As educators, we have the important responsibility of helping our students navigate and manage their emotions effectively. One crucial skill we can teach them is how to change the channel on tough emotions. By providing them with practical strategies and our free emotional recognition visual tool, we can empower our students to take control of their emotional well-being and improve their overall learning experience.

In this blog post, we will explore a lesson plan specifically designed to teach elementary school students how to change the channel on tough emotions, including a free emotional recognition visual tool from Everyday Speech. Let’s dive in!

Changing the Channel Concept

Changing the Channel on Feelings helps learners self-monitor their internal emotions and apply self-regulation skills to control overwhelming emotions, like jealousy, embarrassment, and frustration. They’ll learn coping strategies including how to Change the Channel on tough feelings and how to use Positive Self-Talk to handle difficult situations.

Lesson Plan

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will have a toolkit of strategies to change the channel on tough emotions.

Materials:

1. Chart paper or whiteboard
2. Markers or colored pencils
3. Changing the Channel Visual Tool PDF

1. Begin the lesson by engaging students in a discussion about emotions. Ask them to share different emotions they have experienced and discuss what causes these emotions.
2. Introduce the concept of “changing the channel on tough emotions.” Explain that just like changing the channel on a TV, we can switch our focus from negative emotions to more positive ones.
3. Print off the Changing the Channel Visual Tool. Assign each group an emotion (e.g., anger, sadness, frustration) and ask them to create a short role play demonstrating how to change the channel on that particular emotion. Encourage them to use the strategies discussed earlier. After each role-play, have a brief class discussion to reflect on the effectiveness of the strategies used.

Sample Video

Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!

Related Blog Posts:

Empowering Elementary Students with Positive Self-Talk

The Power of Belly Breathing: A Soothing Tool for School Counselors