This is a worry train express, a way for younger pupils or pupils with an interest in trains to manage their worries.
It consists of a train with two carriages. The train has a window and some emojis that the pupil can stick into the window to represent how worried they are.
One carriage is for the pupil’s worries. They can write or draw on the tickets.
The other carriage has calming strategies. There are six to try and there are tickets for pupils to come up with their own.
There are two stations to visit. The first station is where worries are talked about and decisions made on whether this worry is in their control or not in their control. They can make a plan if it is in their control(there is a sheet available for writing or drawing).
If the worry is not in their control they continue to the next station where they can leave their worry at the station. The emoji can be changed at this point to perhaps a ‘happy face’.
Benefits of the worry train express
It is fun and engaging
Pupils can offload their worries
They can learn some calming strategies
They can learn about control and planning
They can learn to let go of their worries
Pupils will learn facial expressions and some vocabulary around worries
Other uses for this resource
Print the PDF larger and make it up as a wall display, all the pupils in your group could add their worries to the carriage.
These emotion apples can be used for an apple tree. Great for the Autumn term.
They all print on A4 paper ready for you to cut out and add to your tree. There are also a variety of coloured leaves to add to your tree and a black and white blank apple for pupils to colour and draw their own emotion if you want to make this an emotional register. They can draw the face on the apple and write the emotion on the leaf. Tree is not included.
Paint a simple tree shape on your display board or use brown paper to cut one out. Better still ask the pupils to help you paint or make it.
Included in the Apple Emotions Pack:
16 Red apples with emotions – happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised, disgusted, worried, confused, shy, calm, tired, bored, proud, frustrated, excited, and upset
A variety of coloured leaves for autumn
Blank apple for drawing an emotion face and writing the emotion
19 sheets in the pack
This teen emotions pack are all hand drawn by me. I get so many people wanting things for older students and the clipart available is very limited. I have drawn 12 different emotions and used colourful teen characters. They are bright and cheerful and will hopefully be appealing to use.
Included in the pack are
12 Teen boy emotion face cards with a suggested emotion word
12 Teen boy emotion face cards without any words
12 Teen girl emotion face cards with a suggested emotion word
12 Teen girl emotion face cards without any words
1 x Teen boy emotion wheel with suggested emotion words
1 x Teen boy emotion wheel without any words
1 x Teen girl emotion wheel with suggested emotion words
1 x Teen girl emotion wheel without any words
12 Teen boy comic strip worksheets
12 Teen girl comic strip worksheets
1 x Teen girl blank for drawing facial expressions/colouring
1 x Teen boy blank for drawing facial expressions/colouring
12 x Teen boy face colouring sheets
12 x Teen girl face colouring sheets
Emotional register girl in colour and black and white
Emotional register boy in colour and black and white
Using the teen emotions pack you can begin to explore the facial expressions and bring in other vocabulary when using the emotion cards without words. For example the ‘angry boy’ could be livid, furious, mad, annoyed, frustrated, raging, irritated or outraged. There are so many wonderful words out there that can really help a pupil’s emotional literacy so do explore them. The more words they know they better they will be able to explain themselves.
This resource can be used in many different ways. Laminate the ‘face sheet’ and then laminate all the expression and vocabulary cards. Cut out the expression and vocabulary cards. Use a blob of bluetac to stick items onto the face. Add a whiteboard pen, a mirror and some playdough to extend the use of this resource.
All images have been drawn by myself.
I have also included different skin colours.
This is a Primary School Memory Book for Year 6 children to work on independently. This year children probably won’t get the chance to do transition work like they normally do so this booklet may help to remember the good times at Primary before moving onto Secondary School.
There are 69 pages in the book which is in colour and in black and white.
So many areas covered. You might want to choose the pages to print off or you might want to print them all out.
Growth mindset posters- This is a set of posters to inspire children to try hard and understand that it is ok to make mistakes. Mistakes help us learn.
These print beautifully on A3 paper so are great to display.
Use each quote as a lesson plan and display one each week in the classroom.
There are 19 different quotes altogether.
These are useful in so many ways:
Use them during circle-time to open up discussion.
Display one each week in your classroom and discuss. Refer to the poster often to reinforce how important it is to try your best.
Create lesson plans around one of the posters.
The Emotions game - is a game to help teach emotional awareness. It will help with emotions vocabulary, recognising facial expressions and give an understanding of how the child may feel in certain situations.
The game could be played on a one to one basis or a group basis. My suggestion is no more than four children.
To make the game
Photocopy or print the game board onto A3 paper then laminate
Print all the cards, laminate and cut into separate cards
The game consists of:
‘How would you feel if’ cards
‘Act it’ cards
A game board
A bingo board
You will also need counters and a die
How to play
Choose the person to go first by each throwing the die and the highest number thrown goes first. Go clockwise from that person.
The first person throws the die and moves their counter that number of spaces.
If they land on an emotion face then they must say what that emotion is. If they land on a ‘How would you feel if’ space then they must pick a card and answer the question. If they land on an ‘Act it’ space then they must pick a card and act out the emotion with facial expression and gestures. You could even encourage them to say a sentence or phrase which someone who feels that emotion might say. If they answer the questions or act out the emotion then they get a counter to fill in their bingo board. The first person to fill their board is the winner so you may need to continue going around the board again. Each person must name two facial expressions, two ‘act it’ cards and two ‘how would you feel if’ cards to win the game.
This is an emotions poster set with 20 bright and colourful posters all set up for A3 Printing. The quality is excellent so you could make them bigger with your ADOBE print settings.
These are useful in so many ways:
Use them during circle-time to open up discussion.
Display one each week in your classroom and discuss. Refer to the poster often to reinforce how important it is to try your best.
Create lesson plans around one of the posters.
A set of 20 self esteem posters aimed at self-esteem. They are all set to print as A3 but of course you could make them print smaller if you want to using ADOBE print settings.
The print quality is excellent so you can really blow them up if you want to using poster settings on Adobe.
Great for discussion during circle-time or just have them up in your room to remind children of how wonderful they are.
The Cool it game - is a game about managing anger. The game will promote discussion on anger management and the recognition of anger. Anger affirmations are used along with cool it cards which give lots of ideas for calming down.
The game could be played on a one to one basis or a group basis. My suggestion is no more than four children.
To make the game
Photocopy or print the game board onto A3 paper then laminate
Print all the cards, laminate and cut into separate cards
Print the ‘my choices board with either the 3 boxes or 6 boxes’ depending on the children you are working with (one for each child)
The game consists of:
40 Affirmation cards
40 Cool it cards
2 types My choices board
A game board
You will also need counters, dry wipe pens and a die to play.
How to play
Choose the person to go first by each throwing the die and the highest number thrown goes first. Go clockwise from that person.
The first person throws the die and moves their counter that number of spaces.
They must answer the question they land on; however, if they land on affirmation then they must read this out to the rest of the group. Ask the child if they agree with the statement. They may or may not. If they land on a ‘cool it ’ they must read it out and explain what it means. If they cannot explain it then ask if anyone else can help? If they think they would like to try this ‘cool it’ they can write it on their ‘My choices board’. The aim is for each child to have either 3 or 6 choices to try when they start to become angry. Continue going round the board until each child has filled their board with ideas.
There isn’t a winner as such with this game as the aim is for the children to learn about their anger
You can photocopy the ‘My choices’ card at the end of the session for the child to take away.
The feel good game – is a game about self-esteem. The game will promote discussion on positive aspects of the child’s life and will use affirmations and character traits to reinforce self-esteem.
The game could be played on a one to one basis or a group basis. My suggestion is no more than four children.
To make the game
Photocopy or print the game board onto A3 paper then laminate
Print all the cards, laminate and cut into separate cards
Print the ‘I am board’ and laminate, print 4 of each so that you have enough for girls or boys.
The game consists of:
Affirmation cards
Character trait cards
‘I am’ boards
A game board
You will also need counters, dry wipe pens and a die to play.
How to play
Choose the person to go first by each throwing the die and the highest number thrown goes first. Go clockwise from that person.
The first person throws the die and moves their counter that number of spaces.
They must answer the question they land on, however, if they land on affirmation then they must read this out to the rest of the group. Ask the child if they agree with the statement. They may or may not. If they land on a ‘character trait’ they must read it out and explain what it means. If they cannot explain it then ask if anyone else can help? If they think they have this character trait they can write it on their ‘I am board’. The aim is for each child to have 5 character traits on their board at the end of the game. Continue going round the board until each child has their five character traits.
There isn’t a winner as such with this game as the aim is for the children to learn about their positive traits When they have all filled their ‘I am’ board then they are all winners!
You can photocopy each ‘I am board’ before erasing the writing for the next game.
This is a booklet which could be used with a child who has lost a pet. It is the one thing that I have dealt with many times in my role as ELSA. It is probably the first time the child has dealt with death and they are understandably very upset. It is really important that you get permission from their family before working on bereavement with a child. Most parents are very happy for you to help their child come to terms with their loss.
I have included ‘The Rainbow Bridge’ poem which is a lovely poem to discuss with the child. I know it gives me comfort with the loss of my pet cat.
Name – child writes their name in a colourful way – they could write in bubble writing or decorate it anyway they wish. Why do they like their name? How did they get their name? Do they know of anyone they admire with the same name? Do they have a nickname?
Picture– either take a photo of the child to stick here or ask them to draw themselves. What do they like about their body? Is there anything they don’t like? What amazing things can they do with their bodies? How do they take care of their bodies? Talk about exercise, eating, drinking, washing, going to doctors if ill etc. What about their minds? How do they keep themselves happy? Content? Relaxed etc.?
Front cover title – What is self esteem? Do they know? Have a discussion about what having a healthy self esteem is. Make sure they are aware that the things you are going to be working on will help their self esteem.
Family pocket and hearts – think about their family members and write one on each heart shape. Reinforce that sense of belonging to the child. They belong to their family. They are part of a family. That family maybe an adopted family but they still BELONG. Keep all the family members safe in the little pocket.
‘I can’ can – think about all the things the child ‘CAN’ do. Focus on the positive with this activity. What can they do? Think about their school work, their homes, their friends, and anything at all that they can do. It could be the tiniest thing but if they can do it then it is written on the little cards and put into the ‘I can’ can. This can be added to over the time you are working with the child. Tell the teacher to help the child realise what they ‘CAN’ do. Reinforce this at all times.
Thank you for – Being grateful and thankful can really boost happiness and self esteem so this activity is about thinking of all the things the child is thankful for. Each day there will be something, no matter how small, Are they thankful for family? friends? that they are a fast runner? that they have a lovely home? that they get food everyday? that they are in good health? Focus on being thankful at all times. Write all these things on the little strips and pop into the pocket. Keep adding to this over your sessions.
Treasure chest – This has several sheets which fold up like a little booklet. The child can decorate their face at the top and you can choose which one to do – there is ‘Things I am proud of’, ‘Things I have achieved’, ‘Things I like about me’, ‘Things I tried hard to do’. You could put anything in the treasure chest that is special and is something to keep safe.
Wheel – you could use this with strength cards Look through the strength cards together and ask the child to pick 8 things they are good at. 8 strengths. Obviously they may come up with ones that are not in the pack and that is fine. Write one strength on each section of the wheel. Glue the bottom section to the top of the lapbook and
222 Emotion word cards and 4 banners make up this resource. Fantastic for display or for working with children with social and emotional problems.
Use the cards:
Find an emotion word you don’t know the meaning of and find out!
Pick a positive emotion and use it in a sentence.
Pick a negative emotion and use it in a sentence.
Think about your day and pick out all the emotions you have felt in that day.
Make a collage of angry words.
Make a collage of happy words.
Make a collage of scared words.
Start a feelings diary and pick out your main feeling for that day. Write it down and explain why you felt that way.
Pick a card and draw the facial expression.
Pick a card and draw a picture of a time when you felt like that.
Pick a card and find all the synonyms of that word.
Pick a card and draw a comic strip of what happened when you felt like that, use speech bubbles and thinking bubbles to show what you were thinking or saying.
There are so many things you can do with these cards
My Worries and Fears Lapbook can be built with a child, combining lessons and creativity and craft. Each component can be a lesson or part of a lesson. It is something for the child to take away at the end of your sessions. You could easily fill 4 to 6 lessons with what is in this lapbook. There are two versions, one in black and white so the child can colour the lettering etc and one in colour where they can just cut and stick. By creating this you are helping the child have some tools for coping.
All you need is an A3 piece of card, card and paper for printing, a glue stick, laminating pouches and a drywipe pen.
My Worries and Fears Lapbook is for the everyday worries that children have. If a children is very anxious then this needs a referral to a professional.
My Worries and Fears Lapbook consists of:
Front cover title in black and white and in colour
Front cover name and drawing of themselves labels
Tell your worry to a worry doll pocket and small printable worry dolls (black and white and colour). A worry doll is a Guatemalan tradition where children tell their worries to their doll and put their dolls under their pillow at night. The dolls take away their worries.
My Worries (bag) pocket in colour and black and white.
My Worries cards to slot on the pocket. Cards consist of different sized monsters (metaphor for worries) so that the child can scale their worry. They can write on the back of the worry card. There is also a drawing prompt for the child to draw their own worry monster (or anything else that they could use as a metaphor for a worry).
Let’s talk about coping strategies – There are 24 prompt cards for discussing worries and coping strategies.
Let’s look inside your head – This is a little booklet with a happy face and a happy brain, a worried face and a worried brain. Children fill in things that make them happy in their happy brain and things that make them worry in their worry brain. Remind children often of the things in their happy brain.
My thoughts and how can I change them pocket and cards- children write down their thoughts when they feel worried. How can that thought be changed. Prompts discussion on thinking more positive thoughts.
My body sheet – where does the child feel their worries and fears? eg. tummy ache, fast heartbeat, hot and bothered, fast breathing etc.
Back cover based on the Worry Tree by Butler and Hope 2007. Laminate this sheet so the child can reuse to work through their worries.
This resource is helpful for building a sense of identity and self esteem.
Instructions for making up the resource are included in the downloadable pack.
Activities consist of:
Creating a superpower to help people
Creating a superhero name
Designing your superhero
How it makes you feel to use your superpowers to help someone
Comparing your favourite superhero to yourself – same and different
The Superhero emotion characters have all been drawn by myself.
The crafts are very simple. It is the process that is important. Children relax when they are working on a craft and to be honest I do not know of a child who does not enjoy crafts especially when it is with someone who is interested in them and interested in what they say. They will open up to you and talk freely whilst enjoying themselves. These activities are also perfect for an ELSA or Teaching assistant who has to do a one off session with a child or who has to work reactively to a situation. Also can be used for whole class activities at Christmas time.
When children succeed in an activity then their self efficacy increases. They begin to believe in themselves. Along with your encouragement and praise they will begin to have a ‘can do’ attitude. It takes time but if anyone ever says to you that what you are doing is just ‘crafting and having fun’ WHAT are they learning? You can tell them.
The resource includes:
Card crafts (20 activities)
Templates (17 templates or resources)
Front cover, contents sheet
Teach children about the six basic emotions with these booklets and games. Angry, sad, happy, scared, disgust and surprise.
Can be used on a one to one basis, with a group or even a whole class. Use the sheets as worksheets or lessons for every child.
Great for ELSA intervention or for Learning mentors or Teaching assistants.
Also a set of superhero fans thrown in to help with emotional regulation.