Lesson 6: Changes in Feelings

Objectives:

Students will:

• Understand and accept the normal changes in moods and feelings during puberty...
• Discover ways to deal appropriately with different feelings, especially those that get stronger during puberty.
• Discuss ways to help each other deal with strong moods and feelings.

Vocabulary: feelings, moods, counselor

Materials: Picture Cards 7 and 8, worksheet #1 - improvisation cards, paper, pencils, magazines, scissors

Procedure:

1. Read Picture Cards 7 and 8 and go over discussion questions.
2. Pantomime with students sitting in a circle facing one another. Begin with the teacher acting out various emotions using facial expressions and body motions. Students must guess which feeling she/he is expressing. Be sure to include happy, sad, mad, silly, excited, tired, and depressed. Each girl then demonstrates a mood and sees if the other girls can guess how she feels.
3. Brainstorming Contest. Divide the group in half. Have each team think of as many different things girls can do to get over bad feelings. The teacher or teacher's aide can take turns being the scribe for each group. After about 5-7 minutes have each group report their ideas. The team that comes up with the most ideas that are appropriate wins.
4. Have each student make a list, draw a picture, or cut out magazine pictures of ways she can help herself feel better when she is having a bad day.
5. Improvisation. Cut up improvisation cards on worksheet #1 in the Appendix or make up other situations that are relevant to the girls in the class. Have each girl pick a partner for this activity. Give each pair of girls a card. Teachers or students read cards one at a time. Have students act out their answers.