Lesson Plan
Your Brain's Operating System
Students will be able to explain the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and identify the three components in a given scenario.
Understanding this connection is crucial for emotional intelligence and mental well-being, helping students manage emotional responses.
Audience
High School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through direct instruction, guided practice, and independent reflection.
Materials
Intro to CBT Slide Deck, My Cognitive Triangle Worksheet, and Scenario Cards Activity
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Intro to CBT Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the My Cognitive Triangle Worksheet for each student.
- Cut out and prepare the Scenario Cards Activity.
- Ensure projector/screen and markers/whiteboard are ready.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Hook: What's the Connection?
5 minutes
- Display a thought-provoking image or question related to emotions on the screen.
- Ask students: "Have you ever noticed how a simple thought can completely change your mood? Or how your feelings might make you act a certain way without even thinking?"
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging students to share their initial thoughts.
- Transition by saying: "Today, we're going to uncover the powerful connection between what you think, what you feel, and what you do, and how understanding this can give you more control over your reactions."
- Refer to Intro to CBT Slide Deck for visual aid.
Step 2
Introduce the Cognitive Triangle
10 minutes
- Use the Intro to CBT Slide Deck to present the Cognitive Triangle (Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors).
- Explain each component clearly, providing simple, relatable examples.
- Thoughts: What we think, automatic thoughts, core beliefs.
- Feelings: Our emotional responses (sadness, anger, joy, anxiety).
- Behaviors: What we do, our actions, reactions, or inactions.
- Emphasize the interconnectedness: how a change in one area impacts the others.
- Use the analogy of a triangle where each corner affects the others. Pose a few quick examples and ask students to identify a thought, feeling, or behavior.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Mapping Scenarios
8 minutes
- Distribute the My Cognitive Triangle Worksheet.
- Present one or two scenarios from the Scenario Cards Activity to the class.
- As a class, work through one scenario, identifying the thought, feeling, and behavior, and filling in the worksheet together.
- Encourage student participation and discussion, guiding them to see the links.
- Allow students to work in pairs or small groups on a second scenario on their worksheet, circulating to provide support.
Step 4
Independent Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask students to reflect on a recent personal experience (or a hypothetical one if they prefer not to share personal details) and apply the Cognitive Triangle to it using their worksheet.
- Remind them this is for personal reflection and they don't have to share.
- Circulate to answer any questions and provide guidance as needed.
Step 5
Wrap-Up: Key Takeaway
2 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask students to share one key takeaway about the Cognitive Triangle or how they might use this understanding in their daily lives (if they feel comfortable sharing).
- Reinforce the idea that understanding this connection is the first step towards managing their reactions and improving well-being.
- Conclude by emphasizing: "You have more power than you think over your emotional responses by understanding your brain's operating system!"
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Slide Deck
Your Brain's Operating System: Thoughts, Feelings, Actions
What's the connection between what you think, what you feel, and what you do?
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main idea: understanding how our inner world works. Use the hook from the lesson plan.
The Cognitive Triangle
A Model for Understanding Ourselves
- Thoughts: What we think
- Feelings: What we feel
- Behaviors: What we do
Introduce the Cognitive Triangle. Explain that CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is a therapeutic approach that uses this model. Emphasize that we're focusing on the core concept.
Thoughts: Your Inner Dialogue
What goes through your mind?
- Automatic thoughts
- Beliefs about yourself, others, and the world
- Interpretations of situations
Are your thoughts always facts?
Elaborate on 'Thoughts.' Give examples of different types of thoughts (e.g., 'I'm going to fail this test,' 'This is going to be fun,' 'They don't like me'). Explain how thoughts aren't always facts.
Feelings: Your Emotional Barometer
How do you feel?
- Emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, anxiety, excitement, frustration
- Physical sensations associated with feelings
- Feelings are a reaction to our thoughts and situations
Elaborate on 'Feelings.' Discuss a range of emotions and how they manifest physically and mentally. Ask students to name different feelings.
Behaviors: What You Do (or Don't Do)
How do you respond?
- Actions you take
- Reactions to events
- Even not doing something is a behavior
Behaviors are often influenced by our thoughts and feelings.
Elaborate on 'Behaviors.' Discuss actions, reactions, and even inactions. Give examples like studying, avoiding, confronting, smiling.
The Interconnected Web
It's a never-ending cycle!
- Thoughts influence Feelings
- Feelings influence Behaviors
- Behaviors influence Thoughts
Changing one part can impact the others!
Crucially, explain the interconnectedness. Use arrows to show how they influence each other. A thought can lead to a feeling, which can lead to a behavior, and that behavior can reinforce the original thought or create new ones.
Let's Try One Together!
Scenario:
You walk into a room and see a group of friends laughing. You immediately think, "They're laughing at me."
Thought?
Feeling?
Behavior?
Present a simple scenario and ask students to identify the components. This is a warm-up for the worksheet activity.
Your Turn! Apply the Triangle
My Cognitive Triangle Worksheet & Scenario Cards Activity
- Work through scenarios to identify Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors.
- Reflect on how these elements connect.
Explain the worksheet and the upcoming activity. Remind them they'll apply the triangle to different situations.
Key Takeaway: You Have Power!
Understanding the connection is the first step.
- You can learn to identify your thoughts.
- You can understand how they impact your feelings and behaviors.
- This awareness gives you choices!
Conclude with the main takeaway. Reinforce the power of self-awareness and how understanding this model can empower them.
Worksheet
My Cognitive Triangle Worksheet
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Understanding Your Brain's Operating System
The Cognitive Triangle helps us see how our Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors are all connected. Let's explore some scenarios!
Scenario 1: The Group Project Presentation
You have a big group project presentation tomorrow. You are worried about speaking in front of the class.
1. Thought: What goes through your mind when you think about the presentation?
2. Feeling: How do you feel when you have these thoughts about the presentation? (e.g., anxious, nervous, excited)
3. Behavior: What do you do, or want to do, because of these feelings and thoughts? (e.g., practice a lot, avoid eye contact, ask to be excused)
4. Reflection: How do your thought, feeling, and behavior in this scenario connect to each other?
Scenario 2: Social Media Post
You see a picture of your friends hanging out without you, and they didn't invite you.
1. Thought: What thought pops into your head when you see this?
2. Feeling: How does this make you feel?
3. Behavior: What might you do in response?
4. Reflection: How do your thought, feeling, and behavior in this scenario connect to each other?
Scenario 3: Your Own Experience (Independent Reflection)
Think about a recent situation where you experienced a strong emotion or reaction. Describe the situation briefly, then break it down using the Cognitive Triangle.
Situation:
1. Thought: What were your main thoughts in that situation?
2. Feeling: What emotions did you experience?
3. Behavior: What did you do or not do?
4. Reflection: How did your thought, feeling, and behavior connect in this personal experience? What did you learn about yourself?
Activity
Scenario Cards Activity
Instructions for Teacher: Print these cards and cut them out. You can use them for guided practice, small group discussions, or as additional scenarios for students to work through with their My Cognitive Triangle Worksheet.
Scenario Card 1
Situation: You get a test back and see a low grade. Your heart sinks.
What are your THOUGHTS?
What are your FEELINGS?
What are your BEHAVIORS?
Scenario Card 2
Situation: You ask someone to hang out, and they say they are busy without suggesting another time.
What are your THOUGHTS?
What are your FEELINGS?
What are your BEHAVIORS?
Scenario Card 3
Situation: You nailed a presentation in class and everyone clapped.
What are your THOUGHTS?
What are your FEELINGS?
What are your BEHAVIORS?
Scenario Card 4
Situation: You accidentally spill a drink on your new outfit right before an important event.
What are your THOUGHTS?
What are your FEELINGS?
What are your BEHAVIORS?
Scenario Card 5
Situation: You are trying to solve a difficult math problem and keep getting the wrong answer.
What are your THOUGHTS?
What are your FEELINGS?
What are your BEHAVIORS?
Scenario Card 6
Situation: A friend tells you they heard a rumor about you that isn't true.
What are your THOUGHTS?
What are your FEELINGS?
What are your BEHAVIORS?
Lesson Plan
Your Brain's Operating System
Students will be able to explain the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and identify the three components in a given scenario.
Understanding this connection is crucial for emotional intelligence and mental well-being, helping students manage emotional responses.
Audience
High School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through direct instruction, guided practice, and independent reflection.
Materials
Intro to CBT Slide Deck, My Cognitive Triangle Worksheet, and Scenario Cards Activity
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Intro to CBT Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the My Cognitive Triangle Worksheet for each student.
- Cut out and prepare the Scenario Cards Activity.
- Ensure projector/screen and markers/whiteboard are ready.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Hook: What's the Connection?
5 minutes
- Display a thought-provoking image or question related to emotions on the screen.
- Ask students: "Have you ever noticed how a simple thought can completely change your mood? Or how your feelings might make you act a certain way without even thinking?"
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging students to share their initial thoughts.
- Transition by saying: "Today, we're going to uncover the powerful connection between what you think, what you feel, and what you do, and how understanding this can give you more control over your reactions."
- Refer to Intro to CBT Slide Deck for visual aid.
Step 2
Introduce the Cognitive Triangle
10 minutes
- Use the Intro to CBT Slide Deck to present the Cognitive Triangle (Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors).
- Explain each component clearly, providing simple, relatable examples.
- Thoughts: What we think, automatic thoughts, core beliefs.
- Feelings: Our emotional responses (sadness, anger, joy, anxiety).
- Behaviors: What we do, our actions, reactions, or inactions.
- Emphasize the interconnectedness: how a change in one area impacts the others.
- Use the analogy of a triangle where each corner affects the others. Pose a few quick examples and ask students to identify a thought, feeling, or behavior.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Mapping Scenarios
8 minutes
- Distribute the My Cognitive Triangle Worksheet.
- Present one or two scenarios from the Scenario Cards Activity to the class.
- As a class, work through one scenario, identifying the thought, feeling, and behavior, and filling in the worksheet together.
- Encourage student participation and discussion, guiding them to see the links.
- Allow students to work in pairs or small groups on a second scenario on their worksheet, circulating to provide support.
Step 4
Independent Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask students to reflect on a recent personal experience (or a hypothetical one if they prefer not to share personal details) and apply the Cognitive Triangle to it using their worksheet.
- Remind them this is for personal reflection and they don't have to share.
- Circulate to answer any questions and provide guidance as needed.
Step 5
Wrap-Up: Key Takeaway
2 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask students to share one key takeaway about the Cognitive Triangle or how they might use this understanding in their daily lives (if they feel comfortable sharing).
- Reinforce the idea that understanding this connection is the first step towards managing their reactions and improving well-being.
- Conclude by emphasizing: "You have more power than you think over your emotional responses by understanding your brain's operating system!"