Lesson Plan
The Emotional Thermometer: Understanding Intensity
Students will be able to recognize and quantify the intensity of their emotions using an emotional thermometer, identify personal emotional triggers, and apply appropriate coping mechanisms to manage varying levels of feelings.
Understanding and managing emotional intensity is crucial for developing healthy emotional regulation and self-management skills, leading to improved well-being and more constructive responses to challenges.
Audience
Middle School Students
Time
45-55 minutes
Approach
Interactive exploration and practical application.
Materials
- Slide Deck: Emotional Thermometer, - Activity: Emotional Scenario Cards, - Worksheet: My Emotional Check-in, - Whiteboard or large paper, and - Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Lesson Plan: The Emotional Thermometer and all linked materials.
- Print and cut out the Activity: Emotional Scenario Cards.
- Make copies of the Worksheet: My Emotional Check-in for each student.
- Ensure projector and computer are ready for the Slide Deck: Emotional Thermometer.
Step 1
Warm-up & Introduction (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion: "How do you know when you're feeling happy? How do you know when you're feeling really, really happy?" Introduce the concept of emotional intensity.
- Display Slide Deck: Emotional Thermometer - Slide 1 and introduce the idea of an 'emotional thermometer' as a tool.
- Facilitate initial brainstorming: What emotions might be at a 'low' level (1-3)? What about 'medium' (4-7)? 'High' (8-10)? Record responses on the whiteboard.
Step 2
Understanding the Emotional Thermometer (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Go through Slide Deck: Emotional Thermometer - Slides 2-5, explaining how different emotions can have varying intensities.
- Discuss examples of situations that might lead to a 2 vs. an 8 for anger or happiness.
- Introduce common emotional triggers (e.g., lack of sleep, conflict, success) using Slide Deck: Emotional Thermometer - Slide 6. Have students privately reflect on potential personal triggers.
Step 3
Activity: Emotional Scenario Cards (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups.
- Distribute the Activity: Emotional Scenario Cards to each group.
- Instruct groups to read each scenario and discuss:
- What emotion(s) might this person be feeling?
- Where would this emotion rank on their emotional thermometer (1-10)?
- What are some healthy coping strategies for this level of intensity?
- Circulate to support discussions and clarify concepts. Bring groups back together for a brief share-out of one or two scenarios.
Step 4
Worksheet & Wrap-up (10-15 minutes)
10-15 minutes
- Distribute the Worksheet: My Emotional Check-in.
- Have students complete the worksheet individually, reflecting on their own emotional responses and potential coping mechanisms.
- Conclude by emphasizing that recognizing emotional intensity is the first step towards better emotional management. Highlight that it's okay to feel strong emotions, and that learning to manage them is a lifelong skill. Refer to Slide Deck: Emotional Thermometer - Slide 7.
Slide Deck
How Hot (or Cool) Are Your Feelings?
Understanding Emotional Intensity
- Have you ever felt a little annoyed?
- Have you ever felt furious?
Both are anger, but one is much 'hotter'!
Greet students. Ask how they know if they're 'a little happy' versus 'super happy.' Introduce the idea that emotions have different strengths.
The Emotional Thermometer
A Tool for Understanding Your Feelings
- Imagine a thermometer, but instead of temperature, it measures the intensity of your emotions.
- 1-3 (Cool/Low): Mild, manageable feelings.
- 4-7 (Warm/Medium): Noticeable, might need some attention.
- 8-10 (Hot/High): Very strong, might feel overwhelming.
Explain the thermometer concept: a visual way to rate how strong an emotion feels. Emphasize there's no 'right' or 'wrong' level, it's about recognition.
Sadness: From Drizzle to Downpour
Emotional Levels of Sadness
- 1-3 (Mild Sadness): Feeling a little down, disappointed.
- Example: Your favorite show ended.
- 4-7 (Moderate Sadness): Feeling blue, tearful.
- Example: Missing a friend who moved away.
- 8-10 (Intense Sadness): Deep grief, despair.
- Example: Experiencing a significant loss.
Give examples for a common emotion like 'Sadness'. Ask students for examples of what a '1' sadness might feel like versus a '9'.
Anger: From Annoyed to Enraged
Emotional Levels of Anger
- 1-3 (Mild Annoyance): Slightly bothered, irritated.
- Example: Someone cuts in line.
- 4-7 (Moderate Anger): Frustrated, agitated.
- Example: Arguing with a sibling.
- 8-10 (Intense Rage): Furious, uncontrollable.
- Example: Feeling deeply wronged or betrayed.
Give examples for 'Anger'. Discuss how a low level might be easy to ignore, but a high level can lead to impulsive actions if not managed.
Happiness: From Content to Ecstatic
Emotional Levels of Happiness
- 1-3 (Mild Contentment): Pleased, calm.
- Example: Enjoying a sunny day.
- 4-7 (Moderate Happiness): Joyful, excited.
- Example: Hanging out with good friends.
- 8-10 (Intense Ecstasy): Overjoyed, thrilled.
- Example: Achieving a major personal goal.
Provide examples for a positive emotion like 'Happiness'. Show that even positive emotions have varying intensities and that it's good to recognize them too.
What Lights Your Fire (or Chills You Out)?
Identifying Emotional Triggers
-
A trigger is something that causes an emotional reaction.
-
Common Triggers:
- Lack of sleep
- Hunger
- Stress from school/friends
- Feeling misunderstood
- Success or praise
- Surprise events
-
Think about what might trigger a strong emotion for you.
Discuss common triggers. Ask students to think about their own, but emphasize they don't need to share. This helps personalize the concept.
Your Emotional Superpower!
Why is This Important?
- Recognizing the intensity of your emotions helps you choose the right coping strategy.
- A small worry (a '2') needs a different response than panic (an '8').
- Learning this skill helps you manage your emotions, not let them manage you!
Summarize the lesson. Reiterate that identifying intensity is key to choosing the right coping strategy. Encourage continued self-awareness.
Activity
Emotional Scenario Cards
Instructions: In your small group, read each scenario card. Discuss the following questions for each card:
- What emotion(s) might the person in the scenario be feeling?
- Where would this emotion rank on the Emotional Thermometer (1-10)? Why?
- What are some healthy coping strategies that could be used for this level of emotional intensity?
Scenario 1: Lost Homework
You stayed up late finishing your science project, but when you go to turn it in, you realize you left it on your kitchen table at home. Your teacher says you can't turn it in late.
Scenario 2: Perfect Score!
You studied really hard for a big math test, and when the results come back, you see you got a perfect score! Your teacher praises your effort in front of the class.
Scenario 3: Lunch Table Drama
You walk into the cafeteria and see your best friend laughing and sitting with a new group of kids, and they don't even seem to notice you. You feel a pang in your stomach.
Scenario 4: Broken Promise
Your older sibling promised to take you to the movies this weekend, but at the last minute, they say they made other plans and can't go. You were really looking forward to it.
Scenario 5: Group Project Frustration
Your group for a history project isn't pulling their weight. You've tried to get everyone organized, but two members are constantly distracted and not contributing their fair share, and the deadline is tomorrow.
Scenario 6: Unexpected Compliment
A classmate you don't talk to much comes up to you and says they really liked your idea in class today and thought it was super smart.
Scenario 7: A Tough Loss
Your sports team played their hardest, but in the final seconds, the opposing team scored, and you lost the championship game. Everyone is quiet and disappointed.
Scenario 8: Amazing News!
Your family tells you that you are going on a surprise trip to your absolute dream destination next summer! You can barely contain your excitement.
Worksheet
My Emotional Check-in: Understanding My Thermometer
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________
Part 1: My Emotional Thermometer
Think about the Emotional Thermometer we discussed (1-10, where 1-3 is low, 4-7 is medium, and 8-10 is high).
-
Describe a time recently when you felt an emotion at a low intensity (1-3).
- What was the emotion?
- What happened?
- How did it feel in your body?
- What was the emotion?
-
Describe a time recently when you felt an emotion at a medium intensity (4-7).
- What was the emotion?
- What happened?
- How did it feel in your body?
- What was the emotion?
-
Describe a time recently when you felt an emotion at a high intensity (8-10).
- What was the emotion?
- What happened?
- How did it feel in your body?
- What was the emotion?
Part 2: My Emotional Triggers and Coping Strategies
-
Thinking about your own experiences, what are some things that tend to trigger a strong emotional response (positive or negative) for you?
-
What are some healthy ways you currently cope when you feel emotions at a medium intensity (4-7)?
-
What are some strategies you could try when you feel emotions at a high intensity (8-10) to help you calm down or manage the feeling?
Part 3: Reflection
Why do you think it is important to be able to recognize the different intensities of your emotions?