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Emotions in Motion

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Lesson Plan

Emotions in Motion Lesson Plan

Students will identify and articulate a range of emotions, learn practical emotion regulation strategies, and reflect on their feelings through guided journaling.

This lesson builds self-awareness and emotional management skills, promoting healthier expression and stronger peer connections for improved classroom climate.

Audience

8th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on exploration, strategy practice, and reflective journaling.

Materials

Emotion Wheel Handout, Emotion Regulation Strategy Cards, Feeling Journal Template, Assorted Color Markers, Classroom Whiteboard and Markers, and Classroom Timer

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Emotions

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle
  • Ask students to name emotions they know; record responses on the whiteboard
  • Introduce the lesson objective: understanding and managing emotions

Step 2

Emotion Wheel Exploration

10 minutes

  • Distribute Emotion Wheel Handout
  • Explain how the wheel categorizes primary and secondary emotions
  • In pairs, students identify emotions they’ve recently felt and share with a partner
  • Circulate to prompt deeper reflection and questions

Step 3

Strategy Practice

7 minutes

  • Hand out Emotion Regulation Strategy Cards
  • Each student selects two cards and discusses real-life applications
  • In small groups, role-play one chosen strategy
  • Highlight and praise effective examples

Step 4

Journaling and Reflection

5 minutes

  • Distribute Feeling Journal Template
  • Prompt students to write briefly about an emotion they felt today and a strategy to use
  • Emphasize honesty and personal reflection

Step 5

Closing and Share-Out

3 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share insights or plans for using strategies
  • Summarize key regulation techniques and value of emotional awareness
  • Encourage students to apply these strategies throughout the day
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Slide Deck

Emotions in Motion

One-session SEL lesson for 8th Grade

• Explore and understand a range of emotions
• Practice emotion regulation strategies
• Reflect on feelings through journaling

Welcome students and introduce the session. Explain that today they’ll explore emotions, learn regulation strategies, and reflect through journaling.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this session, students will be able to:
• Identify and name a variety of emotions
• Learn and discuss at least two regulation strategies
• Reflect on personal feelings using guided journaling

Read through the objectives aloud and emphasize why each is important for self-awareness and classroom community.

Introduction to Emotions

Brainstorm: What emotions can you name?

• List responses on the whiteboard.
• Discuss why it’s helpful to recognize and name our feelings.

Gather students in a circle. Ask them to call out emotions while recording responses on the board. Reinforce that all answers are valid.

Emotion Wheel Exploration

  1. Hand out Emotion Wheel Handout.
  2. Review how the wheel groups primary and secondary emotions.
  3. In pairs, pick two emotions you’ve felt recently and share.

Distribute the Emotion Wheel Handout. Explain primary vs. secondary emotions. Circulate to prompt deeper sharing between partners.

Strategy Practice

  1. Distribute Emotion Regulation Strategy Cards.
  2. Each student selects two cards and discusses real-life applications.
  3. In small groups, role-play one chosen strategy.

Hand out the strategy cards. Encourage students to think of real situations. Facilitate role-plays and highlight good examples.

Journaling & Reflection

  1. Give each student a Feeling Journal Template.
  2. Write briefly about:
    • An emotion you felt today
    • Which regulation strategy you’ll use next time

Remind students this is private reflection. Encourage complete sentences and honesty.

Closing & Share-Out

• Volunteers share one insight or strategy plan.
• Key takeaway: Recognizing and managing emotions builds resilience and connection.
• Challenge: Use one strategy before the next class.

Invite volunteers to share insights or plans. Reinforce main takeaways and encourage daily practice.

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Worksheet

Emotion Wheel Handout

Instructions

  1. In the inner circle, write one primary emotion in each wedge.
  2. In the outer ring next to each wedge, write a secondary emotion related to that primary emotion.
  3. Use colors to shade each wedge: choose one color for the primary emotion and a lighter tint for the secondary emotion.

Primary Emotions (Inner Circle)

  1. ________________

  2. ________________

  3. ________________

  4. ________________

  5. ________________

  6. ________________

  7. ________________

  8. ________________

Secondary Emotions (Outer Ring)

  1. ________________

  2. ________________

  3. ________________

  4. ________________

  5. ________________

  6. ________________

  7. ________________

  8. ________________

Draw Your Emotion Wheel

Below is a space for you to draw a large circle divided into eight equal wedges. Label each inner wedge with a primary emotion, the outer ring with its matching secondary emotion, and then color each wedge as instructed above.













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Worksheet

Emotion Regulation Strategy Cards

Cut along the lines to create individual strategy cards. Each card describes a technique and has space for you to practice applying it.

Deep Breathing

Instructions:
Take slow, deep breaths: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 2, exhale for 6. Repeat until you feel calmer.

Application:
When could you use deep breathing to manage your emotions?






Positive Self-Talk

Instructions:
Replace negative thoughts with empowering statements (e.g., “I can handle this,” “I am in control”).

Your Positive Statement:
________________________

Physical Movement

Instructions:
Engage in a quick activity (jumping jacks, stretching, a short walk) to release built-up energy.

Plan Your Movement:
What movement will you choose and when?






Grounding Technique

Instructions:
Use your five senses to bring your focus into the present moment:
• Name 5 things you see
• Name 4 things you touch
• Name 3 things you hear
• Name 2 things you smell
• Name 1 thing you taste

Practice Listing:
5 things you see: ________________
4 things you touch: ________________
3 things you hear: ________________
2 things you smell: ________________
1 thing you taste: ________________

Visualization

Instructions:
Close your eyes and imagine a calm, safe place. Picture the details: sights, sounds, and smells.

Describe Your Safe Place:
________________________




Talking It Out

Instructions:
Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor. Verbalizing emotions can help you feel supported.

Who Will You Talk To?:
________________________

Journaling

Instructions:
Write down what you’re feeling and why. End with one strategy you plan to use next time.

Start Your Entry:
________________________




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Worksheet

Feeling Journal Template

Instructions

Use this journal to reflect on your emotions, understand your reactions, and plan healthy strategies for the future. Be honest and detailed.

1. Emotion You Felt Today

Which emotion did you experience most strongly today and why?







2. What Happened?

Describe the situation or event that triggered this emotion.







3. Physical & Mental Response

How did your body feel? What thoughts or actions came to mind?







4. Strategy Selection

Pick one technique from the Emotion Regulation Strategy Cards. Which one did you choose and why?







5. Plan of Action

When you feel this emotion again, how and when will you use this strategy?







6. Reflection After Practice

After you try your chosen strategy, reflect on its impact. How did it change your feelings or actions?









Keep this journal private or share with someone you trust. Reviewing your entries can help you notice patterns and grow your emotional skills.

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