What's That Feeling Lesson Plan What's That Feeling
Emotion Commotion Control: Session 1
Session 1 of 6
Objective
Students will be able to identify and name basic emotions (happy, sad, angry, surprised, scared) by recognizing facial expressions, body language, and physical sensations.
Why This Matters
"Understanding and naming emotions is the first step towards managing them. This helps students communicate their needs and feelings more effectively."
Logistics
30 Minutes
Tier 2 (Small Group)
4th Grade
Materials
Session 1 Slide Deck
Session 1 Facilitator Script
Emotion Cards (cut & laminated)
Session 1 Cool Down Worksheet
Whiteboard & Markers
Teacher Prep
15 Minutes: Review script and slide deck.
Printing: Print and cut out the Emotion Cards for the sorting activity.
Setup: Ensure projector is ready for the slide deck. Arrange seats in a circle to foster discussion.
Instructional Procedure
5 min
Welcome & Introduction
Introduce the "Emotion Commotion Control" group. Set the stage as 'emotion detectives'.
Use Slides 1-2
Explain the mission: become super-sleuths solving emotion mysteries.
10 min
Exploring Basic Emotions
Explore Happy, Sad, Angry, Surprised, and Scared.
Use Slides 3-7
Prompt: "What does it look like? How does it feel in your body? When do you feel it?"
Validate all student responses and physical sensations shared.
10 min
Emotion Sort Activity
Categorize cards based on common emotional themes.
Distribute Emotion Cards to small groups or individuals.
Instruct students to sort into piles: "Happy Feelings," "Sad Feelings," etc.
Facilitate share-out: "Why did you put this card in that group?"
5 min
Wrap-Up & Cool Down
Recap learning and complete reflection.
Reinforce: "All feelings are okay to have."
Students complete the Session 1 Cool Down sheet.
What's That Feeling Slides Welcome, Emotion Detectives!
Let's explore our amazing feelings together!
Session 1
Today's Mission: Identify That Feeling!
1
Learn about different emotions
2
Understand what they look and feel like
3
Practice naming emotions
Happy!
A warm, bright feeling
A smile on your face
Feeling light and joyful
😊
Sad...
A heavy, quiet feeling
Tears or a frown
Feeling down or disappointed
😢
Angry!
A hot, tight feeling
Frown or clenched fists
Feeling frustrated or mad
😡
Surprised?!
A quick, unexpected feeling
Wide eyes or open mouth
Something unexpected happens
😲
Scared!
A jumpy, shaky feeling
Frightened eyes or quick breath
Feeling unsafe or worried
😨
Time for Emotion Sorting!
Look at the pictures and words
Think about the emotion shown
Sort them into groups
Great Job, Detectives!
You identified many feelings today!
All feelings are okay to have.
See you next time for more emotion exploration!
What's That Feeling Facilitator Script Facilitator Script
Session 1: What's That Feeling?
Say
Do
Slide Change
Part 1: Welcome & Intro (5 Min)
Display Slide 1: Welcome
"Hello, emotion detectives! Welcome to our special group called 'Emotion Commotion Control.' My name is [Your Name], and I am so excited to embark on this journey with you all."
"In this group, we'll become experts at understanding and managing our feelings, like super-sleuths solving emotion mysteries! Our mission today is to learn about different emotions and start recognizing them."
Display Slide 2: Mission
Part 2: Exploring Emotions (10 Min)
Display Slide 3: Happy
"Let's start with a feeling we all love: Happy! What does happy look like? How do you know someone is happy?" (Pause for: Smile, bright eyes, laughter).
"Close your eyes for a second. Think about a time you felt happy. What did it feel like *inside*? Warm? Light? Like jumping?"
Repeat this process for Slides 4-7 (Sad, Angry, Surprised, Scared). For each, ask:
What does it look like on someone's face?
How does it feel inside your body?
When is a time you felt this way?
Part 3: Sorting Activity (10 Min)
Display Slide 8: Emotion Sorting
Distribute the Emotion Cards . Instruct students to sort them into groups (e.g., Happy, Sad, Angry) on the table.
"Alright, detectives, let's hear about your sorting! Who would like to share one of their groups and why they put those cards together?"
Part 4: Wrap-Up (5 Min)
Display Slide 9: Conclusion
"Wow, we covered a lot! We learned to name different emotions. Remember: all feelings are okay to have. What's important is noticing them."
Distribute Session 1 Cool Down sheets. Collect them as students exit.
Emotion Evidence Cards Worksheet Emotion Evidence Cards
Facilitator: Print, cut out, and laminate before use.
Happy
😊
HAPPY
"I feel warm and bright inside. I have a big smile and my eyes are sparkling."
Scenario Case File
You just found out you got an A+ on your science project!
Sad
😢
SAD
"I feel heavy and quiet. My chest feels tight and I might have tears in my eyes."
Scenario Case File
Your favorite toy broke and cannot be fixed.
Angry
😡
ANGRY
"I feel hot and tight. My heart is beating fast and I want to stomp my feet."
Scenario Case File
Someone cut in front of you in the lunch line on purpose.
Wow!
😲
SURPRISED
"I feel a quick jolt! My eyes are wide and my mouth is open in an 'O' shape."
Scenario Case File
Your friends threw you an unexpected surprise birthday party!
Scared
😨
SCARED
"I feel shaky and jumpy. My heart is racing and I want to hide or get away."
Scenario Case File
You heard a very loud, strange scratching noise at your window.
Yay!
🤩
EXCITED
"I feel like I have tons of energy! I can't sit still and my eyes are sparkling."
Scenario Case File
You're going to your favorite theme park tomorrow!
What's That Feeling Cool Down Reflection Detective Case Reflection
Session 1: What's That Feeling?
Detective Name:
Date:
1 Today, we learned about different emotions. Name three emotions you discussed today.
2 Draw a picture of your favorite emotion. Why is it your favorite?
Draw Here
I like this emotion because...
3 What is one new thing you learned about emotions today?
Case Closed
What Makes Me Feel Lesson Plan What Makes Me Feel
Emotion Commotion Control: Session 2
Session 2 of 6
Objective
Students will identify common internal and external triggers for their emotions and understand the difference between the two.
Why This Matters
"Recognizing triggers helps students anticipate emotional reactions and develop strategies to manage them."
Logistics
30 Minutes
Tier 2 (Small Group)
4th Grade
Materials
Session 2 Slide Deck
Session 2 Facilitator Script
Trigger Scenario Cards
My Emotion Triggers Journal
Teacher Prep
15 Minutes: Review script and scenarios.
Printing: Print and cut the scenario cards. Prepare enough journal copies for everyone.
Setup: Whiteboard ready to list external/internal examples.
Instructional Procedure
5 min
Review & Introduction
Review naming emotions from Session 1. Introduce the concept of a "Trigger".
Use Slides 1-2
Define Trigger: A "spark" or "button" that starts a feeling.
10 min
Internal vs External
Categorize triggers by where they come from.
Use Slides 3-4
External: Things around us (taken toy, loud noise).Internal: Things inside us (hunger, tired, worries).
10 min
Trigger Scenario Match
Analyze real-world examples in groups.
Distribute Scenario Cards to small groups.
Students discuss: What is the emotion? What is the trigger? Is it internal or external?
Groups share out one "case" they solved.
5 min
Journaling & Wrap-Up
Reflect on personal triggers.
Distribute My Emotion Triggers Journal .
Students write down one happy trigger and one angry trigger from their own lives.
What Makes Me Feel Slides Welcome Back, Detectives!
Today's Mission: Discovering 'Emotion Triggers'
Session 2
What's an Emotion Trigger?
"A trigger is like a spark that starts a feeling inside you."
It's anything (big or small) that causes an emotion to start.
External Triggers
Outside of Me
Things that happen around us in our environment.
Examples:
Someone takes your toy
A friend gives a compliment
A loud, scary noise
Internal Triggers
Inside of Me
Thoughts, feelings, or sensations within our own bodies.
Examples:
Feeling hungry or tired
Worrying about a test
Remembering a funny joke
Trigger Scenario Time!
1. Read the Scenario
2. Identify the Trigger
3. Is it Internal or External?
You're Trigger Experts!
Understanding triggers helps us understand our feelings better. Keep your eyes peeled for your own 'sparks' this week!
What Makes Me Feel Script Facilitator Script
Session 2: What Makes Me Feel?
Part 1: Review & Intro (5 Min)
Display Slide 1: Welcome Back
"Welcome back, detectives! Last time, we identified emotions like happy, sad, and angry. Can anyone remind us of one emotion we discussed?" (Pause for student recall).
Display Slide 2: Definition
"Think of an emotion trigger as a SPARK or a BUTTON. It's the 'what' that causes our feelings to show up."
Part 2: Exploring Triggers (10 Min)
Display Slide 3: External Triggers
"External Triggers are things happening around us. If someone takes your toy, you feel angry. The 'toy taking' is the trigger. Who can think of another thing that happens around you that makes you feel happy or sad?"
Display Slide 4: Internal Triggers
"Internal Triggers are thoughts or physical feelings inside your body. Like being hungry makes you grumpy, or worrying about a test makes you scared. Can you think of an inside feeling that triggers an emotion?"
Part 3: Scenarios (10 Min)
Display Slide 5: Activity Intro
Distribute Trigger Scenario Cards to pairs. Encourage them to discuss the 'Case' by identifying:
The Emotion
The Trigger
Internal or External?
Part 4: Journaling (5 Min)
"For our cool-down, you'll each get a journal. Think about your own lives—what is one thing that always makes you feel happy? That's your trigger!"
Display Slide 6: Conclusion
Trigger Scenario Cards Worksheet Trigger Scenario Case Files
Session 2 Activity: Identify the emotion, trigger, and type.
Case #001
"Sarah forgot her lunchbox at home today. Her stomach is rumbling, and she feels a knot in her tummy. She sees her friends happily eating sandwiches."
Emotion:
Trigger:
Type:
Internal External
Case #002
"David spent a long time drawing a detailed dragon. When he was finally finished, he felt so proud and couldn't wait to show his teacher."
Emotion:
Trigger:
Type:
Internal External
Case #003
"Maria's friend Lily promised they'd play after school. But then Lily's mom said they had to go to the store instead. Maria felt tears in her eyes."
Emotion:
Trigger:
Type:
Internal External
Case #004
"Suddenly, the fire alarm goes off. It's a very loud, piercing sound. Alex jumps in his seat and his heart starts beating fast."
Emotion:
Trigger:
Type:
Internal External
Case #005
"Maya didn't sleep much last night. She keeps yawning and finds it hard to pay attention. She feels grumpy and snaps at her little brother."
Emotion:
Trigger:
Type:
Internal External
Case #006
"During show-and-tell, your teacher tells you that your presentation was interesting. You feel a warm, happy glow inside."
Emotion:
Trigger:
Type:
Internal External
My Emotion Triggers Journal Worksheet Detective's Log
Case File: My Emotion Triggers
Detective Name:
Date:
A trigger is the spark that starts an emotion. Triggers can be internal (inside your body/mind) or external (things happening around you). Identify your personal triggers below.
😊
Happy
What is something that almost always makes you feel happy?
Is this internal or external?
Internal
External
😢
Sad
What sometimes makes you feel sad?
Is this internal or external?
Internal
External
😡
Angry
What sometimes makes you feel angry or frustrated?
Is this internal or external?
Internal
External
Detective Insight:
"Knowing my triggers helps me prepare. When I know a 'spark' is coming, I can stay in control."
My Calm Toolbox Lesson Plan My Calm Toolbox
Emotion Commotion Control: Session 3
Session 3 of 6
Objective
Students will learn and practice three specific calming strategies (Starfish Breath, 5-4-3-2-1 Sense Check, and Movement) to build a personal repertoire of coping skills.
Why This Matters
"Having a repertoire of coping skills empowers students to manage intense feelings and prevent emotional outbursts."
Logistics
30 Minutes
Tier 2 (Small Group)
Materials
Session 3 Slide Deck & Script
My Calm Toolbox Worksheet
Small paper bags or envelopes (1 per student)
Strips of paper/index cards
Art supplies (crayons, markers)
Teacher Prep
Practice: Guide yourself through the Starfish Breath and 5-4-3-2-1 check to ensure smooth delivery.
Kits: Label the paper bags "Detective [Student Name]'s Calm Toolbox".
Print one My Calm Toolbox Worksheet per student.
Instructional Procedure
5 min
Review & Mission
Recap triggers. Introduce the concept of a 'Calm Toolbox' for when feelings get big.
10 min
Strategy Practice
Starfish Breath: Trace hand, breathing in/out.5-4-3-2-1: Sight, touch, sound, smell, taste.Movement: Quick "Shake it Out" or stretch.
10 min
Building the Toolbox
Students write favorite strategies on paper strips and place them in their bag/toolbox. Fill out the worksheet.
5 min
Closing Share
Share one "tool" you'll try this week. Thank students for being "Calm Creators".
