Toolkit Lesson Plan My Emotional Toolkit
Lesson Plan • Tier 3 Intervention
6th Grade 30 Minutes
Objective
Students will be able to identify at least three different emotions, understand their physical and mental manifestations, and apply one new coping strategy to regulate an intense emotion.
Why This Matters
Learning to regulate emotions is a vital life skill that helps students navigate daily challenges, build healthier relationships, and improve overall well-being. This lesson empowers students to take control of their emotional responses.
Materials
Preparation (5 mins)
Review the Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content flow.
Read through the Facilitator Script to prepare for guided discussion.
Print a copy of the Emotion Explorer Worksheet.
Prepare the Regulation Reflection Journal for the student to take home.
Lesson Procedure
Part & Time Key Activities 1. Intro & Hook (5 mins)
Greet the student; introduce the session's "superpower" theme.
Use Slides 1-2 to set the stage.
Ask: "What does it mean to feel an emotion? How do they show up in your body?"
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| 2. Exploring Emotions
Present Slides 3-4 to discuss common emotions.
Guide the student through the Emotion Explorer Worksheet.
Discuss physical sensations (e.g., hot face for anger, light chest for joy).
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| 3. Building the Toolkit
Introduce strategies via Slide 5 (Deep breathing, counting, breaks).
Practice: Lead a short deep breathing exercise together.
Student selects one "go-to" strategy for future challenges.
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| 4. Wrap-Up
Summarize key takeaways with Slide 6.
Introduce the Reflection Journal for home use.
Closing: "What is one new thing you learned today?"
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Differentiation Tip
For students who struggle with verbal expression, encourage drawing emotions on the worksheet instead of writing.
Counseling Focus
Maintain a non-judgmental stance. Emphasize that all emotions are valid, but we control our actions.
Emotional Toolkit Slides My Emotional Toolkit
Your Feelings, Your Power!
Ready to unlock your emotional superpowers?
What Are Emotions, Anyway?
Emotions are signals your brain sends you.
They tell you what's happening inside and around you.
They can feel big or small, happy or sad, calm or wild!
Teacher Notes
Introduce the idea of emotions as signals. Ask the student: "How do emotions show up in your body?"
Emotion Explorer
Sometimes it's easy to know what we're feeling, sometimes it's tricky!
😊
Happy
Joyful, Excited
😢
Sad
Down, Hurt
😡
Angry
Frustrated, Mad
😨
Scared
Worried, Anxious
😌
Calm
Relaxed, Quiet
Prompt: Can you think of a time you felt one of these emotions recently?
How Do Emotions Feel in Your Body?
Happy: Maybe you feel light and bubbly.
Worried: Maybe your stomach feels tight.
Angry: Maybe your face gets hot or fists clench.
Activity Time!
Grab your "Emotion Explorer" worksheet and let's map out how these feel for you!
Building Your Toolkit
Deep Breathing
Count to 10
Take a Break
Talk It Out
Let's Try One!
Practice a slow breath in...
You've Got This!
Emotions are normal, and you have the power to choose how you respond.
Keep practicing with your Reflection Journal!
What's one thing you'll remember from today?
Toolkit Facilitator Script Facilitator Script
Session Guide • My Emotional Toolkit
Intro
Part 1: Introduction & Hook (5 mins)
"Hi [Student's Name]! Thanks for coming today. I'm really excited about our session because we're going to talk about something super important: your feelings and how you can be the boss of them. Think of it as building your own emotional superpower kit!"
Show Slide 1
"Take a look at our first slide, 'My Emotional Toolkit: Your Feelings, Your Power!' What do you think that means, 'Your Feelings, Your Power'?"
Show Slide 2
"Exactly! It means you have the power to understand and manage how you feel. So, let's start with a big question: What are emotions, anyway? What does it mean to feel an emotion? How do emotions show up in your body when you feel them?"
Explorer
Part 2: Exploring Emotions (10 mins)
Show Slide 3
"Great thoughts! Now, let's become 'Emotion Explorers.' Sometimes it's easy to know what we're feeling, but sometimes it's a bit tricky. We're going to look at some common emotions like happy, sad, angry, scared, and calm."
"I have a special Emotion Explorer Worksheet for you. For each emotion, think about what it feels like in your body. For example, when you're happy, maybe you feel light, or like you have butterflies. There are no right or wrong answers, just what YOU feel. Take a few minutes to fill this out."
Allow time for completion. Provide support. Once finished, prompt discussion using Slide 4.
"Let's talk about what you wrote. Can you share one or two emotions and how they show up for you? It's amazing how our bodies tell us so much about what we're feeling!"
Toolkit
Part 3: Building Your Toolkit (10 mins)
Show Slide 5
"Now for the powerful part: building your toolkit! We all feel strong emotions, and that's normal. The trick is knowing what to do when an emotion feels too big or overwhelming."
"Here are some 'super strategies' for your toolkit: deep breathing, counting to 10, taking a break, or talking it out. Let's try one together. How about deep breathing? Try a slow breath in through your nose, hold for three, then a slow breath out. How did that feel?"
"Which of these strategies do you think you could try the next time you feel a strong emotion?"
Closing
Part 4: Wrap-Up & Reflection (5 mins)
Show Slide 6
"Wow, we've covered a lot today! You're really learning some incredible skills. Remember, all emotions are normal, and you have the power to choose how you respond."
"To help you keep practicing, I have this Regulation Reflection Journal for you. It has prompts for you to think about how you're feeling over the next week. You can write or draw in it."
Emotion Explorer Worksheet Emotion Explorer
What Do You Feel?
Name:
Date:
For each emotion below, describe how it feels in your body. There are no right or wrong answers – just what you feel!
😊
1. Happy / Joyful
e.g., light, warm, bubbly, big smile
😢
2. Sad / Disappointed
e.g., heavy, tears, tight chest, tired
😡
3. Angry / Frustrated
e.g., hot face, tight fists, fast heart
😨
4. Scared / Worried
e.g., shaky, butterflies, fast breath
😌
5. Calm / Peaceful
e.g., relaxed, slow breath, loose muscles
😲
6. Surprised / Excited
e.g., wide eyes, quick gasp, jumpy
Bonus Question
Which emotion do you find the hardest to understand or manage? Why?
Regulation Reflection Journal My Regulation Reflection Journal
A tool to help you stay in charge of your emotions.
Explorer:
Start Date:
Day 1: Checking In
TODAY
How are you feeling right now? What is one emotion you are experiencing, and where do you feel it in your body?
What is one tool from your emotional toolkit you might try today if you feel a strong emotion?
Instruction: Use this journal each day to reflect on your emotions and practice your strategies.
Day 2: Practicing a Tool
Describe a moment today when you felt a strong emotion (e.g., frustration, excitement, worry).
Did you use one of your emotional toolkit strategies? What happened? If not, what stopped you?
Day 3: Noticing Others
Try to notice an emotion in someone else. What clues did you see (face, voice, body language)?
How did their emotion make you feel?
Day 4: My Favorite Tool
What is your favorite emotional regulation tool so far? Why do you like it?
When do you think you will use this tool again?
Day 5: Looking Ahead
What is one new thing you learned about your emotions or how to manage them this week?
How do you think being able to manage your emotions will help you at school or at home?
