Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Students will engage in guided mindfulness and reflective activities to identify, articulate, and journal their emotions, developing emotional self-awareness and regulation skills.
Building self-awareness and emotional literacy helps students recognize and manage feelings, fostering social-emotional growth, resilience, and better classroom focus.
Audience
K-12 Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Guided mindfulness, group sharing, and reflective journaling.
Materials
Mindful Me Slide Deck, Emotion Reflection Activity Sheet, Mindful Me Journal Template, and Mindfulness Timer (optional)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Print one copy per student of the Emotion Reflection Activity Sheet.
- Print one copy per student of the Mindful Me Journal Template.
- Load and review the Mindful Me Slide Deck.
- Test a timer or bell for mindfulness sessions.
- Familiarize yourself with key mindfulness prompts and discussion questions.
Step 1
Introduction & Grounding
10 minutes
- Project the opening slides of the Mindful Me Slide Deck and welcome students.
- Explain lesson objectives: exploring emotions through mindfulness and reflection.
- Establish classroom norms: respectful listening and confidentiality.
- Lead a brief grounding prompt: “Sit tall, close your eyes, and feel your breath.”
Step 2
Guided Mindful Breathing
10 minutes
- Cue Slide Deck breathing exercise: inhale for 4, hold 2, exhale 6.
- Use the timer to guide pacing (optional).
- After 3–4 cycles, ask students to notice any sensations or thoughts without judgment.
- Briefly debrief: "What did you notice?" (1–2 volunteers).
Step 3
Emotion Reflection Activity
15 minutes
- Distribute the Emotion Reflection Activity Sheet.
- Instruct students to review the emotion words and choose one they felt recently.
- Prompt them to draw a face or symbol representing that emotion and write a brief description of when they felt it.
- Afterward, pair students to share their drawings (2–3 minutes each).
Step 4
Group Discussion & Sharing
10 minutes
- Reconvene as a class and invite volunteers to share insights from their pair discussion.
- Use Slide Deck prompts: “What triggered your emotion?” “How did your body respond?”
- Encourage active listening and validate all contributions.
Step 5
Journaling Reflection
10 minutes
- Hand out the Mindful Me Journal Template.
- Ask students to complete sections: selected emotion, trigger, coping strategy, and one mindful goal.
- Circulate and offer support, reminding students this journal is for personal growth.
- Encourage honesty and self-compassion.
Step 6
Closing & Mindful Farewell
5 minutes
- Show closing slides summarizing key takeaways: awareness, reflection, and compassion.
- Lead a final group breath: inhale together, exhale together.
- Invite students to carry one mindful practice into their day and sign off with a deep collective breath.
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Slide Deck
Mindful Me: Self-Awareness and Reflection
Welcome! Today we’ll explore our emotions through mindfulness practices to build self-awareness and reflection.
Welcome students. Introduce yourself and the session title. Establish norms: respectful listening, confidentiality.
Lesson Objectives
• Identify and name your emotions
• Practice mindful breathing for awareness
• Reflect on triggers and coping strategies
• Journal insights for personal growth
Review each objective and why it matters. Connect objectives back to emotional growth.
Grounding Exercise
Sit tall and close your eyes.
Feel your body anchored to the ground.
Notice the natural flow of your breath.
Allow thoughts to come and go without judgment.
Lead a brief grounding: guide students to sit tall, close eyes, and notice breath for about 1–2 minutes.
Guided Breathing
Inhale quietly for 4 seconds
Hold gently for 2 seconds
Exhale smoothly for 6 seconds
Repeat this cycle 4 times
Introduce the breathe pattern. Use a timer or ring a bell for each cycle. After 4 cycles, prompt a quick check-in.
Emotion Reflection Activity
- Review the list of emotion words on your sheet.
- Choose one emotion you felt recently.
- Draw a face or symbol representing that emotion.
- Write a short description of when you experienced it.
Distribute the Emotion Reflection Activity Sheet now. Explain each step as you show this slide.
Pair Share
• Turn to a partner.
• Take 2–3 minutes each to share:
– The emotion you chose
– Why you felt it
Listen with curiosity and respect.
Pair students up. Remind them to listen actively and take turns. Walk around and support where needed.
Group Discussion
• Volunteers: What triggered your emotion?
• How did your body respond?
• What did you notice during the breathing exercise?
Invite a few volunteers to share with the whole class. Use probing questions to deepen reflection.
Journaling Reflection
In your journal, write:
- Selected emotion & trigger
- A coping strategy you can use
- One mindful goal for your day
Hand out the Mindful Me Journal Template now. Circulate to offer prompts and encouragement.
Key Takeaways
• Awareness: Notice and name your feelings
• Reflection: Understand what triggers them
• Compassion: Respond with kindness toward yourself
Summarize the key messages. Reinforce the link between noticing emotions and taking compassionate action.
Mindful Farewell
Let’s close with one deep breath together:
Inhale… Exhale…
Carry one mindful practice into your day.
Lead the class in a final collective breath. Thank students for their participation and encourage daily practice.
Activity
Emotion Reflection Activity
Name: ______________________ Date: _______________
1. Choose an Emotion
Circle one from the list below (or add your own):
Happy Sad Angry Afraid Surprised Excited Calm Frustrated Proud Anxious Other: __________
2. Draw It
In the box below, draw a face, symbol, or scene that shows how you feel when you experience this emotion.
3. Describe It
Write about a time you felt this emotion. Answer the questions below:
• When I felt this emotion: __________________________________________________
• What happened (the trigger): ________________________________________________
• In my body, I noticed: ______________________________________________________
4. Partner Share
Turn to a partner and take turns sharing your drawing and description. Listen actively and ask one question to learn more.
• My partner’s name: ____________________
• Something new I learned about my emotion: ___________________________________
Journal
Mindful Me Journal Template
Name: ______________________ Date: ________________ Class/Grade: __________
1. Today's Main Emotion
What is the primary emotion you experienced today? (e.g., happy, anxious, excited)
Answer: ________________________________________________________________
How intense was this emotion on a scale from 1 (low) to 10 (high)?
Scale: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 _______
2. Trigger Reflection
Describe the situation, thought, or event that triggered this emotion.
Response:
3. Body Sensations
What physical sensations did you notice? (e.g., tight chest, butterflies, warmth)
Response:
4. Thoughts & Self-Talk
What thoughts or self-talk accompanied this emotion? How did you interpret what happened?
Response:
5. Coping Strategies
What strategy did you use or could you use to manage this emotion? (e.g., breathing exercise, taking a break, talking to someone)
Response:
6. Mindful Practice Plan
Choose one mindful practice you will try next time you feel this way (e.g., mindful breathing, 5-4-3-2-1 grounding). Explain how you will use it.
Response:
7. Positive Takeaway or Gratitude
What is one positive thing you can focus on or something you are grateful for today?
Response:
8. Reflection
How can understanding and naming your emotions help you in the future?
Response: