Lesson Plan
Engineer Blueprint
Students will create a personalized “Emotion Engineer” blueprint by pinpointing their emotional triggers, accurately labeling feelings, and choosing effective coping strategies.
Building self-management skills helps students recognize and regulate emotions, reducing stress and improving resilience in academic and social settings.
Audience
7th Grade Student
Time
25 minutes
Approach
One-on-one guided reflection with targeted worksheets.
Prep
Preparation
5 minutes
- Review Emotion Lab Slides, Trigger Tracker Worksheet, Emotion Log Journal, and Self-Management Rubric.
- Print one copy each of the Trigger Tracker Worksheet, Emotion Log Journal, and Self-Management Rubric.
- Set up a quiet one-on-one space with a device for slides.
- Cue up slide 1 of Emotion Lab Slides to begin.
Step 1
Greeting & Purpose
3 minutes
- Welcome the student and build rapport with a brief check-in question (e.g., “How are you feeling today?”).
- Explain that today’s session is about becoming an “Emotion Engineer” by understanding triggers, emotions, and strategies.
- Show slide 1 of Emotion Lab Slides outlining session goals.
Step 2
Identify Triggers
7 minutes
- Hand the student the Trigger Tracker Worksheet.
- Ask the student to recall a recent challenging moment and note: time, place, people involved, and what happened.
- Prompt questions: “What set you off?” “What thoughts went through your mind?”
- Encourage specific details to pinpoint common patterns.
Step 3
Label Emotions
5 minutes
- Introduce the Emotion Log Journal.
- Ask the student to choose words that best describe how they felt in the scenario (e.g., frustrated, anxious).
- Model one entry on slide 2 of Emotion Lab Slides.
- Have the student fill in the emotion intensity on a 1–5 scale.
Step 4
Select Coping Strategies
6 minutes
- Present strategies on slide 3 of Emotion Lab Slides (e.g., deep breathing, positive self-talk, take a break).
- Review the Self-Management Rubric to evaluate strategy effectiveness (ease, impact, suitability).
- Ask the student to choose their top two strategies and explain why they think these will help.
Step 5
Assemble Emotion Engineer Blueprint
4 minutes
- On slide 4 of Emotion Lab Slides, display a blank blueprint template with sections for Trigger, Emotion, Strategy 1, Strategy 2.
- Guide the student to transfer their worksheet and journal entries into the blueprint.
- Confirm clarity and completeness: each section should have at least one clear entry.
- Encourage the student to keep the blueprint accessible for future reference.
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Slide Deck
Emotion Lab: Session Goals
Today we will:
- Identify personal emotional triggers
- Accurately label how we feel
- Explore coping strategies
- Build your own Emotion Engineer blueprint
Welcome the student and introduce the session goals. Emphasize that today they will become an “Emotion Engineer” by identifying triggers, labeling feelings, selecting strategies, and assembling their own blueprint.
Labeling Your Emotions
- Recall a recent challenging moment.
- Pick words that describe how you felt (e.g., frustrated, anxious).
- Rate the feeling on a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high).
Model one example from your own experience. Show how to choose an emotion word and rate its intensity. Encourage the student to think of a real event.
Coping Strategies Toolbox
- Deep breathing exercises
- Positive self-talk (“I can handle this”)
- Taking a short break or walk
- Counting slowly to ten
- Talking with a friend or trusted adult
- Progressive muscle relaxation
Briefly describe each strategy and when it might help. Ask the student to consider which feel most natural for them.
Your Emotion Engineer Blueprint
Trigger: ______________________
Emotion: ______________________ Intensity: ___
Strategy 1: ____________________
Strategy 2: ____________________
Guide the student to fill each section using their worksheet and journal entries. Ensure they have at least one clear entry per section.
Worksheet
Trigger Tracker Worksheet
Think of a moment that was challenging or upsetting. Use the prompts below to capture details.
- When did it happen? (Date and Time)
- Where were you? (Location)
- Who was with you? (People involved)
- What happened? (Describe the event step by step)
- What thoughts were going through your mind at the time?
- What physical or emotional sensations did you notice? (e.g., heart racing, sweaty palms)
- On a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high), how intense was the emotion?
Intensity: ___
Use this worksheet to pinpoint recurring patterns in your triggers so you can build effective strategies in your Emotion Engineer Blueprint.
Journal
Emotion Log Journal
Date: _______________________
Time: _______________________
- Briefly describe the situation that triggered your emotion:
- What emotions did you experience? Use specific words:
- How intense was your primary emotion? (1 low – 5 high): ___
- What thoughts were going through your mind?
- How did your body react (e.g., heart rate, posture)? Describe what you did in response:
- Which coping strategies did you use, or which would you like to try next?:
- Reflect on the effectiveness or potential impact of your chosen strategy:
- What did you learn about handling your emotions that you can apply in the future?
Keep this entry to track your growth as an Emotion Engineer.
Rubric
Self-Management Rubric
Use this rubric to evaluate your Emotion Engineer Blueprint. For each criterion, circle the level that best describes your work.
| Criterion | 1 – Beginning | 2 – Developing | 3 – Proficient | 4 – Exemplary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Triggers | Trigger not identified or irrelevant | Trigger identified but details are vague | Trigger identified with basic details (time, place, people) | Trigger identified with comprehensive context and specific details |
| Emotion Labeling Accuracy | No emotion labeled or incorrect | Emotion labeled but lacks specificity | Appropriate emotion labeled with correct intensity | Emotion labeled with precise descriptors and insight into why it fits |
| Intensity Rating Reflection | No intensity rating or rating is random | Rating provided without explanation | Rating given with brief reasoning | Rating and rationale clearly connect to physical or cognitive cues |
| Strategy Selection Suitability | Strategies are irrelevant or ineffective | Strategies somewhat relevant but little justification | Strategies appropriate with basic explanation | Strategies well chosen, clearly justified, and directly linked to the trigger and emotion |
| Blueprint Completeness & Clarity | Blueprint is incomplete or hard to read | Some sections completed; other parts missing or unclear | All sections filled in and generally clear | All sections detailed, well-organized, and easy to follow |
| Future Application Reflection | No reflection on future use | Minimal or vague reflection | Reflects on how to use strategies in future | Insightful reflection with concrete plans for applying and adapting the blueprint over time |
Scoring Guide:
- 6–11 points: Beginning – You’re starting to build your toolkit. Review each area to add details and clarity.
- 12–17 points: Developing – You have a solid start. Enhance specificity and justification to strengthen your plan.
- 18–23 points: Proficient – Your blueprint meets expectations. Reflect on deeper insights and concrete planning.
- 24 points: Exemplary – Outstanding work! Your toolkit is detailed, clear, and shows thoughtful application for the future.