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Feelings Lab

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Lesson Plan

Lab Safety & Protocol

Ensure a safe, structured environment for individual emotional exploration by establishing clear safety rules, required materials, and step-by-step protocols—tailored for 1:1 support.

Before diving into personal feelings, students need a predictable, secure framework. This lesson builds trust, models respectful boundaries, and minimizes distractions so self-awareness work can proceed smoothly.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

10 minutes

Approach

Explicit safety steps, clear timing, 1:1 scaffolding

Materials

Prep

Teacher Prep

5 minutes

  • Review the Lab Safety & Protocol guidelines thoroughly.
  • Print copies of the Emotion Hypothesis Tracker and ensure individual journals or Lab Reflection Logs are ready.
  • Arrange the classroom so each student has a quiet, private station.
  • Prepare any sensory supports (e.g., headphones) for students who need reduced stimuli.

Step 1

Introduce Safety & Protocol

2 minutes

  • Explain that this lab is an individual, confidential exploration of personal feelings.
  • Emphasize respect: no sharing without permission and no judgment.
  • Review the five core rules:
    1. Stay at your assigned station.
    2. Use materials only for this lab.
    3. Keep your journal private unless you choose to share.
    4. Raise hand if you need a break.
    5. Ask for help at any time.

Step 2

Demonstrate Materials

2 minutes

  • Show the Emotion Hypothesis Tracker: how to record scenario, predicted feeling, actual reaction.
  • Model a sample entry on the board.
  • Walk through the Lab Reflection Log prompts:
    • What surprised me?
    • Which emotion words best fit?
    • What did I learn about myself?

Step 3

1:1 Safety Check

3 minutes

  • Meet individually to confirm:
    • Student understands and agrees to the rules.
    • They know where to find help if upset.
    • They’re comfortable with the private nature of the lab.
  • Adjust supports (e.g., headphones, sensory tools) as needed.
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Reading

Scenario Case Studies

In this section, you’ll encounter five brief, real-life situations. As you read each one, notice any thoughts or sensations that arise—your mind and body often cue you into how you might feel. After reading each scenario, use your Emotion Hypothesis Tracker to record:

• The situation description
• Your predicted emotion(s)
• Your reasons or evidence for that prediction

When you complete the tracker entries, you’ll revisit these scenarios to compare your actual reactions and build a richer emotional vocabulary.

Scenario 1: Group Project Pressure

You and two classmates have been working on a major project due tomorrow. One partner hasn’t contributed any research, and the other is depending on you to finish the entire presentation. You glance at the clock and realize you might stay late to get everything done.

Scenario 2: Forgotten Homework

You arrive in your math class and suddenly remember you left last night’s homework on your kitchen table. Today’s lesson builds on that assignment. Your teacher calls on you to share your answers at the board.

Scenario 3: The Surprise Gift

After lunch, a friend hands you a small, wrapped gift “just because.” You didn’t expect anything—and now all eyes are on you as classmates wonder what’s inside and why you received it.

Scenario 4: Mid-Conversation Argument

During lunch, you and a close friend start talking about weekend plans. The discussion turns into a disagreement, and your friend’s tone becomes sharper. You notice the table going quiet as others listen.

Scenario 5: Unplanned Presentation

In history class, your teacher announces that each student must give a one-minute summary of today’s reading. You haven’t prepared and now must speak in front of the group with only a moment to collect your thoughts.

Once you’ve recorded your hypotheses in the tracker, get ready to explore how your actual feelings match—or surprise—you. We’ll compare predictions and reactions, and then reflect in your Lab Reflection Log.

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Worksheet

Emotion Hypothesis Tracker

Use the table below to record your predictions for each scenario, the evidence for your hypothesis, then compare with your actual emotions and reflect.

ScenarioPredicted Emotions
(Name them)		Evidence
(Why do you predict this?)		Actual Emotions
(Upon reflection)		Notes / Reflections
1. Group Project Pressure























2. Forgotten Homework























3. The Surprise Gift























4. Mid-Conversation Argument























5. Unplanned Presentation























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Discussion

1:1 Analysis Q&A

Use this guide during your private check-in to deepen your understanding of how you felt and why. Have your Emotion Hypothesis Tracker and Lab Reflection Log handy.

1. Comparing Predictions & Actual Reactions

Q1. Choose one scenario where your actual emotion differed from your prediction. Describe what you predicted versus what you felt.






Q2. What physical sensations or thoughts accompanied your actual emotion?






Q3. Why do you think your prediction and your reaction did not match?






2. Refining Your Emotional Vocabulary

Q4. Look at the emotion word you recorded. Can you choose a more precise term? How does that refine your understanding?



Q5. List two or three synonyms or related terms that capture subtle differences in how you felt.






3. Deepening Self-Awareness

Q6. What patterns do you notice across multiple scenarios—about triggers, intensity, or timing of emotions?











Q7. How can you use these insights to prepare for or manage similar situations in the future?






4. Reflect & Record

• Write any final thoughts or next steps in your Lab Reflection Log.



Teacher Prompts & Follow-Ups

  • Encourage the student to elaborate: “Tell me more about what you noticed in your body.”
  • Offer alternative emotion words if they get stuck.
  • Connect their insights to real-life examples: “How might this help you in a future group project?”
  • Reinforce self-awareness goals: “What did you learn about how you respond under pressure?”
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Journal

Lab Reflection Log

Use this log to capture your final takeaways and plan next steps in your emotional self-awareness journey.

1. Surprising Observations

What observations from your Emotion Hypothesis Tracker surprised you the most?






2. Best-Fit Emotion Words

Which emotion word(s) did you find most accurate for your actual reactions, and why?






3. Complex Feelings

Did any scenario from the Scenario Case Studies evoke a blend of emotions? Describe which ones and how they intertwined.










4. Insights from Analysis

How have your reflections in the 1:1 Analysis Q&A deepened your understanding of yourself?






5. Next Steps & Strategies

What is one practical strategy you will use the next time you face a similar situation?






6. Additional Thoughts

Any final questions, goals, or notes for your ongoing emotional growth?










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Slide Deck

Feelings Lab: Self-Awareness Deep Dive

Exploring personal emotional reactions through structured scenarios and reflection.

CASEL Competency: Self-Awareness.

Welcome students. Introduce the Feelings Lab. Highlight self-awareness and CASEL competence. Explain session overview.

Session Objectives

• Identify and record emotional predictions for various scenarios.
• Compare predicted vs. actual emotions using precise vocabulary.
• Deepen self-awareness through guided analysis and reflection.

Read objectives aloud. Clarify expected outcomes. Emphasize the importance of precise emotion words.

Lab Safety & Protocol

• Individual, confidential exploration.
• Respect boundaries: no sharing without permission.
• Five core rules:

  1. Stay at your assigned station.
  2. Use materials only for this lab.
  3. Keep your journal private unless you choose to share.
  4. Raise your hand if you need a break.
  5. Ask for help at any time.

See full details in Lab Safety & Protocol.

Review each rule. Emphasize safety, trust, and confidentiality. Ask students to confirm they understand.

Scenario Case Studies

Read five brief situations in Scenario Case Studies.
For each:
• Notice your initial thoughts and body cues.
• Record predicted emotions and evidence in your tracker.

Project the scenarios or distribute copies of the reading. Encourage students to notice physical sensations and thoughts as they read.

Using the Emotion Hypothesis Tracker

Open your Emotion Hypothesis Tracker.
For each scenario:

  1. Write the scenario title.
  2. List predicted emotions.
  3. Explain your evidence.
  4. Later, add actual emotions and notes.

Model one example entry on the board. Show how to fill each column. Provide support for students needing guidance.

1:1 Analysis & Q&A

Work privately with the teacher using 1:1 Analysis Q&A:
• Compare predictions vs. actual feelings.
• Refine your emotion vocabulary.
• Identify patterns and strategies for future situations.

Use prompts from the guide. Encourage elaboration and offer alternative emotion terms when necessary.

Reflection & Next Steps

Complete your Lab Reflection Log:

  1. Surprising observations.
  2. Best-fit emotion words.
  3. Complex or blended feelings.
  4. Insights and practical strategies.
  5. Additional goals or questions.

Remind students to be honest and thoughtful in their final reflections. Highlight the value of planning next steps.

Closing Thoughts

Thank you for participating!

Any final questions or comments?

Invite students to share takeaways or ask any final questions. Reinforce that self-awareness is an ongoing skill.

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