Understanding Our Emotions

Nicole Camp

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Understanding Our Emotions

Identifying Dysregulation

This lesson series aims to help 4th-grade students independently identify when they are dysregulated. Through a combination of activities, discussions, worksheets, and readings, students will learn to recognize their emotional states and develop strategies to manage them. This is crucial for their social-emotional development and will aid in creating a supportive classroom environment.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

8 Lessons, 30 Minutes Each

Approach

Blended Learning

Materials

Discussion Questions, Worksheet on Identifying Emotions, Reading on Emotional Regulation, Exit Ticket Template, Markers, Paper, Whiteboard, Video: Name the Emotion, and Parent/Caregiver Resource Tool

Step 1

Session 1: Introduction to Emotions

30 mins

Begin with a brief overview of the lesson's objective: understanding and identifying dysregulation.
Explain the importance of recognizing emotions and how it helps in daily life.
Conduct a simple activity where students draw faces showing different emotions.
Discuss what each face might be feeling and why.
Play an emotion charades game where students act out emotions for others to guess.

Step 2

Session 2: Recognizing Emotions

30 mins

Show the Name the Emotion video.
Encourage students to pay attention to the monster's facial expressions and body language to identify emotions.
Discuss the emotions shown in the video and relate them to personal experiences.
Have students create emotion masks to represent different feelings.

Step 3

Session 3: Understanding Dysregulation

30 mins

Use the discussion questions to guide a conversation about times when students felt dysregulated.
Encourage sharing and validate all feelings.
Introduce the concept of dysregulation and its signs.
Conduct a role-play activity where students practice calming techniques.

Step 4

Session 4: Identifying Personal Emotions

30 mins

Distribute the worksheet on identifying emotions.
Have students complete it individually, focusing on recognizing their own signs of dysregulation.
Share and discuss responses in small groups.
Create a personal emotion journal for students to track their feelings over a week.

Step 5

Session 5: Emotional Regulation Strategies

30 mins

Read a short passage on emotional regulation strategies.
Discuss how these strategies can be applied in real-life situations.
Role-play scenarios where these strategies can be used.
Create a class poster of regulation strategies to display in the classroom.

Step 6

Session 6: Practicing Emotional Regulation

30 mins

Review emotional regulation strategies discussed in the previous session.
Conduct activities that allow students to practice these strategies in a controlled environment.
Reflect on the effectiveness of each strategy.
Introduce a mindfulness exercise to help students focus and calm their minds.

Step 7

Session 7: Applying Emotional Knowledge

30 mins

Engage students in a group activity where they identify emotions in various scenarios.
Discuss how understanding emotions can improve interactions with others.
Encourage students to share personal stories of emotional regulation.
Create a skit or short play demonstrating emotional regulation in action.

Step 8

Session 8: Reflection and Assessment

30 mins

Ask students to write one thing they learned about their emotions today.
Collect the exit tickets as they leave.
Conduct a final discussion on the importance of emotional awareness and regulation.
Provide feedback and celebrate the progress made throughout the sessions.
Have students create a personal action plan for managing emotions in the future.

Discussion

Discussion on Dysregulation

A guided discussion to help students share experiences of feeling dysregulated and how they managed those feelings.

Can you think of a time when you felt out of control?

Encourage students to think about specific situations and what triggered their feelings.

What are some signs that you might be feeling dysregulated?

Guide students to identify physical and emotional signs.

How can we help ourselves feel better when we're dysregulated?

Discuss strategies like deep breathing, counting to ten, or talking to someone.

Worksheet

Worksheet on Identifying Emotions

This worksheet helps students identify and reflect on their emotions and signs of dysregulation.

List three emotions you felt today and what caused them.

Think about different times of the day and what you were doing.

Describe a time you felt dysregulated and how you knew.

Consider physical sensations or thoughts you had.

What is one strategy you can use to calm down when feeling dysregulated?

Think about what helps you feel better.

Reading

Reading on Emotional Regulation

A short reading passage that introduces students to basic emotional regulation strategies.

Emotional regulation is about managing your feelings so they don't overwhelm you. Some strategies include taking deep breaths, counting to ten, or talking to a friend. These can help you stay calm and think clearly.

Quiz

Exit Ticket on Emotions

Reading

Parent/Caregiver Resource Tool

A resource for parents and caregivers to support their children in recognizing and managing emotions at home.

Supporting Your Child's Emotional Development

Model Emotional Awareness: Share your own emotions with your child and explain how you manage them.
Create a Safe Space: Encourage open discussions about feelings without judgment.
Use Everyday Moments: Turn daily activities into opportunities to talk about emotions.
Practice Together: Engage in calming activities like deep breathing or mindfulness exercises with your child.
Reinforce Learning: Discuss what your child learned in school about emotions and how they can apply it at home.

By actively participating in your child's emotional education, you can help them develop the skills they need to navigate their feelings effectively.