Regulation Session Lesson Plan Emotional Regulation
Tier 3 Individual Counseling Session
Duration
30 Minutes
Session Objective
Students will develop emotional regulation skills by identifying personal triggers, recognizing internal states using a feelings thermometer, and selecting appropriate coping strategies for self-management.
Why This Matters
"This individual counseling session is designed to help 7th-grade students recognize and manage their emotions effectively. Through personalized discussion and activities, students will learn to identify their emotions, understand their triggers, and apply coping strategies. This session aims to enhance emotional intelligence and resilience, which are crucial for personal and academic success."
Quick Specs
Instructional Sequence
1
Introduction
3 mins
Greet student warmly; establish comfort.
Script: "Today, we're going to talk about something really important—our emotions. We all have them, and sometimes they can be a bit tricky to handle. But that's okay! We're here to learn how to recognize and manage them in a healthy way."Outline activities (video, thermometer, mapping activity).
2
Baseline Assessment
5 mins
Administer the Pre-Test: Emotional Regulation Skills .
Explain: "This isn't a graded test—it just helps me understand what you already know so we can focus on the most helpful stuff today."
3
Video & Discussion
5 mins
Show the video Managing Feelings & Emotions .
Pause as needed to discuss key concepts.
Ask the student to listen for the specific "steps" to managing emotions.
4
The Feelings Thermometer
10 mins
Use the Feelings Thermometer Visual to help the student identify their current state.
Discuss the "Green" (Calm) vs. "Red" (Out of Control) zones.
Prompt: "Where are you on the thermometer right now? Why?"
5
Interactive Activity: Emotional Mapping
10 mins
Provide the Emotional Navigator Worksheet and markers.
Guide student to write/draw about a recent strong emotion.
Identify: Trigger → Emotion → Coping Strategy.
Brainstorm real-life applications for the chosen strategy.
6
Assessment & Wrap-Up
7 mins
Administer Post-Test (5 mins).
Recap key takeaways and encourage daily practice (2 mins).
Ask: "Do you have any final thoughts or questions before we finish?"
Feelings Thermometer Visual Feelings Thermometer
A tool to check in with yourself and find your balance.
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5
5
Out of Control
I feel explosive, furious, or extremely overwhelmed. I need immediate space and help to stay safe.
4
Highly Frustrated
I am very angry or anxious. My body feels tense. It is getting hard to focus or listen.
3
Unsettled / Annoyed
I'm feeling "off." I might be cranky, nervous, or frustrated. I need to use a strategy soon.
2
Low Energy / Sad
I might feel tired, bored, sad, or lonely. I'm not quite in the flow, but I'm still in control.
1
Calm & Ready
I feel good. I'm relaxed, focused, and ready to learn. I can think clearly and make good choices.
Personal Temperature Check
Circle where you are right now and explain why.
Name
Date
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2
3
4
5
"I am at level ____ because..."
Emotional Regulation Pre Test Emotional Regulation
Pre-Session Assessment
Name:
Date:
How much do you know?
This isn't a graded test! It helps us see what you already know about managing emotions so we can focus on the most important topics today. Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What is emotional regulation?
Ignoring your emotions
Recognizing and managing your emotions
Expressing emotions without control
Suppressing emotions completely
2. Which of the following is a healthy coping strategy?
Yelling at someone
Taking deep breaths
Breaking things
Ignoring the problem
3. What is a trigger in terms of emotions?
A type of emotion
Something that causes an emotional reaction
A way to calm down
A method of expressing emotions
4. Why is it important to manage emotions?
To avoid feeling anything
To improve relationships and personal well-being
To make others happy
To suppress negative feelings
5. What can you use to help identify your emotions?
A feelings thermometer
A calculator
A dictionary
A map
Emotional Regulation Post Test Emotional Regulation
Post-Session Assessment
Name:
Date:
Show what you've learned!
Great job today! Use what we discussed to answer these final questions. Circle the best answer for each one.
1. How can you identify your emotions effectively?
By ignoring them
By using a feelings thermometer
By asking others to tell you
By guessing
2. What should you do when you recognize a trigger?
React immediately
Use a coping strategy
Ignore it
Blame others
3. Which coping strategy would you use if you feel overwhelmed?
Deep breathing
Shouting
Running away
Breaking something
4. What is the benefit of using a coping strategy?
It helps you avoid dealing with emotions
It helps you manage emotions in a healthy way
It makes emotions disappear
It allows you to ignore problems
5. How can understanding your emotions help you in daily life?
It can make you more reactive
It can improve decision-making and relationships
It can make you more emotional
It can help you avoid challenges
Emotional Navigator Worksheet Emotional Navigator
Activity: Mapping My Emotions
Name:
Date:
"Think about a recent time when you felt a very strong emotion (like anger, sadness, or frustration). Use this map to navigate through what happened and how you can handle it next time."
1
The Trigger
What happened? Who was there? What started the feeling?
2
The Emotion & Body
How did you feel?
(Angry, lonely, embarrassed, etc.)
What did your body feel like?
(Tight chest, hot face, shaky hands, etc.)
3
The Coping Strategy
What is one healthy thing you could do (or did) to calm down or handle the situation?
Pro Tip
Try deep breathing, counting to 10, or asking for a break!
Next Time...
How would using this strategy change how you feel afterward?
Regulation Assessment Keys Assessment Answer Keys
Emotional Regulation Counseling Session (Grade 7)
Pre-Test
Correct Responses
1
What is emotional regulation?
Answer: Recognizing and managing your emotions
2
Which of the following is a healthy coping strategy?
Answer: Taking deep breaths
3
What is a trigger in terms of emotions?
Answer: Something that causes an emotional reaction
4
Why is it important to manage emotions?
Answer: To improve relationships and personal well-being
5
What can you use to help identify your emotions?
Answer: A feelings thermometer
Post-Test
Correct Responses
1
How can you identify your emotions effectively?
Answer: By using a feelings thermometer
2
What should you do when you recognize a trigger?
Answer: Use a coping strategy
3
Which coping strategy would you use if you feel overwhelmed?
Answer: Deep breathing
4
What is the benefit of using a coping strategy?
Answer: It helps you manage emotions in a healthy way
5
How can understanding your emotions help you in daily life?
Answer: It can improve decision-making and relationships
Restorative Note
Use the results of the Post-Test not just as a measure of "correctness," but as a starting point for a conversation. If the student selects a "wrong" answer, explore their reasoning—they may be reflecting a specific personal experience that needs further processing.
Regulation Session Slides Emotional Regulation
Tier 3 Individual Counseling Session
Grade 7
Welcome!
Today we're going to talk about something we all have: Emotions.
Our Goals
Identify what we are feeling
Understand what "triggers" our feelings
Learn how to handle strong emotions
Before we start...
Let's take a quick look at what you already know! This helps me tailor our time together to your needs.
Pre-Session Check-in
Let's Watch
Managing Emotions
Embedded media
"Pay attention to the different steps for managing feelings!"
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5
The Feelings Thermometer
Where are you right now? Identifying our current state is the first step in regulation.
Level 5: Out of Control
Level 3: Unsettled
Level 1: Calm & Ready
Activity Time
Mapping Your Navigator
1. The Trigger
What pushed you toward the "Red Zone"?
2. The Feeling
What were you feeling in your body?
3. Strategy
How can you steer back to "Green"?
You've Got This!
Managing emotions is a skill that takes practice. Every time you check your thermometer, you're getting better!
Any Questions?
Post-Session Check-in
