What Makes My Feelings Grow?

Week 3: Identifying Feeling Triggers

1st Grade • Tier 2

Time

30 Minutes

Objective

Identify common "triggers" that cause feelings to start or grow.

Concept

The "Trigger Button" (Cause & Effect).

Why This Lesson?

Understanding what triggers emotions is crucial for developing self-management strategies and making proactive choices before a feeling gets "too hot."

Prep & Materials

Materials

Feeling Triggers Slides
Feeling Triggers Worksheet
Crayons or colored pencils

Quick Prep

Review triggers in slides. Print worksheets. (Est. Time: 5 mins)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Warm-Up: Share a Recent Feeling

5 MIN

Ask students to share one feeling they had recently and what made them feel that way.
Introduce the idea of a "trigger": like pressing a button that starts a feeling.

2

Introduce Feeling Triggers

10 MIN

Use the Slides to explain "feeling triggers."
Give simple examples: Loud noises (scared), sharing toys (happy).
Key Insight: Different people have different triggers!

3

Activity: My Feeling Triggers

10 MIN

Distribute Worksheet.
Students draw or write triggers for Happy, Sad, and Angry.
Encourage specific situations: "When my brother takes my blocks..."

4

Cool-Down: One Trigger I Noticed

5 MIN

Have each student share one trigger they identified.

"Noticing our triggers helps us prepare for our feelings before they get too big."

Feeling Triggers

Feeling Triggers Lesson Plan

Feeling Triggers Slides

Feeling Triggers Worksheet