We all struggle to put our feelings into words, and it can be even more challenging for kids. When it happens, it can be frustrating and cause a domino effect. Kids may have a poor reaction, an outburst, or blame someone else simply because they don’t know how to express what they are feeling. This lesson uses a Feelings Wheel to helps students indicate how they are doing at that moment, or that day, without having to say a word.
Note: It may be helpful to have this list of emotions as a resource to reference for improving emotional literacy.
Recommended Grade Level: Elementary
SEL Skill(s): Communication, Emotion Regulation
Duration: 30 minutes
Materials:
- Feelings wheel worksheet
- Colored pencils
- Clothes pin or push pins
- Optional: Laminate feelings wheel after students complete worksheet
Feelings Wheel Worksheet Instructions
Prompt: “Everyone has different feelings and sometimes it’s hard to explain how we are feeling and what we may need at that moment.
How are you feeling today? I’m feeling happy because I had my favorite breakfast [pancakes] this morning.
* Hand out the worksheet *
Now, I’d like you to think about the following: ‘How am you feeling today? Are you feeling sad? Angry about something? Happy? Just blah/OK?’
Sometimes checking in with a friend or teacher and letting them know how you’re doing can make all of the difference. But sometimes, it’s hard to say how you’re feeling with words. Today, we’re going to make a feelings wheel to make it easier to tell someone how you are feeling.
Start by coloring in your emojis. Once you’re done coloring, cut out your wheel, and I’ll pass out clothes pin [or push pins]. Think how you’re feeling right now and put the pin on that part of the wheel.”
* Give students time to work *
Once students complete their wheels, hand out the corresponding worksheet.
Prompt: “Now, we’re going to write about how we are feeling today and draw a picture to represent that feeling. It can be something that made you feel happy today or something that made you mad.”
* Give students time to work *
* Group discussion *
Talk about what we can do with our feelings.
- If I’m feeling happy, I can do something nice for a friend or make them laugh with a funny joke. I can spread that happiness.
- If I’m feeling sad, what can I do to maybe make myself feel better?
Feelings Wheel Lesson Extension When Using Centervention Online Programs
Each day, when a student log in to their online Centervention account, they will be asked how they are feeling. They can select one of the following five options: Mad, Sad, Worried, Okay, Happy.
All of these student emotion check ins are recorded and displayed in your educator dashboard where you can determine, at a glance, which students may need additional support.
Additional Resources
Books
- The Lonely Little Emoji by Harry Harmon
- H is for Happy by Evan Nimke (for younger students)
- The Way I Feel by Janan Cain