My Activity: Feelings Circle

Description of the Activity:

One activity I would use to create a safe and emotionally supportive classroom is called a Feelings Circle. In this activity, I will ask students to sit in a circle and briefly share how they are feeling before starting the lesson. Each student can describe their feeling using one word (for example: happy, tired, excited, worried) or they can point to an emotion card with different facial expressions.

If students are shy, they can also write their feeling on a small paper or use an online tool such as Mentimeter or Padlet to submit their emotions anonymously. The teacher will acknowledge the responses and thank students for sharing.

The goal of this activity is to help students feel heard, respected, and comfortable in the classroom.

When I Would Use the Activity:

I would use this activity at the beginning of the school day or the beginning of a lesson, especially on Mondays or after holidays when students may come with different emotions or experiences.

It only takes about 5–10 minutes, so it does not interrupt learning time but helps prepare students mentally for the lesson.

How the Activity Supports Learning and a Safe Environment:

This activity helps students express their emotions and understand that feelings are normal. When students feel emotionally safe, they are more confident to speak, participate, and ask questions.

It can also helps students develop empathy and respect for each other. When they hear how their classmates feel, they learn to understand different perspectives and support one another.

A supportive emotional environment reduces stress and allows students to focus better on learning.

How the Activity Helps Classroom Management:

For teachers, this activity gives insight into students’ emotional states. If many students feel tired or stressed, the teacher can adjust the lesson by adding energizing activities or short breaks.

It also builds trust between students and the teacher. When students feel respected and understood, they are more likely to follow classroom rules and participate positively in class.

Overall, the Feelings helps create a respectful classroom culture where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.