We played a game that I call Emotion Charades, continuing the work of exploring emotions in a unique way. In our singing bowl, I placed many small pieces of paper with different emotions written on them. First, I demonstrated the game by selecting one of the emotions and acting it out using my body language. I got the emotion "frustrated", and I made a face, stamped my foot, and sighed a few times. The students got it by the second or third guess. Then it was their turn to try! We have several theatrical students in both classes, so for some of the children the acting part came very naturally. For others it was more challenging. It is beneficial for elementary students to see, recognize, and name the signs of various emotions on different people's faces and bodies. Anger doesn't look the same on everyone, and neither does happiness or feeling embarrassed. It is imperative for children to understand that everyone both experiences and expresses emotions in ways that are unique. It is up to us to learn another person's emotional language.
The Emotion Monsters the students created are absolutely gorgeous, creative, and amazing (if I do say so myself)! It was palpable in the room that the students were all extremely proud of their finished creations. And everyone was extraordinarily industrious until the last moment of class in adding final details to their monsters. Since we completed these artworks right before Halloween, many of them were hung on the walls, doors, and bedrooms of the artist. Here are the completed creations!
