Lesson

Implications of Moods on the Choices Kids Make

Now that your kids have learned to take charge of their moods, they are ready to find out how to make better choices as well.

Objectives

  • Recognize mood and its influence on choices.

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:

  1. Mood (along with recharge) is a key influencer of fit choices.
  2. Mood is your motivation. Mood can be "I will make a healthy choice," or "I won't make a healthy choice."
  3. Self-motivation strategies can help you motivate your mood.
  4. Your mood can change throughout the day.

Set The Stage

If you've ever found yourself in front of the TV after a bad day, mindlessly digging ice cream out of the container with a spoon, you know that mood and food are sometimes linked. But, did you know that all the choices you make throughout the day are connected to your mood as well?

Now that your students have learned to identify their moods, they are ready to find out how to make better choices.

To use this with your students click here.

Captivate

Revisit Mood's Influences

Take a look at each slide and ask students to identify the different feelings and emotions that may have influenced each child's mood and choices. Use student responses to add words to the Feelings and Emotions Chart.

Educate

Compare Choices

Explain that to influence is to affect choices. Our mood influences our choices. Compare and contrast each kid's choice and talk about how it helped manage their moods. Highlight that when kids decide to motivate their mood, they make healthier food and move choices.

Check for understanding: How are mood and choices connected?

Activate

Practice Making Healthy Choices

Remind students that if they are feeling bad, frustrated, bored, tired, etc., they can decide to motivate their mood and make a fit choice. Ask students to identify a health helper (a trusted adult) who can help if needed.

Hand out the Healthy Choices Maze printable for students to discover healthy choices they can make.

Close the Lesson

Ask children to begin noticing how they feel when they are making choices. Talk out loud about how you feel as a way to model self-awareness. Say, “I feel a little frazzled today, so I will decide to motivate my mood and take a walk around the playground after lunch.” 

Grade: 3-5

Time: 20 Minutes

What You'll Need

Resources

Materials
  • Slideshow
  • Feelings Chart
  • Markers
  • Poster Board or White Board

Health Education Standards

  • Standard 1: Core Concepts–Express feelings in a healthy way. Use self-control and impulse-control strategies to promote health.
  • Standard 4: Interpersonal Communication 
  • Standard 5: Decision-Making
  • Standard 7: Self-Management

 

Social and Emotional Learning Competencies

  • Responsible Decision-Making
  • Self-Management

Extend the Lesson

View the fit Units and Lessons Scope and Sequence Chart.

Related Content

Food, Mood, Move, Recharge

Making fit Choices

Grades K-2

Encourage kids to be fit by teaching them how to self-assess and make fit choices.

Start Lesson
Food, Mood, Move, Recharge

Ways Healthy Choices Impact Kids' Moods

Grades 3-5

Encourage kids to stop and think about their mood and energy levels. This leads to healthier decision making.

Start Lesson
Mood

Your Mood and Your Mindset

Grades K-2

Help empower kids to make good choices with a positive mindset.

Start Lesson
Food, Mood, Move, Recharge

What is a fit-Check?

Grades 3-5

Taking time to think about choices is important, we call this a fit-check.

Start Lesson
Food, Mood, Move, Recharge

When and Where Kids Can Make Healthy Choices

Grades 3-5

Teach kids to think about making healthy choices and the importance of doing so.

Start Lesson
Food, Mood, Move, Recharge

How Can a fit-Check Help Kids' Moods?

Grades 3-5

Teach kids to think about how their energy and mood affect their food and move choices.

Start Lesson