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      Use mime to explore positive and negative emotions

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explore how to manage positive and negative emotions using mime.

      Key learning points

      1. Move: using deep breathing techniques when experiencing negative emotions supports relaxation.
      2. Move: we can use gestures, expressions and movement to show positive and negative emotions.
      3. Think: re-focusing our minds to consider the positive things in our lives can help us manage our emotions.
      4. Feel: staying focused when applying relaxation techniques to control and explore emotions shows self-motivation.
      5. Connect: evaluating the performances of others and communicating ways to improve helps everyone to develop.

      Keywords

      • Mime - acting without words, using only gesture, expression and movement

      • Positive emotions - feelings that promote well-being, happiness and a sense of fulfilment

      • Negative emotions - feelings that can cause discomfort, stress or unhappiness

      Common misconception

      Pupils think that mime only refers to illustrating physical objects, e.g. a plate or a glass of water etc., and don't consider how mime can represent emotional responses too.

      Explain to pupils that mime is a powerful tool we can use to help us to understand and manage our emotions.

      Teacher tip

      Play calm music to support pupils' creativity.

      Equipment

      1 bell

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - physical activity

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What word describes showing how we feel?

      resting
      movement
      Correct answer: expression

      Q2.
      What are our feelings that we have in response to a situation or event?

      Correct answer: emotions
      movements
      balance

      Q3.
      When you help and support your partner, what are you showing?

      speed
      Correct answer: respect
      balance

      Q4.
      What life skill can support you with striving to consistently improve?

      Correct answer: self-motivation
      self-doubt
      self-worth

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What do we mean by acting without words, using only gesture, expression and movement?

      meditation
      emotion
      Correct answer: mime

      Q2.
      What is the opposite type of emotion to a negative emotion?

      no emotion
      neutral emotion
      Correct answer: positive emotion

      Q3.
      In what way can deep breathing help us?

      Correct answer: to relax
      to hurry
      to shout

      Q4.
      How can combining mime actions that represent negative emotions, with moments of stillness and deep breathing, change your emotions?

      Correct answer: change to positive
      become more negative
      no change

      To help you plan your 4 physical education lesson on: Use mime to explore positive and negative emotions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...