My Feelings Superpowers Lesson Plan My Feelings, My Superpowers?
Instructional Facilitation Guide
Duration 30 MIN
Audience
5th Grade
Focus
Emotional Intel
Approach
Active Inquiry
RATIONALE
Understanding and managing emotions is crucial for developing self-awareness, building healthy relationships, and effectively handling life's challenges. This lesson provides foundational skills for emotional intelligence by reframing emotions as data rather than distractions.
Learning Objectives
• Identify varied emotions beyond basic labels.
• Validate all emotional experiences.
• Apply basic management strategies.
Mission Gear
Emotion Check-In Slide Deck
Feelings Wheel Handout
Superpower Worksheet
Writing Utensils
Preparation (10 min)
Lesson Phase Strategy
1
Warm-Up: Current Signal
5 MIN
Begin by asking students to think about how they are feeling at this very moment. Introduce the core concept: All feelings are valid data.
Use Slide 1 to prompt initial thoughts.
Ask for volunteers to share a "one-word weather report" for their current mood.
Reinforce: There are no "bad" feelings in this classroom.
2
Understanding: The Feelings Wheel
10 MIN
Distribute the Feelings Wheel Handout . Project Slide 2 to model how to use it.
Demonstrate moving from core (center) to specific (edge).
Discuss: "Why is it sometimes hard to name our feelings?"
Discuss: "How does having a specific word change how we feel about the emotion?"
3
Application: Superpower Protocol
10 MIN
Introduce the superpower concept: Awareness = Power. Distribute the Worksheet and use Slide 3 .
Guide students to pick a recent emotion (even a small one).
Focus on body signals: "Where did you feel it? Stomach? Shoulders?"
Identify the "Trigger" (Cause) and the "Response" (Action).
4
Debrief: Hero's Insight
5 MIN
Optional sharing and wrap-up using Slide 4 .
"What's one thing you learned about your body's signals today?"
Remind them that practicing this superpower makes it stronger over time.
FACILITATOR TIP
If students struggle to name an emotion, encourage them to look at the 'physical signals' section of the wheel first. Often, our bodies know before our brains do!
Emotion Check In Slides BAM!
My Feelings,
My Superpowers?
How are you feeling right now?
Think about one word to describe it.
Teacher: Welcome students. Ask them to quietly reflect on their current emotion. No right or wrong answers!
The Feelings Wheel
The Feelings Wheel helps us find the right words for what we're feeling!
CORE
Teacher: Why is it sometimes hard to name our feelings? How can tools help?
Your Emotion Superpower!
1
Recognize
What emotion are you feeling right now?
2
Understand
What might have caused this feeling?
3
Respond
What is a healthy way to handle it?
Teacher: Guide students through the worksheet tasks 1, 2, and 3.
All Feelings Are Welcome!
Every feeling is a message.
Learning to listen makes you strong!
Keep practicing your superpower!
Teacher: Invite sharing. Reinforce that practice makes our superpower stronger. Thank them!
Feelings Wheel Handout The Feelings Wheel
Your Emotional Decoder Tool
How to Use:
1 Start Center: Pick a general core feeling.
2 Move Out: Find more specific words in the next ring.
3 Pinpoint: The outer ring has the most accurate words.
HAPPY
JOYFUL
Cheerful, Content, Blissful
INTERESTED
Curious, Amused, Fascinated
PROUD
Victorious, Satisfied, Accomplished
ACCEPTED
Valued, Included, Wanted
POWERFUL
CREATIVE
Inventive, Imaginative
CONFIDENT
Assured, Self-reliant
IMPORTANT
Significant, Valued
INSPIRED
Motivated, Stimulated
PEACEFUL
LOVED
Cherished, Affectionate
THANKFUL
Grateful, Appreciative
PLAYFUL
Cheerful, Lighthearted
THOUGHTFUL
Reflective, Contemplative
MAD
FRUSTRATED
Exasperated, Aggravated
OUTRAGED
Enraged, Incensed, Furious
ANNOYED
Irritated, Miffed, Frazzled
DISTANT
Withdrawn, Numb, Detached
SCARED
ANXIOUS
Worried, Stressed
INSECURE
Inferior, Worthless
WEAK
Powerless, Incapable
THREATENED
Startled, Horrified, Terrified
SAD
LONELY
Isolated, Abandoned
HURT
Tormented, Agonized, Crushed
VULNERABLE
Fragile, Sensitive, Helpless
GUILTY
Remorseful, Repentant
Hero Fact
"Naming it is the first step to taming it!"
Keep this tool in your binder. Use it whenever a feeling feels too big or confusing to describe.
Emotion Superpower Worksheet My Emotion Superpower
Hero Reflection Worksheet
Secret Identity (Name)
Mission Date
1
Recognize Your Emotion
Think of an emotion you have felt recently (today or yesterday). It can be any feeling! What was it?
(Try to use a specific word from your Feelings Wheel!)
Where did you feel this emotion in your body?
Example: Tight stomach, racing heart, light shoulders, a big smile...
What do you think caused this emotion?
What happened right before you felt this way?
2
Use Your Superpower
Now that you recognize the emotion and understand what might have caused it, what is one healthy way you could respond to this feeling?
Deep Breaths
Talk to an Adult
Draw or Color
Listen to Music
Mission Accomplished