Lesson Plan
Emotions Under the Skin Lesson Plan
Students will identify physical sensations linked to emotions and practice simple strategies to notice and manage these cues.
Understanding how emotions manifest in the body builds self-awareness, supports emotional regulation, and equips students with healthy coping skills.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided body scan, collaborative discussion, and coping strategy practice.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review Body Map Handout, Emotion Sensation Cards, and Mindful Breathing Exercise Script
- Print one Body Map Handout per student and cut out Emotion Sensation Cards
- Familiarize yourself with the guided breathing script to lead the final activity
Step 1
Introduction & Objectives
5 minutes
- Greet students and share the lesson goal: noticing where emotions appear in the body
- Briefly discuss examples (butterflies in stomach, tight chest)
- Distribute Body Map Handout and Emotion Sensation Cards to each student
Step 2
Guided Body Scan
8 minutes
- Have students sit comfortably, close eyes, and breathe slowly
- Guide them to scan from head to toes, noticing any tension or sensations
- Ask students to mark each sensation on their Body Map Handout with a brief note
Step 3
Emotion–Sensation Matching
10 minutes
- Form groups of 3–4 students and invite them to share one marked sensation
- Provide each group with a set of Emotion Sensation Cards
- Students match card emotions to their sensations and discuss why they chose them
Step 4
Coping Strategy Practice
7 minutes
- Introduce simple coping strategies: deep breathing, gentle stretches
- Lead the class through the Mindful Breathing Exercise Script
- Encourage students to note which strategy felt most helpful and plan when to use it in daily life
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Slide Deck
Emotions Under the Skin
How the Body Holds Emotions
Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and the topic. Explain that today we’ll explore how emotions show up physically in our bodies.
Lesson Objectives
• Identify physical sensations linked to emotions
• Practice noticing and managing these cues
Read the objectives aloud and clarify any questions. Emphasize the connection between mind and body.
Noticing Emotions in the Body
Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach?
Or a tightness in your chest?
Emotions can create physical sensations.
Ask students to share examples of physical feelings when they’re nervous or excited. Then distribute the materials.
Guided Body Scan
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
- Breathe slowly and notice sensations from head to toe.
- Mark any feelings on your Body Map Handout.
Guide the class through each step. Pause between body regions to give students time to notice and mark their sensations.
Match Emotions to Sensations
In groups of 3–4:
• Share one marked sensation on your map.
• Use Emotion Sensation Cards to match an emotion.
• Discuss why you chose that emotion.
Form groups and hand out the Emotion Sensation Cards. Visit each group to prompt deeper discussion.
Practicing Coping Strategies
Try these strategies:
• Deep breathing
• Gentle stretches
Now, follow the steps in the Mindful Breathing Exercise Script.
Introduce each coping strategy briefly. Then lead the breathing exercise using the provided script.
Reflection & Next Steps
Which strategy felt most helpful?
When might you use these in your daily life?
Encourage students to reflect and share. Emphasize that these tools can be used anytime stressful or strong emotions arise.
Activity
Body Map Handout
Name: ____________________ Date: _______________
Instructions: During the guided body scan, notice any physical sensations you experience. On the outline below, mark each spot where you feel something and write a brief note describing the sensation and how it might relate to an emotion.
Steps:
-
Draw a circle or arrow on each body part where you feel a sensation.
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Next to each mark, write:
- A short description of the sensation (e.g., tightness, fluttering, warmth)
- A possible emotion linked to this feeling (e.g., nervous, excited, sad)
[Front View of Body Outline]
Head
| |
| |
| |
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
[Back View of Body Outline]
Back of Head
| |
| |
| |
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
Reflection Questions (on the back):
- Which physical sensation was strongest or most surprising?
- How did noticing this sensation help you understand your emotion?
- When might you use this body-mapping strategy in your everyday life?
Activity
Emotion Sensation Cards
Instructions: Before the activity, cut along the dotted lines to create individual cards. Each card lists a common emotion and physical sensations that often accompany it. Use these cards in the matching activity to pair emotions with the sensations you noted on your Body Map Handout.
Anxiety
- Fluttering or butterflies in your stomach
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sweaty or clammy hands
Sadness
- Heavy feeling in the chest
- Lump in the throat
- Tears or dryness in the eyes
Excitement
- Tingling or warmth throughout the body
- Quickened breathing
- Restlessness or energy surge
Anger
- Clenched jaw or fists
- Heat or flushing in the face
- Tension in shoulders
Fear
- Cold or numb hands or feet
- Shallow, quick breaths
- Muscle tension or stiffness
Happiness
- Warmth in chest or face
- Relaxed muscles
- Lightness or buoyant feeling
Embarrassment
- Blushing or warmth in the face
- Dry mouth
- Heart racing
Calm
- Even, steady breathing
- Soft, relaxed muscles
- Overall sense of warmth or lightness
Script
Mindful Breathing Exercise Script
Duration: Approximately 7 minutes total
1. Settling In (1 minute)
Teacher (soft, calm tone):
“Okay, everyone—find a comfortable seated position. Sit up tall with your spine straight but not rigid. Rest your hands gently in your lap or on your knees. If you feel comfortable, softly close your eyes. If closing them feels strange, you may simply lower your gaze to the floor.”
(Pause 5 seconds to let students settle.)
“Let’s take one deep breath together before we begin. Breathe in through your nose… and exhale fully through your mouth.”
2. Placing Hands & Noticing (30 seconds)
Teacher:
“Now, place one hand on your belly and the other hand on your chest. Feel how your body moves as you breathe. Notice which hand rises first—your chest or your belly—just observe, without judging.”
(Pause 5 seconds.)
3. Guided Counting Breath (5 minutes)
Teacher:
“We’ll practice a simple counting breath. I will say each count out loud, and you will breathe with me. Ready?”
Teacher (slowly, with a steady rhythm):
- “Inhale… one… two… three… four.” (feel the air fill your belly and chest)
- “Hold… one… two.”
- “Exhale… one… two… three… four… five… six.” (let the air release fully)
(Repeat this cycle 6–8 times, pausing briefly between cycles.)
Teacher (after 4 cycles):
“Notice how your body feels now. Are you feeling more relaxed? If your mind wanders at any point, gently bring your attention back to counting and the feeling of air moving in and out.”
(Continue for 2–3 more cycles.)
4. Closing & Reflection (1–1½ minutes)
Teacher:
“Excellent job, everyone. When you’re ready, let your hands rest back in your lap. Gently open your eyes or lift your gaze.”
(Pause.)
“Take a moment to notice the difference between how you felt before and after that breathing practice. We’ll share for about one minute: Who noticed their heart rate slow down? Or maybe felt a bit more calm in their shoulders? Raise your hand if you’d like to share one thing you noticed.”
(Invite 2–3 students to share.)
“Thank you for sharing. Remember, you can use this counting breath anytime you feel stressed, anxious, or need a moment to refocus. It’s a tool you carry with you—no equipment needed!”
End of Exercise
Cool Down
Reflection & Exit Ticket
Name: ____________________ Date: _______________
Thank you for exploring how emotions show up in your body today. Please take a few minutes to reflect and share your thoughts.
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Which physical sensation was most noticeable or surprising for you today?
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Which coping strategy (deep breathing or gentle stretches) felt most helpful? Why?
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When or where might you use this strategy in your everyday life?
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One new thing I learned about the connection between my body and my emotions is:
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On a scale of 1–5, how confident do you feel about noticing your body’s emotional cues and using a coping strategy on your own?
1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐
Thank you for your honest reflections! Feel free to revisit this ticket anytime you want to check in with your body and emotions.