Triangle Tech Lesson Plan Triangle Tech
Lesson Plan: Finishing the Feelings Triangle
Duration: 30 Minutes
Audience: 3rd Grade
Objective
Students will be able to identify a feeling and a corresponding action for a given thought, completing the CBT triangle.
Materials
Triangle Connection Slides
Triangle Detective Worksheet
Triangle Match Game Guide
Projector/Screen
Prep
Review: Slide Deck, Game Guide, and Scenario Worksheet.
Setup: Ensure projector is ready. Print worksheets (one per pair or student).
Why this matters
Understanding the full CBT triangle helps students connect their thoughts, feelings, and actions, leading to greater self-awareness and improved emotional regulation.
Instructional Sequence
1
Warm-up: Review the Thought-Feeling Link (5 min)
Display initial triangle (Thought → Feeling) on Slide 2. Discuss how thoughts lead to feelings. Ask for class examples.
2
Introduce "Actions" (5 min)
Show the third element: Actions on Slide 3. Explain that actions are what we *do* in response to our feelings.
3
Model the Triangle (5 min)
Use Slide 4 (Math Problem) to model the full Thought → Feeling → Action sequence. Brainstorm options together.
4
Partner Practice (10 min)
Distribute "Triangle Detective Worksheet". Students work in pairs to solve scenarios. Circulate to provide support.
5
Review & Game (5 min)
Share scenario answers. Play a quick round of "Triangle Match Game". Close with a reflection on one thing they learned.
Triangle Connection Slides Triangle Tech
Finishing the Feelings Triangle
SESSION_02 // SYSTEM_COMPLETE
Reviewing the Code
Thoughts
What we THINK inside our heads.
Feelings
How our bodies and minds FEEL .
THOUGHT → FEELING
Upgrade Detected
The Missing Piece: ACTIONS
INPUT
THOUGHT
The Start
PROCESS
FEELING
The Internal
OUTPUT
ACTION
What we DO
Triangle Demo
SCENARIO_THOUGHT
"This math problem is too hard!"
Frustrated
(Feeling)
Ask for Help
(Action)
Is there only one right action? NO! We can choose many different paths.
Detective Mode: ON
01
Work with a partner to solve the cases on your worksheet.
02
Read each story and find the Thought , Feeling , and Action .
03
Be ready to share your findings with the Control Center (the class!).
SCANNING SCENARIOS...
Multiplayer Practice
LEVEL 2: GAME
Triangle Match
I'll draw a THOUGHT ...FEELING ...ACTION !
System Shutdown
Reflect & Share:
How can knowing your "Triangle" help you during a tough day?
You are a Triangle Expert!
MISSION_ACCOMPLISHED
Triangle Detective Worksheet Triangle Detective
Case File: Connecting the Pieces
AGENT:
DATE:
Mission Instructions
Read each story. For each one, identify the Thought, a possible Feeling, and a possible Action to complete the CBT Triangle.
01
You studied really hard for your science test, and when you get it back, you see a big "A+" at the top!
Thought
Write the thought here...
Feeling
Write the feeling here...
Action
Write the action here...
02
You are building a tall tower with blocks, and just as you're about to put the last block on, your little brother bumps into it and it all falls down.
Thought
Feeling
Action
03
It's your turn to pick the game at recess, but two of your friends want to play something different than you do.
Thought
Feeling
Action
04
You forgot to do your homework last night, and now it's time to turn it in.
Thought
Feeling
Action
05
You see a new student sitting alone at lunch. You remember how you felt when you were new.
Thought
Feeling
Action
Mission: Emotional Intelligence // Unit 02
Triangle Detective Answer Key Answer Key
Triangle Detective // Solutions
TEACHER REFERENCE
01
A+ science test.
Thought "I'm really smart at science!" or "My hard work paid off."
Feeling Proud, Happy, Excited, Confident.
Action Show parents the test, high-five a friend, keep studying hard.
02
Brother knocks down block tower.
Thought "He did that on purpose!" or "Now I have to start all over."
Feeling Angry, Frustrated, Sad.
Action Take a deep breath, tell him "Please be careful," rebuild it.
03
Friends want to play a different game.
Thought "They don't like my ideas" or "Maybe we can take turns."
Feeling Left out, Annoyed, Flexible.
Action Suggest a compromise, play their game first, go play alone.
04
Forgot homework.
Thought "I'm going to get in trouble!" or "I can explain what happened."
Feeling Nervous, Anxious, Regretful.
Action Talk to the teacher, make a plan for tonight, hide the paper.
05
New student sitting alone.
Thought "They look lonely" or "I remember being new and scared."
Feeling Kind, Empathetic, Concerned.
Action Go sit with them, say "Hello," invite them to play.
Triangle Match Game Guide Triangle Match
Teacher Game Guide
Objective
Quickly identify thoughts, feelings, and actions to complete the CBT triangle in a fun, interactive way.
Materials
Thought Cards (slips of paper)
A hat or bowl
Whiteboard & Markers
How to Play
Draw: Draw a Thought card and read it aloud.Identify: Ask students to call out a possible Feeling .Connect: Ask students to brainstorm a corresponding Action .Discuss: Briefly discuss if the action is "helpful" or "unhelpful."Repeat: Draw a new card and go again!
Thought Card Ideas
"My friend didn't want to play with me at recess."
"I got a perfect score on my spelling test!"
"It's raining and we can't go outside for recess."
"I made a mistake in front of the whole class."
"We are having my favorite dinner tonight!"
"I can't find my favorite pencil anywhere."
"My teacher gave me a thumbs-up during work time."
Pro-Tip
Encourage variety! If students say "Sad," ask "What else might someone feel?" This shows them that different people can have different feelings and actions for the same exact thought.
Example Round:
THOUGHT "I lost the game."
FEELING Disappointed
ACTION Say "Good game!"
