Emotional Detectives

Facilitation Master Guide & Instructional Script

Case File: #2026-EMO

1

Warm-Up: The Emotion Wheel

Script: "Welcome, Detectives! Put your thinking caps on and check your gear. Today we are investigating a very tricky case: The Mystery of the Missing 'Because.' Have you ever had a big feeling show up out of nowhere? Like a surprise guest at a party? A good detective knows that feelings don't just happen by accident. There is always a 'cause'—a clue that explains why it’s there."

"Let’s warm up our detective brains. Look at the Emotion Wheel on Page 1. We have 8 core emotions in our database. Spin the wheel! When it stops, tell the group about a real time you felt that emotion. Use the code: 'One time, I felt [Emotion] when [Clue].'"

Scaffolding "Disappointed"

"Sometimes we feel disappointed when our 'Hope' doesn't match 'Reality.' Did you ever hope for a specific snack but got something else? Or hope for a sunny day but it rained? That's the clue for disappointment."

Scaffolding "Confused"

"Confusion happens when our brain is missing a piece of the puzzle. Have you ever looked at a math problem and felt like the numbers were in a different language? That's your brain asking for more clues."

2

Activity 1: Connecting the Evidence

Script: "Turn to Page 2. We have three columns: The Feeling, The Scenario, and The Safe Strategy. Your job is to connect the evidence. But first, let's talk about Big Feeling Energy."

"Sometimes, especially when we are Frustrated or Angry, it feels like our muscles are getting filled up with electricity. Our hands might want to move fast, or we might even feel like hitting ourselves to get that energy out. Detectives call this the 'Body Alarm.' It's trying to help, but it’s using the wrong tools!"

"Look at the Safe Strategy column. These are 'Safe Body Jobs.' Instead of hitting, we can give that energy a different job to do—like a Wall Push or a Lemon Squeeze. Let’s practice a Wall Push together. Push that 'Body Alarm' energy right into the wall! (Pause for practice)."

De-escalation Script: Hitting/Self-Harm

If a student begins to hit themselves in frustration, use this specific "Neutral Shield" language:

The Pivot: "I see your hands have Big Energy. They are looking for a job to do. Let's give them a Safe Job." (Hand them the Wall Push card).

The Validation: "It's okay to feel Frustrated. The mystery is hard to solve. Let's breathe through the alarm together. Smell the flower... blow out the candle."

The Return: "Now that your body is safe, let's look at the clue again. What was happening right before the alarm went off?"

3

Activity 2: The Story Sequence

Script: "Turn to Page 3. To solve a case, we have to look at the Timeline. I want you to pick one big feeling you had this week. Maybe it was at lunch, or during a test."

"In Box 1, draw The Cause. What was happening? Did someone say something? Did a plan change? In Box 2, draw The Feeling. How did your face look? How did your heart feel? In Box 3, draw The Action. What did you do with your body? Did you use a Safe Body Job?"

"Now, look at the space between Box 1 and Box 2. That’s our Magic Pause. If we can catch ourselves right there, we can change the whole story! Next time you feel the 'buzzing' start in Box 1, what Safe Job will you choose?"

4

Closing: The Detective Statement

Script: "Last step, Detectives! Turn to Page 4. We are going to write our Official Detective Statement. This is how we explain our investigation to the world. We are going to use our superpower word: BECAUSE."

"I’ll go first. 'I feel Proud when I help a friend because I like being a kind detective.' Now, your turn. Fill in the blanks. Use the 'Because' to show me you solved the mystery of your feeling."

Data Tracking Goal

Watch for: Can the student identify an external cause (e.g., 'the computer died') rather than a circular one (e.g., 'because I was mad')? Use the Observation Log to mark independence levels.

Exit Strategy

Give each student their Safe Body Strategy Cards. Encourage them to keep the 'Wall Push' card in their pocket like a secret detective tool for when the 'Body Alarm' starts to buzz.

Emotional Detectives Guide

Emotional Detectives Guide

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