Lesson Plan
More Than Words
Students will be able to identify and write about the specific thoughts and feelings connected to the stressful event they described in the previous session.
Understanding the interplay between events, thoughts, and feelings is crucial for developing emotional intelligence and self-regulation. This lesson provides a framework for students to articulate their inner experiences more precisely.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through guided instruction, modeling, and independent practice.
Materials
Prep
Review Materials and Prepare
10 minutes
- Review the More Than Words Lesson Plan to ensure familiarity with objectives and activities.
- Familiarize yourself with the Deeper Dive Slide Deck and practice the transitions.
- Print or prepare for digital distribution the Thoughts & Feelings Map Worksheet.
- Read through Guided Writing Script 2 to internalize key phrases and instructions for the guided practice.
Step 1
Hook: Feel-o-meter Check-in
5 minutes
- Project Slide 2 of the Deeper Dive Slide Deck.
- Introduce the concept of a "Feel-o-meter" or a quick check-in for emotions.
- Ask students to privately rate their current emotional state on a scale (e.g., 1-5, 1 being low, 5 being high energy/positive).
- Briefly discuss how feelings can change throughout the day and how noticing them is a first step to understanding ourselves. Transition by saying, "Today, we're going to dive deeper into understanding these feelings and the thoughts that go with them."
Step 2
Introduce & Model: Thoughts vs. Feelings
10 minutes
- Project Slide 3 and 4 of the Deeper Dive Slide Deck.
- Using Guided Writing Script 2, introduce the distinction between thoughts and feelings.
- Provide clear examples (e.g., "I feel sad" vs. "I think this is unfair").
- Model how to use the "Thoughts & Feelings Map" using a hypothetical neutral or slightly positive event. Emphasize identifying specific feelings (e.g., frustrated, relieved, confused) beyond general happy/sad, and automatic thoughts (e.g., judgments, predictions).
- Distribute the Thoughts & Feelings Map Worksheet or direct students to open it digitally.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Mapping an Event
10 minutes
- Project Slide 5 of the Deeper Dive Slide Deck.
- Guide students through filling out their own Thoughts & Feelings Map Worksheet using the stressful event they identified in the previous session.
- Use prompts from Guided Writing Script 2 to encourage them to identify specific feelings and automatic thoughts related to that event.
- Circulate and provide individual support, prompting students with questions like, "What exact feeling word describes this?" or "What thoughts popped into your head right then?"
- Reassure students that there are no right or wrong answers, and the goal is self-awareness.
Step 4
Independent Practice: Journal Reflection (Homework)
0 minutes
- Introduce the idea of continued self-reflection.
- Assign a journal reflection as homework, asking students to choose another event from their day and apply the Thoughts & Feelings Map concept independently. No specific material for this step is provided in the prompt, so I will describe it as a homework assignment. They can use the same worksheet or a blank page.
Step 5
Debrief: Quick Share & Self-Compassion
5 minutes
- Project Slide 6 of the Deeper Dive Slide Deck.
- Ask for a few volunteers to share one new feeling word or one new thought they identified (without sharing the event details if they prefer).
- Emphasize the importance of self-compassion when exploring difficult feelings and thoughts. Remind students it's okay to feel what they feel and think what they think, and that this exercise is about understanding, not judging.
- Collect the Thoughts & Feelings Map Worksheet for review if desired.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
More Than Words: Exploring Thoughts and Feelings
What's going on inside?
Take a moment to check in with yourself. On a scale of 1-5, how are you feeling right now? (1 = low energy/negative, 5 = high energy/positive)
No need to share, just notice.
Today, we'll learn how to explore those feelings and the thoughts that come with them!
Welcome students and introduce the day's focus. Explain that understanding our inner world is a powerful skill. Ask them to think about their current mood or energy level. This is a quick, low-stakes check-in to get them in touch with their emotions.
Feelings: Your Inner Signals
What are feelings?
- One-word descriptions of our emotional state (e.g., happy, sad, angry, surprised, confused, frustrated)
- They tell us how we are reacting to something
- They often come with physical sensations
Example: When I feel anxious, my stomach might feel tight.
Can you think of a feeling word that isn't happy or sad?
Introduce the idea that feelings are signals. Provide examples of common feelings and how they might feel in the body. Emphasize that feelings are often single words.
Thoughts: Your Inner Storyteller
What are thoughts?
- The sentences or phrases that run through our minds
- They are our interpretations, judgments, predictions, or memories
- Often start with "I think...", "I believe...", "It's unfair that..."
Example: I feel frustrated because I think this task is impossible.
How is a thought different from a feeling?
Introduce thoughts as the 'story' we tell ourselves. Explain they are often sentences or phrases. Give clear examples differentiating thoughts from feelings. Use the script to guide this part.
Mapping Your Inner World
Let's connect the dots.
Remember the stressful event you thought about last time?
Today, we'll use the "Thoughts & Feelings Map Worksheet" to explore:
- The feelings you experienced.
- The thoughts that went through your mind.
This slide sets up the guided practice. Remind students of the stressful event they identified in the previous session. Explain they will use the worksheet to map their thoughts and feelings.
Reflect & Empower
What's one new feeling or thought you identified today?
Remember: All your feelings and thoughts are valid. This exercise is about understanding yourself better, not judging yourself. Be kind to your mind!
Briefly summarize the learning and reinforce the idea of self-compassion. Ask for quick shares (one word or phrase) to encourage participation without deep disclosure.
Worksheet
Thoughts & Feelings Map
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
The Event:
Briefly describe the stressful event you are focusing on today. (Remember, this is from our previous session!)
My Feelings During the Event:
List all the specific feelings you experienced during or immediately after the event. Try to use more than just "sad" or "angry." Think about how your body felt too!
- I felt ____________________________
- I felt ____________________________
- I felt ____________________________
- I felt ____________________________
- I felt ____________________________
My Thoughts During the Event:
What were the automatic thoughts, sentences, or phrases that ran through your mind during or immediately after the event? These could be judgments, predictions, questions, or beliefs.
- I thought ____________________________
- I thought ____________________________
- I thought ____________________________
- I thought ____________________________
- I thought ____________________________
Reflection (Optional):
What did you learn about the connection between events, your feelings, and your thoughts from completing this map?
Script
Guided Writing Script: More Than Words
Hook: Feel-o-meter Check-in (5 minutes)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! To start our session today, I want us to do a quick 'feel-o-meter' check-in. This is just for you, no need to share aloud. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is low energy or feeling a bit down, and 5 is high energy or feeling really positive, silently rate where you are right now. Just notice it. How many of you found that your feeling changed even in the last hour? It’s amazing how our feelings can shift! Today, we’re going to dive deeper into understanding these feelings and the thoughts that often go along with them. It's like becoming a detective of your own inner world!"
Introduce & Model: Thoughts vs. Feelings (10 minutes)
(Display Slide 3: Feelings: Your Inner Signals)
"Let's kick things off by making sure we're clear on the difference between thoughts and feelings. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they are actually very different, and understanding the difference is a superpower for understanding yourself.
Feelings are those one-word descriptions of our emotional state. They tell us how we are reacting to something. Think of words like: happy, sad, angry, surprised, confused, frustrated, anxious, excited, calm, overwhelmed, relieved. Sometimes, when we feel them, there are even physical sensations in our body. For example, when I feel anxious, my stomach might feel tight, or my heart might beat faster. When I feel excited, I might have a lot of energy and want to move around.
Can anyone give me an example of a feeling word that isn't just 'happy' or 'sad'?"
(Pause for student responses, affirm and expand as needed.)
(Display Slide 4: Thoughts: Your Inner Storyteller)
"Now, thoughts are different. Thoughts are the actual sentences or phrases that run through our minds. They are our brain's way of interpreting what's happening, making judgments, predictions, or remembering things. Thoughts often start with phrases like: 'I think...', 'I believe...', 'It's unfair that...', 'What if...', 'I should have...'.
Let's try an example. If I feel frustrated, a thought that might go with it could be: 'I think this task is impossible.' See the difference? The feeling is 'frustrated,' and the thought is 'this task is impossible.'
How would you explain the difference between a thought and a feeling to a friend?"
(Pause for student responses, guide them to articulate the distinction.)
"Great! Now we're going to put this into practice using our 'Thoughts & Feelings Map Worksheet.' Please get out your worksheet or open the digital version."
Guided Practice: Mapping an Event (10 minutes)
(Display Slide 5: Mapping Your Inner World)
"Alright, everyone. Remember that stressful event you thought about in our last session? Today, we're going to use that event as our starting point for this map.
First, in the 'The Event' section, briefly describe that stressful event. Just enough detail for you to remember it clearly. What happened? Who was involved? Where were you?"
(Give students a moment to write.)
"Now, let's move to the 'My Feelings During the Event' section. I want you to really think back to that moment. What specific emotions did you experience? Try to dig deeper than just 'sad' or 'angry.' Were you frustrated? Confused? Overwhelmed? Disappointed? Write down as many specific feeling words as you can that describe your experience. How did your body react? Did your shoulders tense? Did your stomach feel queasy?"
(Circulate the room, offering individual support and prompting questions. "What exact feeling word fits that?" "What was the strongest feeling?")
"Okay, fantastic. Now, for the 'My Thoughts During the Event' section. This is where we capture those 'inner sentences.' What thoughts popped into your head during or immediately after that event? These are often automatic, quick thoughts. Were you making a judgment? Predicting something bad? Questioning yourself or others? For example, if you felt angry, maybe a thought was, 'This isn't fair!' or 'They always do this to me.' Write down those specific thoughts as sentences or phrases."
(Circulate again, providing support. "What was the first thing you thought?" "What story was your mind telling you about what happened?")
"Excellent work, everyone. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers here. The goal is to simply notice and understand what's happening inside you. This is about building your self-awareness muscles."
Debrief: Quick Share & Self-Compassion (5 minutes)
(Display Slide 6: Reflect & Empower)
"To wrap up, I'd love for a few volunteers to share just one new feeling word or one new thought they identified today. You don't have to share the event details if you don't want to. What's something new you noticed about your inner experience?"
(Allow 2-3 students to share briefly.)
"Thank you for sharing. As we continue to explore our thoughts and feelings, it’s really important to remember something called self-compassion. This means being kind to yourself, even when you identify difficult feelings or critical thoughts. It’s okay to feel what you feel, and it’s okay to have thoughts that aren't always positive. This exercise is about understanding yourself better, not judging yourself. The more you practice this, the better you'll get at navigating your inner world. Keep practicing and keep being kind to your mind!"
(Collect worksheets if desired, or assign them for completion.)