Lesson
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.
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:
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.
Follow along with the slideshow as you continue the lesson.
To use this with your students click here.
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.
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?
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.
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: 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