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lenny

The Emotion Thermometer

Elizabeth

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Calibrating Your Emotion Thermometer Plan

Students will learn to gauge the intensity of their emotions, moving beyond 'good' or 'bad' to a more precise understanding of their internal state. This skill is foundational for effective emotional regulation and self-management.

Understanding the intensity of emotions is crucial for developing strong emotional regulation skills, improving self-awareness, and fostering healthier communication.

Audience

9th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and self-reflection.

Materials

Intensity Check Slide Deck, Quick Check-In Scale, My Emotional Barometer Worksheet, Whiteboard or projector, and Markers/Pens

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Calibrating Your Emotion Thermometer Plan and all linked materials: Intensity Check Slide Deck, Quick Check-In Scale, and My Emotional Barometer Worksheet.
  • Ensure a whiteboard or projector is available.
  • Have markers or pens ready for students.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Quick Check-In

5 minutes

  1. Distribute the Quick Check-In Scale to each student.
  2. Instruct students to privately rate their current overall emotional intensity on the scale provided.
  3. Briefly discuss a few anonymous responses if students are comfortable sharing, emphasizing that it's okay to feel different intensities.

Step 2

Introduction to Emotion Intensity

5 minutes

  1. Display the Intensity Check Slide Deck (Slide 1-3).
  2. Introduce the concept of "The Emotion Thermometer" – moving beyond simply 'happy' or 'sad' to understanding the strength of that feeling.
  3. Explain why gauging intensity is important for self-awareness and regulation.

Step 3

Group Activity: Emotion Scenarios

10 minutes

  1. Display the Intensity Check Slide Deck (Slide 4-5).
  2. Present a few emotion scenarios (e.g., 'You misplaced your phone', 'You aced a test you studied hard for', 'A friend said something unkind').
  3. For each scenario, ask students to discuss in small groups or as a class:
    • What emotion might you feel?
    • On a scale of 1-10, how intense would that emotion be for you? Why?
  4. Encourage them to use more descriptive words than just 'mild' or 'strong' (e.g., 'frustrated' instead of 'a little angry,' 'elated' instead of 'very happy').

Step 4

Individual Reflection: My Emotional Barometer

8 minutes

  1. Distribute the My Emotional Barometer Worksheet.
  2. Instruct students to complete the worksheet, reflecting on their own recent experiences and identifying emotions and their intensities.
  3. Emphasize that this is a personal reflection and there are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers.

Step 5

Wrap-up & Share

2 minutes

  1. Display the Intensity Check Slide Deck (Slide 6).
  2. Ask students to share one new insight they gained about their emotions or one way they plan to use their 'emotion thermometer' in the future.
  3. Reiterate that practice helps in becoming more attuned to emotional intensity.
lenny

Slide Deck

The Emotion Thermometer

How hot or cold are your feelings?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of understanding emotion intensity. Explain that today's lesson will help them become better at identifying the strength of their feelings.

Beyond Good or Bad

Emotions aren't just "good" or "bad." They have different strengths!

Think about "happy" – there's content, joyful, ecstatic!

Elaborate on how emotions exist on a spectrum, not just as binaries. Provide examples beyond 'happy' and 'sad' to show the nuances.

Why Intensity Matters

Knowing how strong an emotion is helps us:

  • Understand ourselves better
  • Choose the best ways to cope
  • Communicate our feelings clearly

Discuss the practical benefits of recognizing emotional intensity. Connect it to self-regulation and communication skills.

Your Personal Thermometer

Imagine a scale from 1 (mild tingle) to 10 (volcanic eruption).

Where do your feelings fall?

Introduce the 1-10 scale as a practical tool. Encourage students to visualize this scale for their own feelings.

Scenario Example

You just found out your favorite band is coming to town!

  • Mild excitement (2)?
  • Very excited (7)?
  • Absolutely thrilled (10)?

Present a clear scenario and guide students through thinking about how different people might experience different intensities of the same emotion.

Reflect & Gauge

How can you use your emotion thermometer today?

Conclude by encouraging ongoing self-reflection and the continued use of the 'emotion thermometer' in their daily lives.

lenny

Warm Up

Quick Check-In: My Emotional Scale

Instructions: Think about how you are feeling right now. On the scale below, circle the number that best represents the intensity of your overall emotion. There are no right or wrong answers. This is just for you to check in with yourself.

1 (Very Mild) - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 (Very Intense)

Briefly describe the main emotion you are feeling:


What makes you feel this intensity?





lenny
lenny

Worksheet

My Emotional Barometer: Gauging Intensity

Instructions: For each scenario below, identify the emotion you might feel and then rate its intensity on a scale of 1 (very mild) to 10 (very intense). Then, briefly explain why you chose that intensity.

Scenario 1: Missing the Bus

You woke up a little late and just missed your bus to school, meaning you'll be tardy for your first class.

Emotion(s) I might feel:


Intensity (1-10):


Why that intensity?





Scenario 2: Unexpected Compliment

A teacher pulls you aside and tells you how much they appreciate your participation in class and how much you've improved.

Emotion(s) I might feel:


Intensity (1-10):


Why that intensity?





Scenario 3: Group Project Hiccup

You're working on a group project, and one of your teammates isn't doing their part, putting the whole project at risk.

Emotion(s) I might feel:


Intensity (1-10):


Why that intensity?





My Own Scenario

Think about a recent situation where you felt a strong emotion. Describe the situation, the emotion, and its intensity.

Situation:





Emotion(s) I felt:


Intensity (1-10):


Why that intensity?





lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Calibrating Your Emotion Thermometer Plan

Students will learn to gauge the intensity of their emotions, moving beyond 'good' or 'bad' to a more precise understanding of their internal state. This skill is foundational for effective emotional regulation and self-management.

Understanding the intensity of emotions is crucial for developing strong emotional regulation skills, improving self-awareness, and fostering healthier communication.

Audience

9th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and self-reflection.

Materials

Intensity Check Slide Deck, Quick Check-In Scale, My Emotional Barometer Worksheet, Whiteboard or projector, and Markers/Pens

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Calibrating Your Emotion Thermometer Plan and all linked materials: Intensity Check Slide Deck, Quick Check-In Scale, and My Emotional Barometer Worksheet.
  • Ensure a whiteboard or projector is available.
  • Have markers or pens ready for students.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Quick Check-In

5 minutes

  1. Distribute the Quick Check-In Scale to each student.
  2. Instruct students to privately rate their current overall emotional intensity on the scale provided.
  3. Briefly discuss a few anonymous responses if students are comfortable sharing, emphasizing that it's okay to feel different intensities.

Step 2

Introduction to Emotion Intensity

5 minutes

  1. Display the Intensity Check Slide Deck (Slide 1-3).
  2. Introduce the concept of "The Emotion Thermometer" – moving beyond simply
lenny