Feelings Tools for Identifying and Understanding Emotions

Empower emotional learning with tools that make feelings easier to identify, understand, and talk about.

Support emotional awareness and regulation with the Feelings Tools for Identifying and Understanding Emotions, visual resource sets developed by the Student Behavior and Wellness Center at CESA 6. The Feelings Tools for Identifying and Understanding Emotions have 2 different types:

• Primary Feelings Thermometer – This vertically designed tool displays a color-coded thermometer that represents emotions along a spectrum of energy and pleasantness. Assigning emotions to 4 zones organized around energy and degree of pleasantness/unpleasantness helps the user or facilitator to narrow down and name emotions at times when they may be difficult to identify. Its intuitive layout supports quick self-check-ins and is ideal for use during morning meetings, transitions, or emotional regulation breaks.
• Secondary Feelings Wheel – The Secondary Feelings Wheel offers a rich, expanded vocabulary for identifying and articulating emotions. Designed in a circular layout, this visual tool is divided into four quadrants, mirroring the structure of the Primary Feelings Thermometer while providing more nuanced language. Within each quadrant, a wide range of emotions is grouped by similar energy levels and emotional tones, allowing users to move beyond general feelings like “happy” or “angry” and explore more specific terms such as “hopeful,” “restless,” “discouraged,” or “grateful."

These tools are adapted from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and are designed to help students, educators, and mental health professionals promote emotional literacy and self-awareness.

Perfect For:

• Deepening emotional literacy, encouraging reflection, vocabulary development, and self-awareness. 
• Quick self-check-ins and is ideal for use during morning meetings, transitions, or emotional regulation breaks.
  
• Use in classroom discussions, one-on-one counseling, or personal journaling, this tool supports students in naming and navigating their feelings with greater accuracy and confidence. 

Product Options:

• Digital Download: ZIP file including PDFs of either the Primary Feelings Thermometer or the Secondary Feelings Wheel, or download both for flexible use in virtual or printed formats.
  
  • Primary Feelings Thermometer Zip Folder includes:
    • 1 per page, 2 per page, 4 per page, and 24'' x 36'' files
  • Secondary Feelings Wheel Zip Zip Folder includes:
    • 1 per page, 2 per page, and 24'' x 36'' files
• Printed Versions: Professionally printed and ready to display in classrooms, offices, or counseling spaces. Full color printed set of 25 single-sided pages on 8.5'' x 11'' paper in the following sets:
  • Primary Feelings Thermometer Options: 
    • 1 per page
    • 2 per page
    • 4 per page
  • Secondary Feelings Wheel:
    • 1 per page
    • 2 per page

Perfect for SEL lessons, counseling sessions, and behavior support plans, these tools are essential for fostering a healthy emotional climate.

Single Use License:

By purchasing this digital set or printed sets, you are granted a single-user license for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, resale, or sharing of this material with others, whether in printed or digital format, is strictly prohibited.