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My Brain, My Mood

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Lesson Plan

My Brain, My Mood

Students will identify and locate the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus, explain their roles in emotions, and practice two simple coping strategies to support mental well-being.

Understanding how the brain regulates feelings empowers students to recognize emotions and use coping tools to foster resilience and mental health.

Audience

Grade 5

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive presentation and hands-on activities

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and introduce the word “emotion.”
  • Display Slide 1 of Emotion and Brain Slideshow showing different feelings.
  • Ask: “What emotions have you felt today? When?”
  • Record student examples on the whiteboard.

Step 2

Brain Regions Overview

10 minutes

  • Show slides on amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex with simple definitions.
  • Distribute Brain Diagram Handout.
  • As each region is described, have students locate and color it on their handout.
  • Differentiation:
    • Support: provide handouts with region labels already printed.
    • Extension: ask advanced students to research one extra brain region’s role and share in next class.

Step 3

Group Scenario Activity

15 minutes

  • Divide class into small groups of 3–4.
  • Give each group a Scenario Prompt Card (e.g., “You feel nervous before a test”).
  • Students discuss which brain region might be most active and why.
  • Groups record their answers on the back of the Brain Diagram Handout.
  • Circulate to prompt deeper thinking:
    • Which part helps you remember facts? (Hippocampus)
    • Which part notices danger? (Amygdala)

Step 4

Coping Strategies Practice

10 minutes

  • Introduce two coping strategies via slides: deep breathing and positive self-talk.
  • Hand out Coping Strategies Worksheet.
  • Model a 3-deep-breaths exercise together.
  • Students practice both strategies and note on the worksheet which they’d use in their scenario.
  • Encourage sharing one quick tip with a partner.

Step 5

Reflection & Closure

5 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share one brain region and one coping strategy they learned.
  • Summarize key points on the whiteboard: Brain part → Emotion; Strategy → Support.
  • Remind students these tools are available anytime they feel big emotions.
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Slide Deck

My Brain, My Mood

Welcome! Today we’ll explore how our brain helps us feel emotions and learn simple tools to support our mental health.

Greet students warmly. Introduce the lesson title and goals: exploring emotions and the brain.

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My Brain, My Mood • Lenny Learning