Emotional Check-In Lesson Plan Emotional Check-In
Classroom Tier 1 Lesson Plan • 7th Grade
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will learn to identify and express a range of emotions, understand the value of emotional literacy, and explore initial coping strategies for self-regulation.
Why This Matters
Understanding and managing emotions is a foundational skill for mental well-being, building healthy relationships, and navigating daily challenges in the middle school environment.
Preparation
Review "Are You Feeling It?" Slide Deck.
Print "My Mood Meter" Activity Sheets (1 per student).
Print "Emotional Exit Ticket" (1 per student).
Set up projector and screen.
Are You Feeling It? Slide Deck My Mood Meter Activity Sheet Emotional Exit Ticket
Instructional Steps
5m
Warm-Up: How Are We Feeling?
Display the title slide. Facilitate a brief class discussion about emotions. Ask students to share one word that describes how they are feeling today. No explanation needed yet—just the word. Use the Emotional Warm-Up prompts for guidance.
5m
Introduction: Why Talk About Emotions?
Transition to the "Why Talk About Our Emotions?" slide. Discuss emotional literacy. Explain that emotions are natural data points about our environment and ourselves. Refer to the Emotional Check-In Script for specific talking points.
10m
Activity: My Mood Meter
Distribute the My Mood Meter Activity Sheet . Guide students through mapping their emotions—thinking about physical sensations and internal thoughts. Prompt them to identify a coping strategy for one specific emotion.
5m
Share & Discuss
Invite voluntary sharing of identified emotions or coping strategies. Emphasize that seeking help from a trusted adult is always a valid and strong choice.
5m
Cool-Down: Emotional Exit Ticket
Distribute the Emotional Exit Ticket . Students reflect on one new learning and one practical strategy. Collect these as they leave for assessment and to gauge student well-being.
Are You Feeling It Slides Emotional Check-In
What's Your Vibe Today?
🔥
✨
🌱
🌊
"It's okay to feel whatever you feel!"
TEACHER NOTES: Welcome students and introduce the topic of understanding emotions. Keep it light and encouraging. Ask a quick warm-up question: 'If your current feeling was a weather condition, what would it be?'
Why Talk About Emotions?
1
Understand ourselves better and why we react.
2
Connect with friends, family, and classmates.
3
Handle tough situations with more confidence.
4
Feel more in control of your daily life.
"Emotions are like data points—they tell us something about our world."
TEACHER NOTES: Explain why discussing emotions is important. Emphasize that all emotions are valid and serve a purpose. Connect it to daily life – how understanding feelings helps with friendships, schoolwork, and problem-solving.
What's Your Zone?
😤
High Energy
Unpleasant
🤩
High Energy
Pleasant
😔
Low Energy
Unpleasant
😌
Low Energy
Pleasant
Emotions are a spectrum—not just "good" or "bad."
TEACHER NOTES: Introduce the idea of a 'mood meter' or spectrum of emotions. Explain that emotions aren't just 'good' or 'bad' but exist on a continuum. You might use colors (red for intense, yellow for happy/alert, blue for sad/calm, green for focused/content) as an analogy.
Feeling Words
Joyful
• Excited
• Proud
• Inspired
Frustrated
• Annoyed
• Angry
• Impatient
Anxious
• Worried
• Nervous
• Overwhelmed
Calm
• Content
• Peaceful
• Focused
Curious
• Surprised
• Bored
• Interested
What other words do you know?
TEACHER NOTES: Provide examples of various emotions. Encourage students to think beyond 'happy' and 'sad'. Ask them for other examples they know. This is a good place to mention that physical sensations often accompany emotions.
Time to Reflect!
📝
My Mood Meter Worksheet
Draw or write what different emotions feel like for YOU.
🧘
Coping Strategies
Think of one healthy way to manage a tough feeling.
🤫
Personal Space
There are no right or wrong answers—be honest with yourself.
TEACHER NOTES: Explain the activity clearly. Reiterate that there's no right or wrong answer and it's a personal reflection. Guide them to think about how different feelings show up in their bodies or what they tend to do when they feel a certain way.
🚀
You Got This!
Emotional awareness is a superpower. Keep practicing!
Always okay to talk to a trusted adult.
TEACHER NOTES: Conclude by emphasizing the importance of recognizing and validating feelings. Encourage students to use the strategies they learned or seek help if needed. Reassure them that emotional growth is a journey.
Emotional Check-In Script Resource Teacher Resource Script
"What's Your Vibe?" Script
Use this script as a guide for facilitating the Emotional Check-In lesson. Bold text indicates direct speech, while bracketed text provides instructional cues.
1. Warm-Up: How Are We Feeling?
5 Minutes
Slide 1: Title Slide
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Let's start our session today with a quick 'emotional check-in.' Look at the slide. We all have feelings, and they change all the time. Today, I want us to acknowledge how we're feeling right now."
"I'm going to ask you to think of ONE WORD that describes how you are feeling in this very moment. You don't need to explain why, just one word. We'll go around the room, or you can just jot it down if you prefer not to share aloud. Let's hear some of those words. I'll start: I'm feeling 'optimistic'."
[Allow students to share. Encourage participation but don't force it. Briefly acknowledge responses without judgment.]
"Thank you for sharing, everyone. It's really helpful to pause and notice what's going on inside."
2. Introduction: Why Talk About Emotions?
5 Minutes
Slide 2: Why Talk?
"Now, you might be wondering, 'Why are we talking about this in school?' Take a look at this slide."
"Talking about our emotions is a super important skill. It helps us understand ourselves and why we react the way we do. Think about it: when you understand why you're feeling frustrated, it's easier to figure out what to do about it, right?"
"Emotions are NOT 'good' or 'bad'; they're just information. Like a signal light on a car telling you something important."
3. Activity: My Mood Meter
10 Minutes
Slides 3 & 4
"Okay, let's explore this. Emotions are like colors on a spectrum. They can be really intense, or very calm. They can feel pleasant, or unpleasant, but they always give us information."
"I'm handing out an activity sheet called the 'My Mood Meter.' On this sheet, I want you to take some time to reflect. You can draw or write what different emotions feel like to YOU."
"For example, when you feel 'angry,' where do you feel it in your body? What thoughts come with it? Then, pick one and think of a COPING STRATEGY—a healthy way to handle that feeling."
[Circulate, offer assistance, and encourage thoughtful reflection. Remind them there are no wrong answers.]
4. Share & Wrap-Up
10 Minutes
Slide 6: You Got This!
My Mood Meter Activity Sheet My Mood Meter
Emotional Awareness Activity
Name:
Date:
Warm-Up: How are you feeling?
Choose one word to describe your current emotion.
Optional: Briefly describe what that feeling is like in your body or mind right now.
Part 1: Map Your Emotions
For each emotion, describe how it feels in your body (e.g., tense shoulders, butterflies) and what thoughts come with it.
Happy / Joyful
Angry / Frustrated
Sad / Disappointed
Anxious / Worried
Calm / Peaceful
Part 2: My Strategy
Choose ONE emotion from above that you find challenging. What's a healthy way to manage it?
Emotion I chose:
My healthy coping strategy:
Ideas for strategies:
• Take a deep breath • Talk to a friend • Listen to music • Go for a walk • Draw or journal • Ask for help
Emotional Exit Ticket Emotional Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
👋
1. What is one new thing you learned about emotions today?
2. Name one healthy way you can manage a challenging emotion.
3. How are you feeling as you leave class today?
Emotional Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
👋
1. What is one new thing you learned about emotions today?
2. Name one healthy way you can manage a challenging emotion.
3. How are you feeling as you leave class today?
Emotional Warm-Up Slips Emotional Warm-Up
Choose ONE word to describe your current emotion.
My one word is:
Describe the feeling (body/mind):
Emotional Warm-Up
Choose ONE word to describe your current emotion.
My one word is:
Describe the feeling (body/mind):
Emotional Warm-Up
Choose ONE word to describe your current emotion.
My one word is:
Describe the feeling (body/mind):
Emotional Warm-Up
Choose ONE word to describe your current emotion.
My one word is:
Describe the feeling (body/mind):
