Lesson Plan
Wellness Detectives Lesson Plan
Students will learn to recognize and express emotions in healthy ways, understand how these practices support mental wellness, and reflect on personal strategies to manage feelings.
Promotes emotional literacy, reduces stress, and equips students with self-awareness and healthy coping tools for lifelong wellbeing.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussions, partner sharing, and personal reflections.
Materials
- Chart Paper and Markers, - Emotion Expression Cards, - Mental Wellness Poster, and - Personal Awareness Reflection Sheet
Prep
Material Preparation
10 minutes
- Print enough Emotion Expression Cards so each pair of students has a set.
- Print one Personal Awareness Reflection Sheet per student.
- Display the Mental Wellness Poster on a visible wall or the board.
- Gather chart paper and markers and place them in the front of the room.
- Review the Wellness Detectives Lesson Plan to familiarize yourself with each step.
Step 1
Introduction and Icebreaker
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle and introduce the role of a “wellness detective.”
- Explain that detectives observe and use clues; today they will observe their emotions.
- Show the Mental Wellness Poster and review key terms: emotion, mental wellness.
- Ask students to share one clue (a feeling) they’ve experienced recently.
Step 2
Emotion Expression Exploration
10 minutes
- Divide students into pairs and give each pair a set of Emotion Expression Cards.
- Instruct pairs to take turns selecting a card, naming the emotion, and describing a situation when they felt it.
- Ask them to discuss one healthy and one unhealthy way they might express that emotion.
- Record examples on chart paper under two columns: Healthy Expressions vs. Unhealthy Expressions.
Step 3
Mental Wellness Discussion
5 minutes
- Review the chart lists and highlight top healthy strategies (e.g., talking to a friend, drawing, deep breathing).
- Refer back to the Mental Wellness Poster to reinforce how healthy expression supports overall wellbeing.
- Prompt students to explain why expressing feelings positively is beneficial.
Step 4
Personal Awareness Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute the Personal Awareness Reflection Sheet.
- Ask students to choose one healthy expression strategy they plan to use this week.
- Have them write down the emotion, the chosen strategy, and when they will practice it.
Step 5
Share and Closing
5 minutes
- Invite a few volunteers to share their reflection entries and strategies.
- Emphasize that being a wellness detective means noticing emotions and selecting healthy tools.
- Encourage students to look for clues in their feelings each day and apply their chosen strategies.
- Thank students for their detective work and remind them to use these skills regularly.
Slide Deck
Wellness Detectives
• Explore healthy ways to express emotions
• Understand mental wellness
• Develop personal awareness skills
Let’s solve the clues of our feelings!
Welcome students and introduce today’s theme. Explain that they are becoming Wellness Detectives investigating their feelings.
The Role of a Wellness Detective
• Observe your feelings like clues
• Ask questions: What am I feeling?
• Use tools to understand and manage emotions
Explain detective metaphor: detectives look for clues; we’ll look for clues in our emotions.
Key Terms
Emotion: A feeling such as joy, anger, or sadness.
Mental Wellness: Keeping your mind healthy by understanding and expressing emotions in positive ways.
Define key vocabulary. Ask students to give examples of each.
Mental Wellness Poster
[Visual of Mental Wellness Poster]
• Healthy expression supports wellbeing
• Strategies: talking, drawing, breathing
Display or refer to the Mental Wellness Poster. Point out images and key messages.
Icebreaker: Share an Emotion Clue
- Form a circle.
- Name one feeling you’ve had today (e.g., happy, worried).
- Describe a clue: heart racing, smiling, etc.
Lead the icebreaker. Encourage quick responses to get energy up.
Activity: Emotion Expression Cards
- Pair up and get a set of cards.
- Take turns: pick a card, name the emotion.
- Share when you’ve felt it.
Explain the card activity. Model one round with a volunteer.
Charting Expressions
• Healthy Expressions vs Unhealthy Expressions
• Examples:
– Healthy: deep breathing, drawing
– Unhealthy: shouting, pushing
Guide students to record examples on chart paper under two columns: Healthy vs Unhealthy.
Personal Awareness Reflection
On your sheet:
- Choose one healthy strategy.
- Write the emotion you’ll manage.
- Plan when you’ll use it this week.
Distribute reflection sheets and explain prompts. Walk around to support.
Share & Discuss
• Who will try deep breathing?
• Who will talk to a friend?
• How will you remember to practice?
Invite volunteers to share reflections. Celebrate their detective work.
Closing & Call to Action
• Keep observing your emotions.
• Use your chosen strategies.
• Continue being a Wellness Detective!
Wrap up and reinforce daily practice. Encourage using detective skills every day.
Activity
Emotion Expression Cards
Use these cards in pairs to explore different emotions and discuss healthy vs. unhealthy expressions. Print each card so students can hold and read them easily.
1. Happy
Describe a time you felt happy.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
2. Sad
Describe a time you felt sad.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
3. Angry
Describe a time you felt angry.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
4. Scared
Describe a time you felt scared.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
5. Excited
Describe a time you felt excited.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
6. Frustrated
Describe a time you felt frustrated.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
7. Nervous
Describe a time you felt nervous.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
8. Proud
Describe a time you felt proud.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
9. Jealous
Describe a time you felt jealous.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
10. Surprised
Describe a time you felt surprised.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
11. Calm
Describe a time you felt calm.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
12. Embarrassed
Describe a time you felt embarrassed.
• Healthy expression: ________________________
• Unhealthy expression: ______________________
Activity
Mental Wellness Poster
What Is Mental Wellness?
- Understanding and expressing your emotions in healthy ways.
- Keeping your mind balanced, calm, and strong.
Why It Matters
- Helps you feel focused and ready to learn.
- Supports better friendships and teamwork.
- Builds resilience when things get challenging.
Healthy Expression Strategies
- 💬 Talk to a friend or trusted adult.
- 🎨 Draw, color, or write about your feelings.
- 🌬️ Take deep breaths: In for 4, hold for 4, out for 4.
- 🤸 Move your body: walk, stretch, dance.
- 🌳 Use a quiet space or calm-down corner.
- 🙏 Practice gratitude: name 3 good things.
Be a Mental Wellness Detective! 🔍
- Observe your feelings like clues.
- Ask yourself: “What am I feeling right now?”
- Choose one strategy from this poster and try it today!
Poster by Wellness Detectives Lesson Plan
Worksheet
Personal Awareness Reflection Sheet
Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________
1. Emotion to Focus On
Which emotion will you pay attention to this week?
2. Healthy Strategy Chosen
Use one strategy from the Mental Wellness Poster. Which strategy will you practice?
3. When Will You Use It?
Describe a time or situation when you will practice this strategy.
4. How Will You Know It’s Helping?
What will you look for as a clue that your strategy is working?
5. Draw a Reminder
Sketch a picture or symbol that will remind you of your healthy strategy.
________________ DRAWING SPACE __________________
Detective Tip: Keep this sheet somewhere you can see it every day so you don’t forget to practice your strategy!