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K1 Lesson 12: Feelings Faces

Grade: K1 (Ages 3-4) Time: 30 minutes Happy Β· Sad Β· Angry Β· Scared Β· Surprised Β· Face match Β· /h/ happy Β· /s/ sad

Material Checklist β€” Full Lesson

Learning Objectives

Warm-up: Meeting Up & Warming Up (10 mins)

Purpose: Normalize all feelings as OK, preview face vocabulary, then build happy/sad gestures before the match game.

Step 1 Β· Meeting Up (β‰ˆ5 min)

Purpose: Psychological safety, predictable arrival, gentle preview of feelings theme.

Teacher Β· Arrival & circle welcome

"Good morning, friends! Hello! Welcome back. Sit on your spot β€” same safe circle."
"Look at me." (hold Look card) "Listen." (hold Listen card) "Today we learn feeling faces β€” happy, sad, and more."
"All feelings are OK in our circle. Happy, sad, angry, scared β€” we name them together."

Teacher Β· Door greeting script

"Hello, [name]! Welcome β€” how do you feel today? Show me with your face!"
"Find your spot. All feelings are OK in our circle β€” happy, sad, and more."
"[Name] is here β€” we match feelings together today!"

Teacher Β· Feeling card peek

"Peek β€” happy!" (flash happy card, big smile) "Peek β€” sad!" (flash sad card, gentle frown)
"We copy faces on OUR face β€” not on a friend's face. Gentle feeling circle."
"How do you feel today? Happy? Tired? You can show me with one finger later."
Handling Mistakes:

If a child mocks sad face cruelly, firm kind tone: "Sad is real for friends. Gentle face β€” we care in this circle."

If a child says "I feel bad" vaguely, offer choices: "Sad? Tired? Scared? Pick one face card β€” or listen today."

If a child refuses eye contact during feelings talk, accept mirror later: "You can show your face in the mirror paddle β€” private and brave."

Management Cue: Eyes on me in 3, 2, 1 β€” state "all feelings OK" rule before any face copying begins.
Management Cue: Never force a child to share personal upset β€” match game can use generic scenario cards only.
Management Cue: Feeling face cards visible but match board covered until Step 3 β€” prevents early grabbing.
  1. Door greeting: Hello to each child + invite to circle spot.
  2. Look Β· Listen Β· Sit β€” 3-second settle wait.
  3. Flash happy and sad cards β€” model on own face (β‰ˆ1 min).
  4. State feelings safety rule: all feelings OK, kind circle (β‰ˆ30 sec).
  5. Preview match game: "We match faces to pictures later!" (β‰ˆ30 sec).

Step 2 Β· Warming Up (β‰ˆ5 min)

Purpose: Energy + feeling face chorus with gestures before structured match game.

Teacher Β· Greeting + command review

"Hello, friends! How are you? I'm happy! Big smile!"
"Look! Listen! Sit! Magic words β€” always!"

Teacher Β· Feeling face chorus

"Happy!" (smile + hands on cheeks) "Sad!" (gentle frown + hands on heart)
"Angry!" (arms crossed, huff face β€” playful not scary) "Scared!" (hands on cheeks, wide eyes)
"Surprised!" (mouth O, hands up) "Tired!" (head on hands, yawn)

Teacher Β· Mirror warm-up

"Hold mirror paddle β€” look at YOU. Happy face β€” smile! Sad face β€” gentle frown."
"Switch fast β€” happy β€” sad β€” surprised β€” sit β€” mirrors down!"
"Your face tells a story β€” English words help us share!"
Handling Mistakes:

If angry face becomes hitting motion, reset: "Angry face β€” arms crossed β€” no hitting β€” huff huff only."

If mirror paddle becomes toy weapon, collect briefly: "Mirror flat on lap β€” smile β€” then game time."

If scared face triggers real fear, soften: "Play scared β€” silly scared β€” hands on cheeks β€” peekaboo!"

Management Cue: Model angry face playfully mild β€” never aggressive modeling at K1; director standard for feelings lessons.
Management Cue: Mirrors down on lap when not in use β€” "Mirrors down β€” eyes on me" β€” same rule as cards.
Management Cue: Fast face switch max 4 rounds β€” then Sit + Listen β€” prevents silly overload before match game.
  1. Hello + Look Β· Listen Β· Sit β€” 2 rounds (β‰ˆ1 min).
  2. Feeling face chorus β€” six feelings with gesture Γ— 1 pass (β‰ˆ2 min).
  3. Mirror paddle practice β€” happy/sad/surprised on own face (β‰ˆ1 min).
  4. Mirrors down β€” Listen card β€” 3-second wait (β‰ˆ30 sec).
  5. Transition: "You know the faces β€” feeling match game!"

Teacher Β· Transition to Main Activity

"Warm-up finished! You know happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised, tired."
"Look at me. Listen. Sit. Face match game is next β€” kind eyes only!"
"No silly faces at friends β€” only match the card I show. Ready?"

Main Activity: Feeling Face Match Game & /h/ /s/ Phonics (15 mins)

Teacher Note: Opening Up builds feeling vocabulary through scenario matching; Cheering Up locks /h/ happy and /s/ sad through face cards and gesture TPR. Keep scenarios generic β€” no personal trauma prompts.

Step 3 Β· Opening Up (β‰ˆ8 min)

Purpose: MAIN theme activity β€” feeling face match game: scenario picture β†’ choose correct face card β†’ place on board.

Teacher Β· Match game setup

"Feeling match game! I show a picture. You pick the feeling face. Happy? Sad? Scared? Place it on the board!"
"Picture one β€” ice cream!" (show scenario) "Happy face β€” smile β€” on the board!"
"Picture two β€” loud boom sound!" (scenario) "Scared or surprised β€” you choose β€” place the face!"

Teacher Β· Mirror face round

"I show happy β€” you mirror β€” big smile! Hold β€” 1, 2, 3 β€” freeze!"
"Sad face β€” mirror β€” gentle down mouth. Scared β€” mirror β€” wide eyes β€” oh!"
"Mirror finished β€” now match the card on the floor β€” fast but kind!"

Teacher Β· Match rounds

"Round one β€” teacher holds scenario β€” class votes face β€” one helper places card."
"Round two β€” each child gets one scenario slip β€” match your face card β€” say Happy or Sad!"
"Round three β€” mystery face on board β€” no scenario β€” I am happy! Show YOUR happy face!"

Teacher Β· Own-face share

"Last share β€” how do you feel NOW? Happy? Tired? Mirror paddle β€” show me β€” one word only."
"I am happy! I am tired! All answers OK. Match game finished β€” gentle clap!"
Handling Mistakes:

If a child matches wrong feeling, explore: "Ice cream β€” happy or sad? Look at smile β€” happy! Try again β€” great try!"

If a child shares traumatic content, redirect to card: "Thank you for telling me. Today we use face cards β€” teacher talks after class."

If match board becomes competition fight, reset helper role: "One placer β€” others point β€” team match!"

If child won't show face, accept card point only: "Point to happy card β€” perfect β€” brave listener!"

Management Cue: Scenario cards stay generic β€” ice cream, hug, broken toy, loud noise β€” no family or medical triggers at K1.
Management Cue: Rotate board helper daily β€” others vote by raising face card flat on lap β€” inclusive participation.
Management Cue: Own-face share is optional β€” "Pass" is always allowed with thumbs up for listening.
  1. Introduce match board β€” empty circles labeled with feeling words (β‰ˆ1 min).
  2. Round 1: 4 scenario cards β€” group vote + helper places face (β‰ˆ2 min).
  3. Round 2: individual scenario slips β€” match + one word label (β‰ˆ3 min).
  4. Round 3: children show own feeling with mirror or gesture (β‰ˆ1 min).
  5. Board stays on wall as class feelings anchor β€” cards collected (β‰ˆ30 sec).

Step 4 Β· Cheering Up (β‰ˆ7 min)

Purpose: Phonics /h/ happy and /s/ sad β€” face cards + gesture TPR + peer cheer.

Teacher Β· Introduce /h/ happy

"Happy starts with H! H says hhhhh β€” like hello breath. Happy β€” h-h-happy. Hhhhh β€” smile!"
"This is happy." (show happy card) "Happy TPR β€” big smile β€” hands on cheeks β€” hhhhh β€” happy!"
"Stand up in 3, 2, 1 β€” happy face β€” hhhhh! Sit down β€” quiet hhhhh smile."

Teacher Β· Introduce /s/ sad + partner cheer

"Sad starts with S! S says s-s-sad. Teeth together β€” sss-sss-sss. Sad β€” gentle frown β€” sss!"
"This is sad." (show sad card) "Sad TPR β€” hands on heart β€” gentle face β€” sss β€” sad."
"Partner cheer: you show happy β€” hhhhh smile! Friend shows sad β€” sss frown! Switch!"

Teacher Β· Praise frames

"Wow! I heard hhh β€” happy sound!"
"Super sad sound β€” sss-sss!"
"Your happy jump is perfect β€” hhh!"
"High five for gentle sad face β€” sss β€” soft!"

Teacher Β· Face gesture TPR check

"Happy card β€” smile β€” hhhhh! Sad card β€” heart hands β€” sss!"
"Stand β€” happy β€” hhhhh! Sit β€” sad β€” sss! Kind faces only."
"Last check β€” hold both cards β€” happy or sad? Listen and show your face!"
Handling Mistakes:

If sad face mockery returns during cheer, stop cheer: "Sad is kind β€” gentle frown β€” sss β€” we care."

If /h/ is voiced "huh," model breath smile: "Quiet hhhhh β€” smile β€” happy β€” no loud huh."

If /s/ becomes "shad," model teeth: "Snake sss β€” sad β€” teeth together."

If partner cheer compares "who is sadder" cruelly, reset solo: "Your face on mirror β€” happy β€” sad β€” own face only."

Management Cue: Stand up in 3, 2, 1 / Sit down in 3, 2, 1 β€” happy stand once; sad gesture seated β€” emotional regulation pacing.
Management Cue: Shoulder partners β€” face partner direction but show own face β€” not touch partner's cheeks.
Management Cue: Connect /h/ happy to Lesson 02 hello breath β€” "Same hhhhh β€” now happy smile!" β€” spiral review.
  1. Show happy card β€” model /h/ Γ— 3, smile TPR Γ— 3.
  2. Show sad card β€” model /s/ Γ— 3, heart-hands TPR Γ— 3.
  3. Alternating drill: teacher holds happy or sad card β€” class shows face + sound.
  4. Partner cheer: 30 seconds each side β€” happy hhhhh / sad sss exchange.
  5. Whole-group check: happy card β†’ hhhhh + smile; sad card β†’ sss + gentle frown.

Wrap-up: Calming Down (5 mins)

Purpose: End feelings lesson with calm breath, affirm emotional naming, close K1 unit with Goodbye Song.

Step 5 Β· Calming Down (β‰ˆ5 min)

Purpose: Breathing, compliment, goodbye song, dismissal β€” Lesson 12 unit close.

Teacher Β· Calm breathing

"Feeling time is finished. Sit on your spot. Hands in lap β€” quiet face β€” neutral smile."
"Breathe in… 1, 2, 3. Breathe out… hhhhh, 1, 2, 3. Happy breath out β€” soft smile."
"Again. In… 1, 2, 3. Out… sss… quiet sad breath β€” gentle β€” then neutral. Peaceful circle."

Teacher Β· Compliment circle

"Today you matched feeling faces! You said happy and sad. You made hhhhh and sss sounds."
"Twelve lessons β€” you grew so much! Hello, colors, animals, family, feelings β€” wow!"
"I am proud of [name] for kind listening. I am proud of [name] for a brave happy face."
"Everyone gets a sticker β€” K1 stars!"

Teacher Β· Goodbye routine

"Stand up slowly. Stretch β€” big smile β€” then quiet body."
"Goodbye Song time. Wave your hands."
"Goodbye, goodbye, see you again. Goodbye, goodbye, see you again."
"Goodbye [name], goodbye [name], goodbye everyone β€” see you again!"
"Line up at the door. High five β€” K1 stars β€” bye bye! Show happy and sad faces at home!"
Handling Mistakes:

If a child is still dysregulated after sad work, extend breathing one cycle β€” do not rush to line-up.

If unit-close excitement causes running, hold Stop hand: "Walking feet β€” K1 stars line up slow β€” you earned it."

If a child rejects unit-close praise, quiet sticker offer: "You listened all term β€” sticker waits here."

Management Cue: Lesson 12 compliment includes unit milestone β€” brief, not long speech β€” then Goodbye Song on time.
Management Cue: Match board stays visible as ongoing feelings anchor β€” mention at door: "Show me happy face tomorrow!"
Management Cue: Dismiss in table order β€” special K1 star sticker optional for Lesson 12 exit ritual.
  1. Two breath cycles with /h/ happy and /s/ sad exhale cues (β‰ˆ1 min).
  2. Compliments + stickers β€” unit milestone + 2–3 named moments (β‰ˆ1 min).
  3. Goodbye Song with individual name verse β€” full class names if time (β‰ˆ2 min).
  4. Line up β€” high-five exit β€” K1 unit close wave (β‰ˆ1 min).

Appendix β€” Master Lists

Print-ready reference for teachers and directors. Attach download URLs when assets are ready.

A. Master Material List (30-min Lesson)

  • Feeling face cards: happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised, tired (Γ—6)
  • Face match board with empty circles (Γ—1)
  • Scenario picture cards: ice cream, hug, broken toy, loud noise (Γ—4)
  • Mirror paddles (Γ—6)
  • Phonics cards: happy + /h/, sad + /s/ (Γ—4)
  • Look Β· Listen Β· Sit cards (Γ—3)
  • Hello / Goodbye cards (Γ—2)
  • Circle seating markers
  • Sticker sheet (1 per child)
  • Calm-down corner poster (optional)
πŸ“Ž Master material checklist PDF β€” link coming soon

B. Master Word & Card List

  • happy β€” smile face + word
  • sad β€” frown face + word
  • angry β€” crossed arms face + word
  • scared β€” wide eyes face + word
  • surprised β€” O mouth face + word
  • tired β€” yawn face + word
  • I am ___ β€” sentence frame card
  • hhhhh Β· sss β€” sound prompt cards
  • look Β· listen Β· sit β€” review cards from Lesson 01
πŸ“Ž Printable flashcard pack (Lesson 12) β€” link coming soon

C. Key Teacher Phrases (Script Bank)

  • "All feelings are OK in our circle."
  • "Happy β€” big smile β€” hhhhh!"
  • "Sad β€” gentle frown β€” hands on heart β€” sss."
  • "Match the face β€” place it on the board!"
  • "Own face only β€” not a friend's face."
  • "How do you feel now? One word β€” or pass."
  • "H says hhhhh β€” happy β€” hello breath smile!"
  • "S says sss β€” sad β€” snake sound gentle."
  • "Kind circle β€” we listen to feelings."
  • "Goodbye, goodbye, see you again β€” K1 stars!"
πŸ“Ž Feelings face match board (A3) β€” link coming soon

D. Timing Guide & Home Connection

  • 0:00–5:00 Warm-up Step 1 β€” Meeting Up: hello, feelings safety rule, preview
  • 5:00–10:00 Warm-up Step 2 β€” Warming Up: feeling chorus + mirror practice
  • 10:00–18:00 Main Step 3 β€” Opening Up: face match game (3 rounds) + own-face share
  • 18:00–25:00 Main Step 4 β€” Cheering Up: /h/ happy + /s/ sad face gesture TPR
  • 25:00–30:00 Wrap-up Step 5 β€” Calming Down: breath, unit close compliment, Goodbye Song
  • Home: "Name your feeling at dinner β€” happy, tired, or sad β€” one English word!"
  • Home: "Hhhhh happy smile and sss gentle sad β€” then big hug β€” feelings OK!"
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