Feelings and Emotions

Through coming to know one's own emotions and feelings, students can begin to recognize emotions in others.

Empathy training for students is essential in building a strong community of learners


STEP 1: Whole group lesson
Drama / Role Play:
Taking turns in a whole group lesson, one student pantomimes an emotion / feeling by using facial expressions only (no voice). The other students guess the emotion that the "actor" is demonstrating.

Create a "word wall" or classroom list of emotions that the students have demonstrated.

Teacher facilitates classroom conversation during each role playing session. Teacher asks students to notice body language, facial features, and make specific observations about how the emotion is communicated non-verbally.


To extend the lesson, teacher asks directed questions about what a student would say / do for a classmate who looks sad / mad / frustrated / surprised / scared.





STEP 2: Individual Project:

Students choose one emotion and create an illustration showing this emotion. Students label their picture with the emotion word. (Students who are developing literacy skills use the "word wall" to access the label to write on their picture)


TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION:

Student poses for a photograph, demonstrating this emotion.

By using a digital camera, students can pose for several photos and then select the photo that best shows their emotion.

Bulletin Board / Website / Power Point Presentation:
Post the student photographs along with student illustrations to share understanding of feelings with the school community.