Lesson Plan
Resilience In Action
Students will explore resilience, learn strategies to bounce back from setbacks, and collaborate to support each other in a small group.
Building resilience equips students to manage emotions, recover from challenges, and strengthen peer support skills—key for their emotional and academic growth.
Audience
8th Grade Middle School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussions, scenario role-plays, and reflection.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Print and cut out the Resilience Strategy Cards and Setback Scenario Cards.
- Make enough copies of the Personal Reflection Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare a visible space or board for the Group Agreement Poster Template.
- Arrange chairs in a circle to promote open discussion.
- Review all materials to familiarize yourself with scenarios and strategies.
Step 1
Introduction to Resilience
5 minutes
- Welcome students and define resilience: the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
- Ask: “Can anyone share a time you faced a challenge and overcame it?”
- Highlight key ideas: growth mindset, emotional awareness, seeking support.
Step 2
Setting Group Agreements
5 minutes
- Introduce the Group Agreement Poster Template.
- Invite students to suggest norms (e.g., active listening, respect, confidentiality).
- Record agreements on the poster and display it for the session.
Step 3
Scenario Role-Play
10 minutes
- Divide students into pairs or trios.
- Distribute one Setback Scenario Cards and one Resilience Strategy Cards to each group.
- Instruct groups to read their scenario aloud and discuss which strategy they would use and why.
- Encourage a brief role-play demonstrating application of the chosen strategy.
Step 4
Personal Reflection
7 minutes
- Hand out the Personal Reflection Worksheet.
- Ask students to reflect on a personal setback and write down which resilience strategy they might apply.
- Include prompts: “What happened?”, “How did you feel?”, “Which strategy can help?”, “Who can support you?”.
Step 5
Group Debrief & Closing
3 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share insights from their reflection.
- Reinforce that resilience is a skill that grows with practice and support.
- Encourage students to refer to the strategies and peer support in future challenges.
- Thank students for their participation and reaffirm confidentiality of shared experiences.
Slide Deck
Resilience In Action
A Tier 2 SEL Session | 8th Grade | 30 Minutes
Welcome students and introduce the session. Emphasize that we’ll learn about bouncing back from challenges together.
What Is Resilience?
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, learn from challenges, and keep moving forward.
Define resilience clearly. Ask students to paraphrase the definition in their own words.
Growth Mindset
• Challenges are opportunities to learn
• Effort leads to improvement
• Mistakes are part of growth
Explain growth vs. fixed mindset. Invite a volunteer to share an example of a growth mindset.
Why Resilience Matters
• Helps manage emotions under pressure
• Builds confidence to face new challenges
• Strengthens peer support and teamwork
Connect resilience to real‐life outcomes. Encourage students to think of times they benefited from resilience.
Setting Group Agreements
Let’s create our shared norms using the Group Agreement Poster Template:
• Active listening
• Respect
• Confidentiality
Introduce norms collaboratively. Use the poster template to record student‐generated agreements.
Scenario Role-Play Instructions
- Form pairs or trios.
- Choose one Setback Scenario Card and one Resilience Strategy Card.
- Discuss which strategy fits the scenario.
- Role-play applying the strategy.
Walk through each step clearly. Model selecting a scenario and strategy.
Example Scenario
“You studied hard for a test but still received a low grade. How do you respond?”
Use this example to illustrate how to analyze a scenario. Ask for student input on next steps.
Example Strategy
Strategy: Ask your teacher for feedback and create a new study plan.
Why it helps:
• Clarifies areas for improvement
• Sets actionable next steps
Demonstrate how to choose and justify a strategy. Highlight the thought process.
Personal Reflection
Reflect on a personal setback:
• What happened?
• How did you feel?
• Which strategy could help?
• Who can support you?
(See Personal Reflection Worksheet)
Distribute the reflection worksheet and guide students through the prompts.
Closing Thoughts
Resilience grows with practice and support. Keep using these strategies and help each other stay strong. Thank you for your participation!
Reinforce that resilience takes practice and peer support. Thank students and remind them of confidentiality.
Worksheet
Personal Reflection Worksheet
Use this worksheet to reflect on a personal setback and plan how to apply resilience strategies. Refer to your Resilience Strategy Cards for ideas.
1. Describe the Setback
What happened? Describe the situation or challenge you faced in as much detail as you feel comfortable sharing.
2. Feelings & Thoughts
How did you feel during this setback? What thoughts went through your mind?
3. Choosing a Strategy
Which resilience strategy from the Resilience Strategy Cards could help you in this situation? Why did you choose this one?
4. Strategy Plan
Outline the steps you will take to use this strategy. What will you do first? What will you do next?
5. Support Network
Who can you turn to for help or encouragement when you face challenges? List at least two people and how they can support you.
-
How they can help: ___________________ -
How they can help: ___________________
6. Future Check-In
What is one positive goal you hope to achieve by using this strategy? How will you know if it’s working?
Remember: Resilience grows with practice. Keep this worksheet in a safe place and revisit it whenever you need a reminder of your plan and support network.
Lesson Plan
Emotion Detectives Lesson Plan
Students will act as ‘Emotion Detectives’ to recognize emotional clues in scenarios, identify feelings using an emotion wheel, and practice regulation strategies to build self-awareness and coping skills.
Understanding and regulating emotions fosters self-awareness, resilience, and peer support. This lesson equips students with tools to notice feelings early and choose healthy coping strategies.
Audience
8th Grade Middle School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive scenarios, group norms, and guided mindfulness.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Print and cut out the Emotion Scenario Cards and Emotion Regulation Strategy Cards.
- Make copies of the Emotion Wheel Handout for each student.
- Prepare and post the Emotion Detectives Group Agreement Poster.
- Review the Mindfulness Script to lead the mini‐mindfulness activity.
- Arrange chairs in a circle to promote open discussion.
Step 1
Introduction to Emotion Detectives
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain that they’ll be ‘Emotion Detectives’ spotting clues that signal different feelings.
- Display the Emotion Wheel Handout and briefly describe how it groups emotions.
- Ask: “Think of a recent moment you felt a strong emotion. What physical signs or thoughts did you notice?”
Step 2
Establish Detective Code
5 minutes
- Introduce the Emotion Detectives Group Agreement Poster.
- Invite students to suggest norms (e.g., respect, confidentiality, active listening).
- Record and display agreements to ensure a safe discussion space.
Step 3
Scenario Detective Work
8 minutes
- Break into small groups of 2–3 detectives.
- Give each group one Emotion Scenario Cards and one Emotion Regulation Strategy Cards.
- Instruct teams to read their scenario, identify the emotion, note clues (body sensations, thoughts, behaviors), and select a regulation strategy.
- Have groups jot down their detective notes.
Step 4
Detective Debrief
5 minutes
- Reconvene whole group.
- Each team shares: the scenario, emotion identified, clues, chosen strategy, and rationale.
- Encourage peers to ask questions or suggest alternative strategies.
Step 5
Guided Mini-Mindfulness Investigation
5 minutes
- Lead students through the Mindfulness Script:
- Guide deep breaths and a brief body scan.
- Prompt students to notice any present emotions without judgment.
- Anchor awareness in positive sensations.
Step 6
Closing Reflection
2 minutes
- Ask each student to name one ‘Detective Tool’ (strategy or observation skill) they’ll use today.
- Encourage them to use the Emotion Wheel Handout throughout the day to track feelings and practice strategies.
Slide Deck
Emotion Detectives
A Tier 2 SEL Session | 8th Grade | 30 Minutes
Welcome students and introduce the session. Emphasize that today they become “Emotion Detectives” spotting clues in themselves and others.
Introduction to Emotion Detectives
• You are “Emotion Detectives” on the lookout for emotional clues
• We’ll learn to identify feelings using our Emotion Wheel
• We’ll choose regulation strategies to stay in control
Explain that detectives look for clues. Here, clues are physical sensations, thoughts, and behaviors tied to feelings.
The Emotion Wheel
Refer to the Emotion Wheel Handout
• Groups emotions into families
• Helps us name exactly what we feel
• Guides us to the right coping tool
Display or hand out the Emotion Wheel Handout. Briefly point out primary categories (e.g., joy, sadness, anger) and secondary nuances.
Establish Detective Code
Using the Emotion Detectives Group Agreement Poster, set our norms:
• Respect everyone’s experience
• Keep sharing confidential
• Listen actively
Introduce the Detective Code poster. Invite students to suggest norms and record them visibly.
Scenario Detective Work
- Form groups of 2–3 detectives
- Take one Emotion Scenario Cards and one Emotion Regulation Strategy Cards
- Read your scenario and identify:
– Emotion felt
– Clues (body, thoughts, behaviors) - Choose a strategy and jot down detective notes
Walk through each step and model grabbing cards and noting clues.
Example Detective Case
Scenario: Alex just tripped in front of the class and feels embarrassed.
Clues:
• Heart racing
• Face flushing
• Thoughts: “Everyone’s laughing at me”
Strategy: Take three deep breaths and remind yourself “mistakes happen”
Use this example to demonstrate: read it, pinpoint the emotion, list clues, pick a strategy.
Detective Debrief
Each team shares:
• Your scenario and identified emotion
• Clues you spotted
• Chosen regulation strategy and why it fits
Guide each group to share briefly—keep it to 30 sec per group to stay on time.
Guided Mini‐Mindfulness Investigation
Follow the Mindfulness Script:
• Breathe slowly in and out
• Scan from head to toes noticing sensations
• Observe any emotion without judgment
Lead students through the mindfulness script step by step: invite breathing and scanning.
Closing Reflection
• Name one “Detective Tool” (strategy or observation skill) you’ll use today
• Use your Emotion Wheel Handout to track and regulate feelings
Ask for a couple of volunteers to name their Detective Tool. Reinforce using the wheel throughout the day.
Activity
Emotion Scenario Cards
Give each small group one of these cards to analyze the emotional clues and choose a helpful regulation strategy.
Card 1:
Jordan gave a class presentation but stumbled over words and felt everyone’s eyes on them. They could feel their face getting hot and their heart racing.
Card 2:
Sam texted a friend about weekend plans but didn’t hear back all day. Their stomach felt tight and they kept thinking, “Maybe they’re mad at me.”
Card 3:
Mia was picked last for the basketball team. She felt her shoulders slump and noticed she wanted to hide her face when the teacher called her name.
Card 4:
Carlos realized he forgot to do his homework when the teacher asked for it. He felt a knot in his throat and worried, “What will my teacher think of me?”
Card 5:
Lee overheard classmates laughing nearby but couldn’t tell if they were laughing with them or at them. Their palms felt sweaty and they fidgeted in their seat.
Card 6:
Taylor received praise from the principal for artwork displayed in the hallway. Their chest felt warm and they couldn’t stop smiling, but they also worried, “What if I can’t do it again?”
Card 7:
Nia was running late to class and tripped in the hallway. She heard giggles and felt a rush of shame, imagining everyone pointing at her.
Card 8:
Drew was paired with someone they don’t usually work with on a group project. They felt nervous butterflies and thought, “Will they like my ideas?”
Activity
Emotion Regulation Strategy Cards
Give each small group a set of these cards to choose helpful regulation strategies based on the emotional clues they identify.
Card 1: Deep Breathing
- Technique: Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts, hold for 2 counts, then exhale through your mouth for 6 counts.
- Use When: Your heart is racing or you feel overwhelmed.
Card 2: Positive Self-Talk
- Technique: Replace a negative thought (e.g., “I’m terrible at this”) with a supportive phrase (e.g., “I can learn and improve”).
- Use When: You notice critical or discouraging thoughts.
Card 3: Grounding
- Technique: Notice your surroundings by naming 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste.
- Use When: You feel anxious or disconnected.
Card 4: Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Technique: Tense one muscle group (e.g., shoulders) for 5 seconds, then release and notice the relaxation. Move to the next group.
- Use When: You feel physical tension in your body.
Card 5: Take a Break
- Technique: Step away from the situation for 2–3 minutes. Stretch, walk, or get a drink of water.
- Use When: You notice frustration building or your focus drifting.
Card 6: Journaling
- Technique: Write down what you’re feeling and why. Reflect on any patterns or triggers you notice.
- Use When: You need to organize your thoughts or gain perspective.
Card 7: Talk It Out
- Technique: Share your emotion and what triggered it with a trusted friend or adult. Ask for their perspective or support.
- Use When: You feel stuck or need encouragement.
Card 8: Visualization
- Technique: Close your eyes and imagine a peaceful place. Focus on the details—sounds, colors, textures—to calm your mind.
- Use When: You want to shift from overwhelming thoughts to a calmer state.
Worksheet
Emotion Wheel Handout
Use this wheel to help you pinpoint and name exactly what you’re feeling. First, choose the broad emotion in the center. Then move outward to find more specific words that match what you notice in your body, thoughts, or actions. Circle or underline any that fit your experience.
How to Use the Emotion Wheel
- Look at the center and pick the general emotion that matches your feeling today.
- Move to the second ring for more specific emotions. Circle the word(s) that describe you right now.
- Use these words to guide your choice of coping or regulation strategies.
Emotion Categories and Examples
Joy / Happiness
- excited • content • proud • hopeful
Sadness
- lonely • disappointed • hurt • gloomy
Anger
- frustrated • irritated • resentful • furious
Fear / Anxiety
- nervous • anxious • worried • scared
Surprise / Shock
- amazed • confused • curious • stunned
Disgust
- repulsed • grossed out • contemptuous • embarrassed
Reflection Space
What specific emotion did you notice most today?
__________________________________________
How did you notice it in your body, thoughts, or actions?
__________________________________________
Which regulation strategy will you use based on this emotion? See your Emotion Regulation Strategy Cards.
__________________________________________
Reading
Emotion Detectives Group Agreement Poster
Welcome, Detectives! To keep our investigations safe, respectful, and fun, we’ll create a code of conduct together. Use the lines below to record each norm as we agree on it.
Our Detective Code
1. Respect Everyone’s Clues
2. Keep What We Share Confidential
3. Listen Actively & Without Judgment
4. Speak With Kindness & Clarity
5. Take Turns & Include All Voices
6. There Are No “Wrong” Feelings
Add Your Own Detective Rule
• __________________________________________
• __________________________________________
Keep this poster displayed during our session and refer to it whenever you share a clue, an insight, or a strategy. Let’s solve the mystery of our emotions—together!
Script
Emotion Detectives Mindfulness Script
Find a comfortable seated position in your detective circle. Sit tall but relaxed, with both feet on the floor and your hands resting gently in your lap. When you’re ready, softly close your eyes or lower your gaze to the floor.
-
Take Three Deep Detective Breaths (1 minute)
• Teacher says: “Let’s take a deep breath in through the nose—count to four… 1…2…3…4. Hold for two… 1…2. Now breathe out slowly through the mouth—1…2…3…4…5…6. Again: inhale 1–4, hold 1–2, exhale 1–6. Notice how your body moves with each breath.”
• Pause to guide two more full breath cycles, speaking slowly and softly. -
Body Scan Investigation (2 minutes)
• Teacher says: “Now, shift your attention to the top of your head. Notice any tension or space there. Slowly move your attention down: to your forehead and eyes—are they soft or tight? Let them relax. Move to your cheeks, jaw, and shoulders—release any tightness you find.”
• Continue scanning: arms and hands, noticing any warmth or tingling. Then chest and belly—feel them rise and fall with each breath. Finally, scan legs, feet, and toes—let them feel heavy and grounded. -
Notice Your Emotional Clues (1½ minutes)
• Teacher says: “As you keep breathing gently, see if you can notice any emotion or feeling present right now. Without judging it as good or bad, mentally label it: ‘I’m noticing curiosity,’ or ‘I’m feeling calm,’ or ‘I’m aware of nervousness.’ Just observe.”
• Pause 30 seconds for silent noticing. If students get stuck, prompt: “If no strong feeling comes up, notice any subtle mood—maybe contentment or restlessness.” -
Anchor & Return (30 seconds)
• Teacher says: “Take one last deep detective breath together—inhale for four… hold for two… exhale for six. When you’re ready, gently open your eyes or lift your gaze. Carry this awareness with you as you continue our detective work today.”
Thank you, Detectives, for investigating with your breath, body, and emotions. Let’s use this calm focus as we solve more clues together!