Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade R
Personal and social well-being: feelings and friendships – Week 8 focus
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Personal and social well-being: feelings and friendships – Week 8 focus
Download the Lessonotes Mobile South Africa app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Life Skills
Class: Grade R
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 8
Theme: General lesson support
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This lesson introduces Grade R learners to the foundational concepts of emotional literacy and positive social interaction. In the vibrant, diverse context of South Africa, understanding one's own feelings and recognizing them in others is a critical life skill. It forms the basis of empathy, kindness, and the spirit of Ubuntu – the understanding that we are all connected. This topic empowers young learners to navigate their social world, from the busy playground in a city school to a small, close-knit classroom in a rural village.
This section provides the core knowledge for the teacher. It should be delivered to learners through stories, songs, and interactive activities. What Are Feelings? Feelings are what happen inside our bodies and our hearts. Everyone has feelings, and all your feelings are okay! It's like having different weather inside you – sometimes it's sunny (happy), and sometimes it's rainy (sad). What's important is learning what our feelings are called and how we can show them in a safe way. The 'Big Four' Feelings We will focus on four main feelings that are easy for young children to understand.
Happy (Ukuthaba / Gelukkig): What it is: This is the sunny feeling! It's when you feel good, light, and full of joy.
What it feels like: Your face has a big smile, you might giggle or laugh, and you want to jump and play.
Example (South African Context): "When your Gogo (grandmother) surprises you with a delicious vetkoek after school, you feel happy." Why/How: We feel happy when good things happen to us or when we are with people we love.
Sad (Ukudabuka / Hartseer): What it is: This is the rainy feeling. It's when you feel down or hurt inside.
What it feels like: Your face might have a frown, your eyes might get watery with tears, and you might want a hug.
Example (South African Context): "If you build a beautiful sandcastle on the Durban beach and a wave washes it away, you might feel sad." Why/How: We feel sad when we lose something, when someone is unkind, or when we miss someone.
Angry (Ukuthukuthela / Kwaad): What it is: This is the stormy feeling. It's a very strong, hot feeling that happens when something feels unfair.
What it feels like: Your face might get scrunched up, your body might feel tight, and you might want to stomp your feet or shout. It is okay to feel angry, but it is not okay to hurt anyone or break things.
Example (South African Context): "If you are waiting for your turn on the swing and another child pushes in front of you, you might feel angry." Why/How: We feel angry when our rules are broken or when things don't go our way. We can learn to take deep breaths or talk to a teacher when we feel this way.
Scared (Ukwesaba / Bang): What it is: This is the feeling you get when you think something might hurt you. It's your body's way of telling you to be careful.
What it feels like: Your eyes get wide, your heart beats fast like a drum, and you might want to hide behind a grown-up.
Example (South African Context): "Hearing a very loud clap of thunder during a Highveld storm can make you feel scared." Why/How: We feel scared when we are in a new situation or when something is loud, dark, or surprising. What is a Friendship? A friend is someone you like to play with and talk to. Good friends are kind and make you feel safe and happy. Friendship is about sharing, helping, and caring for each other.
How to Be a Good Friend Sharing: Good friends take turns. If you have many blocks, you let your friend build with some too.
Example:* "Zanele is being a good friend because she is letting Thabo have a turn with the green paint." Helping: If you see a friend fall down, you can ask, "Are you okay?" and help them up. If they spill their crayons, you can help them pick them up.
Example:* "When Sipho couldn't find his lunchbox, his friend Lebo helped him look for it." Using Kind Words: We use our words to make our friends feel good. Words like "please," "thank you," "I like your picture," and "Do you want to play?" are kind words.
Example:* Instead of grabbing a toy, a good friend says, "Please may I have a turn when you are finished?" Guided Practice (With Solutions)
Activity: Feelings Charades Question/Task: The teacher whispers a feeling (e.g., 'happy') to a learner. The learner acts out the feeling without speaking, and the rest of the class guesses what it is. The teacher then asks, "What might make someone feel happy?" Worked Solution: The learner smiles widely and skips a little. The class shouts, "Happy!" The teacher then guides the discussion: "Yes, that's right! What makes us happy?" Learners might say, "My birthday!" or "Playing with my dog!" or "When my mama fetches me from school!"
Commentary: This activity connects the name of the feeling with its physical expression in a fun, kinesthetic way. It allows for multiple correct answers to the follow-up question, validating each child's personal experience.
Activity: Puppet Problem Solving Question/Task: The teacher uses two hand puppets, Ayanda and Ben. Ayanda is holding a ball. Ben comes and snatches it. The teacher asks the class, "How do you think Ayanda feels now? How does Ben feel? What is a better way for Ben to ask for the ball?" Worked Solution: The teacher guides the learners to identify that Ayanda probably feels sad or angry. Ben might feel happy for a moment because he has the ball, but it's not a kind way to play.