Food for Thought: Emotions (eLesson)

Digital Download Grades 3-8

With all of the demands on the classroom schedule these days, it is difficult to find time to include guidance lessons into the curriculum. While all would agree that teaching character- and life-skills is important, presenting those skills in a brief, yet memorable way can be a challenge. Food for Thought was created to answer that challenge.

This lesson is designed to facilitate a short, but thought-provoking discussion, then to progress into an activity involving social and cooperative learning. A tasty snack, related to the lesson, is served to reinforce the main concepts addressed. The Discussion Points/Questions section of the lesson is meant to be used as a guide to facilitate meaningful conversation and sharing, but does not have to be strictly followed.

In this lesson, students will:

• Recognize and name a variety of emotions.
• Validate all emotions.
• Discuss appropriate ways to express and respond to emotions.
• Engage in personal reflection, whole group discussion, and positive peer interaction in small groups.

Materials Required:

•     Cheerios™
•     Board or chart paper to write on
•     Optional: Feelings chart
•     Round paper plates