Lesson Plan
Unmasking Triggers Lesson Plan
Students will learn to identify their personal behavioral triggers and develop proactive strategies to manage these triggers before challenging behaviors escalate.
Understanding and managing triggers is a crucial life skill that empowers students to take control of their reactions, improve self-regulation, and build healthier relationships. This lesson helps students gain insight into their own patterns and develop preventative coping mechanisms.
Audience
7th Grade Small Group
Time
55 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided self-reflection, and practical strategy development.
Materials
Your Inner Warning System (Slide Deck)](#your-inner-warning-system-slide-deck), My Trigger Tracker Worksheet](#my-trigger-tracker-worksheet), and Proactive Plan Journal](#proactive-plan-journal)
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
Review the Unmasking Triggers Lesson Plan, Your Inner Warning System (Slide Deck), My Trigger Tracker Worksheet, and Proactive Plan Journal to familiarize yourself with the content and flow. Ensure all materials are accessible and ready for display or distribution.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction
10 minutes
• Begin by asking students: "Think about a time you felt really frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed. What was happening right before you started feeling that way?" Allow for a few brief shares, emphasizing that everyone feels these emotions sometimes.
• Introduce the concept of a 'trigger' using the Your Inner Warning System (Slide Deck) (Slide 1-3). Explain that triggers are like signals that tell our emotions to get ready for action.
Step 2
Exploring Triggers
20 minutes
• Display Slide 4 and facilitate a discussion: "What are some common things that might 'trigger' strong emotions in people?" (e.g., loud noises, feeling misunderstood, hunger, lack of sleep, difficult assignments, peer conflict).
• Transition to personal triggers. Distribute the My Trigger Tracker Worksheet. Guide students through the "Identify Your Triggers" section (Part 1). Encourage them to think about specific situations, thoughts, or feelings that often lead to strong emotional responses. Emphasize that this is a personal reflection and there are no right or wrong answers.
Step 3
Developing Proactive Strategies
15 minutes
• Display Slide 5-6. Discuss proactive strategies. "Now that we've identified some of our triggers, what can we do before we get overwhelmed?" Brainstorm ideas as a group (e.g., deep breathing, taking a break, talking to a trusted adult, listening to music, positive self-talk).
• Guide students to complete the "Proactive Strategies" section (Part 2) of the My Trigger Tracker Worksheet. Encourage them to choose strategies that are realistic and personally helpful for their identified triggers.
Step 4
Reflection & Planning
10 minutes
• Introduce the Proactive Plan Journal as a way to continue their self-reflection. Explain that consistent practice helps build these skills.
• Ask students to write down one key takeaway from today's lesson and one proactive strategy they are committed to trying this week.
• Conclude with a brief group share-out where students can voluntarily share one strategy they plan to use. Reiterate that building these skills takes time and practice.
Slide Deck
Your Inner Warning System
Have you ever felt a strong emotion suddenly take over?
What was happening just before that feeling started?
Greet students and start with the warm-up question from the lesson plan. Connect their responses to the idea of internal signals.
What's a Trigger?
• A trigger is anything that sets off a strong emotion or reaction within us.
• It can be a situation, a thought, a memory, or even a physical feeling.
• Think of it like a signal that tells your emotions, "Get ready! Something's happening!"
Introduce the term "trigger" clearly. Emphasize that it's a normal part of being human and not a weakness.
Triggers are Everywhere
Triggers can be:
External (outside of you):
• A loud noise
• Someone saying something mean
• A difficult test
• Feeling left out
Internal (inside of you):
• Feeling hungry or tired
• Worrying about something
• Remembering a tough experience
Provide a few examples that are relatable to 7th graders, both internal and external. Ask students to share a general example if they feel comfortable, without revealing personal information.
Unmasking Your Own Triggers
• To manage your reactions, you first need to know what your triggers are.
• This is about understanding you better!
• Let's use our My Trigger Tracker Worksheet to start identifying some of your personal warning signals.
Transition to the worksheet. Explain that identifying triggers is the first step to managing them. Guide them to begin the worksheet now.
Proactive vs. Reactive
• Reactive: Responding after the strong emotion has taken over (e.g., yelling when angry).
• Proactive: Doing something before the strong emotion gets too big (e.g., taking deep breaths when you start to feel frustrated).
Being proactive helps us stay in control!
After students have had time to work on the first part of the worksheet, bring them back to discussing proactive strategies.
Building Your Proactive Toolkit
What can you do when you start to feel triggered?
• Take 3 deep breaths
• Count to 10
• Go for a short walk
• Talk to a trusted friend or adult
• Listen to music
• Positive self-talk
• Ask for a break
Brainstorm with the class some healthy coping mechanisms before they start filling out the second part of their worksheet. Encourage variety.
Your Plan for Power
• Knowing your triggers and having strategies helps you feel more in control.
• Practice makes perfect! The more you use your proactive strategies, the easier it becomes.
• Use your Proactive Plan Journal to keep reflecting and building your skills!
Conclude by introducing the journal and reinforcing the importance of practice.
Worksheet
My Trigger Tracker Worksheet
Name: ____________________________
Part 1: Identify Your Triggers
Think about times when you've felt strong emotions like anger, sadness, anxiety, or frustration. What usually happens right before those feelings become really big? Try to be specific!
What happened? (Situation/Event)
What did you think or feel internally?
What emotion did it trigger?
How strong was the emotion (1=mild, 5=very strong)?
What happened? (Situation/Event)
What did you think or feel internally?
What emotion did it trigger?
How strong was the emotion (1=mild, 5=very strong)?
What happened? (Situation/Event)
What did you think or feel internally?
What emotion did it trigger?
How strong was the emotion (1=mild, 5=very strong)?
Part 2: Proactive Strategies
For each trigger you identified, think about what you could do or say before the emotion gets too overwhelming. These are your proactive strategies!
My Trigger:
My Proactive Strategy (What I will do/say BEFORE):
My Trigger:
My Proactive Strategy (What I will do/say BEFORE):
My Trigger:
My Proactive Strategy (What I will do/say BEFORE):
Journal
Proactive Plan Journal: Taking Control
Name: ____________________________
This journal is a space for you to continue reflecting on your triggers and practicing your proactive strategies. The more you think about and use these tools, the better you'll become at managing your emotions and reactions.
Journal Entry 1: My Most Important Trigger
Think about one trigger you identified that you want to focus on this week. Describe it in detail. What does it feel like when it starts? What thoughts usually pop into your head?
Journal Entry 2: Putting My Strategy to the Test
What proactive strategy will you try to use when you encounter the trigger you described above? How will you remind yourself to use it? When (or where) do you think you'll have the best chance to practice this strategy?
Journal Entry 3: Reflecting on My Progress
After trying your proactive strategy, how did it go? Did it help you manage your emotions? What did you learn about yourself? What might you try differently next time, or what new strategy could you add to your toolkit?
Journal Entry 4: A New Trigger, A New Strategy
Think about another trigger you've noticed recently. What is it? What new proactive strategy could you develop for this specific trigger? Be creative and consider what works best for you.