Emotion Explorer Lesson Plan
Emotion Explorer Adventure
Lesson Plan • 20 Minutes • Ages 7+
Goal
Reduce tantrums and emotional dysregulation by identifying feelings and calm-down tools.
Approaches
Game-Based, Trauma-Informed, Collaborative Learning.
Materials
- Emotion Adventure Slides
- Printable Emotion Cards
- Exit Ticket
- Markers & Paper
Adventure Timeline
3 MIN
Mission Briefing (Intro)
Briefly discuss emotions: "What are they? Why do they matter?" Introduce the adventure theme. Explain that being an "Emotion Explorer" means understanding the weather inside our bodies.
3 MIN
Explorer Video Training
Watch "I Am" video on the slides. Tell students to look for faces and bodies that match how the characters feel. Use this to bridge visual cues to internal feelings.
10 MIN
Emotion Explorer Game
Distribute the Emotion Cards. Students pick a card and "act out" the feeling without words. Classmates guess the emotion.
Teacher Pro-Tip
For students with ADHD/ID, provide specific physical cues (e.g., "Show me big angry hands" or "Show me a small sad face").
2 MIN
Base Camp Discussion
Reflect: "What was the hardest emotion to guess? What do we do when a feeling gets too big?" Share one "Calm Down Tool" (like dragon breathing).
2 MIN
Exit Ticket & Badge
Students complete the Exit Ticket. Remind them: "Being an explorer means practicing every day!"
Support for All Explorers
Trauma-Informed Strategy
Ensure students know they can "pass" a card if it feels too intense. Maintain a calm, predictable environment. Validate every emotion expressed.
ADHD & Intellectual Disability
Use high-movement activities (the game). Provide visual aids (slides/cards). Use repetitive language for "Calm Down Tools."
Emotion Explorer Slides
Emotion Explorer
MISSION: FEELINGS!
Are you ready for an adventure? 🗺️
Mission Briefing
"Inside our bodies, we have many feelings. Some are big, some are small, but all of them are OK!"
1
Watch & Listen
2
Play & Move
3
Learn Calm-Down Tools
Explorer Video Training
Watch closely: How do the characters feel?
Embedded media
Game Time!
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- Pick a secret card.
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- Show the emotion with your body!
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- We will guess how you feel!
Remember: Keep your words in your pocket! 🤐
Explorer Toolbox
Dragon Breath
Breathe in deep, breathe out fire!
The Squeeze
Give yourself a big, tight bear hug.
Count to Five
Count slowly while tapping your toes.