Lesson Plan
Emotional Explorers
Students will learn to recognize and name four basic emotions—happy, sad, angry, and scared—using visual cues and personal examples, then record their feelings in their own Emotion Journal.
Building emotional awareness through naming feelings helps first graders develop self-regulation and creates a supportive classroom community.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Emotion Warm-Up
3 minutes
Step 2
Name That Feeling
4 minutes
Step 3
Emotion Journal Time
5 minutes
Step 4
Share & Celebrate
3 minutes
Slide Deck
Emotional Explorers
Emotion Warm-Up
Name That Feeling
Emotion Journal Time
Share & Celebrate
Activity
Reading
Worksheet
Lesson Plan
Belly Breathing Buddies
Students will learn a simple belly-breathing technique using a stuffed-animal buddy to notice and calm their bodies and minds.
Belly breathing builds self-regulation and offers first graders an easy, fun tool to reduce stress and feel calm at school.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Introduction to Breathing Buddies
3 minutes
Step 2
Demonstrate Belly Breathing
4 minutes
Step 3
Student Practice
5 minutes
Step 4
Reflect & Share
3 minutes
Slide Deck
Belly Breathing Buddies
Meet Your Breathing Buddy
How to Belly Breathe
Your Turn to Practice
Reflect & Share
Lesson Plan
Power Self-Talk
Students will learn to use positive self-talk to boost confidence and manage big feelings through mirror talk and personal mantras.
Positive self-talk helps first graders reframe negative thoughts, build resilience, and develop a supportive inner voice for facing challenges.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Introduction to Self-Talk
3 minutes
Step 2
Model Mirror Talk
4 minutes
Step 3
Mantra Card Creation
5 minutes
Step 4
Share & Repeat
3 minutes
Slide Deck
Power Self-Talk
What Is Self-Talk?
Mirror Talk Demonstration
Create Your Mantra Card
Share & Repeat
Activity
Worksheet
Lesson Plan
Gratitude Glow
Students will learn to express gratitude by identifying things they appreciate and creating personalized Gratitude Glow Jars to hold positive reminders.
Cultivating gratitude helps first graders focus on positive experiences, supports emotional well-being, and fosters a caring classroom community.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Gratitude Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Introduction to Gratitude
3 minutes
Step 2
Model a Gratitude Slip
3 minutes
Step 3
Write Your Gratitude Slips
4 minutes
Step 4
Decorate Your Glow Jar
3 minutes
Step 5
Share & Display
2 minutes
Slide Deck
Gratitude Glow
Introduction to Gratitude
Model a Gratitude Slip
Write Your Gratitude Slips
Decorate Your Glow Jar
Share & Display
