Zone Detectives Lesson Slides
1st Grade SEL Adventure
🔍 Emotion Investigators
Zone Detectives!
Learn how our bodies feel, crack the code on feelings, and choose the right tools to get back to Green!
Blue Zone
Low Energy
Green Zone
Ready to Learn
Yellow Zone
Caution / Rising
Red Zone
Big Feelings
The 4 Regulation Zones
All Feelings Are Okay!
Notice where you are! 🚦
😴 SLOW
Blue Zone
Low Energy
💧 Sad
🛏️ Tired
🤒 Sick
😊 GO!
Green Zone
Ready to Learn
🌟 Happy
🧘 Calm
🎯 Focused
😬 CAUTION
Yellow Zone
Feelings Rising
🤪 Silly
⚡ Frustrated
🦋 Nervous
😡 STOP
Red Zone
Big Feelings
🌋 Angry / Mad
💥 Yelling
🛑 Out of Control
We all move through every zone each day. There are no bad zones!
Detective Clue Hunt
Listen to Your Body Signals!
What is your body doing? 👂
🛌
Blue Body Clues
Low battery, heavy feelings
- Heavy eyelids, yawning a lot
- Slouching or resting head on desk
- Quiet voice and slow footsteps
🌱
Green Body Clues
Balanced, peaceful, ready
- Soft shoulders, calm breathing
- Eyes looking and ears listening
- Ready hands and friendly smiles
⚡
Yellow Body Clues
Wiggly, buzzy, buzzing gears
- Butterflies in your tummy
- Bouncing knees, fast talking
- Tight jaw or slight frown
🌋
Red Body Clues
Volcano explosion feeling
- Fast pounding heartbeat
- Clenched tight fists or hot face
- Urge to stomp, shout, or cry
Case Files
Which Zone Is It?
Show with your fingers: 1, 2, 3, or 4! 🖐️
🥱
Case #1: Leo
Leo stayed up late. His eyes feel heavy, and he rests his head down on his desk.
🔵 Blue Zone!
Tired & slow energy
🤪
Case #2: Mia
Recess is starting in 2 minutes! Mia is wiggling, laughing super loud, and bouncing.
🟡 Yellow Zone!
Over-excited & silly
🎨
Case #3: Noah
Noah is sitting calmly, holding his marker, and enjoying coloring his map.
🟢 Green Zone!
Calm & ready to learn
Great detective work! You cracked all three clues!
Regulation Strategies
Open Your Calming Toolbox! 🧰
Choose a tool to help! ✨
🌬️
5 Star Breaths
Trace your fingers and take slow belly breaths.
Calm & Center
💧
Cool Drink
Take 3 cold sips from your water bottle to reset.
Cool Down
🧸
Bear Squeeze
Hug yourself tight or squeeze a fidget ball.
Body Reset
🗣️
Talk to Someone
Tell a teacher, helper, or friend how you feel.
Get Support
Ready for worksheet practice, Zone Detectives?
Feelings Finder Worksheet
🔍
Feelings Finder Worksheet
Zone Detectives • Name Feelings & Pick Tools
Name:
Date:
🔵 Blue Zone
Sad • Tired • Slow
🟢 Green Zone
Calm • Ready • Happy
🟡 Yellow Zone
Silly • Frustrated • Buzzy
🔴 Red Zone
Mad • Yelling • Stop
Part 1 Read the clue, name the feeling, and circle the correct Zone:
🥱
1. Maya is yawning and resting her head on the desk.
Feeling: Tired
Zone: Blue Green Yellow Red
😊
2. Leo takes deep breaths and listens to teacher directions.
Feeling: Calm & Focused
Zone: Blue Green Yellow Red
🤪
3. Ella can't sit still, is talking loud, and making silly noises.
Feeling: Over-Excited
Zone: Blue Green Yellow Red
😡
4. Kai's fists are clenched tight and he wants to yell.
Feeling: Mad / Angry
Zone: Blue Green Yellow Red
Part 2 Regulation Toolbox: Check 2 tools you can use to get back to Green!
🌬️ 5 Star Breaths
Breathe slowly in and out 5 times.
💧 Drink of Water
Take 3 cool sips to reset.
🧸 Bear Hug or Stretch
Squeeze tight or stretch tall.
🗣️ Talk to an Adult
Ask for help with your feelings.
🎨 Draw Yourself Using Your Favorite Calming Tool:
Keep handwriting and drawings clear
My tool is:
My Zone Exit Ticket
🚦
My Zone Check-In
Daily Emotion Reflection
Name:
Date:
1. What Zone are you in right now? (Circle one)
😴 Blue Tired / Sad
😊 Green Calm / Ready
😬 Yellow Wiggly / Buzzy
😡 Red Big Feeling
2. Circle the word that best tells how you feel:
Happy Calm Tired Excited Frustrated Worried
3. My calming tool for today:
🌬️ Deep Breaths
💧 Drink Water
🧸 Quiet Stretch
🗣️ Ask Teacher
I will use it when:
✂️ Cut along dashed line (2 tickets per page) ✂️
🚦
My Zone Check-In
Daily Emotion Reflection
Name:
Date:
1. What Zone are you in right now? (Circle one)
😴 Blue Tired / Sad
😊 Green Calm / Ready
😬 Yellow Wiggly / Buzzy
😡 Red Big Feeling
2. Circle the word that best tells how you feel:
Happy Calm Tired Excited Frustrated Worried
3. My calming tool for today:
🌬️ Deep Breaths
💧 Drink Water
🧸 Quiet Stretch
🗣️ Ask Teacher
I will use it when: