Grade 6 Life Skills Lesson Plan: Understanding Emotions
Materials Needed:
– Chart paper and markers
– Emotion flashcards
– A selection of age-appropriate storybooks dealing with emotions
– Worksheets for reflection and drawing
– Computer/Tablet for a video on emotions (if available)
– Access to a projector or smart board
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to:
1. Identify and describe different emotions.
2. Understand the importance of recognising and expressing emotions.
3. Relate emotions to personal experiences and social interactions.
4. Develop strategies for managing emotions appropriately.
Vocabulary:
1. Emotion – a strong feeling such as happiness, sadness, anger, or fear.
2. Identify – to recognise or point out something.
3. Recognise – to acknowledge the existence or importance of something.
4. Manage – to control or handle a situation effectively.
5. Expression – the process of making one’s feelings known.
Previous Learning:
Students have previously discussed social skills, including communication and teamwork. They have explored various situations in which they interact with their peers and discussed general feelings in abstract terms without delving deeper into specific emotions.
Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:
– Challenge: Some learners may find it difficult to articulate their emotions.
Solution: Use visual aids (emotion flashcards) and encourage them to draw how they feel, making it easier to express themselves.
- Challenge: Learners may have different backgrounds, influencing their views on emotions.
Solution: Create a safe space for sharing and ensure all contributions are respected, validating diverse emotional experiences.
Beginning Activities (4 minutes):
1. Begin with a brief introduction to the topic of emotions, asking students to share how they felt that morning and why.
2. Present the learning objectives clearly.
3. Show emotion flashcards and ask students to identify each emotion and discuss instances when they felt that way.
Middle Activities (32 minutes):
1. Direct Instruction (10 minutes): Discuss the various emotions (happy, sad, angry, scared, excited), their triggers, and how they can physically manifest (e.g., crying, smiling).
2. Guided Practice (10 minutes): In small groups, learners will choose an emotion from the flashcards, discuss a scenario where they felt it, and create a mini-poster detailing their findings (e.g., “When I feel scared, my heart races and I wish for comfort.”).
3. Independent Practice (12 minutes): Distribute worksheets with scenarios. Learners will identify the emotion in each scenario, drawing a face that represents that emotion and writing a sentence about it. They can choose to share their drawings with the class.
End Activities (4 minutes):
1. Conduct a quick reflection where learners will write one new thing they learned about emotions on a piece of paper.
2. Collect these reflections as an exit ticket to assess understanding.
Assessment and Checks for Understanding:
– Observation during group discussions and poster creation.
– Review the worksheets to check for comprehension of the emotions.
– Exit tickets will provide insight into what students learned and areas that may need reinforcement.
Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners:
– For learners who need extra support, offer one-on-one guidance and provide simplified scenarios.
– Provide advanced learners with more complex emotional scenarios to analyse and express.
– Use visual aids and body language to help all students understand emotions better.
Teaching Notes:
This lesson promotes emotional literacy and lays a foundation for social-emotional learning, crucial for personal well-being and healthy relationships. Encourage sensitive discussions and ensure that learners understand that it is okay to feel emotions differently. Consider using a calming technique, such as deep breathing, at the start and end of the lesson to create a mindful environment for exploring emotions. Ensure resources are adaptable for learners with disabilities, such as using larger text for worksheets or providing audio versions of stories.