Handling Hard Emotions

brian hammond

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Managing Difficult Emotions

Guide the student in recognizing, understanding, and managing their difficult emotions by applying emotional intelligence strategies in a supportive individual session.

This lesson is essential for helping students build resilience, improve self-regulation, and enhance their emotional awareness, fostering personal growth in challenging moments.

Audience

8th Grade Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Engage the student through guided activities and reflective exercises.

Materials

Managing Difficult Emotions, Emotion Identification Exercises, and Emotional Check-In

Prep

Preparation

5 minutes

Review the overall framework in Managing Difficult Emotions to understand the background and structure of the exercise.
Familiarize yourself with the student's recent emotional challenges and personal history.
Prepare any necessary digital resources or documents for Emotion Identification Exercises and Emotional Check-In.

Step 1

Introduction & Emotion Identification

10 minutes

Begin with a brief discussion to help the student articulate their current emotional state.
Use Emotion Identification Exercises to facilitate the process of naming and characterizing their emotions.
Ask reflective questions to deepen understanding (e.g., 'When do you notice these emotions the most?').

Step 2

Strategy and Regulation Techniques

10 minutes

Guide the student through strategies for managing distress (e.g., deep breathing, positive self-talk, and visualization).
Relate techniques back to real-life scenarios the student may encounter.
Encourage the student to select one strategy they feel comfortable using.

Step 3

Cool-Down and Reflection

5 minutes

Utilize the Emotional Check-In to allow the student a final reflection on their progress.
Ask them to share what was most helpful and how they plan to apply the strategies in future situations.
Summarize key takeaways and confirm any follow-up steps or additional support needed.

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Activity

Emotion Identification Exercises

This activity is designed to help you identify and label your emotions accurately. You will engage with prompts and visual aids that facilitate your understanding and articulation of what you are feeling.

Activity Guidelines

Initial Reflection:

Think about a recent experience that made you feel strong emotions. Write down what happened and how you felt at that moment.
Emotion Labeling:

Using the list provided below, choose words that best describe your feelings during that experience. If necessary, add your own words from your personal vocabulary.
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Frustrated
- Anxious
Visual Mapping:

Draw a simple diagram or chart that connects the event with the various emotions you felt. This can help you see how different emotions interact.
Reflective Questions:

Answer the following questions to deepen your understanding:
- What triggered these emotions?
- How did your body react (e.g., increased heart rate, tension)?
- How do these feelings influence your behavior?

Follow-up

Share your diagram and responses with your counselor or teacher if you feel comfortable, to discuss further strategies for managing these emotions.
Use your reflections to identify patterns and think about times when you might apply positive coping techniques.

This exercise is a key step in understanding and managing your emotions effectively. Take your time, be honest with yourself, and remember that exploring your emotions is an important part of growth.

Cool Down

Emotional Check-In

This cool-down activity is designed to give you a moment to reflect on the session and assess how you're feeling after exploring your emotions. Take a few moments to answer the prompts below, which will help you gain clarity and plan for future moments when you need support.

Reflection Prompts

How do you feel right now?

Describe your current emotional state in a few words.
What was the most useful part of today's session?

Reflect on what helped you understand or manage your emotions.
What strategy would you like to use next time you're feeling overwhelmed?

Consider any of the techniques discussed, and decide on one that you feel will help you when similar situations arise.
What's one small goal you can set for yourself to continue managing your emotions effectively?

Plan a simple step you can take in the coming days to support your emotional wellbeing.

Future Planning

Journal: Write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal this week to track your emotional journey.
Discuss: If you feel comfortable, share your reflections with a trusted adult or counselor.
Practice: Remember that managing emotions is a process; any strategy you choose might take practice to feel effective.

By taking a moment to reflect, you are strengthening your ability to manage emotions and build resilience. Great job today, and remember, every step forward is progress!