This series of practice ideas is inspired by a Primary 4 classroom display of work linked to reading the novel ‘The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark’ using the 5-part model to unpack. This lesson idea could easily be transferred using a different book/contexts and for different emotions.

When using a picture book or novel there will often be opportunities to extend Emotion Works vocabulary for the group you’re working with. The vocabulary planning sheet helps you to make a note in advance of any key words and phrases that feature in the story relating to each of the different cog concepts. Depending on the age and stage of your learners, you can then prepare symbol prompts or create text prompts for the new vocabulary. Planning and preparing for vocabulary in this way acts as a useful reminder to introduce and use new vocabulary during your lessons, and incorporate into displays of work (for example, see the words ‘spooked’ and ‘nervous’ in the main image display above).

Lots of talking and learning about the 5 cogs and how they link together happened when the children in this P4 class created their own personal (5-cog) account of feeling afraid. They used the blank cogs worksheet to colour the five cogs and added in their own information before cutting out and sticking in place. To generate ideas, the teacher led a class discussion on a range of possible fear triggers including Plop the Owl’s fear of the dark, and also the teacher’s own example of being afraid of heights to demonstrate how to compile the sequence.

It was a good idea to compile a display of the individual pieces of work as it led to further opportunities to discuss the concept links and for pupils to compare their fear experiences with each other.