• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Emotional Detectives

Anna

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Emotion Recognition Blueprint

Students will be able to identify and understand their own emotions, recognizing how these emotions influence their thoughts and behaviors.

Developing emotional literacy is a cornerstone of self-awareness, helping students navigate daily challenges and build healthier relationships.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive learning and guided discussions.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Decoding My Feelings Slide Deck, and Emotion ID Challenge Worksheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Decoding My Feelings Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Print enough copies of the Emotion ID Challenge Worksheet for each student.
    - Ensure whiteboard or projector is set up and working.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Feeling Check-In (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "How are you feeling right now, and why?"
    - Encourage a few students to share voluntarily. Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers.

Step 2

Introduction to Emotional Detectives (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Present the Decoding My Feelings Slide Deck (Slides 1-3).
    - Introduce the concept of being an 'emotional detective' – someone who investigates and understands feelings.
    - Discuss the importance of identifying emotions and how they impact thoughts and behaviors. Use examples relevant to 7th graders (e.g., feeling frustrated before a test, feeling excited about a school event).

Step 3

Emotion ID Challenge (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Emotion ID Challenge Worksheet.
    - Explain the activity: Students will read different scenarios and identify the emotion(s) felt by the person in the scenario, and suggest why they might feel that way.
    - Allow students to work individually or in small pairs.
    - Circulate the room to provide support and answer questions.

Step 4

Group Share and Discussion (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
    - Facilitate a discussion using the Sharing Our Feeling Stories Discussion prompts. Ask students to share some of their responses from the worksheet and discuss how different people might react to the same situation with varied emotions.
    - Emphasize that all emotions are valid and that understanding them is the first step to managing them.

Step 5

Cool-Down: One Word Reflection (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Ask students to share one new word they learned today about emotions or one feeling they better understand about themselves.
    - Thank students for their participation.
lenny

Slide Deck

Welcome, Emotional Detectives!

Your Mission: Understand Your Feelings

  • What are emotions?
  • Why do we need to know them?
  • How do they show up in our lives?

Welcome students and introduce the concept of emotions. Ask them to think about what emotions are and why it's important to understand them.

What's an Emotional Detective?

You're a Feelings Investigator!

  • Observe: Notice how you feel.
  • Investigate: Ask why you feel that way.
  • Understand: Connect feelings to thoughts and actions.

Clues are everywhere! Your body, your thoughts, your reactions...

Explain what an 'emotional detective' does. They observe, investigate, and understand feelings, both their own and others. Use an analogy like a real detective looking for clues.

Emotions: Your Inner GPS

Your Feelings Guide You

  • Signals: Emotions tell us what's happening inside.
  • Influence: They shape how we think and act.
  • Action: Understanding helps us choose our responses.

Example: Feeling nervous before a presentation (emotion) might make you want to avoid it (thought/behavior). Or, it might make you prepare extra carefully!

Discuss how emotions are like signals. They tell us something important. Explain that identifying emotions is the first step to managing them. Give examples of how different emotions can lead to different thoughts and behaviors (e.g., anger leading to shouting, joy leading to sharing).

lenny

Worksheet

Emotion ID Challenge

Instructions: Read each scenario carefully. For each scenario, identify the emotion(s) the person might be feeling and explain why you think they might feel that way. Be an emotional detective!

Scenario 1

Maya has been practicing for weeks for the school talent show. She's finally backstage, waiting for her turn to sing. Her heart is pounding, and her hands feel a little sweaty. She keeps checking her phone and pacing back and forth.

Emotion(s) Maya might be feeling:




Why do you think she feels this way?







Scenario 2

Liam just got his math test back. He studied really hard, but he only got a 60%. He crumples up the test, throws it in his backpack, and doesn't want to talk to anyone.

Emotion(s) Liam might be feeling:




Why do you think he feels this way?







Scenario 3

Chloe's best friend, Sam, accidentally broke Chloe's favorite art project during lunch. Sam apologized many times, but Chloe just stared at the broken pieces and then walked away without saying anything.

Emotion(s) Chloe might be feeling:




Why do you think she feels this way?







Scenario 4

David spent all Saturday helping his grandmother with her garden. She made him his favorite cookies and told him how much she appreciated his help. David walked home feeling light and had a big smile on his face.

Emotion(s) David might be feeling:




Why do you think he feels this way?







lenny
lenny

Discussion

Sharing Our Feeling Stories

Instructions: Let's discuss some of the scenarios from our Emotion ID Challenge. Remember, everyone experiences emotions differently, and all feelings are valid.

Discussion Prompts:

  1. Scenario Reflection: Look at Scenario 1 (Maya at the talent show). What emotions did you identify for Maya? Did anyone think of a different emotion? Why might two people interpret her feelings differently?


  2. Impact of Emotions: In Scenario 2 (Liam and his math test), how did Liam's emotions influence his actions? Can you think of a time when your feelings led you to do something (or not do something)?





  3. Complex Feelings: Chloe in Scenario 3 didn't say anything when her art project broke. What complex emotions might she be feeling? Why is it sometimes hard to express certain emotions?





  4. Positive Emotions: David in Scenario 4 felt happy after helping his grandmother. How do positive emotions feel in your body and mind? How can we create more opportunities for positive emotions in our day?





  5. Becoming an Emotional Detective: What was one thing you learned today about being an 'emotional detective'? How can you use this skill in your everyday life?

lenny
lenny