Mood Moments

• Safety: Allow enough space to move freely and minimize collisions. Determine boundaries that are a safe distance from obstacles and walls.
• Ensure equipment and materials are properly cleaned. 
• Determine how you will group learners, using best practice guidelines from Effective Strategies for Grouping Learners.
• Use cones to section play area.
• Be prepared to demonstrate fitBoost activity and fitFlow yoga.

Begin with a fitBoost.

Say: Let’s be actors! Use your face and body to show your feelings and emotions.

1. Show me what you look like when you feel grouchy or grumpy and do not want to play with friends.
2. Show me how you act when you feel excited and don't want to be still.
3. Show me how you act when you feel angry and don't want to talk to anyone.
4. Show me how you act when you feel alert and ready to learn!

Feelings and emotions put you in a mood, and your mood influences your choices. Stop and think about your mood right now. (Allow learners a moment to reflect on their mood.) Are you ready to make a healthy choice? If not, what can you do to motivate your mood? 

The number one thing you need to know is when you are able to identify your feelings and emotions, you can cope with them in a healthy way.  

Today we are going to practice recognizing different feelings and emotions and positive self-talk.  

1. Each learner selects a Mood Card from the teacher. Because children are learning about choices, they will choose one of three activities for each round. Limit the number of learners at each station to between 3 and 5.
   
   
2. If an “I will” mood card is selected, shout a positive self-talk statement. Give the learners examples:  
   “I feel awesome! I am ready to make a healthy choice!” 
   “I can do it! I am ready to make a healthy choice!” 
   “I am strong and ready to make a healthy choice!”  
   
   Choose from the following: 
   Jog around the perimeter of the gym. 
   Bounce and catch a ball. Challenge learners to bounce and catch five times moving as many body parts as they can (hand arm, head, knee, foot). 
   Volley (strike) a balloon or beach ball in the air. Challenge the learner to volley five times without the ball hitting the floor. 

3. If an “I won’t” mood card is selected, the learner shouts another form of a positive self-talk statement. Give the learners examples: 
   “It’s ok to feel this way, time to make a healthy choice.”  
   “I believe in me! I am ready to make a healthy choice!” 
   “I am enough! I am ready to make a healthy choice!” 
   “Mistakes help me grow! I am ready to make a healthy choice!” 
   
   Choose from the following: 
   Move joyfully around the perimeter of the gym. 
   With a partner, find a comfortable space to talk about your favorite games, activities, or things you are thankful for.
   With a partner, choose a fitFlowcard and do the poses.
   Find a comfortable space to sit, close your eyes, and take deep breaths. 

4. Allow 2-3 minutes per round.

1. Partner learners.
   
   
2. Select a fitFlowcard and complete the poses.
   
   
3. While stretching, partners discuss feelings, acknowledging all are ok, and choices they can make when they need to cope with big feelings such as getting active, deep breathing, etc. 
   
   
4. Assess understanding with the following questions: 
   Q: What was our lesson about today? 
   A: Recognizing that all feelings are ok and how to use positive self-talk to make healthy choices. 
   
   
   Q: What can you do when your mood is “I won’t”? 
   A: Take a moment to identify how you’re feeling, then practice a healthy choice to help you positively cope. Some examples include going for a walk, deep breathing, talking to a friend, etc. 
    
   
   Q: How would you explain self-talk to a family member? 
   A: Positive self-talk is when you pause to recognize your mood, then tell yourself positive things about yourself and make a healthy choice to manage your mood. 
   
   
   Q: With a partner, demonstrate what you will do when you recognize your mood and want to make a healthy choice. 
   A: Learners give examples of healthy choices they can do alone or with family and friends. 
   
   
5. Print and distribute My Growth Garden as take-home activity.

Finish this sentence: My plan to manage my mood is to  __________.