Feelings Wheel Worksheet Emotion Decoder
FIELD RESEARCH LOG: UNDERSTANDING INNER MESSAGES
Subject:
Date:
"Emotions are like data points. They provide information about our environment and our needs. Your job is to decode the physical clues your body sends to identify the specific emotion behind the message."
Part 1: The Precision Wheel
Move from the general feeling (center) to the specific emotion (outer) to name exactly what you are feeling.
Core Emotion
SCARED
ANXIOUS INSECURE OVERWHELMED REJECTED
Core Emotion
SAD
HURT ISOLATED LONELY DISAPPOINTED
Part 2: Decoding Physical Clues
Emotion Label Where do you feel it? (Body Part) What does it feel like? (The Sensation) ANXIOUS ISOLATED OVERWHELMED DISAPPOINTED
Part 3: The Internal Body Scan
Map your sensations
Scanner Instructions:
Pick one emotion from Part 2.
Close your eyes and recall a time you felt that way.
Mark on the map where you notice heat, tension, or heaviness.
Reflect: How does identifying the physical sensation help you "decode" the message?
Why is it helpful to have a "precision" word (like 'Overwhelmed') instead of a "general" word (like 'Scared')?
Decoding Emotions Lesson Plan What's in a Feeling
Decoding Our Emotions • Lesson Plan
7th Grade • 35 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will be able to identify and label their own emotions, including the early signs of anxiety and sadness, and recognize the associated physical cues.
Materials
Decoding Our Emotions Slide Deck
Feelings Wheel Worksheet (1 per student)
Emotion Scenarios Discussion Cards
Pens/Pencils
1
Connect & Engage (8 Minutes)
The "Check-In": Display the intro slide. Ask students: "If your mood today was a weather pattern, what would it be?" (e.g., partly cloudy, thunderstorm, sunshine).
The Hook: Explain that emotions are like biological text messages from our brain. If we don't know the "language," we miss important info. Today, we're becoming "Emotional Decoders."
2
Explore & Practice (15 Minutes)
Slide Instruction (7 mins):
Define Emotional Granularity (the ability to be specific). Use the "Physical Cues Map" slide to show where we feel anxiety (stomach, chest) and sadness (throat, eyes, heavy limbs).
Feelings Wheel Activity (8 mins):
Distribute the Feelings Wheel Worksheet . Have students start from the core (Sad/Scared) and move outward to find three specific words that describe how they've felt this week. Encourage them to write the physical cue next to each word.
3
Reflect & Apply (12 Minutes)
Discussion Cards (8 mins):
Split students into groups of 3. Give each group an Emotion Scenarios Card . They must identify the "hidden" emotion in the story and list 2 body signals the character might be feeling.
Closing (4 mins):
One-minute silent reflection. "What is one 'early warning sign' your body gives you when you're starting to feel overwhelmed?" Share with a partner.
Support
Provide a "Physical Cues Word Bank" (e.g., shaky hands, lump in throat, racing heart) for the worksheet.
Extension
Ask students to write a short "Survival Guide" for one emotion, explaining what to do when they notice the physical cues.
Emotion Decoder Answer Key Teacher Resource
Emotion Decoder Answer Key
Guidance for Body-Emotion Connections
Part 1 & 2: Vocabulary & Physical Cues
Note: Physical sensations are subjective. These are common physiological patterns students may identify.
Anxious (Core: Scared) COMMON CUES
Location: Chest, stomach, hands.
Sensation: Racing heart, "butterflies" in stomach, sweaty palms, shallow breathing.
The Message: "Something might go wrong; I need to be alert."
Overwhelmed (Core: Scared) COMMON CUES
Location: Head, shoulders, eyes.
Sensation: Tightening in forehead, heavy weight on shoulders, feeling "frozen" or unable to focus.
The Message: "There is too much happening at once; I need to pause."
Isolated (Core: Sad) COMMON CUES
Location: Chest, throat.
Sensation: A "hollow" feeling in the chest, a lump in the throat, physical coldness.
The Message: "I am lacking connection; I need support or community."
Disappointed (Core: Sad) COMMON CUES
Location: Shoulders, face, stomach.
Sensation: Slumping posture, "sinking" feeling in the gut, heavy eyelids.
The Message: "My expectations weren't met; I need to process this loss."
Part 3: Reflection Guide
Q1: How does identifying physical sensation help you "decode" the message?
Sample Answer: It acts like an early warning system. By noticing a racing heart before I even realize I'm stressed, I can identify the emotion (Anxiety) and take steps to manage it before it gets too big. The body often knows the feeling before the brain names it.
Q2: Why is it helpful to have a "precision" word?
Sample Answer: "Scared" is broad. If I know I am specifically "Overwhelmed," the solution is to break tasks down. If I am "Insecure," I might need reassurance. Precision leads to better problem-solving and self-care.
Teacher Tip
Encourage students to use "I-statements" when describing sensations (e.g., "I notice a tightness in my chest"). Avoid labeling feelings as "good" or "bad"—they are all useful information.
Misconception
Students might think everyone feels emotions in the same place. Remind them that body maps are personal—some feel anxiety in their head, others in their stomach.
Decoding Our Emotions Slide Deck Trimmed Unit: Self-Awareness
What's in a
Feeling
Decoding the Body's Emotional Messages
The Weather Check-In
"If your mood today was a weather pattern, what would it be?"
Sunny
Rainy
Stormy
Breezy
Emotions = Messages
Emotions are biological text messages from your brain to your body.
If we don't know the code, we can't understand the message.
The Feelings Wheel
HAPPY SAD ANGRY SCARED DISGUSTED SURPRISED Core
The Precision Tool
Move from the CORE outward to name exactly how you feel.
SAD →
Lonely Disappointed
SCARED →
Anxious Overwhelmed
The Scared Code
Physical Signals:
Racing Heartbeat
"Butterflies" in Stomach
Feeling Hot or Sweaty
Tapping / Fidgeting
The Sadness Code
Physical Signals:
Burning or Heavy Eyes
Lump in the Throat
Heavy Limbs / No Energy
Wanting to withdraw
Precision Matters
The more specific we are about our feelings, the better we can manage them.
SAD
Basic Level
Lonely Grief Hurt Disappointed
Decoding Challenge
In Your Groups
1 Read your scenario card.
2 Identify the "Hidden Emotion".
3 Map 2 Physical Body Signals.
Silent Reflection
"What is one early warning sign your body gives when you're overwhelmed?"
01:00
Emotion Scenarios Discussion Cards Emotion Scenarios
Set A: Cases 001 - 004
Page 01
CASE #001
The Big Game
Marcus is standing on the sidelines. His coach just called his name to sub in. Suddenly, his palms feel clammy and his heart is thumping so loud he can hear it in his ears. He keeps tapping his cleats on the ground.
Discussion Questions
Hidden Emotion: Which specific word from the "Scared" list fits?Body Signals: List 2 cues mentioned in the story.
CASE #002
Forgotten Invite
Elena sees photos of her friends at the movies. She wasn't invited. She feels a heavy "sinking" feeling in her chest and her eyes start to sting. She just wants to curl up in bed and turn off her phone.
Discussion Questions
Hidden Emotion: Which specific word from the "Sad" list fits?Body Signals: What is her body telling her to do?
CASE #003
Group Project
Leo's group isn't doing work, and the deadline is tomorrow. He feels a tight knot in his stomach and his neck feels stiff. He can't stop checking the clock and his breathing is shallow.
Discussion Questions
Hidden Emotion: Is this just "stressed" or something more specific?Body Signals: How is his breathing changing?
CASE #004
The Bad Grade
Sam worked hard but got a D. When the teacher hands it back, Sam feels a "lump" in their throat and their face feels hot. They look down at the desk and don't want to talk.
Discussion Questions
Hidden Emotion: Is this Disappointment, Shame, or Hurt? Why?Body Signals: What is the "heat" in the face a signal of?
Emotion Scenarios
Set B: Cases 005 - 008
Page 02
CASE #005
Public Speech
Jordan has to give a presentation. As they walk to the front, their legs feel like jelly and their mouth is dry. They feel a "buzzing" energy in their fingers and can't stand still.
Discussion Questions
Hidden Emotion: Which "Scared" branch word fits best?Body Signals: What does "jelly legs" communicate?
CASE #006
Moving Friend
Avery's best friend is moving. Avery feels "empty" inside and has no appetite. Their limbs feel heavy, like they are walking through water and they have trouble focusing.
