Lesson Plan

Thermometer Tool Plan

Students will learn to recognize and rate the intensity of their emotions using a personalized visual thermometer tool and apply at least one calming strategy.

Building emotional self-awareness and regulation skills helps students manage stress, improve focus, and foster positive classroom behavior. This individualized lesson empowers a 3rd grader to identify feelings before they escalate.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Feelings Check-In Warm-Up

3 minutes

Step 2

Introduction to the Emotion Thermometer

4 minutes

Step 3

Build Your Thermometer

5 minutes

Step 4

Reflection and Wrap-Up

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Emotion Thermometer

Welcome the student and introduce the session. Explain that today they’ll learn a new tool to help them understand and manage their feelings.

Warm-Up: How Do You Feel?

Use the [Feelings Check-In Warm-Up](#feelings-check-in-warmup). Show emotion faces and ask the student to point to how they feel right now.

What Is an Emotion Thermometer?

Explain the thermometer concept. Compare feelings to temperature: calm is cool, big upset is hot.

The Four Zones

Show a simple thermometer graphic divided into four colored zones. Define each zone name and intensity.

Coping Strategies by Zone

Discuss at least one coping strategy for each zone. Model using [Teacher’s Temperature Talk](#teachers-temperature-talk-script).

Build Your Own Thermometer

Guide the student through the [Build Your Thermometer Activity](#build-your-thermometer-activity). Provide template, markers, crayons.

Reflection & Wrap-Up

Use this time to reflect. Ask the student to think of a recent feeling and practice rating it. Encourage sharing which strategy they’d pick.

Lesson Plan

Thermometer Tool Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

Step 1

Feelings Check-In Warm-Up

Step 2

Introduction to the Emotion Thermometer

Step 3

Build Your Thermometer

Step 4

Reflection and Wrap-Up

Slide Deck

Emotion Thermometer

Warm-Up: How Do You Feel?

What Is an Emotion Thermometer?

The Four Zones

Coping Strategies by Zone

Build Your Own Thermometer

Reflection & Wrap-Up

Script

Activity

Warm Up

Emotion Thermometer

Kylie Taniguchi