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Emotion Explorers

Robin

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Emotion Explorers Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify and express emotions and practice empathy by exploring real-life scenarios, role-playing feelings, and reflecting on personal experiences.

Building social-emotional intelligence helps students recognize and manage their own emotions, understand others’ feelings, and foster positive classroom relationships.

Audience

2nd Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, scenario analysis, role-play, and reflection.

Materials

  • Emotion Scenario Cards, - Feeling Wheel Poster, - Empathy Role-Play Script, and - Student Reflection Worksheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print and cut out Emotion Scenario Cards
  • Display Feeling Wheel Poster in the front of the classroom
  • Make copies of Empathy Role-Play Script for student pairs
  • Print Student Reflection Worksheet for each student

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Gather students on the carpet and show the Feeling Wheel Poster
  • Ask students to point out and name emotions they recognize
  • Define “emotion” and explain why understanding feelings is important
  • Introduce the concept of empathy: recognizing and caring about others’ feelings

Step 2

Scenario Exploration

10 minutes

  • Distribute one Emotion Scenario Card to each student
  • In turns, have students read their scenario aloud and identify the main feeling
  • After each reading, ask the class: “How do you think they feel? Why?”
  • Record key emotion words on chart paper to reinforce vocabulary

Step 3

Role-Play Activity

10 minutes

  • Pair students and give each pair an Empathy Role-Play Script
  • Explain that each role-play has two parts: expressing a feeling and showing empathy
  • Allow pairs to practice and then perform their script for the class
  • Encourage performers and audience to applaud both emotional expression and empathetic response

Step 4

Reflection and Discussion

5 minutes

  • Hand out the Student Reflection Worksheet
  • Ask students to draw or write about a time they felt an emotion and how someone showed empathy
  • Invite volunteers to share their reflections
  • Reinforce that recognizing and caring about feelings helps everyone feel supported
lenny

Lesson Plan

Emotion Explorers Lesson Plan

Students will identify and express their own and others’ emotions, expand emotion vocabulary, and practice empathy through real-life scenarios, role-play, and personal reflection.

Developing social-emotional skills helps students recognize and manage their feelings, communicate effectively, and build supportive relationships, fostering a positive classroom environment.

Audience

2nd Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, hands-on practice, and reflective activities.

Materials

  • Emotion Scenario Cards, - Feeling Wheel Poster, - Empathy Role-Play Script, and - Student Reflection Worksheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print and cut out Emotion Scenario Cards
  • Display Feeling Wheel Poster at the front of the classroom
  • Make copies of Empathy Role-Play Script for student pairs
  • Print Student Reflection Worksheet for each student
  • Review all materials to ensure familiarity with activities

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Gather students on the carpet and display the Feeling Wheel Poster
  • Ask students to point out and name emotions they recognize
  • Define “emotion” and discuss why understanding feelings matters
  • Introduce empathy: recognizing and caring about others’ feelings

Step 2

Scenario Exploration

10 minutes

  • Distribute one Emotion Scenario Card to each student
  • Have students read their scenario aloud and identify the main feeling
  • Ask the class: “How do you think they feel? Why?” after each reading
  • Record key emotion words on chart paper to reinforce vocabulary

Step 3

Role-Play Activity

10 minutes

  • Pair students and give each pair an Empathy Role-Play Script
  • Explain that each script has two parts: expressing a feeling and showing empathy
  • Allow pairs to practice and then perform their script for the class
  • Encourage applause for both emotional expression and empathetic response

Step 4

Reflection and Discussion

5 minutes

  • Hand out the Student Reflection Worksheet
  • Ask students to draw or write about a time they felt an emotion and someone showed empathy
  • Invite volunteers to share their reflections
  • Reinforce that recognizing and caring about feelings helps everyone feel supported
lenny

Slide Deck

Emotion Explorers

A 30-minute SEL lesson
2nd Grade • Tier 1 Classroom

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Say: “Good morning, Emotion Explorers! Today we will learn about feelings, practice naming emotions, and show empathy to others.”

Today’s Goals

  • Identify different emotions
  • Learn new emotion words from the Feeling Wheel
  • Practice empathy through a fun role-play
  • Reflect on your own feelings

Read each goal aloud and invite quick thumbs-up if they agree. Emphasize how these skills help in and out of school.

What Is an Emotion?

An emotion is a feeling inside us, like happy, sad, or excited.

Emotions help us understand ourselves and others.

Define “emotion” in simple terms. Ask volunteers: “Can you give me an example of a time you felt happy or surprised?”

Explore the Feeling Wheel

Let’s look at the words on the Feeling Wheel Poster.

Point to and name as many feeling words as you can!

Display the Feeling Wheel Poster. Point to a few words and ask students to shout out the word and make a face to match.

Scenario Exploration

  • Each student gets an Emotion Scenario Card
  • Read your scenario aloud and tell us the main feeling
  • Class answers: “How do you think they feel? Why?”
  • Record key emotion words

Hand out one Emotion Scenario Card to each student. Invite students to come up, read their scenario, and say the emotion. Write responses on chart paper.

Role-Play Activity

  • Pair up and get an Empathy Role-Play Script
  • Express the feeling in your script
  • Show empathy to your partner
  • Perform for the class and receive applause

Explain the role-play process and model one short example with a volunteer. Circulate to support pairs as they practice and perform.

Reflection Time

  • Complete your Student Reflection Worksheet
  • Draw or write about a time you felt an emotion and someone showed empathy
  • Share your reflection with the class

Distribute the reflection worksheet. Encourage neat drawings or sentences. Invite a few volunteers to share before collecting.

Great Job, Emotion Explorers!

Remember: Recognizing and caring about feelings helps everyone feel supported.

Congratulate the class on their hard work. Reinforce that recognizing and caring about feelings helps everyone. Encourage continued practice.

lenny

Activity

Emotion Scenario Cards

Use these cards to explore and name feelings in everyday situations. Distribute one card per student for the Scenario Exploration activity.

1. An Empty Lunch Box

“Sarah opens her lunch box at lunch time and sees only an empty box. She wanted her favorite sandwich.”


2. A Surprise Puppy

“Tommy comes home after school. He opens the door and finds a new puppy wagging its tail.”


3. A Broken Toy

“Maria drops her favorite toy car on the floor. When she picks it up, she sees it has broken into pieces.”


4. A Spooky Closet

“Emma turns on the light inside a dark closet and sees a big shadow on the wall. She gasps and steps back.”


5. Blocks Keep Falling

“Lucas builds a tall tower of blocks. Each time he places the last block, the tower tumbles down.”


6. Showing Her Artwork

“Clara finishes a colorful drawing. The teacher pins it up on the classroom bulletin board for everyone to see.”


7. Stage Fright

“Before stepping onto the stage for the class play, Ethan’s heart is racing and his palms feel sweaty.”


8. Test Postponed

“When the teacher announces that today’s quiz is postponed until next week, Kai lets out a big sigh and smiles.”


lenny
lenny

Reading

Feeling Wheel Poster

Use this wheel to explore your feelings and find just the right words to describe them.
Point to a core emotion in the center, then explore the words around it for more detail.

Core Emotions

  • Happy
  • Sad
  • Angry
  • Scared
  • Surprised
  • Calm

Emotion Words (Outer Ring)

Happy

Joyful, Excited, Pleased, Proud, Content

Sad

Lonely, Disappointed, Somber, Tearful, Down

Angry

Frustrated, Annoyed, Irritated, Furious, Resentful

Scared

Worried, Nervous, Anxious, Terrified, Startled

Surprised

Amazed, Shocked, Stunned, Curious, Astonished

Calm

Relaxed, Peaceful, Serene, Tranquil, Contented



Use this poster during our lesson to help everyone find the perfect word for how they feel!

lenny
lenny

Script

Empathy Role-Play Script

Use these short scripts to practice expressing feelings and showing empathy with a partner. Take turns being Role A and Role B.

Script 1: Sad Feeling

Role A: “I feel sad because my kite got stuck in the tree.”
Role B: “I’m sorry you feel sad. That must be disappointing. Let’s think of a way to get it down together!”

Script 2: Angry Feeling

Role A: “I am angry because someone took my paintbrush without asking.”
Role B: “It’s okay to feel angry when things are taken. I would be upset too. How can I help you feel better?”

Script 3: Scared Feeling

Role A: “I feel scared walking into this dark room.”
Role B: “I understand it’s scary. I can hold your hand and walk with you. You’re not alone.”

Script 4: Disappointed Feeling

Role A: “I feel disappointed because I didn’t win the game.”
Role B: “It’s okay to feel disappointed. You played really well. I’m proud of you!”

Script 5: Proud Feeling

Role A: “I’m proud because I finished my puzzle all by myself.”
Role B: “That’s amazing! You worked hard and did it. Great job!”

Script 6: Anxious Feeling

Role A: “I feel nervous about singing in front of the class.”
Role B: “I understand nerves can feel big. I will cheer for you. You can do it!”

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Student Reflection Worksheet

Name: ______________________ Date: ________________

Instructions

Think of a time when you felt an emotion. Use the Feeling Wheel Poster to help you find the right feeling word.

1. Draw a picture of the moment when you felt an emotion.







2. What word best describes how you felt? (Circle one or write your own)

  • Happy - Sad - Angry - Scared - Surprised - Calm

My own word: ______________________


---

3. Why did you feel this way?






4. Who showed you empathy or kindness at that time?





5. How did their empathy make you feel?






6. Draw or write one way you can show empathy to someone else next time.







Great job reflecting, Emotion Explorer! Remember, noticing your feelings and caring for others helps everyone feel supported.

lenny
lenny