Emotional Toolkit Lesson Plan My Emotional Toolkit
Handling Big Feelings
45 Minutes
Why This Matters
Emotional regulation is a crucial life skill that empowers students to navigate challenges, build positive relationships, and succeed academically and socially. This lesson provides foundational skills for lifelong well-being.
Preparation
Review the Handling Big Feelings Slides .
Print Emotional Toolkit Worksheets for each student.
Print and cut out Feeling Faces Game Cards .
Ensure projector/whiteboard and markers are ready.
Arrange classroom for small group or individual work.
Reflect on potential student emotions that might arise.
15 MIN PREP
Tools Needed
Whiteboard or Projector
Handling Big Feelings Slides
Markers or Chart Paper
Emotional Toolkit Worksheet
Crayons / Colored Pencils
Feeling Faces Game Cards
Learning Objective
Students will identify and practice healthy coping strategies for managing intense emotions, building a personal 'toolkit' of actionable techniques to calm down, express themselves appropriately, and regulate emotional responses.
Instructional Steps
5 min
Warm-Up
How Are You Feeling Today?
• Greet students and ask them to share one feeling they are experiencing today using a thumbs up/down/sideways signal.
• Discuss that everyone has different feelings, and that's okay! We are going to learn how to handle those feelings.
• Transition to the slide deck and introduce the lesson's main idea.
10 min
Intro
Introduction to Big Feelings
• Display Slide 1 and introduce the concept of an "emotional toolkit."
• Show Slide 2 and lead a brief discussion on various emotions (frustration, joy, sadness, anger, excitement). Ask for real-life examples.
• Use Slide 3 to explain that feelings are normal and give us important messages.
15 min
Workshop
Exploring Coping Strategies: Toolkit Time!
• Display Slide 4 and introduce strategies: deep breaths, counting to ten, talking to a grown-up, and drawing.
• Demonstrate each strategy (e.g., lead a quick breathing exercise).
• Distribute the Worksheet . Encourage students to draw or write tools they already use or want to try.
• Teacher Tip: Circulate and offer support as students create their toolboxes.
10 min
Activity
Game Time: Feeling Faces Match
• Use the Feeling Faces Game Cards . Divide students into small groups or play as a whole class.
• Show a card, name the emotion, and ask students to suggest a toolkit strategy for that feeling.
• Reinforce that different tools work for different people.
5 min
Wrap-Up
My Favorite Tool
• Display Slide 5 . Ask each student to share one favorite tool from their worksheet.
• Reiterate: It's okay to have big feelings, and they now have the tools to handle them.
• End with a positive affirmation about their emotional intelligence.
Handling Big Feelings Slides Welcome to Your
Emotional Toolkit!
What do you do when you have BIG feelings? We all have them! Let's learn how to handle them together!
Teacher Notes
Greet students warmly. Ask a quick check-in: "Show me with your thumb: how are you feeling today?" Emphasize that all feelings are okay.
What Are Big Feelings?
Sometimes our feelings feel super strong!
😄 Happy
😢 Sad
😡 Angry
😤 Frustrated
🥳 Excited
😰 Worried
"Big feelings are like waves in the ocean. Sometimes they are small, and sometimes they are huge!"
Teacher Notes
Ask students to brainstorm some "big feelings" they know. Write their ideas on the board.
Why Do We Have Big Feelings?
Message!
Feelings are like messages ! They tell us important things about what's happening around us and inside us.
It's okay to feel all sorts of feelings!
Teacher Notes
Explain that feelings give us information. Example: sadness tells us we need a hug, anger tells us something isn't fair. Emphasize that feelings aren't "good" or "bad."
Tools for Your Toolkit
Deep Breaths
In through the nose, out like a sigh!
Count to Ten
Take your time and focus on the numbers.
Talk to a Grown-Up
Share your feelings with someone you trust.
Draw It Out
Put your big feelings onto paper.
Take a Break
Step away for a moment to calm down.
Just like a builder has tools, you have tools for your feelings!
Teacher Notes
Introduce each tool. Lead the class in 3 slow, deep breaths. Ask who they could talk to when they have a big feeling.
Your Amazing Toolkit!
You now have a special toolkit to help you with your big feelings! Remember, it's okay to feel, and it's brave to use your tools!
Teacher Notes
Reiterate that they are equipped with strategies. Encourage them to try these tools. End with an encouraging statement.
Toolkit Scenarios Activity Toolkit Scenarios
What Would You Do?
NAME:
DATE:
Instructions
Listen carefully to each scenario. Think about how the person might be feeling and choose one tool from your emotional toolkit that could help them!
1
The Frustrated Builder
Liam is building a tall tower with blocks, but it keeps falling down. He feels his face getting hot and wants to kick the blocks.
Which tool could Liam use?
2
The Sad Goodbye
Mia is at school, and her mom just left. She feels a little teary and her tummy feels tight because she misses her mom.
Which tool could Mia use?
3
The Excited News
Noah just found out his class is going on a special field trip tomorrow! He feels super excited and wants to jump up and down and shout!
How can Noah share his news calmly?
4
The Angry Friend
Chloe's friend accidentally broke her favorite crayon. Chloe feels angry and wants to yell at her friend.
Which tool helps Chloe handle her anger?
5
The Worried Presentation
Sam has to give a small presentation to the class today, and he feels really worried and scared. His heart is beating fast.
Which tool could Sam use to feel calmer?
Emotional Toolkit Worksheet My Emotional Toolkit
What's in your box of tools?
BUILDER NAME:
DATE:
Everyone has big feelings, and now you have a special toolkit to help you! Think about what tools you can use when your feelings get big. You can draw a picture or write about your tools in the boxes below.
Tool #1: My Breathing Tool
What kind of breathing helps you calm down?
Tool #2: My Thinking Tool
What can you think about or count when you need to feel calm?
Tool #3: My Talking Tool
Who can you talk to when you have big feelings?
Tool #4: My Creative Tool
What can you draw, write, or create to help with your feelings?
Tool #5: My Movement Tool
What can you do with your body to help with big feelings?
Feeling Faces Game Cards Feeling Faces Match Game
Objective
Practice identifying emotions and choosing appropriate coping strategies from the emotional toolkit.
Teacher Guide
Print and cut out the cards. Hold a card up and ask: "What feeling is this?" then "What tool could help someone feel this way?"
😊
Happy
😢
Sad
😡
Angry
😲
Surprised
😨
Scared
😤
Frustrated
🤩
Excited
😟
Worried