Objectives
- Recognize that feelings and emotions put you in a mood.
Info to Know
This unit introduces mood. Students will learn that their feelings and emotions put them in a mood and that their mood influences their choices. Four essential concepts form an understanding of mood:
- Mood (along with recharge) is a key influencer of fit choices.
- Mood is your motivation. Mood can be "I will make a healthy choice," or "I won't make a healthy choice."
- Self-motivation strategies can help you motivate your mood.
- Your mood can change throughout the day.
Set The Stage
This lesson will help kids understand how to recognize and manage their moods. Begin by reading the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. Give kids time to really think about the book and share their thoughts.
Follow along with the slideshow as you continue the lesson.
To use this with your students click here.
Captivate
Read to Find Out a Character's Mood
Read aloud the excerpt from Judith Viorist's book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Ask students to supply words from your classroom's Feelings and Emotions Chart that describe Alexander's feelings.
Educate
Think About Moods
Explain that when Alexander says, “I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day,” he lets his feelings put him in an “I won’t” mood. Discuss how Alexander’s mood influences his choices. He needs to recognize his mood so he can manage it! Read aloud the examples of how to manage an “I won’t” mood.
Check for understanding: How does your mood impact your willingness to make healthy choices?
Activate
Discover Moods
Point out that to “know your mood” is to recognize that feelings and emotions influence your willingness to make healthy choices.
Give each student a Make a Face printable. Ask them to draw faces showing different emotions. Then, display the Managing Emotions poster and discuss ways to manage some common emotions.
Close the Lesson
Get your kids ready to investigate what influences our moods by asking them how to think about the value of mistakes, using Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day as common background.
- Why does Alexander get upset when his teacher tells him he is making mistakes?
- Is it bad to make a mistake?
- How do we know when we are making mistakes?
- Can mistakes be good sometimes?
- Is it possible to fix mistakes? How?
Grade: 3-5
Time: 20 Minutes
What You'll Need
Resources
- Recognize Your Mood - Slideshow
- Feelings and Emotions Chart - Printable
- Managing Emotions for Kids: Printable Poster - Printable
- Fill Your Plate Printable Placemat - Printable
- Make a Feeling Face Printable - Printable
Materials
- Slideshow
- Feelings Chart
- Markers
- Poster Board or White Board
Health Education Standards
- Standard 1: Core Concepts–Express feelings in a healthy way.
- Standard 4: Interpersonal Communication
- Standard 5: Decision-Making
Social and Emotional Learning Competencies
- Responsible Decision-Making
Extend the Lesson
- Play the fitGame, Emotion Commotion.
- Read Breathing Techniques to Inspire Mindfulness in Kids to learn how you can help your students relax and become more mindful of their feelings and emotions.
- Download the Fill Your Plate Printable Placemat to share with families and encourage kids to think about their feelings and emotions.