Emotions Charts are becoming a common tool in elementary classrooms – and for very good reason! These versatile charts can be used for a wide variety of purposes. This overview will introduce you to what an emotions chart is and how you can be using it with your students. Plus be sure to download the FREE emotions chart for kids to use in your classroom!
What is an Emotions Chart?
An emotions chart is a visual tool that allows students to show how they are feeling. It helps provide students with a way to express their emotions when they may not have the words. This can be used as a conversation starter with an adult about how the child is feeling.
These tools are especially helpful for students who are developing their language skills. This may be an English language learner or a special education student who struggles with expressive language. When a student does not have the words to express how they feel, they can use the emotions chart with faces as a tool to express their own feelings.
How can you use an Emotion Chart?
Emotions charts can be used throughout the day for social-emotional and academic purposes. Elementary students can use an emotions chart to:
- express how they’re feeling
- infer how a character feels
- add details to their writing
- build their vocabulary
Find out more details about these activities for teaching feelings.
Where can you use an Emotion Chart for Kids?
Since emotions charts can be used for various purposes there are several options for displaying them. They can be shared in multiple places as a reference tool for students.
Chart for One on One Conversations
Teachers can keep a copy of the emotions chart to use when having one on one conversations with students about how they are feeling. It helps provide students with a way to show their emotions when they may not have the words to express how they’re feeling. School counselors frequently use these types of tools with students.
Classroom Calm Down Corner
We all experience difficult days when something makes us mad or sad, which can impact our ability to focus. When students feel this way they can visit a classroom calm down corner to take a break and regain their focus before rejoining the group. An emotions chart with faces is just one tool you may include in a calm down corner.
Anchor Chart for Minilessons
Create a poster-size version of an emotions chart to display for whole group instruction. You can refer to the chart during social-emotional learning activities or for teaching reading strategies with character emotions.
Chart for Small Group Instruction
Another opportunity to teach reading using a character emotions chart is during small group reading instruction. Print smaller-sized charts for each student in a group to use as a reference when determining how a character feels.
Reading Notebooks
Glue the character emotions chart into students’ reading notebooks. They can use this as a reference while working on character analysis during independent reading.
Writing Workshop Folders
Add an emotion chart with synonyms to students’ writing workshop folders. This reference tool can help them use more sophisticated adjectives to describe how their character is feeling.
FREE Emotions Chart for Kids
Be sure to download your copy of the free emotions chart to start using in your classroom! You may also be interested in seasonal emotions charts you can use all year long!
What other ways could you use this tool with students? Share your ideas in the comments!
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Hi. I am interested in your emotion charts and any other that would be suitable for children in therapy. which are free of charge. My name is Angela Preston & Elizabeth Court Lawson Close Martock Somerset TA12 6EZ
Of course! Here is the direct link to access the Emotions Charts.
I love the information on Emotions. It will be used for the children I serve.