Navigating Feelings: Middle School

Stuck in the middle of SO many emotions…

It can be difficult to understand your emotions when life is not always consistent. One day, you can be on top of the world; the next day, you can have the wind knocked out of you. Because of COVID-19, school came to an abrupt stop and remote learning began; therefore, various emotions, such as anxiety and loss, surfaced and it was difficult to understand and relate to the feelings, at times.

No matter how much control may be lost, try to take time (as much as possible), to talk about how you feel with your family and friends.

Below you’ll find books and activities that are appropriate for 6th, 7th and 8th Graders around the concept of “Navigating Feelings.”

GREAT BOOKS & CONVOS

Pax

By Sara Pennypacker

Why We LOVE This Book

Pax and Peter have been inseparable, since Peter rescued Pax. When they are forced to split apart, they are both devastated and will do anything to reunite with each other again. As they are trying to find each other, they experience endless emotions, as well as, endless adventures.

Conversation Launchers

Peter is overwhelmed with emotion when he and Pax are separated. Peter realizes how much he cares for Pax and wants to find him: “Inseparable. He hadn’t missed the note of pride that had entered his grandfather’s voice as he’d said that,” (page 14). The, Peter wonders, “He and Pax, what were they then…separable,” (page 14).

Should Peter put himself in possible danger because of his love for Pax?
Is there anything else Peter can do?

Ashley experiences various intense positive and negative emotions, at various times. Peter experiences anxiety and tries to cope with it the best he can: “He was stiff and sore, but at least his anxiety has relaxed its grip,” (page 30).

How does Peter cope with the other emotions he experiences? Give examples and discuss.
Does he cope with his feelings positively or negatively?

Pax and Peter experience a rollercoaster of emotions, in alternating chapters. For example, when Pax meets the other foxes and Peter meets Vola for the first time.

How do the alternating views help you relate to what emotions Pax and Peter are feeling throughout the book?
Would one narrator, instead of two, be more helpful for you to relate to the various emotions experienced by the different characters?

Peter knows he can get angry easily, but does not want to be like his father: “Peter’s hands burned. He looked down. They were balled into tight fists. He forced them open,” (page 218).

Is it common for family members to experience emotions similarly?
Should family members always experience the same emotions?

At times, when Pax and Peter are wrapped up in their emotions, they do not think before they react.

What are some examples of them heading into situations without thinking about possible consequences?
What can they do differently?

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Hurricane Season

By Nicole Melleby

Why We LOVE This Book

Fig is trying to get through sixth grade, while experiencing endless emotions about her dad and the rest of her life. She is trying to stay in control, while solving her father’s issues and protecting her family’s privacy, but is having difficulty doing so.

Conversation Launchers

At the beginning of, and throughout the book, Fig is experiencing a variety of emotions many middle schoolers experience, such as when her dad will not buy her a smartphone: “‘Dad, I’m literally the only sixth grader without one,’ Fig tried again. ‘This thing is embarrassing,’” (page 9).

What other emotions do Fig and her peers experience? Give examples and explain.

Fig’s dad begins to open up emotionally to Mark and Fig is hurt and upset.

Should she be feeling this way?
What can she do, in order to not feel hurt and upset?

Fig and her dad cope differently with his mental illness. Fig waits for the end of hurricane season because she believes everything will improve then and her father becomes anxious on a regular basis because he knows he cannot control his, or anyone else’s, life.

What other events occur, in which Fig and her dad cope differently?
Is it healthy for them to cope in different ways?
Are there other strategies they can use instead of just trying to cope?

Many characters do not express their emotions with each other and end up yelling or engage in other negative ways: “His hand got tangled in webbing, and he ripped it off the bannister while repeating her name, and Fig started yelling, ‘Just go, Dad! Get out of here,’” (page 152).

Why do people keep emotions hidden, at times?
What can they do, so they do not keep their emotions buried?

When Fig and her dad begin to open up more and be honest with each other, many of their negative emotions begin to subside: “‘I need you to stop seeing me as Van Gogh. I need you to see me as me.’ She reached out to gently wipe the tears off his cheeks, letting her fingers follow the tracks they made down his face,” (page 244).

Is it important to be honest about your feelings with others?
Are there times when you should not be honest about your feelings?

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It’s the End of the World as I Know It

By Matthew Landis

Why We LOVE This Book

Derrick believes the apocalypse is coming and is doing all he can to control the situation. He becomes more anxious, as the apocalypse date approaches, and experiences endless emotions, with his family and friends, throughout his journey for survival.

Conversation Launchers

Since Derrick focuses on the unknown and on what he cannot control in his life, he becomes anxious and panicked on a regular basis: “Dr. Mike, this professional head examiner I used to see, said stress can make your body do weird stuff, and that if I start to feel dizzy I should just relax and breathe through my nose. But that’s stupid because if I’m getting dizzy I’m gonna be totally freaking out and gulping air as fast as I can,” (page 10).

Should he try not to focus on the unknown and try not to control his life?
What else can he do to relieve the anxiety and panic?

Many people, in Derrick’s life, are being overly attentive and supportive of him, at times, such as the school counselor and Tommy’s mom.

Which other characters are coddling Derrick too much?
Why do some people go over the top with attention and support when someone is struggling with emotions?

As Derrick begins to spiral out of control, he has friends who try to calm him down and help him. For example, Misty sends Derrick an email about “Why I should be your assistant” and looks for items to purchase for his shelter: “She walks over and shows me her phone. ‘The Poop Master 5000: A Dry Flush Composting Toilet. Runs on lithium batteries. Five hundred bucks at Home Depot,’” (pages 120 & 121).

What else do Derrick’s friends do to help him get ready for the end of the world?
Do they help him feel calmer and more grounded?

Derrick keeps a lot of emotions bottled up and blames his dad, Misty, and others for what is occurring in his life.

Is it healthy to keep emotions bottled up?
What can Derrick do, instead of blaming others?

Near the end of the book, Derrick begins to open up about his mom: “I let it out in stutters and it’s easier the second time. Telling it again is like reopening that valve and even more pressure comes off my chest and it’s incredible,” (page 289).

How does Derrick feel when he talks about his mom?
What are other positive effects for being honest about how you feel?

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Keep the Conversation Going!

Emoji Emotions Chart – Look at the Emoji Emotions Chart (https://bit.ly/3e1OqhO) and decide which emotion(s) you felt the most in one day. Point out the emoji(s) to another person and explain why you are feeling that/those emotion(s).
Video Watch – Watch a YouTube video about pre-teen and teen anxiety (https://bit.ly/3f1Yglj) and discuss what the video is about. Then, talk about what can be done to subside feeling anxious.
Letter – Write a short letter about what emotions you feel and why you feel them throughout the day. Swap your letter with someone else, read the letter, and write a response.
Art Admiration – Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by color. Look at the paintings: “Two Peasant Women Digging In a Field With Snow” and “Sunflowers”. How is the color scheme different for each painting? What emotions do you feel when you look at both paintings? If Van Gogh used different colors, do you think you would feel different emotions?
Pop of Color – Think about your upcoming day (this can be done the night prior) and think about what emotion(s) you are feeling. Pick a color that relates to the emotion you are feeling the most and add it to your outfit. It can be an article of clothing, and accessory, or any other item that will make your outfit complete!

Resources for OTHER AGE GROUPS

SEARCH BY GRADE LEVEL…

Navigating Feelings: Pre-K & Kindergarten

Navigating Feelings: First & Second Grade

Navigating Feelings: Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade