Emotion Detectives Lesson Plan Tier 1 SEL
Emotion Detectives
Case File: #3RD-EMO-01 • Lesson Plan
Audience 3rd Grade Class
Duration 45 Minutes
Objective Label 5+ Emotions
The "Why"
"Understanding and naming our feelings helps us manage big emotions, communicate our needs to others, and build stronger relationships."
Prep Materials
Review Faces of Feelings Presentation and Emotion Charades rules.
Print and cut emotion cards for the Charades Game .
Copy My Feeling Thermometer worksheet (1 per student).
Ensure whiteboard/projector is ready for visuals.
Materials Checklist
Faces of Feelings Presentation
Emotion Charades Game cards
My Feeling Thermometer worksheets
Markers or chart paper
Pencils or crayons
Quick Approach
Through engaging activities and discussion, students will explore various emotions and learn to gauge their intensity.
The Investigation Flow
5m
Introduction: Feeling Check-In
Begin with a quick class check-in. Ask students: "How are you feeling right now?" Allow for a few verbal responses.
Introduce the idea that we all have many feelings, and it's helpful to be 'emotion detectives' to understand them.
15m
Faces of Feelings Presentation
Display Slides 1-5. Discuss each emotion, visual cues (face/body), and common triggers.
Encourage students to share examples of when they've felt each emotion (if comfortable).
15m
Emotion Charades Game
Explain the rules. Students pick a card and act it out without sound. Teammates guess based on body language and facial expressions.
After each guess, discuss specific cues (e.g., "His eyebrows were scrunched") that helped identify the emotion.
8m
My Feeling Thermometer
Distribute worksheets. Explain how to use the thermometer to gauge the intensity of an emotion.
Students choose one common emotion and illustrate/write about it at levels 0-5. Circulate to offer support.
2m
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
Ask students to share one new thing they learned. Reiterate the importance of identifying feelings to navigate their day successfully.
Faces of Feelings Presentation Detective Academy
Faces of Feelings
Investigating the clues that tell us how we feel.
Teacher Notes
Welcome students and set the stage for exploring emotions. Ask them to think about how they are feeling right now.
Welcome, Emotion Detectives!
Today, we're going to learn about feelings!
Just like detectives solve mysteries, we'll become "emotion detectives" to understand our own feelings and the feelings of others.
Why is this important?
Knowing how we feel helps us act in ways that are good for us and for everyone around us!
Teacher Notes
Welcome students and set the stage for exploring emotions. Ask them to think about how they are feeling right now.
Feeling Happy! 😊
What does it look like?
• A big smile
• Bright, twinkly eyes
• Maybe a jump for joy!
What does it feel like?
Light, bubbly, warm, excited.
Common Clues
When you play with friends, get a good grade, or eat your favorite snack!
Teacher Notes
Ask students what makes them happy and what happiness looks like on someone's face.
Feeling Sad... 😔
What does it look like?
• A frown
• Tears or watery eyes
• Slumped shoulders, quiet
What does it feel like?
Heavy, a little down, sometimes tired.
Common Clues
When you miss someone, lose a game, or something doesn't go your way.
Teacher Notes
Emphasize that it's okay to feel sad sometimes and how we can support ourselves or others when feeling sad.
Feeling Angry! 😠
What does it look like?
• Scrunched eyebrows
• Tight lips
• Stomping your feet
What does it feel like?
Hot, frustrated, tense, wanting to yell.
Common Clues
When something is unfair, someone takes your toy, or you get really frustrated.
Teacher Notes
Explain that anger is a normal emotion, but it's important to know how to deal with it in a healthy way.
Feeling Surprised! 😮
What does it look like?
• Wide eyes
• An open mouth
• A quick gasp!
What does it feel like?
Sudden, unexpected, a quick jump inside.
Common Clues
When someone jumps out to say 'boo!', an unexpected gift, or something surprising happens.
Emotion Charades Game Mission: Emotion Charades
Field Agent Instructions • Class Activity
The Objective
To practice recognizing and expressing different emotions through non-verbal clues. Detectives must use their "Observation Skills" to crack the case!
Gameplay Rules
Briefing: Divide the class into small groups (Squads) or play as a whole class.
The Draw: One detective picks an emotion card from the hat/bag. They cannot show it to anyone!
Silent Investigation: The detective acts out the emotion using only their face and body. No sounds or talking allowed!
The Guess: Teammates have 60 seconds to identify the emotion.
Case Solved: If guessed correctly, the squad earns a "Case Point."
Evidence Needed
Cut-out Emotion Cards
A small bag or hat
A timer (60 seconds)
Pro-Tip: Before starting, model a few yourself! Act "Surprised" and ask the class what clues they saw (e.g., "Your mouth was open!").
Post-Mission Debrief
Ask these questions after a round:
"What clues did you use to guess the emotion?"
"How did the detective use their body ?"
"Have you ever felt this emotion at school ?"
"What did their eyebrows do?"
Emotion Evidence Cards
Print and cut along the dotted lines
Happy
Case #001
Sad
Case #002
Angry
Case #003
Surprised
Case #004
Scared
Case #005
Excited
Case #006
Confused
Case #007
Proud
Case #008
Shy
Case #009
Bored
Case #010
Worried
Case #011
Silly
Case #012
My Feeling Thermometer Worksheet My Feeling Thermometer
Detective Log: Personal Evidence
Agent Name:
Investigation Date:
"Sometimes our feelings are really strong, and sometimes they are just a little bit there. This thermometer helps us show how strong our feelings are. Choose ONE feeling and show how it feels at different levels."
Step 1: Choose Your Subject
My Investigation Feeling:
(e.g., Happy, Angry, Sad, Worried)
5 - SUPER STRONG!
Like a volcano erupting! I need help!
4 - Very Strong!
Like a storm brewing. Hard to calm down.
3 - Medium Strong
Like a little rumble. I can feel it.
2 - A Little Bit
Like a tiny whisper. Not a big deal.
1 - Barely There
Like a cool breeze. Hardly feel it.
0 - Calm
Like still water. Peaceful and relaxed.
End of Investigation Log • Keep for Evidence