Try a Free Lesson

STEPS

1. Seat students in a circle so everyone can see each other.
2. Going around the circle, each student names their feeling right now in one word.
3. Invite four or five volunteers to say why they feel that way.

MATERIALS

• Carpet or open floor space
• Feeling word cutouts (print below)

STEPS

1. Split the class into two teams at the board.
2. Teams race for 2–3 minutes to write as many feeling words as they can. No repeats.
3. Count words, then sort every word as a class into positive and negative.

MATERIALS

• Class board and markers
• Sorting chart (print below)

STEPS

1. Hand out the drawing worksheet, one per student.
2. Students draw themselves in a good mood and in a bad mood.
3. They write what they do in each mood and what causes it.
4. Hang the finished pictures up and share a few as a class.

MATERIALS

• Drawing worksheet (print below)
• Crayons, markers, or pencils

STEPS

1. Read the book, or play the video read-aloud above.
2. Ask how Bob reacts when things go wrong for him.
3. Each student names one weakness they could turn into a strength.

MATERIALS

• The book, or the video read-aloud
• Discussion cards (print below)

STEPS

1. Play the Box Breathing video above to introduce the four-count method.
2. Trace the square in the air together as you count.
3. Run several slow cycles with the widget below.
4. Agree on when to use it: before a test, after an argument, at bedtime.

MATERIALS

• A quiet space to sit
• Wall poster (print below)

STEPS

1. Print and cut the bookmark templates.
2. Students decorate them however they like.
3. Each student writes their own cheer-up phrase on the back.
4. Keep the bookmark in a reading book for hard days.

MATERIALS

• Bookmark templates (print below)
• Crayons and safety scissors