Emotion Detectives Teacher Guide Teacher Guide: Emotion Detectives
WEEK 1
Focus: Identifying and labeling primary emotions through visual cues.
Learning Objectives
Identify four primary emotions: Happy, Sad, Angry, Surprised.
Match facial features (eyes, mouth) to specific emotional states.
Understand that faces tell us how a person might be feeling.
Materials Needed
"Emotion Detectives" Slides
"Face Match" Worksheet
Small hand mirrors (one per student)
Emotion PECS cards or communication board
Strategy Tip
For nonverbal students, focus on over-exaggerated facial features . Use a "First/Then" board to transition between the visual story and the mirror activity.
Lesson Flow
1
Visual Story (10 mins)
Present the "Emotion Detectives" slide deck. Pause on each character. Point to the specific parts of the face: "Look at his mouth. It is turned down. He is sad."
2
Mirror Work (10 mins)
Hand out mirrors. Prompt students: "Show me a happy face." Model the face first. Encourage students to look at their own smiles in the mirror.
3
Guided Practice (10 mins)
Complete the "Face Match" worksheet together. Use physical prompts or hand-over-hand guidance if needed to help students circle the correct features.
Nonverbal Discussion Prompts
Point to... "Point to the person who feels like you feel right now." (Use communication board)
Show me... "Show me your 'angry eyes'. Where are your eyebrows?"
Choice A/B... "Is Leo happy (point to icon) or sad (point to icon)?"
Body Check... "His hands are in fists. Does that mean he is angry?"
Emotion Detectives Slides Emotion Detectives
Let's look at faces and find out how our friends feel!
😊 😢 😠 😮
👦
Meet Leo
The Mission
Leo is our friend. Today, we are detectives. We will look at Leo's face to see his feelings.
Use your detective eyes!
😃
HAPPY
Leo is Happy
His mouth is up .
His eyes are sparkly .
Leo got a new toy! He is happy.
😢
SAD
Leo is Sad
His mouth is down .
He has tears .
Leo dropped his snack. He is sad.
😠
ANGRY
Leo is Angry
His eyebrows are low .
His mouth is tight .
It is time to stop playing. Leo is angry.
Your Turn!
Look in the mirror.
🪞
Show me a HAPPY face!
😊
Face Match Worksheet Face Match
Social Explorers: Week 1
Name:
Date:
Look at the mouth. Draw a circle around the face that matches!
👄
This mouth is UP. Which face is HAPPY?
😃
😢
😠
💧
I see tears. Which face is SAD?
😠
😮
😢
Draw how YOU feel today: Space Pilots Teacher Guide Teacher Guide: Space Pilots
WEEK 2
Focus: Understanding physical boundaries and the concept of personal space.
Learning Objectives
Define personal space as an invisible "bubble" around our bodies.
Identify when someone is "too close" vs. "just right".
Demonstrate one arm-length distance when interacting with others.
Materials Needed
"Space Pilots" Slides
Hula hoops or physical "bubble" mats
"Bubble Check" Visual Cards
Bubble blower (for sensory visual)
Strategy Tip
Use hula hoops to provide a concrete, physical boundary. Nonverbal students benefit from the tactile sensation of "touching the edge" of their space.
Lesson Flow
1
Visual Story (10 mins)
Watch the "Space Pilots" slides. Focus on the concept that everyone has a "bubble". If we pop someone's bubble, they might feel uncomfortable (Angry/Sad - Week 1 review).
2
The Hula Hoop Walk (15 mins)
Give each student a hula hoop to hold at their waist. Practice walking around the room without hoops touching. This is "Safe Pilot" flying.
3
Arm Length Rule (10 mins)
Model extending one arm toward a partner. If you can touch their shoulder with a straight arm, you are at a "Just Right" distance.
Nonverbal Discussion Prompts
Observation... "Look at Mia. Is Sam too close? (Point to YES/NO on board)"
Action... "Show me your bubble. Use your arms to make a circle."
Emotion Check... "If I am too close, how do you feel? (Point to emotion icon)"
Safe Distance... "Step back until it is 'Just Right'."
Space Pilots Slides Space Pilots
Let's learn about our personal space bubbles!
👧
My Bubble
Everyone has a bubble. It is the space around your body. It is your Personal Space.
My bubble keeps me safe.
👦
👧
TOO CLOSE!
When we are too close, we pop the bubble. Our friends might feel ANGRY or SCARED.
"Please step back. I need space."
👦
↔️
👧
JUST RIGHT
We leave space between our bodies. This is the Safe Zone.
One arm length is "Just Right".
How to Check?
🙋♂️
Use your arm!
Reach out one arm. If you can touch their shoulder, you have good space!
Pilot Challenge!
Can you walk around...
🚶♂️
...without popping bubbles?
🧼
Bubble Check Worksheet Bubble Check
Social Explorers: Week 2
Name:
Are they safe pilots? Circle the "Just Right" pictures.
👦
👧
Too Close
👦
1m
👧
Just Right
👧
👦
Circle me?
🫂
Circle me?
Draw YOUR space bubble! Hello Heroes Teacher Guide Teacher Guide: Hello Heroes
WEEK 3
Focus: Nonverbal initiations and responding to greetings.
Learning Objectives
Identify three ways to say "Hello" nonverbally (wave, smile, sign).
Recognize the social cue of someone looking at you or waving.
Respond to a greeting with a reciprocal nonverbal action.
Materials Needed
"Hello Heroes" Slides
Greeting Choice Board
"Hello Hands" stickers or stamps
Video model (optional) of students waving
Strategy Tip
For students with motor planning challenges, provide a hand-over-hand wave or use a High-Five if they prefer tactile interaction over distal waving.
Lesson Flow
1
The "Look and Wave" Story (10 mins)
Present the slides. Emphasize that "Hello" starts with our eyes looking at the friend, then our hand moves.
2
Greeting Menu (15 mins)
Show the "Greeting Choice Board". Let students pick their favorite way to say hello (Wave, High-Five, Fist Bump, or Peace Sign). Practice with the teacher first.
3
The Greeting Parade (10 mins)
Students line up or sit in a circle. One student "parades" by and chooses one nonverbal greeting for each friend. Friends respond back with the SAME greeting.
Nonverbal Discussion Prompts
Visual Cue... "Look at my hand. What am I doing? (Wave)"
Response... "The teacher waved to you. What can you do back?"
Intent... "If Leo waves, does he want to play or go away?"
Eye Contact... "Where should we look when we say 'Hello'?"
Hello Heroes Slides Hello Heroes
Let's learn how to say "Hello" with our hands and eyes!
👋 ✋ 👊
👀
➡️
👦
Step 1: Look
Before we wave, we Look at our friend.
Eyes first!
👋
The Wave
Moving your hand side-to-side says "I see you! I am friendly."
Keep your hand up high.
Smile while you wave!
Greeting Menu
✋
High-Five
👊
Fist Bump
✌️
Peace Sign
🏫
🚌
When to Say Hello?
✨ In the morning.
✨ When a friend walks in.
✨ When you see your teacher.
Hero Challenge!
Walk to a friend.
👀
👋
You are a Greeting Hero!
Greeting Choice Board Worksheet Greeting Choice Board
Social Explorers: Week 3
Name:
How do you want to say hello?
👋
Wave
✋
High-Five
👊
Fist Bump
✌️
Peace Sign
My Greeting Tracker
M
T
W
T
F
I said hello to a friend today!
Team Players Teacher Guide Teacher Guide: Team Players
WEEK 4
Focus: Turn-taking, waiting, and sharing through visual cues.
Learning Objectives
Identify the difference between "My Turn" and "Your Turn".
Demonstrate waiting for a visual cue (timer or card) to take a turn.
Understand that games are more fun when we play together.
Materials Needed
"Team Players" Slides
"Turn Taking" Visual Cards (My/Your)
Visual sand timer or digital countdown
High-interest toy (blocks, bubbles, cars)
Strategy Tip
Use very short intervals (10-20 seconds) initially for turn-taking. Success builds tolerance. Use a physical "Turn Marker" (like a hat or a wand) to show who is active.
Lesson Flow
1
The "Waiting Game" Story (10 mins)
Review the slides. Show the "Wait" icon. Explain that while waiting, we can watch our friend play.
2
Visual Timer Play (15 mins)
In pairs, students play with a favorite toy. Use the "My Turn" and "Your Turn" cards. When the timer flips, exchange the card and the toy.
3
Group Block Tower (10 mins)
Sit in a circle. Each student adds ONE block to a shared tower. Point to the next student to signal their turn.
Nonverbal Discussion Prompts
State... "Who has the toy? (Student points to self or friend)"
Observation... "Is it time to wait or play? (Point to Wait/Play icons)"
Action... "Give the block to Sam. Now it is HIS turn."
Emotion Check... "You waited! How do you feel? (Point to Happy icon)"
Team Players Slides Team Players
Let's learn how to take turns and play together!
MY TURN
YOUR TURN
👦
🤝
👧
One Toy
Sometimes we have One Toy but Two Friends.
What do we do?
🙋♂️
My Turn
I Play
I hold the toy. I move the car. I build the tower.
"I am playing right now."
⏳
Wait
Your Turn
I give the toy to my friend. I watch my friend play. I Wait.
"It is my friend's turn to play."
The Clock Helps
When the timer stops...
🔔
It is a NEW TURN!
Team Challenge!
🏎️
Play
🧒
Wait
You are a Great Team Player!
Turn Taking Visual Cards Worksheet Turn Take Cards
Social Explorers: Week 4 Activity
Name:
Color these cards! Cut them out to use when you play.
🙋♂️
MY
TURN
👦
YOUR
TURN
⏳
WAIT
Almost time...
🛑
STOP
Hands Down
Laminate these cards for durability. Use them as physical prompts during play sessions.