Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 4

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Name at least six different emotions.
• Describe situations that can cause these emotions.
• Suggest healthy ways to deal with each emotion.
• Show empathy and understand the feelings of others.

Lesson summary

Dealing with our feelings is a crucial life skill. Everyone experiences a wide range of emotions every day, from happiness and excitement to sadness, anger, and fear. Understanding these feelings, learning how to express them in healthy ways, and developing coping mechanisms for difficult emotions are essential for our well-being and for building positive relationships with others. In South Africa, children face unique challenges, including poverty, violence, and discrimination, which can significantly impact their emotional well-being. Developing emotional intelligence helps them navigate these challenges, build resilience, and thrive.

Lesson notes

What are Feelings? Feelings, also known as emotions, are our body's way of reacting to events and situations. They are a natural part of being human. It's important to remember that all feelings are valid, even the ones that feel unpleasant. No one can tell you that you "shouldn't" feel a certain way.

Identifying Feelings: Common feelings include happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, frustration, excitement, and jealousy. We can identify feelings by paying attention to our body (e.g., clenched fists when angry, butterflies in the stomach when nervous) and our thoughts (e.g., "This is unfair!" when angry, "I miss my family" when sad). Visual aids like emotion charts with pictures can be very helpful for Grade 4 learners.

Triggers for Feelings: A trigger is something that causes a specific feeling. For example, losing a soccer game could trigger sadness and frustration. Being bullied could trigger anger and fear. Receiving a gift could trigger happiness and excitement. It's important to understand what triggers our feelings so we can better manage them.

Healthy Ways to Deal with Feelings: There are many healthy ways to deal with feelings. It's important to find what works best for each individual.

Some strategies include: Talking to a trusted adult: This could be a parent, teacher, relative, or counsellor. Sharing your feelings can help you feel less alone and gain perspective.

Taking deep breaths: Deep breathing can help calm your body and mind when you're feeling overwhelmed.

Exercising: Physical activity can release endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Playing soccer, running, or even dancing can help.

Creative expression: Drawing, painting, writing in a journal, or playing music can be a healthy way to express your feelings.

Spending time in nature: Being outdoors can be calming and restorative. Taking a walk in the park or sitting under a tree can help.

Practicing mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This can help you become more aware of your feelings and manage them more effectively. Simple activities like focusing on your breath or noticing the sounds around you can be helpful.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It's important to show empathy to our friends and family members when they are going through difficult times. We can show empathy by listening attentively, offering support, and avoiding judgment.

Worked example

Example 1: Thando loses his favourite toy car. He feels sad and angry. What can he do?

Solution:* Thando can talk to his mother about how he's feeling. He can also draw a picture of his car or write a story about it. He can try to find a replacement car. He can also remember that he has other toys he enjoys.

Example 2: Aisha is being bullied at school. She feels scared and upset. What can she do?

Solution:* Aisha should tell a teacher or a trusted adult about the bullying. She can also practice assertive communication skills to stand up for herself. She can also seek support from friends or a counselor.

Example 3: Sipho gets a good grade on his test. He feels happy and proud. What can he do?

Solution:* Sipho can share his good news with his family and friends. He can celebrate his achievement by doing something he enjoys. He can also use this success as motivation to continue working hard.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Nomusa's friend tells her that she failed her math test. Nomusa feels sad for her friend. What emotion is Nomusa experiencing and what can she do to show empathy?

Solution:* Nomusa is experiencing empathy. She can show empathy by listening attentively to her friend, offering her support, and avoiding judgment. She could say things like "I'm sorry to hear that. It must be disappointing" or "Is there anything I can do to help you study for the next test?".

Question 2: Bongani's soccer team loses a game. He feels angry and frustrated. What are two healthy ways Bongani can deal with his anger and frustration?

Solution:* Bongani can take deep breaths to calm himself down. He can also talk to his coach or teammates about his feelings. He could say something like "I'm really disappointed that we lost. I need some time to calm down".

Question 3: Zanele is nervous about giving a presentation in front of the class. What are two strategies she can use to manage her nervousness?

Solution:* Zanele can practice her presentation beforehand to feel more confident. She can also take deep breaths to calm her nerves before she starts.

Question 4: Mandla's older brother teases him and calls him names. He feels hurt and sad. What can Mandla do?

Solution:* Mandla should talk to a trusted adult about the teasing, such as a parent or teacher. He can also practice assertive communication skills to tell his brother to stop teasing him.

Independent Practice (Questions Only)

Question 1: List three different feelings you have experienced today. Describe what triggered each feeling.

Question 2: Your friend is crying because her pet died. How can you show her empathy? Write down three things you could say or do.

Question 3: You are waiting in a long line at the clinic, and you are feeling impatient and frustrated. What are two healthy ways you can deal with your frustration?

Question 4: You see a group of children bullying another child. You feel angry and upset. What can you do?

Question 5: You worked hard on a project, and you received a good grade. How do you feel, and what can you do to celebrate your success?

Question 6: You accidentally break your mom's favourite vase. How do you feel? What is the right thing to do?

Question 7: You are feeling lonely because all your friends are busy. What are three things you can do to feel better?

Question 8: Think of a time when you felt proud of yourself. What did you do to achieve that feeling?

Question 9: What are some situations that might cause someone to feel jealous? How can they deal with those feelings in a healthy way?