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Feelings Detectives

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Lesson Plan

Feelings Detectives Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify and name common emotions using picture cards and share personal examples to practice healthy expression.

Developing emotional vocabulary and expression builds self-awareness, empathy, and communication skills essential for social-emotional growth in young learners.

Audience

Kindergarten

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive games and guided discussion with visual tools.

Materials

Prep

Material Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Feelings Detectives

3 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle on the carpet.
  • Show the Emotion Chart Poster and explain that today they are "Feelings Detectives" who look for clues about emotions.
  • Ask: "What is a detective? How might we ‘detect’ our feelings?"

Step 2

Exploring Emotions

4 minutes

  • Hold up each card from Emotion Picture Cards.
  • Name the emotion and ask students to mimic the facial expression.
  • Encourage students to say, "I feel [emotion]."

Step 3

Badge Distribution and Practice

3 minutes

  • Give each student a Feelings Detective Badge Printables to wear.
  • Invite volunteers to pick an emotion card and practice saying, "I feel [emotion] when…" with a partner or to the class.

Step 4

Reflection and Sharing

5 minutes

  • Hand out the Feelings Reflection Sheet.
  • Ask students to draw or circle a feeling they had today and then share with a partner or in small groups.
  • Praise students for using emotion words and listening to others.
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Slide Deck

Feelings Detectives

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Kindergarten | 15 minutes

Welcome, everyone! Today we’re going to become Feelings Detectives. Enthusiastically introduce yourself and invite students to sit in a circle. Say: “We’re going to look for clues about our feelings, just like detectives!”

Today’s Objectives

• Identify and name common emotions
• Express “I feel ___ when ___”

Read each objective aloud and point to them on the slide. Say: “By the end of our lesson, you’ll be able to 1) name different feelings and 2) practice telling others how you feel.”

Emotion Chart

😊 Happy
😢 Sad
😡 Angry
😮 Surprised
😨 Scared

Display the Emotion Chart Poster. Point to each face as you name it. Ask students to mimic the facial expression.

Emotion Picture Cards

Review the cards below.
• 😊 Happy
• 😢 Sad
• 😡 Angry
• 😮 Surprised
• 😨 Scared

Hold up each of the Emotion Picture Cards. Invite students to call out the emotion and make the face with you.

Practice as Feelings Detectives

• Put on your detective badge
• Pick a card and say:
“I feel ___ when ___.”
• Partner up or share with the class

Distribute the Feelings Detective Badge Printables. Model: “I feel happy when I play with my friend.” Then invite volunteers to choose a card and share.

Reflection & Sharing

  1. Draw or circle how you felt today.
  2. Tell a partner:
    “I feel ___ when ___.”
  3. Listen to your friend’s feeling.

Hand out each student a Feelings Reflection Sheet. Circulate and encourage them as they draw or circle and share their feeling.

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Worksheet

Emotion Picture Cards

Cut along the dotted lines to create your own emotion cards. Use these cards during the "Feelings Detectives" lesson to practice identifying and naming feelings.

😊
Happy
______________		😢
Sad
______________
😡
Angry
______________		😮
Surprised
______________
😨
Scared
______________

（After printing, cut each rectangle along the outer edges to create individual cards.）

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Worksheet

Feelings Detective Badge Printables

Color the badges below! Cut along the dotted lines and wear your badge proudly as a Feelings Detective. Write your name on each badge before you cut.

....................................................................................................................
🌟 Feelings Detective
Name: __________
(Color and decorate!)
..........................................................		🌟 Feelings Detective
Name: __________
(Color and decorate!)
..........................................................

Instructions:

  • Use crayons or markers to color your badge.
  • Carefully cut along the dotted lines.
  • Attach a string or paper clip to wear your badge during the activity!
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Worksheet

Emotion Chart Poster

Use this chart to help you name and recognize your feelings!

😊 Happy😢 Sad😡 Angry
😮 Surprised😨 Scared

Tips for Use:

  • Point to the face that matches how you feel.
  • Use the words to say, "I feel [emotion] today."
  • Refer back to this chart whenever you need help naming your feelings.
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Worksheet

Feelings Reflection Sheet

Name: _______________________ Date: ________________

  1. Which feeling did you have today? Circle one:

😊 😢 😡 😮 😨




  1. Draw a picture of what made you feel this way:







  1. Finish this sentence: “I feel ________ when ________.”




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Cool Down

Feelings Detective Exit Ticket

Name: _______________________ Date: ________________

  1. Which feeling did you detect today? Circle one:

😊 😢 😡 😮 😨




  1. Draw a picture of a clue that helped you detect this feeling:







  1. Finish this sentence:

“I feel ________ when ________.”




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