Lesson Plan
Think-Feel-Act Plan
Students will identify and map how their thoughts influence feelings and behaviors using a CBT Think-Feel-Act framework, then practice reframing unhelpful cognitions.
Building cognitive awareness helps Tier 2 group students recognize unhelpful thought patterns, improve self-regulation, and develop adaptive responses in daily life.
Audience
10th Grade Group
Time
35 minutes
Approach
Interactive mapping & scenario practice.
Materials
CBT Triangle Slides, Loop Mapping Exercise, Scenario Analysis Sheet, and Whiteboard and Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the CBT Triangle Slides to ensure familiarity with CBT concepts
- Print one copy per student of the Loop Mapping Exercise and Scenario Analysis Sheet
- Set up the whiteboard and ensure markers are ready
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Explain session objective: understanding how thoughts shape feelings and actions
- Define cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components in simple terms
- Display the CBT Triangle Slides and walk through slide 1
Step 2
Demonstration
5 minutes
- Choose a familiar scenario (e.g., test anxiety) and model the Think-Feel-Act mapping on the whiteboard
- Label each point clearly: Thought → Feeling → Action
- Highlight how altering the thought can change the loop
Step 3
Individual Mapping
10 minutes
- Distribute the Loop Mapping Exercise
- Instruct students to recall a recent situation and fill in their own thought-feel-act loop
- Circulate, offering prompts and Tier 2 support to deepen reflection
Step 4
Group Scenario Analysis
10 minutes
- Form small groups of 3–4 students
- Give each group a Scenario Analysis Sheet containing hypothetical situations
- Have groups identify each scenario’s thought-feel-act loop and brainstorm alternative, adaptive thoughts
Step 5
Debrief & Reflection
5 minutes
- Reconvene whole group, invite volunteers to share one insight or alternative thought
- Summarize common thought distortions and positive reframing strategies
- Encourage students to apply the Think-Feel-Act loop during the week
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Slide Deck
Understanding the CBT Triangle
The CBT Triangle illustrates how Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions are all connected. Change one point of the triangle, and the other points will shift too.
Welcome students! Today we’ll explore the CBT triangle and see how your thoughts influence feelings and behaviors. Use simple, relatable language and ask if anyone has heard of CBT before.
Components of the Triangle
• Thought: “I’ll fail my test.”
• Feeling: Anxiety, worry
• Action: Procrastination, avoidance
Point to each part of the triangle as you discuss it. Thought: the things we tell ourselves. Feeling: our emotions in response. Action: how we behave based on those emotions.
Thought–Feeling–Action Loop
[Diagram]
Thought → Feeling → Action → back to Thought
Show the loop diagram visually (draw or use whiteboard). Emphasize the cycle: a thought leads to a feeling, which drives an action, which can reinforce the original thought.
Example Scenario: Test Anxiety
Thought: “I’ll embarrass myself.”
Feeling: Stressed, overwhelmed
Action: Skip studying or cram at last minute
Walk through this test-anxiety example step by step. Ask students what other thoughts they might have in that situation.
Reframing Thoughts
Original Thought: “I’m going to fail.”
Reframed Thought: “I studied hard; I’ll do my best.”
New Feeling: Confident, calm
New Action: Review material, attempt questions
Demonstrate how reframing helps. Invite students to suggest more balanced, helpful thoughts.
In-Class Mapping Activity
• Take a recent stressful situation
• Write your Thought, Feeling, and Action
• Brainstorm an alternative, adaptive thought
• Share with your group
Explain the in-class activity. Remind them to use their Loop Mapping Exercise. Circulate to support reframing and note common distortions.
Activity
Think-Feel-Act Mapping Worksheet
Use this worksheet to explore how your thoughts influence your feelings and actions, and practice reframing unhelpful thoughts.
- Describe a recent situation where you felt stressed, upset, or worried:
- Original Thought: What was the main thought going through your mind at that moment?
- Original Feeling: What emotions did you experience? (e.g., anxious, sad, frustrated)
- Original Action: How did you behave or what did you do in response?
- Alternative (Reframed) Thought: Write a more balanced or helpful thought you could tell yourself.
- New Feeling: How might you feel after adopting this reframed thought?
- New Action: What positive behavior or coping strategy could you choose next time?
When you’re done, be prepared to share one insight about how changing your thought influenced your feeling and action! Feel free to refer back to the CBT Triangle Slides if you need a reminder of the model.
Worksheet
Scenario Analysis Sheet
Use this worksheet to apply the Think-Feel-Act loop to each hypothetical situation. In your group, read the scenario, then identify and record:
- Original Thought: What might the person be thinking?
- Original Feeling: What emotions arise from that thought?
- Original Action: How might they behave as a result?
- Alternative (Reframed) Thought: What is a more balanced or helpful thought?
- New Feeling: How could they feel after adopting the reframed thought?
- New Action: What positive behavior or coping strategy might they choose?
Refer to the CBT Triangle Slides if you need a reminder of the model.
Scenario 1: Classroom Presentation Anxiety
You have an important group presentation tomorrow. You think, “I’m going to freeze in front of everyone.”
Original Thought:
Original Feeling:
Original Action:
Alternative Thought:
New Feeling:
New Action:
Scenario 2: Social Media Comparison
You scroll through friends’ vacation photos and think, “They all have fun without me because I’m boring.”
Original Thought:
Original Feeling:
Original Action:
Alternative Thought:
New Feeling:
New Action:
Scenario 3: Disappointing Test Grade
You receive a grade lower than you expected on a math quiz and think, “I’m just not good at math.”
Original Thought:
Original Feeling:
Original Action:
Alternative Thought:
New Feeling:
New Action:
Scenario 4: Your Choice
Think of another situation you or someone you know recently experienced. Describe it briefly and then work through the loop.
Brief Description of the Situation:
Original Thought:
Original Feeling:
Original Action:
Alternative Thought:
New Feeling:
New Action:
After you finish, be ready to share one key insight about how shifting the thought influenced the feeling and the action!