Understanding Emotions Lesson Plan Understanding Emotions
Session 1 • Lesson Plan
Duration
30 min
Why This Matters
Understanding and labeling emotions is the foundation for self-control and positive interactions. This session helps 2nd graders identify feelings in themselves and others to promote empathy and cooperation.
Objective
Students will learn to recognize and name common emotions by listening to a story, discussing feelings, and completing an emotion chart to build self-awareness and vocabulary.
Preparation
Print Emotion Chart Worksheets for each student.
Cut and shuffle Emotion Role-Play Cards .
Write sample emotion words on whiteboard.
Review story for read-aloud.
Materials
Worksheet
Role-Play Cards
Whiteboard & Markers
Instructional Steps
5m
Warm-Up Discussion
Gather students in a circle.
Ask: “What is an emotion? Can you name a feeling you had today?”
Write their answers on the whiteboard under “Emotions”.
7m
Read-Aloud
Share a brief story that highlights changing emotions (e.g., When Sophie Gets Angry…).
Pause at key moments and ask: “How do you think the character feels now?”
8m
Emotion Chart Activity
Distribute the Emotion Chart Worksheet.
Model filling in one row: draw a face, name the emotion, and write when you felt it.
Students complete two more rows independently or with partner support.
7m
Role-Play Practice
Shuffle and hand out Emotion Role-Play Cards.
Each student reads their card (or teacher reads it) and acts out that emotion.
Classmates guess the emotion and label it.
3m
Wrap-Up and Reflection
Gather back in a circle.
Ask: “Which emotion was easiest to name? Which was hardest?”
Encourage students to use these words throughout the day for self-control.
Emotion Chart Worksheet Emotion Chart
Draw and describe your feelings
Name:
Date:
Instructions: For each row, draw a face that shows the emotion, write the name of the emotion, and then describe a time you felt that feeling.
1. Draw Face
Emotion Name:
A time I felt this way...
2. Draw Face
Emotion Name:
A time I felt this way...
3. Draw Face
Emotion Name:
A time I felt this way...
Emotion Role Play Cards Emotion Role-Play Cards
Practice identifying and expressing feelings
How to Use
Cut along the dashed lines to separate the cards.
Shuffle and place them face down in a pile.
A student draws a card and reads it aloud (or the teacher reads it).
The student acts out the emotion they would feel in that situation.
Classmates guess the emotion and label it!
Teacher Tip
Encourage students to use their whole body: face, hands, and posture!
Card 1
You dropped your ice cream cone on the ground.
Card 2
Your friend shared their snack with you.
Card 3
You got a new book for your birthday.
Card 4
Someone took the crayon you were using without asking.
Card 5
You saw a big bug crawling on your desk.
Card 6
You scored the winning point in a game.
Card 7
It started raining on the day of your outdoor recess.
Card 8
You gave your teacher a picture you drew.
Card 9
A classmate told you a funny joke.
Card 10
You couldn’t find your backpack in the morning.
Card 11
You helped tie a friend’s shoe lace.
Card 12
You had to wait a long time for your turn to speak.
Cool Down Strategies Lesson Plan Cool-Down Strategies
Session 2 • Lesson Plan
Duration
30 min
Why This Matters
Learning to calm down with breathing and relaxation helps students gain control over strong emotions, reduces classroom disruptions, and supports focus and positive behavior.
Objective
Students will learn to use deep breathing techniques and simple muscle relaxation exercises to calm their bodies when they feel upset, practicing recording feelings before and after.
Preparation
Print Balloon Breathing Worksheets for each student.
Cut and shuffle Breathing Exercise Cards .
Place chime or soft timer within reach.
Review and practice demonstrations.
Materials
Worksheet
Exercise Cards
Chime / Timer
Instructional Steps
5m
Warm-Up Discussion
Gather students in a circle.
Ask: “Can you think of a time you felt upset or angry? What happened?”
List examples on the whiteboard.
7m
Introduce Breathing Techniques
Explain that breathing deeply can help calm our bodies.
Demonstrate ‘balloon breathing’: place hands on belly, breathe in slowly to fill it, exhale to deflate.
Invite students to try three balloon breaths together.
10m
Guided Practice with Cards
Shuffle and distribute Breathing Exercise Cards.
Students take turns leading the group in that exercise.
Use the chime or timer to set exercise duration (10–20 seconds each).
5m
Reflection Worksheet
Hand out the Balloon Breathing Worksheet.
Students draw the balloon at inhale and exhale phases.
Write one word about how they felt before and after.
3m
Wrap-Up and Goal Setting
Gather back in a circle.
Ask: “Which exercise did you like best? How can you use it?”
Encourage students to try one new technique during the day.
Balloon Breathing Worksheet Balloon Breathing
Breathe slow, feel calm
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Place your hands on your belly and take slow, deep breaths like you’re filling and emptying a balloon. Draw and write about your experience below.
1. INHALE
Draw your belly filling with air
2. EXHALE
Draw your belly letting air out
3. How did you feel before the breathing?
Draw Face
Write one word:
4. How did you feel after the breathing?
Draw Face
Write one word:
Breathing Exercise Cards Breathing Exercise Cards
Stay calm and focused with deep breathing
How to Use
Cut along the dashed lines to separate the cards.
A student draws a card and reads the instructions aloud.
The student leads the whole group in practicing the exercise.
Repeat each exercise three times or until everyone feels calm.
Teacher Tip
Use a chime or soft music to help set a peaceful pace for the room.
Card 1
Balloon Breathing
Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest. Inhale slowly through your nose, filling your belly like a balloon. Exhale through your mouth, letting the balloon deflate. Repeat three times.
Card 2
Rainbow Breathing
Pretend you’re tracing a rainbow overhead with one hand. Inhale as you trace the arc up from one side to the top. Exhale as you trace down the other side. Keep tracing big, slow rainbows!
Card 3
Bunny Breathing
Take three quick “sniff-sniff-sniff” breaths in through your nose, just like a bunny. Then take one long, slow breath out through your mouth. Repeat three times.
Teamwork Tools Lesson Plan Teamwork Tools
Session 3 • Lesson Plan
Duration
30 min
Why This Matters
Collaboration and positive social skills foster classroom harmony and success. This session helps students practice working as a team, share responsibility, and build trust through hands-on activities.
Objective
Students will practice cooperation and communication through group challenges and reflect on teamwork skills to strengthen collaboration in class.
Preparation
Print Teamwork Reflection Worksheets .
Cut and shuffle Cooperation Game Cards .
Clear a space for group movement.
Review each game’s instructions.
Materials
Reflection Worksheet
Game Cards
Whiteboard & Markers
Instructional Steps
5m
Teamwork Introduction
Gather students in a circle.
Ask: “What makes a good teammate? Share a time you worked well with others.”
Record key ideas on the whiteboard as guiding rules.
5m
Introduce the 3 C’s
Explain the 3 C’s: Communication, Cooperation, and Care.
Write each on the board and ask for real-world examples.
12m
Cooperative Game Activity
Shuffle and hand out Cooperation Game Cards.
Students draw cards and lead challenges (e.g., Silent Ball).
Remind them to use the 3 C’s during each challenge.
6m
Reflection Worksheet
Distribute the Teamwork Reflection Worksheet.
Students identify which C's they used and reflect on their feelings.
Circulate to help with writing.
2m
Wrap-Up and Goal Setting
Reconvene in a circle.
Ask: “Which teamwork tool will you try tomorrow?”
Set a goal to use one C during the school day.
Teamwork Reflection Worksheet Teamwork Reflection
Working better, together
Name:
Date:
C #1
Communication
C #2
Cooperation
C #3
Care
1. What group challenge did you do today?
2. Which of the 3 C’s did you use? (Circle all that apply)
Communication
Cooperation
Care
Give an example of how you used Communication:
Give an example of how you used Cooperation:
Give an example of how you used Care:
3. How did working as a team make you feel?
Write a word or draw a face in the box -->
What is one teamwork goal you have for next time?
Cooperation Game Cards Cooperation Game Cards
Fun challenges to build better teams
How to Use
Cut along the lines to separate the cards.
Draw a card and read the group challenge aloud.
Work together to complete the task!
Focus on Communication , Cooperation , and Care .
Team Rule
If someone is struggling, ask: "How can I help you?"
Team Task 1
Pass the Ball Silently
Stand in a circle and pass a soft ball around without talking. Keep the ball moving until everyone has had a turn.
Team Task 2
Hula Hoop Circle
Hold hands in a circle. Without letting go, pass a hula hoop all the way around—step through it one by one.
Team Task 3
Quiet Line-Up
Without speaking, line up in order of your birthdays (month first). Use gestures and teamwork to get in order.
Team Task 4
Mirror Movements
Pair up. One partner makes slow movements and the other mirrors exactly—no talking allowed!
Team Task 5
Block Tower Talk
In teams, build a tower with blocks. You may only say one word per turn when giving instructions.
Team Task 6
Silent Shapes
As a group, use your bodies to form a shape (circle, square, triangle) without talking. Hold it for five seconds.
Team Task 7
Team Drawing
On a large sheet of paper, each student adds one part to a picture in turn. No talking—use gestures to guide.
Team Task 8
Pass the Clap
Stand in a circle. One student claps to their neighbor, who claps to the next—see how fast you can go!
Impulse Control Lesson Plan Impulse Control
Session 4 • Lesson Plan
Duration
30 min
Why This Matters
Impulse control reduces disruptions, helps students make better choices, and supports a respectful classroom by teaching children to stop, think, and choose positive actions.
Objective
Students will learn to pause and think before acting by practicing 'Stop-Think-Choose' steps and applying strategies in real scenarios.
Preparation
Print Impulse Control Worksheets .
Cut and shuffle Stop-and-Think Cards .
Have a timer or stopwatch ready.
Review Stop-Think-Choose steps.
Materials
Worksheet
Scenario Cards
Timer
Instructional Steps
5m
Warm-Up Discussion
Gather students in a circle.
Ask: “Can you share a time when you did something without thinking and later felt sorry?”
List examples and highlight impulsive actions.
5m
Introduce Stop-and-Think Steps
Explain: Stop (pause), Think (consequences), Choose (positive action).
Demonstrate with a hand-stop sign and a "thinking" pose.
10m
Scenario Practice
Shuffle and hand out Stop-and-Think Cards.
Students read a scenario and group practices Stop–Think–Choose.
Use the timer for 30 seconds per scenario to keep pace.
7m
Worksheet Reflection
Distribute the Impulse Control Worksheet.
Students draw the steps and write about how they will use them.
Help students visualize their "Pause" button.
3m
Wrap-Up and Goal Setting
Gather back in a circle.
Ask: “Which step will you try when you feel like acting without thinking?”
Students set a personal impulse-control goal.
Impulse Control Worksheet Stop • Think • Choose
My Impulse Control Guide
Name:
Date:
1. Stop
Draw "Stop" here
What does "Stop" mean?
2. Think
Draw "Think" here
What could happen if you don't think?
3. Choose
Draw "Choice" here
What is a positive choice to make?
4. Draw or write about a time you used Stop–Think–Choose:
5. My impulse-control goal for today:
Stop and Think Cards Stop-and-Think Cards
Practice pressing the "pause" button on your actions
How to Play
Draw a card and read the situation aloud.
Say: "Stop... Think... Choose..."
Act out or share the Positive Choice you made.
S
T
C
The Three Steps
Scenario 1
You know the answer to the teacher’s question and feel like shouting it out before anyone else.
Scenario 2
Your friend is playing with a toy you want. You feel like grabbing it from their hands.
Scenario 3
Someone accidentally bumps into you in line, and you feel like pushing them back.
Scenario 4
You dropped your snack on the floor and want to pick it up and eat it without telling anyone.
Scenario 5
You got a drawing back that you didn’t like and want to crumple and throw it away.
Scenario 6
During partner work, you finish first and want to walk away instead of waiting patiently.
Scenario 7
You feel like interrupting your classmates while they are speaking or sharing during a group activity.
Scenario 8
Another student takes the block you were reaching for and you feel like snatching it back.
Kindness Counts Lesson Plan Kindness Counts
Session 5 • Lesson Plan
Duration
30 min
Why This Matters
Kindness builds empathy, strengthens friendships, and promotes a positive classroom climate. Practicing kind actions helps students build social skills and fosters respect and cooperation.
Objective
Students will learn to recognize and enact simple acts of kindness by role‐playing scenarios and reflecting on how kindness makes themselves and others feel.
Preparation
Print Kindness Reflection Worksheets .
Cut and shuffle Kindness Scenarios Cards .
Gather sticky notes and markers.
Review scenario cards for role-plays.
Materials
Reflection Worksheet
Scenario Cards
Sticky Notes
Instructional Steps
5m
Warm‐Up Discussion
Gather students in a circle.
Ask: “What does it mean to be kind? Can you share a time someone was kind to you?”
List student examples on the whiteboard.
7m
Introduce Kindness Scenarios
Explain that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
Model one scenario: read it and demonstrate a kind response.
10m
Role‐Play Practice
Students take turns reading scenarios and acting out kind responses.
Classmates give feedback: “That was kind because...”
Write one kind word on a sticky note for each performance.
5m
Reflection Worksheet
Hand out the Kindness Reflection Worksheet.
Students describe their favorite kind act and how it made them feel.
3m
Wrap‐Up and Goal Setting
Reconvene in a circle.
Ask: “What kind act will you try today?”
Each student shares one goal to keep in mind.
Kindness Scenarios Cards Kindness Scenarios
Practice being a helpful and caring friend
How to Use
Cut out the cards.
Draw a card and read the situation aloud.
Act out what a Kind Response would look and sound like.
Friends: Give a "Kindness Cheer" after each turn!
Kindness Rule
Kind words are like sunshine for someone's day!
Scenario 1
Your friend drops all their crayons on the floor.
Scenario 2
A classmate looks sad at lunch and is sitting alone.
Scenario 3
A new student is standing by themselves at recess.
Scenario 4
Someone spills their art supplies on the table.
Scenario 5
You notice a classmate forgot to bring a snack.
Scenario 6
The teacher is carrying a stack of heavy books.
Scenario 7
A friend is struggling to tie their shoelaces.
Scenario 8
A classmate drops their papers while lining up.
Kindness Reflection Worksheet Kindness Reflection
Spreading Joy in our Class
Name:
Date:
Think about the kind act you practiced or saw today. Answer the questions below to reflect on how kindness affects you and others.
1. Which scenario did you have?
Describe the situation in your own words:
2. What kind action did you choose or see?
Describe it here, or draw a picture in the box below:
3. How did being kind make YOU feel?
4. How do you think your kindness made THE OTHER PERSON feel?
5. Why is kindness important?
My kindness goal for tomorrow:
Celebration and Review Lesson Plan Celebration & Review
Session 6 • Lesson Plan
Duration
30 min
Why This Matters
Consolidating and revisiting skills ensures retention. Celebrating accomplishments boosts motivation and reinforces positive behaviors as students transition back to full-time classroom integration of these tools.
Objective
Students will review the behavior strategies they've learned, reflect on their progress, and celebrate their achievements with a personalized certificate.
Preparation
Print Behavior Strategies Review Board guide.
Prepare certificates for each student.
Gather stickers or small tokens.
Prepare personalized notes for each student.
Materials
Review Board Guide
Certificates
Stickers / Tokens
Instructional Steps
5m
Warm-Up Reflection
Gather students in a circle.
Ask: “What was your favorite strategy you learned? How has it helped you?”
Invite a few students to share their growth stories.
10m
Review Activity
Lay out the Review Board.
Students draw strategy cards and place them under the correct session.
Discuss how each tool works as it is placed.
5m
Goal Recommitment
Provide sticky notes for students to write one final goal.
Have students stick them under “My Next Goal” on the board.
7m
Certificate Ceremony
Call each student up individually to receive their certificate.
Share one specific thing you are proud of them for achieving.
Classmates give a "silent cheer" for each recipient.
3m
Closing Celebration
Distribute stickers or small tokens.
Final encouraging words about being a "Behavior Booster" every day!
Behavior Strategies Review Board Activity Guide Behavior Strategies Review Board
Teacher Resource • Session 6 Activity Guide
Materials Needed
A large chart or bulletin board.
Divide chart into six labeled sections: “Session 1” through “Session 6.”
A deck of strategy cards (index cards or printouts).
A basket or container for shuffled cards.
Board Setup
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4
Session 5
My Next Goal
Activity Instructions
01
Gather students around the board and explain that they will be "filling the toolbox" with all the strategies they've learned.
02
One student draws a card from the basket (e.g., “Balloon Breathing” or “3 C’s” ).
03
The student explains which session the strategy came from and how it works in their own words.
04
The student tapes the card to the matching session box on the board.
05
Continue until all cards are placed and every strategy has been reviewed by the group.
Strategy Key
Session 1: Emotions Chart, Role-Play
Session 2: Balloon/Rainbow/Bunny Breathing
Session 3: The 3 C's (Comm, Coop, Care)
Session 4: Stop-Think-Choose
Session 5: Acts of Kindness
Session 6: My Next Goal
Behavior Boosters Celebration Certificate Certificate
of Achievement
This certifies that
Student Name
has successfully completed the
Behavior Boosters
In recognition of outstanding skill in:
Teacher Signature
Date
Keep using your new tools every day to make our classroom a positive place!
