Why Do We Feel This Way?

Brittney Bullard

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Emotional Insight Plan

Guide 8th grade students who have experienced trauma to understand their emotions and reactions, fostering personal insight and emotional regulation.

This lesson helps students identify and manage emotional responses associated with trauma, promoting self-reflection and healthier coping strategies.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive and reflective activities.

Materials

Emotional Insight Plan, Understanding Emotions Slides, and Emotional Awareness Quiz

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Review the Emotional Insight Plan for session structure.
Familiarize yourself with the Understanding Emotions Slides to prepare for interactive discussions.
Check the Emotional Awareness Quiz to understand assessment criteria.
Plan to create a safe, supportive environment for sharing and discussion.

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion

5 minutes

Briefly introduce the session’s goal: understanding emotions in relation to trauma.
Encourage students to share thoughts and set ground rules for respectful discussion.

Step 2

Interactive Slides Activity

10 minutes

Use the Understanding Emotions Slides to explain various emotional responses.
Engage students with questions regarding personal experiences and emotional reactions.

Step 3

Self-Reflection via Quiz

10 minutes

Distribute and complete the Emotional Awareness Quiz to help students assess their feelings and triggers.
Discuss the quiz responses as a class, highlighting common themes and strategies.

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Reflection

5 minutes

Summarize key points from the session and address any remaining questions.
Reinforce the importance of emotional regulation and provide resources for further support.

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Slide Deck

Welcome to Understanding Emotions

Today, we're exploring how we feel and why, especially when it comes to difficult experiences like trauma. Let's work together to understand our emotional responses.

Introduce the deck by welcoming students and setting the tone for open discussion. Emphasize that it's a safe space to explore feelings and that all emotions are valid.

What Are Emotions?

Emotions are our body's way of responding to our experiences and environment. They can be positive, negative, or even mixed at times.

Explain the basic definition of emotions. Ask students to share what emotions mean to them. Encourage participation and validate their feelings.

Emotions and Trauma

Traumatic experiences can heighten our emotional responses and sometimes create feelings of confusion, sadness, or anxiety. Understanding these reactions is the first step toward healing.

Discuss how trauma can influence our emotional landscape. Outline that the session partly focuses on how past experiences might affect our present feelings.

Interactive Discussion

Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by your emotions. What did you do? How did it change your day? Let's talk about healthy ways to deal with these feelings.

Facilitate an interactive discussion. Ask thought-provoking questions that invite students to share their personal experiences if they feel comfortable, and promote peer support.

Reflection & Coping Strategies

Reflect on today’s discussion: How can understanding our emotions help us cope better? Explore strategies like deep breathing, talking to a trusted friend, or writing down your feelings.

Encourage reflection and introduce basic strategies for coping with difficult emotions. Summarize the key points and remind students of available resources.