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Emotion Detectives

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Kara Gibson

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Emotion Detectives Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify, understand, and respectfully respond to emotions in themselves and others through collaborative scenarios and reflection.

Building social-emotional skills promotes empathy, self-awareness, and positive communication, fostering a supportive classroom environment and healthy relationships.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive scenarios, collaborative discussions, and role-plays.

Materials

  • Emotion Scenario Cards, - Emotion Mirror Handout, - Response Strategy Chart, and - Emotion Word Bank Poster

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review Emotion Scenario Cards and ensure scenarios cover diverse emotions.
  • Print and distribute enough copies of Emotion Mirror Handout for each student.
  • Display the Emotion Word Bank Poster in a visible classroom area.
  • Print and laminate the Response Strategy Chart for group reference.
  • Familiarize yourself with scenarios and response strategies to guide discussions.

Step 1

Introduction to Emotions

5 minutes

  • Explain that today students will be “Emotion Detectives” exploring feelings in themselves and others.
  • Define key terms: identify, understand, respond.
  • Point to the Emotion Word Bank Poster and highlight common emotion words.

Step 2

Identify and Understand Emotions

10 minutes

  • Pair up students; each pair draws a card from Emotion Scenario Cards.
  • Read the scenario aloud and discuss:
    • What emotions are present?
    • What clues (words, actions, tone) reveal these emotions?
  • Record identified emotions on the Emotion Mirror Handout.

Step 3

Practice Respectful Responses

10 minutes

  • Form groups of 3–4; each group selects one scenario to role-play.
  • Use the Response Strategy Chart to choose respectful ways to respond.
  • Role-play the scenario, focusing on tone, body language, and words.
  • Classmates offer positive feedback and suggest alternative respectful responses.

Step 4

Reflect and Share

5 minutes

  • Individually, students complete the final section of the Emotion Mirror Handout: one emotion they felt and one strategy they will use next time.
  • Invite a few volunteers to share insights or strategies.
  • Reinforce the importance of empathy and respectful responses in daily interactions.
lenny

Slide Deck

Emotion Detectives

Exploring Emotions and Building Empathy
7th Grade SEL Lesson

Welcome students and introduce today’s lesson. Explain that they will become "Emotion Detectives," learning how to spot and respond to feelings in themselves and others.

Materials You’ll Use

  • Emotion Scenario Cards
  • Emotion Mirror Handout
  • Response Strategy Chart
  • Emotion Word Bank Poster

Briefly show each material and explain its purpose in today’s activities.

Key Terms

  • Identify: Spotting how someone feels
  • Understand: Figuring out why they feel that way
  • Respond: Choosing a respectful action or words

Define each term clearly and ask students for examples of times they’ve used these skills.

Activity 1: Identifying Emotions

  • Pair up and draw an Emotion Scenario Card
  • Read the scenario aloud
  • Discuss:
    • What emotions do you see?
    • What clues reveal them? (words, tone, body language)
  • Record your answers on the Emotion Mirror Handout

Explain the pairing process, circulate to support discussions, and prompt deeper thinking about clues.

Activity 2: Practicing Respectful Responses

  • Form groups of 3–4 and pick a scenario
  • Consult the Response Strategy Chart for respectful reply ideas
  • Role-play, focusing on tone, body language, and words
  • Peers give positive feedback and suggest alternatives

Guide groups as they choose scenarios and role-play. Remind them to use the chart to pick respectful responses.

Reflection & Share

  • Complete the final section on your Emotion Mirror Handout:
    • One emotion you felt today
    • One strategy you will use next time
  • Volunteers share insights or strategies
  • Reinforce the importance of empathy and respectful responses

Invite students to reflect quietly, then share aloud. Highlight strong examples of empathy and respectful replies.

Great Work, Detectives!

Keep using your emotion detective skills every day to understand and support each other.

Thank everyone for their participation. Encourage them to use their detective skills in all interactions.

lenny

Activity

Emotion Scenario Cards

Use these cards in pairs to practice identifying emotions. Read each scenario aloud, then discuss:

  1. What emotions might the person be feeling?
  2. What clues (words, tone, actions, context) help you know?

Cards:

  1. New School Jitters
    Alex just moved to a new school and is walking into class on the first day. They’re clutching their books and looking down the hallway full of unfamiliar faces.


  2. Big Win Excitement
    Jordan’s team just won the championship game after being behind the whole season. Jordan can’t stop grinning and is hugging teammates tightly.


  3. Lost Pet Sadness
    Taylor came home and saw their dog’s bed was empty. Taylor’s eyes filled with tears as they searched the yard calling the pet’s name.


  4. Tryout Nervousness
    Riley is waiting to go into a room for tryouts for the soccer team. Their hands are sweaty, and they keep pacing back and forth.


  5. Friendship Betrayal Anger
    Morgan just discovered their close friend shared a private secret with others. Morgan’s face is red, and they’re crossing their arms tightly.


  6. Surprise Party Shock
    Casey walked into their house and everyone yelled, “Surprise!” Casey’s mouth dropped open, eyes wide, and hands flew to their cheeks.


  7. Gross Taste Disgust
    Jamie tried a spoonful of a sour pickle-flavored candy and immediately scrunched their nose and spat it out in disgust.


  8. Traffic Frustration
    Sam is stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic running late for a quiz. Sam is sighing, tapping the steering wheel, and muttering under their breath.

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Emotion Mirror Handout

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

Part 1: Identify Emotions (Activity 1)

Using the scenario you discussed from the Emotion Scenario Cards, record your observations below.

Scenario Title or Number: ____________________________

Emotions Identified (use words from the Emotion Word Bank Poster):






Clues That Helped Me Recognize These Emotions (words, tone, actions, context):






Part 2: Practice Respectful Responses (Activity 2)

Choose the scenario your group role-played. Then complete the prompts below.

Scenario Title or Number: ____________________________

My Respectful Response (words and body language):











Strategy Used (from the Response Strategy Chart):






Why This Response Is Respectful/Empathetic:






Part 3: Personal Reflection

One emotion I felt today as I worked with my partners:



One strategy I will use next time I notice someone’s emotion:






lenny
lenny

Activity

Response Strategy Chart

Use these strategies to craft respectful, empathetic responses during role-play. Refer to this chart when deciding how to respond.

StrategyWhat It MeansExample
Active ListeningFully focus on the speaker, nod, and reflect what you hear."I hear that you’re really frustrated about the traffic."
"I" StatementsShare your feelings without blaming the other person."I feel sad when my secret is shared with others."
ValidationAcknowledge and accept someone’s emotions."That sounds really stressful—I can see why you’re anxious."
Open-Ended QuestionsEncourage more sharing and deeper understanding."How did it make you feel when that happened?"
Offer SupportSuggest help or possible solutions."Would it help if we studied together before the test?"
Calm Body LanguageUse eye contact, open posture, and a gentle tone.(Keep arms uncrossed and speak softly.)

Keep this chart visible as you role-play to choose responses that show empathy, respect, and understanding.

lenny
lenny

Reading

Emotion Word Bank Poster

A variety of feeling words to help you spot emotions in yourself and others. Refer to this poster during activities and everyday conversations!

Positive Emotions

  • happy
  • excited
  • proud
  • grateful
  • joyful
  • confident
  • hopeful
  • peaceful
  • inspired
  • content

Negative Emotions

  • sad
  • angry
  • frustrated
  • anxious
  • jealous
  • disappointed
  • scared
  • embarrassed
  • overwhelmed
  • upset

Neutral Emotions

  • curious
  • thoughtful
  • surprised
  • tired
  • bored
  • reflective
  • uncertain
  • focused
  • indifferent
  • calm
lenny
lenny