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Learning Objective
Students will identify and name basic emotions like grumpy, and learn simple ways to express how they feel.
Learning Resource Synopsis
In 'Grumpy Monkey' by Suzanne Lang, young readers are introduced to Jim Panzee, a chimpanzee who wakes up feeling inexplicably grumpy despite the day outside. His friends try to cheer him up with various activities, but Jim finds himself unable to shake off his bad mood. As Jim struggles with his feelings, he experiences a moment of frustration and has a small meltdown. Through this experience, Jim learns that it's okay to feel grumpy and that acknowledging emotions is an important part of literacy. This picture book, illustrated with humor and warmth, is a great tool for teaching children about recognizing and accepting their emotions.
Extended Learning Resources
| Resource & Author | Publication Info | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Feelings Book | Written by Todd Parr, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | This colorful picture book helps children identify and understand many emotions, encouraging them to express their feelings openly. |
| My Many Colored Days | Written by Dr. Seuss, published by Random House Books for Young Readers | Using vibrant illustrations and playful rhymes, this book helps children explore and articulate their emotions by associating them with colors and animals. |
| A Little Spot of Emotion Box Set | Written by Diane Alber, published by Diane Alber Art LLC | This engaging box set introduces children to different emotions through relatable stories and adorable characters, promoting awareness and self-regulation. |
Vocabulary List
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Grumpy | Feeling a little upset or in a bad mood. | Jim Panzee felt grumpy when he woke up. |
| Feel | To know or be aware of an emotion inside. | I feel happy when I play with my friends. |
| Kind | Being nice and helpful to others. | It's kind to share your toys with others. |
| Help | To do something for someone that makes things easier or better for them. | You can help your friend by giving them a hug when they are sad. |
| Upset | Feeling sad or worried about something. | He was upset when he lost his toy. |
Prompt
Today, we're going to talk about feelings, especially those times when we might feel a little grumpy or upset. It's okay to have these feelings, and we're going to explore how we can be kind to ourselves and others during these times.
Anticipatory Set
- Begin by asking the children to close their eyes and remember a time when they felt a little grumpy or upset. Encourage them to think about what it felt like in their bodies—maybe their tummy felt tight, or their face felt warm.
- Show an image of a cloudy sky and a sunny sky. Ask the children to imagine what the weather might feel like on their skin—cool raindrops or warm sunshine—and relate this to how our feelings can change, just like the weather.
- Invite the children to share one thing they like to do when they feel grumpy to help themselves feel better. Encourage them to think of something kind or gentle they can do, like hugging a favorite toy or taking a deep breath.
Teacher Tips
- Encourage participation by modeling your own example first, sharing a time you felt grumpy and what helped you feel better.
- Use a gentle, calming voice to guide the children through the activity, ensuring they feel safe and supported in sharing their feelings.
- Be mindful of children who might not want to share aloud; provide alternative ways to express themselves, like drawing or using gestures.
Learn
Let's dive into the world of 'Grumpy Monkey' by Suzanne Lang. This story is about a chimpanzee named Jim Panzee who is feeling a bit grumpy, even though it's a lovely day outside. As we read, let's think about what it feels like to have a grumpy day and how we can be kind to ourselves and others during those times.
Interactive Engagement
- Look at Jim's face. How do you think he's feeling right now? Can you show me with your own face?
- Jim's friends are trying to help him feel better. What would you do to help a friend who feels grumpy?
- Jim is feeling something in his tummy, maybe butterflies. Have you ever felt that way when you're upset? What did you do?
- I see that Jim is having a hard time. What do you think he might need from his friends right now?
- When Jim lets out his big feelings, what do you think will happen next? What would you do if you were Jim?
Teacher Tips
- Use different voices for each character to help children follow the story and stay engaged.
- Pause frequently to show the illustrations, allowing children to point out details and express their thoughts.
- Encourage children to mimic the emotions of the characters using facial expressions, helping them connect to the story's themes.
Ask
Now that we've read about Jim Panzee's grumpy day, let's think about our own feelings and how we can be gentle with ourselves and others when we're not feeling our best.
Discussion Questions
- Can you think of a time when you felt grumpy like Jim? What helped you feel better?
- Why do you think it's important to tell someone how you're feeling, even if you're grumpy?
- What are some kind things you can do for yourself or a friend who's feeling upset?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to share their personal stories and listen closely to each other. Validate all feelings and remind them that everyone's emotions are important.
- Guide the conversation to include different strategies for dealing with grumpiness, such as talking to someone, taking deep breaths, or having some quiet time.
- Create a safe space for sharing by modeling empathy and understanding. Use gentle prompts to invite quieter children to share if they feel comfortable.
Navigate
Emotion Exploration Adventure
Inspired by 'Grumpy Monkey', this activity helps children understand and express emotions by engaging in a series of playful and reflective experiences. Children will learn that it's okay to feel grumpy and discover ways to express their emotions in healthy ways.
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Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to use gentle words and actions when expressing emotions.
- Model expressing your own emotions as a way to show self-acceptance and literacy.
- Ensure each child has a turn to express different emotions, fostering empathy and understanding.
Share
Let's take a moment to think about our journey with Jim Panzee and the different feelings we've talked about today. We learned about feeling grumpy like Jim and how it's okay to have those big emotions. Now, let's reflect on what we've discovered and how we can use our new knowledge to be kind to ourselves and others.
Reflection Questions
- Can you share one way you felt today while we learned about Jim's grumpiness? How did that help you understand your own feelings?
- What is something new you learned about how to be kind when you're feeling grumpy? How can you use this at home or with friends?
- Think about a time you felt like Jim. What did you do that helped, and what might you try next time?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to express their thoughts through drawing or by showing their emotions with facial expressions.
- Use open-ended sentence starters like 'I felt..' or 'Next time I feel grumpy, I can..' to help guide their sharing.
- Acknowledge each student's contribution positively, highlighting their unique insights and encouraging them to feel proud of their growth.
UDL Strategies
No UDL strategies have been provided for this lesson.
Assessment Criteria
Formative Assessment
- During the Explore phase, observe and listen as students mimic and name the emotions shown on the cards. Note if they can accurately identify and articulate emotions like 'grumpy' and if they can mimic the facial expressions correctly.
- In the Act phase, observe how students use the scarves to express emotions. Look for their ability to switch between emotions and recognize if they can express emotions like 'grumpy' through actions and gestures, demonstrating an understanding of expression.
- During the Reflect phase, listen to students' discussions about the emotions they find easy or difficult to express. Pay attention to their ability to use the emotion chart to identify these emotions and if they can articulate strategies that help them feel better.
Summative Assessment
- Have students create a 'Feeling Faces' book where they draw and label different emotions, including 'grumpy', and provide one example of how they can express or manage each emotion. Assess their ability to correctly identify and name emotions and the appropriateness of strategies they describe.
- Ask students to participate in a role-play scenario where they act out feeling grumpy and demonstrate a strategy to feel better. Evaluate their ability to identify the emotion and apply an appropriate strategy, such as using kind words or gestures, to manage their feelings.