Lesson
Teach kids not only to understand how their feelings and emotions affect their mood, but also how to manage that mood!
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:
Help kids understand that their feelings and emotions change throughout the day and can impact their motivation. Give the experience in naming different feelings and emotions by downloading the Find the Feeling Matching Game. Show the video Recognizing Feelings and Emotions to help kids understand that being mindful of your mood can help you make healthy choices. For example, when you are feeling bummed out, how often do you go outside and play? When you are feeling super excited, how often do you go outside and play? Feelings and emotions put you in a mood, and your mood affects your willingness to make healthy choices.
Follow along with the slideshow as you continue the lesson.
To use this with your students click here.
Practice Facial Expressions to Show Feelings
While watching the video of the mime’s presentation of different feelings, ask students to stand up and make faces along with the video. At the end of the video, ask them to make a face to show how they feel right now.
Mood Affects Change
Explain that feelings and emotions put you in a mood and your mood impacts your willingness to make a fit choice. For example, sometimes when you feel:
Check for understanding: Name some of the feelings and emotions you have throughout the day.
Learning to Manage Mood
Students partner with a friend. Ask them to tell one another about a time when they said, “I don’t want to...” or “I won’t…” Have students describe the feeling or emotion that put them in that mood.
Next, ask students to talk about a time when they said, "I want to..." or "I will..." and have then describe the feeling or emotion that put them in that mood.
Consider reading a picture book about growth mindset and asking students to identify the character's feelings and emotions. When students can identify how characters' moods change, they start to recognize their own changing moods. You may extend your discussion by talking about how growth mindset can help students manage and motivate their mood.
Grade: K-2
Time: 20 Minutes
Teach kids to think about making healthy choices and the importance of doing so.
Start LessonEncourage kids to stop and think about their moods and energy levels. This leads to healthier decision-making.
Start LessonTaking time to think about choices is important, we call this a choice-check.
Start LessonTeach kids to think about how their energy and mood affect their food and move choices.
Start LessonMaking healthy choices happens throughout our day. Teach kids to recognize these moments.
Start LessonShow kids how making healthy choices can cause a chain reaction of feeling good and making more healthy choices.
Start Lesson