Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 4

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Name at least four different feelings.
• Describe healthy ways to express feelings.
• Recognize how your body feels with different emotions.
• Know the difference between helpful and unhelpful ways of dealing with feelings.
• Understand why it's important to talk to a trusted adult.

Lesson summary

This week, we will be focusing on "Dealing with Feelings." Understanding and managing our feelings is a crucial life skill. In South Africa, with its diverse cultures and experiences, it's especially important for children to learn how to express their emotions in healthy ways, navigate different social situations, and build strong relationships. Sometimes we feel happy, sad, angry, or scared, and learning how to understand and cope with these feelings will help you feel more confident, resilient, and connected to others.

Lesson notes

What are Feelings? Feelings, also known as emotions, are our body's way of reacting to things that happen around us and inside us. They are a natural part of being human. It's important to understand that all feelings are valid – it's okay to feel happy, sad, angry, or scared.

However, it's how we deal with those feelings that matters.

Common Feelings: Happiness: This feeling makes us feel joyful, content, and light. We might smile, laugh, or feel energetic.

Example: Getting a good grade on a test, playing with friends, receiving a gift.

Sadness: This feeling makes us feel down, disappointed, and maybe even cry.

Example: Losing a toy, being left out of a game, missing someone who is far away.

Anger: This feeling makes us feel frustrated, irritated, and sometimes even want to shout.

Example: Someone taking your belongings without asking, being treated unfairly, not being listened to.

Fear: This feeling makes us feel worried, nervous, and sometimes even scared.

Example: Seeing a big dog barking, being in the dark, hearing a loud noise.

Surprise: This feeling happens when something unexpected occurs and can be either pleasant or unpleasant.

Example: A surprise birthday party, or stumbling across a snake in the garden.

Embarrassment: This feeling occurs when you think you did something foolish or made a mistake in front of others.

Example: Tripping and falling in public, giving the wrong answer in class.

Physical Signs of Feelings: Our bodies often show us how we are feeling.

For example: Happiness: Smiling, relaxed muscles, feeling light.

Sadness: Crying, slumped posture, feeling tired.

Anger: Clenched fists, tight jaw, racing heart, flushed face.

Fear: Sweaty palms, trembling, racing heart, butterflies in your stomach. Understanding these physical signs can help us recognize our feelings and take steps to manage them.

Healthy Ways to Deal with Feelings: It's important to find healthy ways to express our feelings.

Here are some examples: Happiness: Share your joy with others, do something creative, or help someone else.

Sadness: Talk to a trusted adult, write in a journal, listen to calming music, or engage in a relaxing activity.

Anger: Take deep breaths, count to ten, talk to a trusted adult, exercise, or find a quiet space to calm down. It’s never okay to hurt yourself or others when you are angry.

Fear: Talk to a trusted adult, practice relaxation techniques (like deep breathing), or face your fears in small steps.

Unhelpful Ways to Deal with Feelings: Some ways of dealing with feelings can be harmful to ourselves or others.

These include: Hitting or yelling at others when angry. Keeping feelings bottled up inside and not talking to anyone. Isolating yourself and avoiding social interaction when sad. Taking your feelings out on innocent people or objects.

Talking to a Trusted Adult: It's important to remember that you are not alone. If you are feeling overwhelmed by a feeling, it's always a good idea to talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, grandparent, or counselor. They can offer support, guidance, and help you find healthy ways to cope. Many schools have councillors available.

Worked example

Scenario: Lerato is excited about playing netball this afternoon, but her friend Thando says she cannot play because she has to visit her grandmother. Lerato feels disappointed and sad.

Feeling: Sadness, disappointment

Healthy Way to Deal with It: Lerato could talk to her mother about how she's feeling, suggest another activity they could do together instead of playing netball, or even make a card or small gift to take with Thando when she visits her Grandmother.

Scenario: Sipho is working on a puzzle, but his little brother keeps taking the pieces and hiding them. Sipho feels angry.

Feeling: Anger, frustration

Healthy Way to Deal with It: Sipho could take a few deep breaths and count to ten to calm down. He could then calmly explain to his brother that he needs the pieces to finish the puzzle and ask him not to take them anymore. If his brother continues, he can find his mom or dad and ask for help.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1:

Imagine you are in a school play and you forget your lines on stage. What feeling might you experience, and what is one healthy way you could deal with that feeling?

Solution:

Feeling: Embarrassment, nervousness, fear.

Healthy Way to Deal with It: Take a deep breath, try to remember the next line (even if it's not perfect), and remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes. After the play, you could talk to your teacher or a friend about how you felt. Focusing on what you did well in the play will also help.