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Classroom Feelings Chart Activities

15 teacher-tested activities* using feelings charts and emotion cards in the classroom

A classroom feelings chart is one of the most powerful SEL tools a teacher can put on the wall. It's not just decoration — it's a daily communication system that helps students name their emotions, practise empathy, and build the self-awareness that leads to better behaviour and academic outcomes.

Research shows that classrooms with regular SEL check-ins see 11 percentile-point gains in academic achievement and significant reductions in behaviour incidents. A feelings chart is the simplest way to make SEL a daily habit without eating into instructional time.

This guide covers 15 specific activities using feelings charts and emotion flashcards, organised by purpose:

Setting Up Your Feelings Chart

Before the activities, set up your chart:

  1. Print a feelings chart — our printable feelings chart for kids
    includes 12 emotions with clear labels
  2. Post at eye level — students need to see and touch it easily 3. Add name clips — each student gets a clothespin with their name to clip on their
    current emotion
  3. Keep emotion cards nearby — the Monster Feelings Flashcards
    work as a handheld version of the chart

Daily Routine Activities

1. Morning Feelings Check-In (5 min)

Students move their name clip to the emotion they're feeling as they enter the classroom. Teacher glances at the chart to identify students who may need extra support that day.
Pro tip: Don't require verbal sharing. The clip system lets private students communicate without drawing attention.

2. Feelings Weather Report (3 min)

Students describe their emotion as weather: "I'm feeling sunny" (happy), "I'm feeling stormy" (angry), "I'm feeling foggy" (confused). The weather metaphor makes abstract emotions more concrete, especially for younger students.

3. Transition Timer (1 min)

Before transitioning between activities, ask students to check the chart: "Is anyone feeling frustrated or restless? Let's take 3 deep breaths together before we move on." This normalises pausing to regulate emotions.

4. Closing Circle Reflection (5 min)

At the end of the day, students revisit the chart: "Did your feeling change today? What happened?" This teaches emotional awareness — feelings change, and that's normal.
For more SEL activities for this age group, see our SEL activities for elementary classrooms.

SEL Lesson Activities

5. Emotion of the Week (ongoing)

Feature one emotion each week on a special chart. Throughout the week: - Read books featuring that emotion - Write about personal experiences with that feeling - Discuss appropriate responses: "When you feel jealous, you can..." - Create art showing that emotion

6. Empathy Mapping (15 min)

Show the chart and pick an emotion. Students write or draw: - What does this emotion look like on someone's face? - What might have happened to make someone feel this way? - What could you say or do to help?
This directly builds perspective-taking skills. For more, see our teaching empathy to kids guide — and for a broader emotional vocabulary toolkit, see our educational posters for kids' rooms guide.

7. Feelings Journal Prompt (10 min)

Pull a flashcard from the Monster Feelings set. Students write or draw about a time they felt that emotion. Share in pairs. This combines SEL with writing practice.

8. Emotion Charades (10 min)

Using the emotion cards, students take turns acting out feelings while classmates guess. Extension: after guessing, the class brainstorms what might cause that feeling and how to respond kindly.

9. Feelings Story Chain (15 min)

One student picks an emotion card and starts a story: "A girl was feeling surprised because..." The next student picks a new card and continues: "Then she felt proud because..." Continue until every student has added to the story.

Classroom Management Activities

10. Calm-Down Corner Chart (permanent setup)

Place a feelings chart and emotion cards in your calm-down corner. When a student uses the space, they: 1. Point to or clip how they're feeling 2. Use a calming strategy (see our self-regulation strategies for kids) 3. Move their clip to show how they feel after calming down
This teaches that feelings are temporary and that regulation strategies work.

11. Conflict Resolution Protocol (as needed)

When two students argue: 1. Both students visit the feelings chart 2. Each identifies their emotion 3. Teacher facilitates: "You're feeling angry because your block tower got knocked over.
And you're feeling sad because you didn't mean to knock it over."
4. Solution comes after emotions are named and validated

12. Communication Board (permanent setup)

For students who struggle with verbal communication (ELL, selective mutism, autism), a feelings chart serves as a communication board. They can point to express needs without words. See our free printable emotion cards for a portable version.

13. Feelings-Based Grouping (occasional)

For group work, let students form groups by how they're feeling. Discuss: "How might a group of excited people work differently from a group of calm people?" This normalises all emotions and teaches collaboration skills.

14. Behaviour Reflection Form (as needed)

After a behaviour incident, the student completes a brief reflection: 1. Circle the emotion on the chart that led to the behaviour 2. What happened? 3. What did I do? 4. What could I do differently next time?

15. Peer Support System (ongoing)

Train student "feelings helpers" who: - Notice when classmates seem upset - Offer the emotion cards: "Can you show me how you're feeling?" - Sit with them or help them find an adult
This builds community and empowers students to support each other.
Looking for more activities that develop social and emotional skills? Our sensory play ideas for toddlers and preschoolers and kindergarten readiness checklist for parents both include SEL-aligned activities you can use alongside these feelings chart exercises.

Quick Reference: 15 Activities

| # | Activity | Time | Age | Purpose | |---|----------|------|-----|---------| | 1 | Morning check-in | 5 min | 3+ | Daily emotional awareness | | 2 | Feelings weather | 3 min | 4+ | Metaphorical thinking | | 3 | Transition timer | 1 min | 5+ | Regulation between activities | | 4 | Closing reflection | 5 min | 5+ | Emotional tracking | | 5 | Emotion of the week | Ongoing | 4+ | Deep emotion exploration | | 6 | Empathy mapping | 15 min | 6+ | Perspective-taking | | 7 | Feelings journal | 10 min | 5+ | Writing + SEL | | 8 | Emotion charades | 10 min | 4+ | Recognising expressions | | 9 | Story chain | 15 min | 5+ | Narrative + emotional vocab | | 10 | Calm-down corner | Permanent | All | Self-regulation | | 11 | Conflict resolution | As needed | 5+ | De-escalation | | 12 | Communication board | Permanent | All | Non-verbal expression | | 13 | Feelings grouping | Occasional | 6+ | Collaboration | | 14 | Behaviour reflection | As needed | 6+ | Accountability | | 15 | Peer support | Ongoing | 7+ | Community building |

Printable social-emotional learning resources for K-5 teachers and parents.

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