Lesson Plan
Feelings Detective Plan
Students will accurately identify four basic emotions (happy, sad, mad, scared) using facial and body cues.
Understanding and identifying emotions in oneself and others is a fundamental skill for social-emotional development, helping students navigate their feelings and interact positively with peers.
Audience
1st Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through interactive activities and visual aids, students will learn to recognize and name basic emotions.
Materials
Mystery Emotions Slides, Teacher Detective Script, Emoji Card Guessing Game, and Facial Clue Match Sheet
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Feelings Detective Plan and all linked materials: Mystery Emotions Slides, Teacher Detective Script, Emoji Card Guessing Game, and Facial Clue Match Sheet.
- Print and cut out emoji cards for the Emoji Card Guessing Game (one set per pair of students).
- Print the Facial Clue Match Sheet (one per student).
Step 1
Warm-up: Guess My Face
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick 'Guess My Face' mime activity to hook students.
2. Teacher mimes an emotion, and students guess what it is.
3. Introduce the idea of being 'feelings detectives'.
Step 2
Model Emotions & Cues
10 minutes
- Use the Mystery Emotions Slides to introduce four basic emotions: happy, sad, mad, scared.
2. For each emotion, discuss facial expressions, body language, and sounds.
3. Use the Teacher Detective Script to guide the discussion and provide examples.
Step 3
Emoji Card Guessing Game
10 minutes
- Divide students into pairs.
2. Distribute one set of pre-cut emoji cards per pair.
3. Students take turns picking a card and miming the emotion for their partner to guess, focusing on facial and body cues.
4. Encourage partners to explain how they knew the emotion based on the mime.
Step 4
Reflection: Drawing My Feelings
5 minutes
- Distribute the Facial Clue Match Sheet.
2. Ask students to draw and label one emotion they experienced today and show the facial clues.
3. Share drawings with a partner or the class.
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Slide Deck
Welcome, Feelings Detectives!
Today, we're going to learn about feelings and how to spot them!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today they will be 'feelings detectives'!
Happy!
How do you know someone is happy?
- Smile
- Bright eyes
- Sometimes jumping or giggling!
Introduce 'Happy'. Ask students: 'What does a happy face look like? What does a happy body do?'
Sad...
How do you know someone is sad?
- Frowning
- Tears
- Shoulders slumped, quiet
Introduce 'Sad'. Ask students: 'What does a sad face look like? What does a sad body do?'
Mad!
How do you know someone is mad?
- Scrunched eyebrows
- Red face
- Fists clenched, stomping feet
Introduce 'Mad'. Ask students: 'What does a mad face look like? What does a mad body do?'
Scared?!
How do you know someone is scared?
- Wide eyes
- Open mouth (gasp!)
- Body tensed, hiding
Introduce 'Scared'. Ask students: 'What does a scared face look like? What does a scared body do?'
Time to Play: Emoji Card Guessing Game!
Work with a partner!
- Pick an emoji card.
- Mime the feeling without talking!
- Your partner guesses the feeling.
- Talk about the clues you saw!
Explain the game instructions to students. Emphasize looking for facial and body clues.
My Feelings Detective Journal
On your Facial Clue Match Sheet:
- Draw a feeling you had today.
- Label what it is.
- Show the facial clues!
- Share with a friend!
Transition to the reflection activity. Encourage students to think about their own feelings.
Script
Teacher Detective Script
Introduction (5 minutes)
"Good morning, future Feelings Detectives! Today, we're going on an exciting adventure to become experts at understanding feelings. Who's ready to put on their detective hats?"
"Let's start with a quick game! I'm going to make a face, and I want you to guess what feeling I'm showing. No talking, just guesses! Ready?"
(Mime a simple emotion like happy or sad. Repeat 2-3 times with different emotions.)
"Wow, you are already great detectives! Today, we're going to learn even more about how to spot feelings. We'll learn how to look at people's faces and bodies to figure out what they might be feeling. This is super important because it helps us understand our friends, our family, and even ourselves!"
Modeling Emotions (10 minutes)
"Alright, detectives, let's open our Mystery Emotions Slides!"
*(Advance to the
Game
Emoji Card Guessing Game
Objective: Students will practice identifying basic emotions through non-verbal cues (facial expressions and body language).
Materials:
- Set of pre-cut emoji cards representing happy, sad, mad, and scared (one set per pair).
Instructions:
- Pair Up! The teacher will divide the class into pairs.
- Deal the Cards! Each pair will receive a set of emoji cards, shuffled and placed face down between them.
- Player 1: Pick a Card! The first player picks a card from the pile without showing it to their partner.
- Mime the Feeling! Player 1 will silently mime the emotion shown on the card, using only their face and body. No talking!
- Player 2: Guess the Emotion! Player 2 watches carefully and tries to guess the emotion Player 1 is miming.
- Explain Your Clues! Once Player 2 guesses (or if they need a hint!), Player 1 reveals the card. Both players should discuss how Player 2 knew the emotion, pointing out the facial clues and body language that helped.
- "I knew you were happy because your eyes were crinkly and you had a big smile!"
- "I could tell you were scared because your shoulders were up and your eyes were wide!"
- Switch Roles! Players switch roles, and Player 2 picks the next card to mime.
- Continue Playing! Continue playing until time is called or all cards have been used.
Tips for Detectives:
- Use your whole face! Exaggerate your eyebrows, mouth, and eyes.
- Use your body! Show with your shoulders, hands, and posture.
- Watch carefully! Pay attention to every little clue your partner gives you.
Challenge: Can you think of a time you felt this emotion? (Optional, for deeper discussion if time allows)
Worksheet
Facial Clue Match Sheet
Name: _____________________________
Date: ______________________________
Be a Feelings Detective!
Think about a feeling you had today. It could be happy, sad, mad, or scared, or even another feeling! Draw your face showing that feeling, and then write down what clues your face gives away.
My Feeling Face!
Draw your face showing a feeling you had today in the box below. Make sure to show the facial clues!
What Feeling Is This?
This feeling is: ___________________________
What Facial Clues Did I Show?
Write down what your face looked like when you felt this way. (For example: "My mouth was smiling!" or "My eyebrows were scrunched!")