lenny

Emotional Intelligence Essentials

Lesson Plan

Emotional Intelligence Essentials Lesson Plan

Students will be able to identify, understand, and begin to manage their own emotions and develop empathy towards others.

Understanding and managing emotions is a critical life skill that helps students navigate challenges, build strong relationships, and foster overall well-being. This lesson provides foundational tools for emotional literacy.

Audience

8th-12th Grade Students

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Interactive activities, reflective journaling, and group discussion.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Review the Emotional Intelligence Slides and practice the talking points.
Print and cut out the Emotion Charades Activity Cards.
Make copies of the My Emotional Compass Journal for each student.
Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready.

Step 1

Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling?

5 minutes

Begin by asking students to think about one emotion they are currently feeling and to silently acknowledge it. Explain that emotions are natural and constantly changing.

Step 2

Introduction to Emotional Intelligence

10 minutes

Present the Emotional Intelligence Slides, focusing on defining emotional intelligence and its importance. Use the provided script to guide discussion and encourage initial thoughts from students.
Slide 1: Title Slide
Slide 2: What is Emotional Intelligence?
Slide 3: Why Does It Matter?

Step 3

Activity: Emotion Charades

15 minutes

Divide students into small groups. Distribute the Emotion Charades Activity Cards. Instruct groups to pick an emotion card and act it out without speaking, while other groups guess the emotion. Discuss the nuances of expressing and recognizing different emotions.

Step 4

Reflection: My Emotional Compass

15 minutes

Distribute the My Emotional Compass Journal. Guide students through the journal prompts, encouraging them to reflect on their own emotional experiences and strategies for managing feelings. Emphasize that this is a personal reflection and there are no right or wrong answers.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Share

5 minutes

Invite students to share one insight they gained from the lesson or their journal (optional). Reiterate the importance of emotional intelligence in their daily lives and encourage continued self-awareness.

lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Emotional Intelligence Essentials

Understanding Your Feelings and Reactions

[Image: A brain with different colored thought bubbles representing emotions]

Welcome students and introduce the topic of emotional intelligence. Ask them what 'emotions' mean to them.

What is Emotional Intelligence?

  • Knowing Your Feelings: Understanding what you're feeling and why.
  • Managing Your Feelings: Handling emotions in healthy ways.
  • Understanding Others' Feelings: Recognizing and respecting emotions in others.
  • Using Feelings Wisely: Applying emotional understanding to guide actions.

It's not about being 'nice' all the time, but being aware and in control of your emotional responses.

Define emotional intelligence simply. Emphasize that it's about being smart with your feelings. Self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and motivation.

Why Does It Matter?

  • Better Relationships: Understanding yourself and others helps you connect.
  • Managing Stress: Knowing how to handle tough emotions can make challenges easier.
  • Making Good Decisions: Emotions influence our choices; EI helps us make thoughtful ones.
  • Achieving Goals: Self-motivation and resilience are key for success.

Explain why emotional intelligence is important in their daily lives, giving relatable examples like managing stress, resolving conflicts, and building friendships.

Activity: Emotion Charades

Time to put our emotional recognition skills to the test!

How to Play:

  1. Get into small groups.
  2. Each group will receive cards with different emotions.
  3. One person acts out the emotion (no talking!), and their group tries to guess.
  4. Discuss how we can show and recognize these feelings.

Introduce the Emotion Charades activity. Explain the rules clearly: act out emotions without speaking, others guess. Emphasize respectful participation.

Reflection: My Emotional Compass

Now, let's explore your emotional landscape.

Take some time to silently work through the prompts in your journal. This is a space for you to reflect on:

  • Your own emotions and how they feel.
  • How you typically react to different situations.
  • Strategies you can use to manage your feelings.

Introduce the 'My Emotional Compass' journal. Explain its purpose: personal reflection on their own emotions. Encourage honesty and thoughtful responses. Give them time to work.

Bringing It All Together

  • Emotional intelligence is a skill we can all develop.
  • It helps us understand ourselves, understand others, and navigate life's challenges.
  • Small steps today can lead to big changes in how you feel and interact.

What's one thing you learned or will try to do?

Conclude the lesson by asking for voluntary shares and summarizing the main takeaways. Encourage students to continue practicing emotional intelligence.

lenny

Activity

Emotion Charades Activity Cards

Instructions:

  1. Cut out each emotion card.
  2. Divide into small groups.
  3. Each group takes turns picking a card without showing it to other groups.
  4. One person from the group acts out the emotion silently (no words or sounds!).
  5. Their group tries to guess the emotion being acted.
  6. Once guessed, briefly discuss in your group: When might someone feel this way? How can you tell someone is feeling this emotion?

Emotion Cards

Card 1

Emotion: Happy




Card 2

Emotion: Sad




Card 3

Emotion: Angry




Card 4

Emotion: Surprised




Card 5

Emotion: Scared




Card 6

Emotion: Confused




Card 7

Emotion: Excited




Card 8

Emotion: Annoyed




Card 9

Emotion: Proud




Card 10

Emotion: Frustrated




Card 11

Emotion: Calm




Card 12

Emotion: Shy




Card 13

Emotion: Disappointed




Card 14

Emotion: Curious




Card 15

Emotion: Grateful




lenny
lenny

Journal

My Emotional Compass Journal

Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________

Section 1: Recognizing My Emotions

  1. Think about a time recently when you felt a strong emotion. What was it? Describe the situation and how that emotion felt in your body (e.g., tense shoulders, butterflies in stomach, racing heart).












  2. What usually triggers this emotion for you? Are there certain people, places, or events that tend to bring it out?






  3. Can you think of three different emotions you've felt today? List them and briefly explain why you think you felt them.












Section 2: Understanding My Reactions

  1. When you feel frustrated or angry, how do you typically react? (e.g., yell, withdraw, try to solve the problem, get quiet)






  2. Describe a time when your reaction to an emotion helped you. What happened?











  3. Describe a time when your reaction to an emotion made a situation worse. What could you have done differently?











Section 3: Strategies for Healthy Emotional Responses

  1. What are some things you can do when you start to feel overwhelmed or stressed? List at least three coping strategies.












  2. How can understanding your own emotions help you understand others better and build stronger relationships?











  3. Write down one new strategy you want to try this week to manage your emotions or respond more thoughtfully to a challenging situation.






lenny
lenny
Emotional Intelligence Essentials • Lenny Learning