Grades
3—5
Subject Areas
Supported
Health Education
Theatre Arts
Language Arts
Objective
Students will
explore 6 common
emotions,
concentrating on
what each one
looks like when
observed and
what each feels
like kinesthetically.
Students will
explore the
concept of
empathy through
theatre games.
Time Needed
Feeling Games
Step 1: Feelings Discussion
Share the following talking points:

There are lots of different feelings that people experience. Today we will be exploring 6
common feelings. Most people all over the world have felt all 6 of these feelings—or will
feel them—at some point in their lives.

Humans don’t just speak with their voices. Can you think of other ways we “tell” people
how we are feeling? (Our bodies, our faces, our eyes, the tone of voice we use, our
words.)

When we communicate, our bodies, faces, eyes, words, and tone of voice all work
together to give people messages. When we pay attention to our own—and other
people’s—messages, we can be more aware of all the feelings that may be going on.
Step 2: Feelings & Synonyms Brainstorm
As a class, brainstorm as many synonyms as you can for the following 6 common feelings.

HAPPY (Potential synonyms: joyful, ecstatic, amused)

SAD (Potential synonyms: depressed, tearful, despondent)

ANGRY (Potential synonyms: aggravated, irate, furious)

DISGUSTED (Potential synonyms: repulsed, sickened, nauseated)

SURPRISED (Potential synonyms: startled, astonished, flabbergasted)

SCARED (Potential synonyms: terrified, frightened, afraid)
Step 3: “Guess the Feeling” Game
1. Clear a space in front of the class to use as your “stage” area.
2. Arrange students into 6 groups. Hand one feeling card to each group, but make sure the
other groups don’t hear or see the others’ feeling cards.
3. Each group chooses one student to be an “Actor.” The group helps the Actor come up
with a pose with his/her face and body that conveys the feeling the group has been
assigned.
4. Each group takes a turn: the Actor strikes his or her pose on stage. The class guesses
what feeling the Actor is playing.
5. Play as many rounds as you like.
40 minutes
Preparation
Cut up the
Feelings Cards.
If students are
doing optional
Step 6, they each
need a copy of
Feeling Games
activity sheet.
To make the game more challenging, try these ideas:

The Actor plays more than one feeling at once.

Add new feelings to the game (use the blank Feelings Cards provided).

Let an entire group portray the Actor’s role—the whole group poses together!
Step 4: Feelings Dialogue Game
1. Choose a volunteer from the class to be an Actor. The Actor chooses one of the six
feelings cards, but doesn’t tell anyone what it is. The Actor strikes a pose on stage that
conveys that feeling.
2. This time, instead of guessing the feeling, the class gets to imagine what the actor might
be thinking inside his or her head.
3. Choose a volunteer to be the Narrator. The Narrator walks up to the Actor, stands next to
him or her, and says aloud what he or she thinks the Actor is thinking. The Narrator
leaves the stage, and the Actor stays in their pose onstage.
4. Choose another volunteer to become the Narrator. The Actor stays in the same pose; the
new Narrator approaches the stage and offers a new line of dialogue. The Actor sits down
and the class prepares for another round.
Step 5: Lesson Debrief
Talking Points:

When did we use empathy in these games? (Possible answers: when the class guessed
others’ feelings, when the Narrators spoke the Actors’ thoughts.)

When did you see empathy in the play PEACE Signs?

What was the most fun feeling to play as an actor? What was the least fun? Why?

Why is it important to look at someone’s body and face and imagine what they might be feeling
and thinking?

What if the person isn’t feeling how we think they feel? How can we be sure?
Step 6 (optional): Feeling Games Activity Sheet
Students complete the activity sheet as homework and share their completed sheets with the class.
Feeling Games
Synonym Challenge: For each of the following words, write as many synonyms as you can!
Confused
Embarrassed
Proud
Hurt
Lonely
Jealous
Annoyed
Excited
Feeling Challenge: Match the Feeling Line on the left with the Feeling on the right
that goes with it the most.
“Hey, somebody knocked over my paint can.”
Happy
“I don’t want to fight, because someone could get hurt.”
Sad
“Wow, I can’t believe you bought me the book I wanted!”
Angry
“My dad said he’s proud of me for increasing the peace.”
Disgusted
“The garbage on the playground smells gross.”
Surprised
“I really miss my brother.”
Scared
Comic Challenge