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Am I Overreacting?

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Lesson Plan

Emotion Thermometer Lesson Plan

Students will be able to identify different levels of emotional intensity and match their reactions to the size of a given problem.

Understanding emotional intensity helps students develop proportional responses, manage their feelings effectively, and avoid unnecessary escalation in various situations, leading to healthier interactions and better problem-solving skills.

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, scenario analysis, and a visual emotion thermometer.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Big Problem, Big Feeling Slides, Size of the Problem Scenarios, and When Is It Too Much Discussion

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students to share one word that describes how they are feeling today. No need for explanation, just the word.
  • Introduce the concept of emotions having different 'sizes' or 'intensities'.

Step 2

Introducing the Emotion Thermometer

10 minutes

  • Use Big Problem, Big Feeling Slides to introduce the concept of an emotion thermometer.
  • Explain that just like temperature, emotions can range from cool (small feelings) to hot (big feelings).
  • Discuss examples of small problems (e.g., forgetting a pencil) and big problems (e.g., a serious argument) and how our reactions should ideally match the problem's size.
  • Guide students through identifying different emotions and where they might fall on the thermometer (e.g., annoyed = 2, frustrated = 5, furious = 9).

Step 3

Activity: Size of the Problem Scenarios

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Size of the Problem Scenarios worksheet or display scenarios one by one.
  • In small groups or individually, have students read each scenario.
  • For each scenario, ask them to identify the 'size' of the problem (small, medium, large) and a proportional reaction, noting how they would feel and what they might do.
  • Encourage discussion on why certain reactions are appropriate for different problem sizes.

Step 4

Class Discussion: When Is It Too Much?

10 minutes

  • Lead a class discussion using the prompts from When Is It Too Much Discussion.
  • Focus on questions like: What happens when our reaction is bigger than the problem? Why is it hard sometimes to match our reaction to the problem's size? What strategies can help us respond proportionally?
  • Emphasize that it's okay to feel big emotions, but the key is how we choose to react.

Step 5

Cool-Down: One Takeaway

5 minutes

  • Ask each student to share one new idea or strategy they learned about emotional regulation and matching reactions to problem size.
  • Reinforce that practicing these skills helps everyone navigate challenges more effectively.
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Slide Deck

Am I Overreacting?

Understanding Emotional Intensity and Proportional Reactions

How do you feel today?

Welcome students and set a positive tone. Explain that today's lesson is about understanding our feelings and how we react to different situations. Ask them to think about how they are feeling right now.

Emotions Have a 'Size'

Just like problems, our feelings can be big or small.

Have you ever felt a little annoyed? Or really, really angry?

What's the difference?

Introduce the idea that emotions aren't just 'good' or 'bad' but also have different strengths or 'sizes'. Use an analogy, like a volume knob or a color spectrum, if helpful.

The Emotion Thermometer

A tool to help us measure our feelings and reactions.

  • 1-3: Small Problem, Small Feeling (e.g., forgetting a pencil, feeling a little annoyed)
  • 4-7: Medium Problem, Medium Feeling (e.g., a friend cancels plans, feeling frustrated)
  • 8-10: Big Problem, Big Feeling (e.g., a serious argument, feeling furious or heartbroken)

Our reactions should generally match the 'temperature' of the problem.

Introduce the Emotion Thermometer as a visual tool. Explain that 1-3 are small feelings/problems, 4-7 are medium, and 8-10 are large. Give a few examples for each level.

Why Does It Matter?

When our reactions match the size of the problem, things go more smoothly.

  • Small problem + Big reaction = ?
  • Big problem + Small reaction = ?

Responding proportionally helps us:

  • Solve problems more easily
  • Avoid making things worse
  • Feel more in control

Discuss why matching reactions is important. Emphasize that overreacting can make small problems bigger and cause unnecessary stress or conflict.

Let's Practice!

We're going to look at some different situations.

For each one, ask yourself:

  1. How big is this problem? (Small, Medium, or Big?)
  2. How would I feel? (Use the Emotion Thermometer)
  3. What would be a proportional reaction? (What would I do or say?)

Introduce the activity. Explain that students will be given scenarios and need to decide the 'size' of the problem and an appropriate reaction. Encourage them to think about both how they would feel and what they would do.

Wrap Up: You've Got This!

It's okay to feel your feelings! The goal is to choose reactions that fit the situation.

Practice makes perfect. Keep thinking about the size of the problem and the size of your reaction.

What is one thing you will remember from today?

Conclude the lesson by reiterating the main takeaway: everyone feels big emotions sometimes, but learning to manage reactions makes a huge difference. Ask students to share one thing they will try to remember.

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Activity

Size of the Problem Scenarios

Instructions: Read each scenario below. For each scenario, decide if it's a Small Problem, Medium Problem, or Big Problem. Then, describe how you might feel and what a proportional (fitting) reaction would be.

Scenario 1: Missing Homework

You realize you left your completed math homework at home on your desk, and it's due today.

  • Size of the Problem:


  • How I Might Feel:


  • Proportional Reaction:





Scenario 2: Broken Toy

Your younger sibling accidentally breaks your favorite toy that you've had for a long time.

  • Size of the Problem:


  • How I Might Feel:


  • Proportional Reaction:





Scenario 3: Spilled Milk

At lunch, you accidentally knock over your milk carton, and it spills all over your tray and a little on the table.

  • Size of the Problem:


  • How I Might Feel:


  • Proportional Reaction:





Scenario 4: Friend is Upset

You accidentally hurt your friend's feelings by saying something without thinking, and now they are really quiet and look sad.

  • Size of the Problem:


  • How I Might Feel:


  • Proportional Reaction:





Scenario 5: Group Project Disagreement

Your group for a class project can't agree on an idea, and everyone is getting frustrated, making it hard to start the work.

  • Size of the Problem:


  • How I Might Feel:


  • Proportional Reaction:





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Discussion

When Is It Too Much? A Class Discussion

Instructions: Let's discuss these questions as a class. Be prepared to share your thoughts and listen respectfully to your classmates.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean to "overreact" to a problem? Can you think of an example (without naming names)?


  2. Why do you think people sometimes react with a bigger emotion than the problem calls for? What makes it hard to match our reaction to the situation?





  3. What happens when someone overreacts to a small problem? How does it affect them and the people around them?





  4. What are some things you can do to calm down or think before reacting when you feel a big emotion starting for a small problem? (Think about strategies we've learned or things you do on your own.)










  5. Is it ever okay to have a big emotion for a small problem? When might that be the case?


  6. How can practicing matching your reaction to the size of the problem help you in school, at home, or with friends?





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