This week we have been studying the Torah story of when Joseph’s brothers throw him into the pit and it of course deals with lots of big emotions which is why I thought it would be helpful to explore all kinds of emotions with our Emotions Wheel (Torah Characters). We of course started our learning with our Joseph Is Thrown Into The Pit 3 Part Cards and today’s activity was the first supplemental activity to help support and deepen our study of this Torah story.
We frequently discuss emotions and feelings, sometimes through play and other times by adding tools or activities to our Family Peace Table. The Emotions Wheel could of course be used on its own, focusing on different emotions and helping children to identify them, but I loved the idea of connecting it to the Torah characters we’ve already learned about. That way it functions as a bit of Torah review at the same time!
What You’ll Need
- Emotions Wheel Torah Characters free printable
- Cardstock
- Scissors
- Brass fastener
- Crayons
Putting It Together
- Print the Emotions Wheel (Torah Characters) on cardstock.
- Cut, or have your child cut, around the outer circles. Cut the triangle out on the second page.
- Read each statement and talk about the emotion and Torah character described.
- Invite your child to color the triangles and/or draw faces in the ovals representing the emotion described.
- Attach the top circle (the one that says “I feel …” on it) to the bottom circle by poking a brass fastener in the middle of both and opening the legs of the fastener underneath the second circle.
- Bonus: talk about some examples when you’ve felt these feelings and actions you can take and/or tools you can use to help when you’re feeling these ways.
Finished & Loving It!
The Torah story of Joseph’s brothers throwing him into the pit and then selling him as a slave is filled with lots of big, heavy (and scary!) emotions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to talk about emotions in general. This emotions wheel was a hands-on way for the kids to engage in a discussion about a variety of emotions. We also extended the discussion to examples of when they have felt this way and also ways they can act when they have these big feelings.
Since each emotion is paired with a Torah character it was also a wonderful way to review who these characters are, what their stories were, and why I used them to describe the emotions stated. Many of these characters we have studied in our Torah stories but some are from holiday learning. It’s great to see how much the kids remembered and listen to them talk about why the characters felt certain ways and what actions they took. Obviously Cain’s action when he was mad is not one to look to as a model!
One of the important things we discussed is that all feelings occur and are valid. This is especially true in the Torah story we are learning about this week, Joseph being thrown into the pit. Joseph’s brothers are allowed to feel these feelings of jealously and even hatred. Their feelings are valid and should be acknowledged. But the actions they took when feeling these feelings are not ok. This story provides another example of how not to act when feeling big, powerful and overwhelming feelings!
Talking about these big feelings and acknowledging their presence and validity helps kids know it’s ok to feel these feelings. Offering examples, activities and tools for how to regulate themselves when feeling this way is the key to positive emotional growth and is so important for all kids (and adults too!) to learn and practice.
We are adding these emotion wheels to our Family Peace Table. The process of creating them was a beautiful review of different feelings and how to respond when having these feelings, as well as a fun way to review our Torah stories and characters. The end result is a great new tool in our regulation toolbox! I look forward to watching more regulation processes take place, this time with our Emotions Wheels present too!
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