Emotion Expedition: Map Journey Stations

Materials Needed:

• Scenario Cards (printed, organized by station)
• Chart paper or large sticky paper per group
• Markers or colored pens
• Timer or bell for rotations

Stations (5 total – 5 minutes each):

1. Joy Fields (Station ID: joy-fields)
   • Scenario A: “Your best friend surprised you with concert tickets to your favorite band. You can’t stop grinning as you text them your thanks.”
   • Scenario B: “After practicing all month, you finally nail the skateboard trick you’ve been working on. You pump your fist in celebration.”

Prompts:

• What is the primary emotion in each scenario?
• Circle or underline key words/phrases that show joy.
• Why does this feeling belong in Joy Fields?

2. Stormy Peaks (Station ID: stormy-peaks)
   • Scenario A: “You spent hours on a group project and a teammate didn’t show up. You feel your face heat up as you confront them.”
   • Scenario B: “Your little sibling borrowed your phone without asking and dropped it, cracking the screen. You clench your jaw.”

Prompts:

• Which anger-related emotion fits best (anger, frustration, irritation)?
• Mark the evidence in the scenario.
• How might someone calm down after feeling this way?

3. Gloom Valley (Station ID: gloom-valley)
   • Scenario A: “You studied hard for a test but got a lower grade than you expected. You close your eyes and feel tears welling up.”
   • Scenario B: “You watch a sad movie scene where a character loses a pet. You feel a lump in your throat.”

Prompts:

• Identify the sadness-related emotion (sad, disappointed, heartbroken).
• Highlight how the writer shows that feeling.
• Share one quick strategy to cope with disappointment.

4. Shadow Forest (Station ID: shadow-forest)
   • Scenario A: “You have to give a speech in front of the entire grade. Your palms sweat and your heart races.”
   • Scenario B: “It’s late at night, and you hear strange noises outside your window. You freeze under your blanket.”

Prompts:

• What fear or anxiety word best describes the reaction?
• Underline descriptive details that show nervousness.
• What one breathing exercise could help calm this fear?

5. Surprise Springs (Station ID: surprise-springs)
   • Scenario A: “You open your locker to find a note that says, ‘You’re awesome!’ from someone you barely know.”
   • Scenario B: “A pop quiz is announced unexpectedly, but it’s on a topic you studied last night.”

Prompts:

• Label the emotion (surprised, curious, delighted).
• Point out words that signal surprise or curiosity.
• How could you turn this surprise into a positive moment?

Campfire Debrief

Purpose

Wrap up our Emotion Expedition by sharing insights, reflecting on challenges, and connecting emotional awareness to real life.

Guidelines

• Arrange everyone in a circle around an informal “campfire” space.
• Use a talking piece or signal to ensure each person has a turn.
• Listen respectfully—allow peers to finish before responding.
• Build on each other’s ideas (“I’d like to add…” or “That reminds me of…”).

Discussion Prompts (10 minutes)

1. Which emotion region was most challenging for your group, and why?
   
   
   
2. How did your group decide on the best emotion label for each scenario?
   
   
   
3. Share one coping strategy your group discussed for handling an intense feeling.
   
   
   
4. Can you relate any of today’s emotions or strategies to a personal experience? Briefly describe.
   
   
   
5. How might recognizing these emotions help you in your daily life, at school or with friends?
   
   
   

Facilitator Tips

• If the conversation stalls, prompt with: “What evidence in the scenario pointed you to that emotion?”
• Encourage quieter students by directly inviting them (“Alex, what are your thoughts?”).
• Summarize key ideas after 2–3 responses to keep the discussion focused.
• Highlight connections between groups: “Both groups in Joy Fields noted similar clues—what were they?”
• Conclude by reinforcing the value of emotional vocabulary and how it builds self-awareness.

Next Steps

• Invite students to jot one final insight in their journals or on a sticky note to post on a “Reflection Board.”

Emotion Station Solutions

This key provides the correct emotion labels, evidence from the text, and suggested coping or follow-up strategies for each scenario.

Station 1: Joy Fields (joy-fields)

Scenario A

• Primary Emotion: Joy / Happiness
• Evidence:
  • “can’t stop grinning”
  • “text them your thanks”
• Reasoning: Smiling broadly and expressing gratitude signal positive, joyful feelings.

Scenario B

• Primary Emotion: Excitement / Pride (a form of joy)
• Evidence:
  • “finally nail the skateboard trick”
  • “pump your fist in celebration”
• Reasoning: Celebratory gestures (fist pump) and achieving a goal show excitement and happiness.

Why it belongs in Joy Fields: Both scenarios feature positive outcomes, physical expressions of pleasure, and enthusiastic responses—hallmarks of joy.

Station 2: Stormy Peaks (stormy-peaks)

Scenario A

• Primary Emotion: Anger / Frustration
• Evidence:
  • “face heat up”
  • “confront them”
• Reasoning: Heat in the face and immediate confrontation reflect strong anger and irritation.
• Calming Strategy: Take slow, deep breaths; count to ten before speaking; or step away for a brief break.

Scenario B

• Primary Emotion: Frustration / Irritation
• Evidence:
  • “clench your jaw”
• Reasoning: Jaw clenching indicates tension and annoyance rather than mild sadness.
• Calming Strategy: Progressive muscle relaxation (release the jaw, unclench teeth), or squeeze a stress ball for a minute.

Why it belongs in Stormy Peaks: Both situations provoke heat, tension, and a desire to express or release anger.

Station 3: Gloom Valley (gloom-valley)

Scenario A

• Primary Emotion: Disappointment / Sadness
• Evidence:
  • “lower grade than you expected”
  • “tears welling up”
• Reasoning: Tears and unmet expectations signal sadness and disappointment.
• Coping Strategy: Talk it out with a friend or write down one thing you learned; reframe the setback as a growth opportunity.

Scenario B

• Primary Emotion: Sadness / Heartache
• Evidence:
  • “lump in your throat”
• Reasoning: Physical sensation of lump in throat occurs with emotional sadness and empathy.
• Coping Strategy: Take a few deep breaths, give yourself a moment to feel, then engage in a comforting activity (listen to music, draw).

Why it belongs in Gloom Valley: Both scenarios evoke low moods, tearfulness, and emotional heaviness.

Station 4: Shadow Forest (shadow-forest)

Scenario A

• Primary Emotion: Anxiety / Nervousness
• Evidence:
  • “palms sweat”
  • “heart races”
• Reasoning: Classic physical signs of anxiety during public speaking.
• Breathing Exercise: Box breathing (inhale 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4).

Scenario B

• Primary Emotion: Fear / Startle
• Evidence:
  • “freeze under your blanket”
• Reasoning: Freezing is a fear response when startled or feeling unsafe.
• Breathing Exercise: 4-7-8 technique (inhale 4, hold 7, exhale 8) to calm rapid heartbeat.

Why it belongs in Shadow Forest: Both evoke fight-or-flight reactions tied to fear and anxiety.

Station 5: Surprise Springs (surprise-springs)

Scenario A

• Primary Emotion: Surprise / Delight
• Evidence:
  • “note that says, ‘You’re awesome!’”
  • unexpected kindness from someone unknown
• Reasoning: Positive surprise comes from unexpected praise.
• Turning It Positive: Pay it forward—leave a kind note for someone else or thank the person personally.

Scenario B

• Primary Emotion: Surprise / Relief / Curiosity
• Evidence:
  • “pop quiz is announced unexpectedly”
  • “it’s on a topic you studied last night”
• Reasoning: Unexpected event but positive outcome (preparedness) creates relief and mild excitement.
• Turning It Positive: Share your good study habits with classmates; celebrate your foresight.

Why it belongs in Surprise Springs: Both involve unexpected events that prompt quick shifts in emotion—from uncertainty to positive feelings.

Use this key to guide debrief discussions or check group chart papers. Feel free to adapt coping strategies to the students’ personal preferences and experiences.