or Downer Sort Booster or Downer?
Which way does your energy go? ð â
Name:
Look at the activities below. If it makes you feel FAST like a rocket, draw it in the Booster side. If it makes you feel SLOW like an anchor, draw it in the Downer side!
BOOSTERS
Wakes me up! âïļ
My Favorite Booster
Ideas:
âĒ Jumping Jacks âĒ Running âĒ Dancing âĒ Loud Singing
DOWNERS
Calms me down... ð
My Favorite Downer
Ideas:
âĒ Big Breaths âĒ Slow Stretching âĒ Thinking Room âĒ Soft Music
Choose your two favorites for your Sunshine Kit tomorrow!
Designing Kit Teacher Guide Designing the Kit Guide
Lesson 3: Designing the Sunshine Kit
Sequence Sunshine Toolkit
Lesson Overview
This is the "Construction Phase." Students move from exploration to curation. They decorate their physical Sunshine Kits (shoeboxes, folders, or pouches) and select their favorite tools from the previous two lessons to include as visual "recipe cards."
Key Skill Curation & Choice
Activity Project Construction
Materials Needed
Shoeboxes/Folders
Art supplies (stickers, glitter, markers)
Sunshine Kit Plan worksheet
Previous logs/worksheets
The Hook: The Boredom Emergency (10 mins)
"Oh no! I am so bored. It's raining, and I can't go outside. I feel a bit 'blah.' Wait! I have my Sunshine Kit!"
Teacher reveals a finished kit and pulls out a "Recipe Card" (e.g., a drawing of a glitter jar).
"Look! My kit reminds me that I love watching glitter fall. I'll do that for 5 minutes. I feel better already! Today, YOU get to make yours."
Construction Steps
1
Decorate the Outside:
The kit should look like "happiness" to the student. Use bright colors, stickers, and their name.
2
Curation Time:
Students look at their Senses Log and Movement Sort. They pick their "Best of the Best" to draw onto the Sunshine Kit Plan cards.
3
The Storage:
Cut out the cards and place them inside the kit. If they have physical items (a small stone, a fidget), they can add those too!
Curation Questions
"Which of these tools is easiest to use at school?"
"Which one makes you laugh the most?"
"If your kit was a person, what would it say to you when you're sad?"
"Does your kit need more Boosters or more Downers?"
Sunshine Kit Plan Sunshine Kit Plan
Pick your "Best of the Best" tools! ð
Name:
Draw your 3 favorite activities below. Then, CUT THEM OUT and put them inside your Sunshine Kit!
MY SENSORY FAVORITE
This helps me feel:
Calm âïļ Happy ð Excited âĄ
âïļ Cut along the dotted line
ENERGY BOOSTER
I will use this when:
I feel sleepy ðĨą
I feel bored ð
I feel sad ðĒ
âïļ Cut along the dotted line
CALM DOWNER
I will use this when:
I feel wild ðĪŠ
I feel angry ðĄ
I feel worried ð°
âïļ Cut along the dotted line
Kit Construction Slides Kit Makers
Building Your Box of Joy
Today's Goal
Turn your box or folder into a Sunshine Kit!
Step 1: Decorate!
Make it look like happiness!
Use bright colors
Add stickers
Write your name BIG
âĻðĻâĻ
Step 2: Curation
Look at your papers. Pick the BEST tools for you:
ð
1 Sensory Tool
ð
1 Energy Booster
â
1 Calm Downer
Emergency Sunshine!
When your kit is done, you'll have a magic box that helps you find joy whenever you need it.
Connecting Others Teacher Guide Connecting Guide
Lesson 4: Connecting with Others
Sequence Sunshine Toolkit
Lesson Overview
So far, the Sunshine Kit has been about "Me." Today, we learn that "We" can be a tool for happiness too. Students identify people who make them feel good and create "Social Coupons" (reminders to ask for help or connection) to add to their kits.
Key Skill Social Connection
Focus Communication & Support
Materials
Social Coupons worksheet
"Human Knot" space
Social Connection Slides
The Hook: The Teamwork Joy (15 mins)
Activity: Human Knot
Have students stand in small circles (4-5 students). They reach in and grab two different hands of people not standing next to them. Now, they must untangle themselves without letting go!
"How did it feel when you finally untangled? Did you need help? Was it more fun doing it together?"
Discussion: The "Asking" Skill
Scenario: "I feel lonely at recess."
Question: "What is a 'Social Tool' we can use? Who could we ask to play? What words would we use?"
Scenario: "I feel very sad at home."
Question: "Who is someone you can ask for a hug? Does just being near someone help you feel better?"
Social Coupons: Reminders of Love
Sometimes when we are sad, we forget that other people can help. The "Social Coupons" in our kit act as reminders.
Coupon 1: Play
"Ask a friend to play [Activity]."
Coupon 2: Comfort
"Get a hug from [Person]."
Social Connection Slides Better Together
Adding Social Joy to Your Kit
People are Joy Tools!
ðĪ
Friend Tools
Playing games, sharing toys, or just laughing together.
ð
Home Tools
Hugs from family, playing with a pet, or reading a book with a grown-up.
The Power of Asking
?
"Will you play with me?"
?
"Can I have a hug, please?"
?
"I feel sad. Can you sit with me?"
Social Coupons
A coupon is a reminder to use your social tools.
"When I am sad, I forget that I have friends. My coupon reminds me!"
ONE FREE HUG
Social Coupons Worksheet Social Coupons
Connection is a super tool! ðĪ
Name:
Sometimes we need a little help to find our sunshine. Fill out these coupons and put them in your kit. Use them when you need a friend!
PLAY
THE "PLAY" COUPON
I will ask a friend to play:
Good for 1 game âïļ Cut Here
HUG
THE "HUG" COUPON
I will get a big hug from:
Good for 1 hug âïļ Cut Here
TALK
THE "TALK" COUPON
I will tell my feelings to:
Good for 1 talk âïļ Cut Here
HELP
THE "HELP" COUPON
I will ask for help with:
Good for 1 hand âïļ Cut Here
Showcase Simulation Teacher Guide Showcase & Simulation Guide
Lesson 5: Kit Showcase and Simulation
Sequence Sunshine Toolkit
Lesson Overview
This is the grand finale. Students showcase their kits to their peers and participate in a simulation where they practice using their tools to solve hypothetical "un-sunny" moments.
Key Skill Application & Public Speaking
Focus Peer Learning
Setup
Students' Completed Kits
Simulation Scenario cards
Toolkit Reflection Sheet
The Hook: Gallery Walk (15 mins)
"Today, we are visiting the 'Sunshine Museum.' Each of you is an artist and an expert on your own happiness. Let's see what tools our classmates built!"
Students leave their kits open on their desks.
Class walks around silently to observe.
Give each student 2 "Sticky Note Hearts" to leave on desks where they see a tool they'd like to try too.
The Sunshine Simulation
Read these scenarios aloud. Students must reach into their kits and hold up the tool they would use.
Scenario 1
"It's a rainy Saturday. You can't go to the park and you feel bored and wiggly. What tool do you use?"
Scenario 2
"A friend was mean to you at recess. Your heart feels heavy and sad. What tool do you use?"
Scenario 3
"You are trying to learn something new but it's very hard. You feel like giving up. What tool do you use?"
Scenario 4
"There is a lot of noise in the classroom and you feel overwhelmed. What tool do you use?"
Final Wrap-Up
"Your Sunshine Kit is always there for you. You are the boss of your own joy. Whenever you feel 'un-sunny,' just reach in and find a tool!"
Toolkit Reflection Sheet My Sunshine Pledge
I am the boss of my joy! âïļ
Name:
My Favorite Tool
Out of everything in my kit, my favorite tool to use is:
Draw or write it here!
When will I use it?
If I feel sad, I can reach in my kit and...
If I feel angry, I can reach in my kit and...
The Sunshine Pledge
"I know that I can choose activities that help me feel better. I will use my Sunshine Kit to help myself and my friends find our happiness every day!"
Sign Here:
