Lesson Plan
Emotions in Check Lesson Plan
Students will learn three practical coping strategies for managing anxiety, anger, and sadness, practice them through role-play scenarios, and reflect on their personal use of these tools.
Adolescents often struggle with intense emotions; equipping them with evidence-based coping techniques fosters resilience, improves emotional regulation, and supports overall well-being.
Audience
12th Grade Tier 2 Support Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, role-play, guided reflection
Materials
- Emotion Coping Strategies Worksheet, - Scenario Cards for Role-Play, - Reflection Journal Template, and - Pens and Paper
Prep
Prepare Materials and Review Content
15 minutes
- Print enough copies of Emotion Coping Strategies Worksheet and Scenario Cards for Role-Play for each student pair
- Prepare individual journals or printouts of the Reflection Journal Template
- Arrange seating in a circle to foster open discussion
- Review coping strategies on the worksheet to anticipate student questions
Step 1
Introduction and Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain today’s focus on coping with tough emotions
- Pose an open question: “What are some emotions you find hardest to manage?”
- Note responses on a whiteboard to validate experiences and set context
Step 2
Present Coping Strategies
8 minutes
- Distribute the Emotion Coping Strategies Worksheet
- Briefly explain three strategies: deep breathing, cognitive reframing, grounding techniques
- Model each strategy with a quick demonstration (e.g., guided breathing exercise)
Step 3
Guided Scenario Role-Play
10 minutes
- Divide students into pairs and give each pair a set of Scenario Cards for Role-Play
- Instruct pairs to read a scenario, identify an emotion in it, and practice a chosen coping strategy
- Circulate to observe, offer feedback, and reinforce proper technique
Step 4
Personal Reflection
5 minutes
- Hand out the Reflection Journal Template
- Ask students to write about a recent time they felt challenged, select one strategy from the worksheet, and plan how they would apply it
- Encourage honest, private responses to foster self-awareness
Step 5
Group Debrief and Closing
2 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share key insights or action steps they wrote
- Reinforce the importance of practicing these strategies regularly
- Remind students where they can access additional support and encourage them to use these tools between sessions
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Slide Deck
Emotions in Check
Coping with Tough Emotions
12th Grade Tier 2 Support | 30-Minute Session
Welcome students to today’s session on coping with tough emotions. Introduce the topic and outline the plan for the next 30 minutes.
Session Objectives
- Learn three coping strategies for anxiety, anger, and sadness
- Practice strategies through role-play scenarios
- Reflect on personal use and plan for real-world application
Review each objective aloud. Highlight how mastering these skills will help in daily life and future challenges.
Coping Strategies
- Deep Breathing: Inhale slowly through your nose, exhale through your mouth
- Cognitive Reframing: Identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts
- Grounding Techniques: Use your five senses to stay present
Demonstrate each strategy: lead a brief breathing exercise, model reframing a negative thought, and guide a quick grounding technique.
Guided Role-Play
- Pair up with a classmate
- Select a Scenario Card
- Identify the emotion in the scenario
- Practice one coping strategy together
(Time: 10 minutes)
Explain instructions clearly, then move around the room to observe pairs and offer feedback.
Personal Reflection
Use your Reflection Journal Template:
- Describe a recent challenging moment
- Choose one coping strategy from today
- Plan when and how you will apply it
Encourage students to write honestly—the journal is private. Circulate to answer questions.
Closing & Next Steps
- (Optional) Share one key takeaway
- Commit to practicing strategies daily
- Reach out to trusted adults or support services when you need help
Invite any volunteers to share insights (optional). Remind students to practice these strategies and seek support when needed.
Worksheet
Emotion Coping Strategies Worksheet
Use the strategies below to practice managing anxiety, anger, and sadness. Complete each section and be honest in your reflections.
1. Deep Breathing
Deep breathing helps slow your heart rate and calm your mind. Follow these steps:
- Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts
- Hold for 2 counts
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 counts
A. In your own words, write the steps for deep breathing:
B. How did you feel before practicing deep breathing?
C. How did you feel after practicing deep breathing?
2. Cognitive Reframing
Cognitive reframing helps you challenge and change unhelpful thoughts.
A. Think of a recent negative thought you had. Write it here:
B. Reframe that thought into a more balanced or helpful one:
C. After reframing, what feelings or shifts did you notice?
3. Grounding Techniques
Grounding techniques use your five senses to bring you into the present moment.
Using the 5–4–3–2–1 method, list:
- 5 things you can see:
- ____________
- ____________
- ____________
- ____________
- ____________
- 4 things you can touch:
- ____________
- ____________
- ____________
- ____________
- 3 things you can hear:
- ____________
- ____________
- ____________
- 2 things you can smell:
- ____________
- ____________
- 1 thing you can taste:
- ____________
4. Personal Application
Choose a tough emotion you might experience and plan how you will use one of the strategies when it arises.
Emotion: _________________________
Chosen Strategy (Breathing / Reframing / Grounding): _________________________
When or where will you use it?
Continue to practice these tools regularly. For more guided reflection, see the Reflection Journal Template.
Activity
Scenario Cards for Role-Play
Use these scenario cards to practice identifying emotions and applying a coping strategy. Cut out each card and share with your partner. For each scenario:
- Identify the primary emotion you’d feel.
- Choose one coping strategy from the Emotion Coping Strategies Worksheet.
- Practice the strategy together.
Card 1
You discover a close friend made a joke about you in a group chat without asking if it was okay.
Emotion: _______________________
Chosen Strategy: _______________________
Card 2
It’s the morning of a big college entrance exam, and your heart is racing. You’re worried you’ll blank out.
Emotion: _______________________
Chosen Strategy: _______________________
Card 3
During class, you’re asked to present but you trip over your words and feel all eyes on you.
Emotion: _______________________
Chosen Strategy: _______________________
Card 4
You and a family member had an argument last night, and you woke up feeling distant and upset.
Emotion: _______________________
Chosen Strategy: _______________________
Card 5
Your group project partner didn’t do their part, and now the deadline is tomorrow.
Emotion: _______________________
Chosen Strategy: _______________________
Card 6
A teacher returns your essay with critical comments, and you feel discouraged.
Emotion: _______________________
Chosen Strategy: _______________________
Journal
Reflection Journal Template
Use this journal to reflect privately on your emotional experiences and the coping strategies you’re learning. Be honest and take your time.
1. Describe a Recent Emotional Challenge
Think of a moment in the past week when you felt overwhelmed by anxiety, anger, or sadness. Describe the situation in detail.
2. Strategy Selection and Rationale
From the Emotion Coping Strategies Worksheet, which strategy did you choose to use (deep breathing, cognitive reframing, or grounding)? Explain why this one felt right for that moment.
3. Reflection on the Experience
How did you feel before, during, and after applying the strategy? Note any changes in your thoughts, body sensations, or mood.
4. Barriers and Solutions
What obstacles might prevent you from using this strategy in the future (time, environment, mindset)? Brainstorm at least two ways you could overcome each obstacle.
5. Setting a Personal Goal
Write a specific plan for when and how you will practice this strategy over the next week. Include reminders, supports you’ll enlist, and how you’ll measure your progress.
6. Creative Expression
Choose one of the following options to deepen your reflection:
- Write a short letter to your future self describing how you’ve grown in managing emotions.
- Sketch or describe an image that represents calm or resilience for you.
- Compose a few lines of poetry or a quick metaphor about overcoming tough emotions.
Your choice: ________________________________