Lesson Plan
What Are Feelings?
Students will be able to identify and name at least three basic emotions (happy, sad, angry, scared) and understand that everyone experiences different feelings.
Understanding and expressing emotions is a foundational skill for social-emotional learning, helping children navigate their inner world and interactions with others.
Audience
1st Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and a creative drawing activity.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, What Are Feelings? Slide Deck, Feelings Worksheet, and Crayons or Colored Pencils
Prep
Gather Materials & Review Content
10 minutes
- Review the What Are Feelings? Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print enough copies of the Feelings Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure you have crayons or colored pencils readily available.
- Test the projector/smartboard to make sure it's working properly.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the topic: feelings!
- Ask students: "What does it mean to have a feeling?" (Allow for brief sharing)
- Display the first slide of the What Are Feelings? Slide Deck to introduce the topic visually.
Step 2
Exploring Basic Emotions
10 minutes
- Use the What Are Feelings? Slide Deck to introduce four basic emotions: happy, sad, angry, and scared.
- For each emotion, discuss:
- What does this feeling look like on someone's face or body?
- When might you feel this way?
- Is it okay to feel this way?
- Encourage students to share brief, appropriate examples of when they felt each emotion.
Step 3
Feelings Worksheet Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute the Feelings Worksheet and crayons/colored pencils.
- Explain the activity: Students will draw a face for each emotion and then draw a time they felt that emotion.
- Circulate around the room, offering assistance and encouragement.
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Share
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask a few students to share one of their drawings from the Feelings Worksheet and explain why they drew it.
- Reinforce the idea that all feelings are okay and it's important to talk about them.
- End with a positive message about understanding our feelings.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
What Are Feelings?
Today, we're going to talk about something super important: our feelings! What does it mean to have a feeling?
Greet students warmly. Ask them to think about what a 'feeling' is. Encourage a few quick shares before moving to the slide.
Feeling Happy!
When you feel happy, you might smile, laugh, or want to jump for joy!
What makes you feel happy?
Introduce 'Happy.' Ask students: 'What does a happy face look like? What does a happy body do?' Ask for examples: 'When do you feel happy?' Emphasize that feeling happy is wonderful.
Feeling Sad...
When you feel sad, you might cry, have a frown, or want a hug.
It's okay to feel sad. What helps you when you feel sad?
Introduce 'Sad.' Ask students: 'What does a sad face look like? What does a sad body do?' Ask for examples: 'When do you feel sad?' Emphasize that it's okay to feel sad and that we can talk about it.
Feeling Angry!
When you feel angry, your face might get red, your hands might clench, or you might want to shout.
What are safe ways to show you're angry?
Introduce 'Angry.' Ask students: 'What does an angry face look like? What does an angry body do?' Ask for examples: 'When do you feel angry?' Emphasize that it's okay to feel angry, but it's important to show our anger in a safe way.
Feeling Scared!
When you feel scared, your eyes might get wide, you might shiver, or want to hide.
What helps you when you feel scared?
Introduce 'Scared.' Ask students: 'What does a scared face look like? What does a scared body do?' Ask for examples: 'When do you feel scared?' Emphasize that it's okay to feel scared and that we can be brave or seek comfort.
Show Your Feelings!
Now it's your turn!
We are going to draw how we feel and when we feel it.
Use your crayons to draw happy, sad, angry, and scared faces, and then draw a time you felt that way!
Explain the worksheet activity. Instruct students to use their crayons to draw faces and situations for each feeling. Remind them to be creative and thoughtful. This is a good time to transition to distributing the Feelings Worksheet.
All Feelings Are Okay!
Remember, all feelings are okay to have.
It's important to talk about how you feel!
Facilitate sharing. Ask a few students to share their drawings. Reiterate the main takeaway: all feelings are valid, and it's good to talk about them.
Worksheet
My Feelings Faces & Moments
It's important to know and show our feelings! Draw a face for each feeling below. Then, draw a time when you felt that way!
1. Happy!
Draw a happy face:
Draw a time you felt happy:
2. Sad...
Draw a sad face:
Draw a time you felt sad:
3. Angry!
Draw an angry face:
Draw a time you felt angry:
4. Scared!
Draw a scared face:
Draw a time you felt scared:
Script
What Are Feelings? - Teacher Script
Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important that we all experience every single day. We're going to talk about our feelings!"
Teacher: "What do you think it means to have a feeling? Can anyone share what they think a feeling is?"
(Allow 2-3 students to share their thoughts. Affirm their responses, like "That's a great idea!" or "Yes, feelings are like signals inside us.")
Teacher: "Exactly! Feelings are what we sense inside our bodies and minds. They tell us how we are reacting to things around us. Let's look at our first slide to kick things off!"
(Display What Are Feelings? Slide Deck - Slide 1)
Exploring Basic Emotions (10 minutes)
Teacher: "First up, a feeling we all love! This is Happy!"
(Display What Are Feelings? Slide Deck - Slide 2)
Teacher: "When you feel happy, what does your face look like? Show me a happy face!" (Pause for students to show faces) "That's right, a big smile! What about your body? What do you feel like doing when you're happy?" (Allow a few shares: jump, laugh, hug, sing) "Wonderful! Happy is a great feeling. Can anyone share something that makes them feel happy?" (Allow 2-3 students to share brief, appropriate examples)
Teacher: "Now, sometimes we don't feel so sunny. This is Sad."
(Display What Are Feelings? Slide Deck - Slide 3)
Teacher: "What does a sad face look like? Show me!" (Pause for students to show faces) "Yes, a frown, maybe watery eyes. When you're sad, you might feel like crying or needing a quiet moment. Is it okay to feel sad?" (Emphasize YES) "Absolutely! Everyone feels sad sometimes. What helps you when you feel sad?" (Allow 2-3 shares: a hug, talking to someone, a favorite toy) "Those are all great ways to feel better when you're sad."
Teacher: "Next, a strong feeling: Angry!"
(Display What Are Feelings? Slide Deck - Slide 4)
Teacher: "When someone is angry, what might their face look like? Show me an angry face!" (Pause for students to show faces) "You might see a frown, tight lips, or furrowed eyebrows. Your body might feel tight or hot! It's okay to feel angry, but it's super important to show our anger in safe ways. What are some safe ways to show you're angry, without hurting yourself or others?" (Allow 2-3 shares: take deep breaths, count to ten, talk about it, draw a picture) "Excellent ideas! It's good to know how to handle big feelings like anger."
Teacher: "Finally, let's talk about Scared."
(Display What Are Feelings? Slide Deck - Slide 5)
Teacher: "What does a scared face look like? Show me!" (Pause for students to show faces) "Wide eyes, maybe a little shiver! When you're scared, your heart might beat fast, or you might want to hide. Is it okay to feel scared?" (Emphasize YES) "Of course! We all feel scared sometimes. What helps you when you feel scared?" (Allow 2-3 shares: a grown-up, a light, a blanket) "Those are great ways to feel safe when you're scared."
Feelings Worksheet Activity (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Now that we've talked about these four feelings—happy, sad, angry, and scared—it's your turn to show what you know!"
(Display What Are Feelings? Slide Deck - Slide 6)
Teacher: "I'm going to hand out this Feelings Worksheet. On this worksheet, you'll see a box for each feeling. First, draw a face that shows that feeling. Then, in the bigger box, I want you to draw a picture of a time you felt that way. For example, if you're drawing for 'happy,' you might draw a picture of your birthday party! Be creative and use your crayons or colored pencils."
(Distribute worksheets and art supplies. Circulate to assist and encourage students.)
Wrap-Up & Share (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Alright everyone, let's bring our attention back up here. You all did an amazing job with your drawings! Can a few friends share one of their feeling pictures and tell us about it?" (Call on 2-3 students to share their work and briefly explain their drawing.)
Teacher: "Fantastic shares, everyone! Remember this important thing: all of our feelings are okay to have! It's how we learn about ourselves and the world. And the most important part is that when we have big feelings, it's always good to talk about them with a trusted grown-up."
(Display What Are Feelings? Slide Deck - Slide 7)
Teacher: "Thank you all for sharing your wonderful ideas and drawings today! Keep talking about your feelings!"
Warm Up
How Are You Feeling Today?
Circle the face that shows how you are feeling right now!
:) Happy
:| Neutral
:( Sad
:o Surprised
:(> Angry
Why do you feel that way? Write or draw your answer below.
Cool Down
Feelings Reflection: One New Thing
What is one new thing you learned about feelings today?
Why is it important to talk about our feelings?