Lesson Plan
Detective Emotions Plan
Students will become ‘Emotion Detectives’ by identifying facial expressions and body language to recognize happiness, sadness, anger, and surprise, then explain the nonverbal clues they used.
Reading others’ nonverbal cues builds empathy, communication skills, and positive peer relationships. This lesson boosts 1st graders’ social awareness by practicing emotion recognition.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Detective Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up the Detective Crew
5 minutes
Step 2
Spotting Facial Cues
10 minutes
Step 3
Emotion Picture Card Activity
8 minutes
Step 4
Guess the Feeling Game
12 minutes
Step 5
Emotion Journal Sketch Cool-Down
5 minutes

Slide Deck
Emotion Detectives
What Is a Clue?
Facial Clues to Watch
Scenario 1: Happy
Scenario 2: Sad
Scenario 3: Angry
Scenario 4: Surprise
Detective Partner Practice
Key Facial Clues
Great Detective Work!

Activity


Game

