Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Students will identify and label their current emotions and recognize personal triggers, building self-awareness through guided reflection and group sharing.

Developing self-awareness helps students recognize and manage emotions, supporting IEP goals for self-regulation and social interaction in a sub-separate setting.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Introducing Emotions

5 minutes

Step 3

Self-Awareness Reflection

7 minutes

Step 4

Group Share & Wrap-Up

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Emotion Explorers: Session 1

Today’s Objectives

Feelings Chart

Emotion Expression Flashcards

Reflection Activity

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Students will learn and practice three coping strategies—deep breathing, counting, and safe-place imagery—to manage stress and anger in real time.

Teaching concrete self-regulation tools supports IEP goals for emotion management and gives students accessible strategies to calm down and refocus.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Breathing Check-In

3 minutes

Step 2

Deep Breathing Practice

5 minutes

Step 3

Counting Technique Introduction

4 minutes

Step 4

Safe-Place Imagery Activity

5 minutes

Step 5

Coping Plan & Wrap-Up

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Emotion Explorers: Session 2

Today’s Objectives

Coping Strategies Overview

Deep Breathing

Counting Technique

Safe-Place Imagery

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Lesson Plan

Students will identify personal emotional triggers and recognize early warning signs of escalating emotions, and practice proactive coping responses.

Understanding triggers and warning signs empowers students to apply coping strategies before emotions become overwhelming, reinforcing IEP self-regulation goals.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Review

3 minutes

Step 2

Introducing Triggers

5 minutes

Step 3

Identify Personal Triggers

7 minutes

Step 4

Role-Play Practice

4 minutes

Step 5

Debrief & Wrap-Up

1 minute

Slide Deck

Emotion Explorers: Session 3

Today’s Objectives

Early Warning Signs

Identify Personal Triggers

Role-Play Practice

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Lesson Plan

Session 4 Lesson Plan

Students will learn to express emotions assertively using I-messages and practice effective communication skills through guided modeling and role-play.

Teaching assertive emotional expression supports IEP goals for communication and social skills, empowering students to share feelings respectfully and build positive relationships.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Review

3 minutes

Step 2

Introducing I-Messages

5 minutes

Step 3

I-Message Practice

7 minutes

Step 4

Role-Play & Feedback

4 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Goal Setting

1 minute

Slide Deck

Emotion Explorers: Session 4