Feelings chart poster (free printable, twelve faces)
Twelve simple faces, each with its feeling word underneath, in a grid you can read from across the room. Choose the feelings that fit your class and print.
To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.
About this sheet
Children can use a feeling word only after they know it, and a wall chart is the quickest way to learn the words. These faces are drawn from plain shapes: circles, curves and dots, with no characters, so they stay readable at a distance and cannot look dated. Each is labeled with a single word, and you may change any of them from a long list of feelings that the chart knows how to draw, from calm and proud to frustrated and lonely. Keep the chart low enough for young children to point to, and teach two or three new faces a week rather than all twelve at once.
Grades: Pre-K to 5. Best in: August, September.
How to use it
- Choose the feelings in the box, one per line. The chart draws twelve faces in a grid, and any word it does not know gets a calm neutral face.
- Print in color for the wall, or in black and white for students to color as part of learning the words.
- Post it where students can point to it, and use it at morning meeting: Which face is closest to how you feel today?
Five ideas for class
- Introduce two or three feelings a week. Act each one out, talk about when you have felt it, and add the word to the class vocabulary.
- Let students point to a face during the day when they cannot find the words. Pointing is a safe way to start a conversation.
- Read a picture book and stop at a page to ask: which face is the character wearing, and how can we tell?
- Use black and white copies as a sorting game: students cut out faces and group them into comfortable and uncomfortable feelings.
- Pair it with the emotions check-in sheet when you want students to write as well as point.
Related
Questions
Which feelings can I choose?
Happy, excited, proud, calm, silly, surprised, curious, shy, confused, worried, nervous, scared, sad, lonely, tired, frustrated, angry, bored, embarrassed, disappointed, great, good, okay and not so good. Any other word gets a neutral face.
Are these suitable for older students?
Yes. For middle school, choose more precise words, such as stressed, overwhelmed and focused, and use the chart as a vocabulary tool.
Is it a clinical tool?
No. It is a vocabulary poster for learning to name feelings. If a student seems to be struggling, talk to your counselor.
How do I save it as a PDF?
Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.
Can I print it in black and white?
Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.
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