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

Feelings Detective-Jayden Ruggles

Yvonne Brown

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Feelings Detective Session 1

Student will identify and label five basic emotions (happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised) with 80% accuracy across 5 pictured scenarios.

Recognizing and naming emotions builds foundational self-awareness and vocabulary, enabling better self-regulation and peer interactions for a student with low cognitive and language skills.

Audience

7th Grade Female Student with Low Cognitive/Language Skills

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Visual matching and guided labeling.

Materials

  • Emotion Flashcards, - Emotion Matching Worksheet, and - Session 1 Emotion Checklist

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print and laminate the full set of Emotion Flashcards.
  • Print copies of the Emotion Matching Worksheet.
  • Print the Session 1 Emotion Checklist.
  • Review each material and plan to use only one verbal prompt per emotion if needed.

Step 1

Warm-Up and Engagement

2 minutes

  • Greet Jayden warmly and sit face-to-face.
  • Ask: “How are you feeling right now?” and model naming one emotion.
  • Show one flashcard and name the emotion yourself: “This is happy.”

Step 2

Flashcard Labeling

5 minutes

  • Shuffle the Emotion Flashcards.
  • Show one card at a time; ask Jayden: “What emotion is this?”
  • If needed, offer one verbal prompt: “It’s when you smile a lot—what is it?”
  • Record correct labels; aim for 5 cards.
  • Provide immediate positive feedback for each correct response.

Step 3

Matching Activity

5 minutes

  • Give Jayden the Emotion Matching Worksheet.
  • Instruct: “Draw a line from each picture to its matching word.”
  • Observe and prompt only once per item if she hesitates.
  • Praise correct matches and gently correct any mistakes by reviewing the flashcard then letting her try again.

Step 4

Session 1 Emotion Checklist

3 minutes

  • Hand Jayden the Session 1 Emotion Checklist.
  • Ask her to put a checkmark next to each emotion she could name today.
  • Review checklist together; celebrate successes.
  • Preview next session: “Next time we’ll practice using these words with our body and voice.”
lenny

Slide Deck

Feelings Detective – Session 1

Warm-Up:
• How are you feeling right now?
• Let's name that feeling together.

Today’s Goal:
Identify and label five basic emotions.

Greet Jayden warmly. Say: “Welcome to Feelings Detective Session 1!” Introduce today’s goal: identifying and naming emotions. Ask: “How are you feeling right now?” Model one emotion (e.g., “I feel happy”).

Happy

[Image: Smiling face]

What emotion is this?

Show the picture of the happy face. Ask: “What emotion is this?” If Jayden hesitates, prompt once: “It’s when you smile a lot—what is it?” Provide positive feedback when she says “happy.”

Sad

[Image: Frowning face with tear]

What emotion is this?

Show the picture of the sad face. Ask: “What emotion is this?” If needed, prompt: “It’s when you frown and maybe cry—what is it?” Praise correct response (“sad”).

Angry

[Image: Red, scowling face]

What emotion is this?

Display the angry face image. Ask: “What emotion do you see?” Prompt once if necessary: “It’s when you clench your fists—what is it?” Celebrate correct answer (“angry”).

Scared

[Image: Wide-eyed, fearful face]

What emotion is this?

Show the scared face. Ask: “What emotion is this?” If she hesitates, say: “It’s when you feel afraid—what is it?” Provide immediate praise for “scared.”

Surprised

[Image: Mouth agape, wide-eyed face]

What emotion is this?

Present the surprised face image. Ask: “What emotion is this?” Prompt once: “It’s when your eyes open wide—what is it?” Praise correct response (“surprised”).

Matching Activity

• Match each emotion picture to its word.
• Draw a line from picture to word.

Hand Jayden the matching worksheet after you review each flashcard. Instruct: “Draw a line from each picture to its matching word.” Prompt only once per item if she hesitates and praise each correct match.

My Emotions Checklist

☐ Happy
☐ Sad
☐ Angry
☐ Scared
☐ Surprised

Give Jayden the checklist. Ask her to put a checkmark next to each emotion she could name today. Review her marks and celebrate successes. Say: “Great job! Next time we’ll practice using these words with our body and voice.”

lenny

Lesson Plan

Feelings Detective Session 2

In Session 2, Jayden will practice expressing five basic emotions using words, body language, and tone with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 role-play scenarios, with no more than one verbal prompt.

Practicing clear emotional expression builds self-advocacy, improves peer interactions, and supports self-regulation for a student with low cognitive and language skills.

Audience

7th Grade Female Student with Low Cognitive/Language Skills

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Guided modeling and role-play practice.

Materials

  • Emotion Flashcards, - Emotion Expression Role-Play Cards, and - Session 2 Emotion Checklist

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print and laminate the full set of Emotion Flashcards.
  • Print and cut apart the Emotion Expression Role-Play Cards.
  • Print the Session 2 Emotion Checklist.
  • Review each role-play scenario and plan one supportive prompt per emotion if needed.

Step 1

Warm-Up Review

2 minutes

  • Show the Emotion Flashcards one at a time; ask Jayden to name each emotion.
  • Provide immediate praise for correct labels and one verbal prompt if she hesitates.

Step 2

Model Expression

4 minutes

  • Introduce the Emotion Expression Role-Play Cards.
  • Select one card and read the scenario aloud (e.g., “You feel sad because your friend left the group.”).
  • Model saying “I feel sad because…” with matching body language and tone.
  • Highlight key words and gestures.

Step 3

Role-Play Practice

6 minutes

  • Invite Jayden to pick a role-play card and act out the scenario.
  • Prompt her to express the emotion using words (“I feel ___ because…”), body language, and tone.
  • Observe and provide feedback; use no more than one verbal prompt per scenario.
  • Repeat for 4 cards, aiming for appropriate expression each time.

Step 4

Session 2 Emotion Checklist

3 minutes

  • Hand Jayden the Session 2 Emotion Checklist.
  • Ask her to check each emotion she could express today.
  • Review her checklist and celebrate successes.
  • Encourage her to use these expression skills during peer interactions.
lenny

Slide Deck

Feelings Detective – Session 2

Warm-Up Review:
• We'll look at our flashcards and name each emotion.
• Say each word clearly.

Welcome back, Jayden! Today we’ll practice expressing emotions with our words, body, and voice. Remember, we’ll use our Emotion Flashcards to warm up.

Warm-Up Review

• Show each flashcard.
• Ask: “What emotion is this?”
• Provide praise for correct answers.

Show each Emotion Flashcards card; ask Jayden to name the emotion. Provide praise or one prompt if needed.

Modeling Expression

[Image: Role-Play Card]

Scenario example:
“You feel sad because your friend left the group.”

Model: “I feel sad because I miss playing together.”
Use a soft tone and slumped shoulders.

Introduce the Emotion Expression Role-Play Cards. Select one card and read the scenario. Model saying “I feel ___ because…” with matching body language (e.g., slumped shoulders for sad) and tone.

Your Turn: Role-Play

• Pick a role-play card.
• Say: “I feel ___ because…”
• Show the emotion with your face, body, and voice.

Invite Jayden to pick a role-play card. Prompt her to express the emotion with words, body, and tone. Offer one supportive prompt if needed.

My Expression Checklist

☐ Happy
☐ Sad
☐ Angry
☐ Scared
☐ Surprised

Hand Jayden the Session 2 Emotion Checklist. Ask her to check each emotion she could express today. Celebrate her successes and remind her to use these skills with friends.

lenny

Activity

Emotion Flashcards Set

Five sturdy, laminated cards—each showing one basic emotion. Use these for identification and expression practice.

Cards:

  1. Happy
    [Image: Smiling face]
    Prompt: “What emotion is this?”
  2. Sad
    [Image: Frowning face with tear]
    Prompt: “What emotion is this?”
  3. Angry
    [Image: Red, scowling face]
    Prompt: “What emotion is this?”
  4. Scared
    [Image: Wide-eyed, fearful face]
    Prompt: “What emotion is this?”
  5. Surprised
    [Image: Mouth agape, wide-eyed face]
    Prompt: “What emotion is this?”
lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Emotion Matching Worksheet

Instructions: Draw a line from each picture to the correct emotion word.

Pictures:

  1. [Image: Smiling face]
  2. [Image: Frowning face with tear]
  3. [Image: Red, scowling face]
  4. [Image: Wide-eyed, fearful face]
  5. [Image: Mouth agape, wide-eyed face]

Emotion Words:
A. Happy
B. Sad
C. Angry
D. Scared
E. Surprised

1 _____ A

2 _____ B

3 _____ C

4 _____ D

5 _____ E

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Session 1 Emotion Checklist

Instructions: Put a checkmark next to each emotion you could name today.

☐ Happy


☐ Sad


☐ Angry


☐ Scared


☐ Surprised

lenny
lenny

Activity

Emotion Expression Role-Play Cards

Instructions: Print, laminate, and cut apart each card. Give Jayden one card at a time. Ask her to read (or you read) the scenario and then say “I feel ___ because …” while using matching body language and tone.

1. Happy
Scenario: You just received a surprise gift from your friend.
Role‐Play Cue: “I feel happy because …”

2. Sad
Scenario: Your favorite toy broke.
Role‐Play Cue: “I feel sad because …”

3. Angry
Scenario: Someone cut in line in front of you at lunch.
Role‐Play Cue: “I feel angry because …”

4. Scared
Scenario: You hear a strange noise outside your window at night.
Role‐Play Cue: “I feel scared because …”

5. Surprised
Scenario: Your teacher announces an unexpected class party.
Role‐Play Cue: “I feel surprised because …”

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Session 2 Emotion Checklist

Instructions: Put a checkmark next to each emotion you could express today using words, body language, and tone.

☐ Happy


☐ Sad


☐ Angry


☐ Scared


☐ Surprised

lenny
lenny