Domain:
Everyday Skills & Wellness
Competency:
Care for your body and mind
🎂
4-6 year olds
⏰
25 to 30 minutes min
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Learning Objective
Children will identify and express basic emotions related to joy and sorrow in everyday moments.
Learning Resource Synopsis
In 'In Every Life' by Marla Frazee, the book explores the universal moments that shape human experiences such as joy, sorrow, growth, and hope. Through a combination of lyrical prose and tender illustrations, Frazee captures the rhythms of life, providing a profound meditation on the wonders of life's journey. The book highlights themes of love, loss, wonder, and mystery, inviting young readers to reflect on the beauty of everyday moments. With glowing art and powerful, spare text, the story celebrates the array of feelings and experiences—both big and small—that make up a life.
Extended Learning Resources
| Resource & Author | Publication Info | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Way I Feel | Written by Janan Cain, published by Scholastic | This book uses vibrant illustrations and simple, engaging text to help children recognize and express their emotions, making it a perfect complement to discussions about joy and sorrow. |
| Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day | Written by Jamie Lee Curtis, published by HarperCollins | This lively book explores different moods and emotions through rhymes and colorful illustrations, encouraging children to understand and articulate their feelings effectively. |
| Feelings | Written by Aliki, published by HarperCollins | This classic book provides a gentle exploration of various emotions, offering young readers insights into recognizing and expressing their own feelings as well as understanding those of others. |
Vocabulary List
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Joy | Joy means feeling very happy. | I feel joy when I play with my friends. |
| Sad | Sad means feeling unhappy. | I feel sad when my toy is broken. |
| Help | Help means to make things easier for someone. | I help my friend by sharing my crayons. |
| Care | Care means to be kind to someone or something. | We care for our plants by giving them water. |
| Grow | Grow means to get bigger or to learn new things. | The tree grows tall in the sun. |
Prompt
Essential Question: "How can we take care of ourselves and each other when we feel happy or sad?"
Today, we are going to explore how we feel when we are happy and when we are sad. These feelings are part of our everyday life, and they help us understand ourselves and each other better.
Anticipatory Set
- Begin by inviting the children to sit in a circle and close their eyes. Ask them to think about a time when they felt really happy, like playing their favorite game or getting a big hug.
- Now, gently ring a small bell or play a soft, calming sound. Encourage them to imagine a time when they felt a little sad, like when they missed someone or when something didn't go as planned.
- Open the floor for sharing by asking, 'What are some things we do to feel better or help a friend when they are feeling sad or happy?' Encourage the children to share their thoughts or actions with each other.
Teacher Tips
- Create a safe and welcoming environment by acknowledging all feelings as important and valid.
- Encourage children to use gestures or expressions if they find it difficult to verbalize their thoughts.
- Be mindful of each child's comfort level with sharing and provide gentle encouragement without pressure.
Learn
Let's dive into a special book called 'In Every Life' by Marla Frazee. This story takes us on a Follow the many emotions and experiences we all share, like joy and sorrow. Let's see how these feelings are shown through pictures and words.
Interactive Engagement
- Let's look at this picture together. What do you think is happening in this moment? How might the person in the picture be feeling?
- As we turn the page, let's pause and think about a time when you might have felt the same way as the character. Can you share a moment when you felt really happy or a little sad?
- I see a lot of colors in this picture. What colors do you notice, and how do they make you feel? Do they remind you of a happy or a sad moment?
- Let's think about what might happen next. What do you think the character will do to feel better or share their happiness?
- This page makes me wonder about something. Why do you think the character is making that choice? What would you do if you were in their place?
Teacher Tips
- Use gentle facial expressions and gestures to reflect the emotions in the story and keep students engaged.
- Pause occasionally to let children observe the illustrations and connect them to their own feelings and experiences.
- Model your own wonderings or thoughts aloud to encourage children to think deeply about the story and relate it to their own lives.
Ask
Now that we've shared this story, let's take a moment to think about the different feelings and moments we saw. Let's explore how these moments might connect to our own lives.
Discussion Questions
- Can you think of a time when you felt both happy and a little sad at the same time? What was happening around you that made you feel that way?
- How do you think we can show someone that we care about them, whether they're feeling joyful or a bit down?
- Imagine you're one of the characters in the story. What would you say to a friend who is experiencing a big feeling, like joy or sorrow, to help them feel supported?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to share their thoughts without fear of giving a 'wrong' answer. Remind them that everyone's feelings and experiences are unique.
- Use gentle prompts to help quieter children participate, such as, 'I wonder what you think about this?' or 'Would you like to share?'.
- Acknowledge and validate each child's contribution to foster an inclusive and respectful discussion environment. Reinforce that all feelings are important and part of being human.
Navigate
Emotions in Colors: A Journey of Joy and Sorrow
Inspired by 'In Every Life', this activity allows children to explore the emotions of joy and sorrow through color and storytelling. By drawing and sharing their colorful moments, children will express their feelings and connect with the universal experiences of life. This supports the themes of joy, sorrow, and the beauty of everyday moments, encouraging awareness and connection with others.
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Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to be open and honest about their feelings and remind them that all emotions are okay to express.
- Ensure a supportive and non-judgmental environment where children feel comfortable sharing.
- Use the emotion cards as prompts if children need help identifying or expressing their feelings.
Share
As we wrap up our time with 'In Every Life,' let's take a moment to think about all the special feelings we explored together—feelings like joy and sorrow. Remember how we talked about what we can do to take care of ourselves and others when we're feeling happy or sad? Let's share our thoughts and celebrate what we've learned.
Reflection Questions
- Can you think of a moment today when you felt really happy or a little sad while we were reading the story? What did you do to take care of yourself or a friend during that time?
- What is one thing you learned about how to share joy or comfort someone who is feeling sad? How might you try this out in your day?
- If you could tell a friend something special about the story we read, what would you say about the feelings and moments we talked about?
Teacher Tips
- Invite children to pair up and share their thoughts with a partner before sharing with the larger group to build confidence.
- Provide drawing materials for those who prefer to express their reflections visually rather than verbally.
- Acknowledge each child's contribution warmly, using phrases like 'Thank you for sharing your special moment,' to create a supportive environment.
UDL Strategies
Representation
- Use emotion cards with a diverse range of expressions, ensuring they depict joy and sorrow in culturally inclusive ways to resonate with all children.
- Incorporate a short video or animated clip that showcases characters going through joyful and sorrowful experiences, aiding visual and auditory learners.
- Provide textured materials like fabric swatches or sandpaper that can be associated with different emotions, supporting tactile learners.
- Read a story aloud where the protagonist experiences joy and sorrow, using expressive voices and gestures to convey the emotions clearly.
- Use simple sign language gestures for joy and sorrow, offering a visual-tactile representation that can enhance understanding.
Action & Expression
- Offer children the opportunity to use a digital drawing app to illustrate their emotions, accommodating those who are comfortable with technology.
- Create a 'story corner' where children can use puppets to narrate their moments of joy or sorrow, supporting those who express through storytelling.
- Encourage children to create a simple collage using magazine cutouts to represent their emotions, providing an alternative artistic expression.
- Provide a choice of how to share their stories, such as recording a video message, for those who prefer visual-verbal expression.
Engagement
- Begin with a circle time where each child can share a small joyful or sorrowful moment, fostering a sense of community and personal connection.
- Provide a variety of art supplies, including scented markers and gel pens, to stimulate different senses and maintain interest.
- Introduce a 'mood music' session where children can dance or move to music that represents joy or sorrow, catering to those who engage through movement.
- Create a collaborative mural where each child adds their drawing, promoting teamwork and a sense of contribution to a group project.
Assessment Criteria
Formative Assessment
- Observe children during the drawing activity, noting their choice of colors and how these correspond to the emotions of joy and sorrow. Look for engagement and whether children can convey emotions through color selection and creative expression. Ask guiding questions like, 'What colors are you choosing for happy feelings? Why?'.
- During peer sharing sessions, listen to children's discussions and observe their use of vocabulary. Look for their ability to articulate feelings and respond empathetically to peers' stories. Ask questions such as, 'How does hearing about your friend's moment make you feel?' to gauge understanding.
Summative Assessment
- Conduct individual presentations where children showcase their drawings and explain the emotions they depicted. Look for clarity in identifying emotions and the ability to articulate why the moment was joyful or sorrowful. Support with prompts or keywords if needed.
- Facilitate a simple journal entry or drawing reflection where children express their emotions related to their moment of joy or sorrow. Look for the expression of at least one specific emotion and context for their feelings. Provide assistance with verbal dictation or visual aids to support their expression.
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