Emotion Exploration Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________

Section 1: Match the Emotion

Look at the faces on your Feelings Flashcards. Then write the letter of the correct emotion word next to each face number.

Emotion Words:
A. Happy B. Sad C. Angry D. Surprised E. Scared

Section 2: My Emotional Moments

For each emotion below, write a brief situation when you felt this way. Be as specific as you can.

1. Happy:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Sad:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Angry:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Surprised:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Scared:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 3: Empathy Phrases

Think of a classmate who shared one of these situations. Write two supportive phrases you could say to show you understand and care.

2.

Great job exploring your emotions and practicing empathy!

Feelings Flashcards

Print these cards on cardstock or heavy paper and cut along the dotted lines. Use them during the warm-up so students can quickly name and identify the core emotions. Laminate for durability if desired.

Card 1: Happy
😊

Card 2: Sad
😢

Card 3: Angry
😠

Card 4: Surprised
😲

Card 5: Scared
😨

Teacher Tips:
• Show each card one at a time and have students call out the emotion.
• Keep cards face-up in a stack for quick access.
• Encourage students to use the word and make a matching facial expression.

Emotion Explorers Teacher Script

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Teacher (enthusiastically):
“Good morning, Emotion Explorers! Today we’re going on a journey inside our feelings. We’ll learn to recognize what emotions are, practice showing we care about each other, and discover a quick trick to help us calm down when we feel big feelings. Ready to explore?”
Pause for student responses.

Teacher:
“Great! Let’s begin with our Feelings Flashcards. I’m going to hold up a card and I want you to name the emotion. If you know it, shout it out!”

1. Teacher holds up Card 1.
   Teacher: “What feeling is this?”
   Students respond “Happy!”
   Teacher (smiling): “Yes—happy! Raise your hand if you’ve felt happy today.”
   Call on 2–3 volunteers.
   Teacher: “Thank you for sharing. I’ll write ‘Happy’ on the board under ‘Emotion’ and your example under ‘My Experience.’”

2. Teacher holds up Card 2.
   Teacher: “What about this one?”
   Students: “Sad!”
   Teacher: “Right, sad. Can someone share a time they felt sad?”
   Call 2 volunteers briefly.

3. Repeat with Angry, Surprised, Scared flashcards.

Teacher (pointing to T-chart on board):
“Now we have a list of emotions in the first column. In the second column, we’ve added moments from our lives when we felt each one. Thanks for your honesty—this helps us understand each other better!”

Emotion Identification Activity (10 minutes)

Teacher:
“Now we’re going to practice identifying emotions in writing. I’m handing out the Emotion Exploration Worksheet. Please take one and put it on your desk.”
Distribute worksheets.

Teacher:
“In Section 1, you’ll see five faces from our flashcards. Write the letter of the correct emotion word next to each face. If you need a reminder, look at your flashcards again.”
Students work.

Teacher (walking around):
“Nice work! If you’re stuck on ‘surprised,’ remember it’s the face with wide eyes like something unexpected happened. If you finish early, start Section 2.”

Teacher (after 4 minutes):
“Okay, let’s check one together. On face number 3, which word matches?”
Students answer. Confirm and move on.

Teacher:
“In Section 2, you’ll write a short situation when you felt each emotion. For example, under ‘Happy,’ you might write ‘When I scored a goal in soccer.’ Try to be as specific as you can.”
Students continue writing. Circulate and prompt deeper examples: “Tell me more—what were you doing just before that?”

Empathy Practice (8 minutes)

Teacher:
“Great job on your worksheets! Now let’s practice empathy—listening and caring about each other’s feelings. Find a partner and face each other.”
Students pair up.

Teacher:
“Partner A, read one of your ‘Emotional Moments’ out loud. Partner B, listen carefully and then restate the feeling and say a supportive phrase. For example, ‘I’m sorry you felt sad when your ice cream fell. That must have been frustrating.’ Write your supportive phrases in Section 3.”
Start timer for 3 minutes.

Teacher (after 3 minutes):
“Time to switch! Now Partner B reads and Partner A listens and responds.”
Restart timer for 3 minutes.

Teacher (after pairs finish):
“Who would like to share a sentence their partner said to them?”
Invite 1–2 students.
Teacher: “Those are wonderful empathy phrases. Thank you for listening so kindly!”

Self-Regulation Strategy (5 minutes)

Teacher:
“Sometimes our emotions can feel so big that they’re hard to manage. Let me show you a simple breathing trick called ‘Smell the Flower, Blow Out the Candle.’”

1. Teacher (modeling): “Imagine you’re smelling a flower—take a slow, deep breath in through your nose.”
2. Teacher: “Now pretend you’re blowing out a candle—breathe out slowly through your mouth.”
3. Teacher: “Let’s do three together.”
   Lead three slow breaths, counting quietly.

Teacher:
“Excellent! Now you try two more times on your own.”
Students practice.

Teacher:
“When you’re feeling nervous, angry, or upset at school, you can use this trick to help your body calm down.”

Reflection & Closing (2 minutes)

Teacher:
“Finally, open your reflection journals. Write one way you will use empathy or the breathing strategy this week. Take 1 minute.”
Students write.

Teacher:
“Would anyone like to share their plan?”
Invite 2–3 volunteers.

Teacher (closing):
“Thank you, Emotion Explorers! You did a fantastic job identifying feelings, showing empathy, and learning to calm down. Remember, our emotion chart is on the wall if you ever need a reminder. Have a great day!”

Emotion Reflection Journal

Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________

1. Noticing My Emotions

Think back to this week. Describe a moment when you felt a strong emotion (happy, sad, angry, surprised, or scared). What happened? How did you notice this feeling in your body (your heartbeat, breathing, or face)? What thoughts were running through your mind?

2. Practicing Empathy

Recall a time you showed empathy to a friend or classmate. What did you say or do? How did the other person react? How did practicing empathy make you feel?

3. Using My Calm-Down Strategy

Think of a situation at school where you might feel upset or nervous. Describe what you could do and when you would use the “Smell the Flower, Blow Out the Candle” breathing exercise from today’s lesson. Be specific about where and when you’ll try this strategy.

4. Reflecting on My Worksheet

Open your Emotion Exploration Worksheet. Choose one emotion you wrote about in Section 2. Has your understanding of this emotion changed since then? Explain how and why.

5. My Emotional Growth Goal

What is one goal you have for practicing emotional skills this week? (For example, trying a breathing strategy when you feel frustrated, asking a friend if they’re okay when they seem sad, or using kind words when someone is upset.)

Keep this journal in your desk and add to it anytime you notice big feelings. Revisiting your reflections will help you become an even stronger Emotion Explorer!