Lesson Plan

Emotion Detective Lesson Plan

Students will enhance self-awareness by identifying emotional cues in themselves and others through a detective-themed investigation, analyzing clues, and matching emotions to contexts.

Building the ability to recognize and name emotions strengthens self-awareness and social skills. This detective lens engages 6th graders in CASEL-aligned practice, helping them empathize and communicate more effectively.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

20 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Caseboard Briefing

10 minutes

Step 3

Clue Collection Activity

15 minutes

Step 4

Mystery Match Game

15 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Debrief

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Emotion Detective Caseboard

Welcome, Emotion Detectives! Introduce our theme: we’ll be hunting clues to uncover how people feel. Explain that clues come from expressions, tone, body language, and context. Tell students to pay close attention and record all the hints they find.

Warm-Up: What Makes an Emotion?

Ask students: “What clues help you know how someone is feeling?” As they share, jot their ideas under each category. Encourage them to think broadly—words, tone, posture, and setting all count.

Scenario 1: Sarah’s Spill

Read the scenario aloud. Then instruct pairs to identify at least two clues from this vignette and decide which emotion it represents. Remind them to note physical, vocal, or contextual hints.

Scenario 2: Aiden’s Goal

Invite students to discuss in pairs, then share their answers. Confirm the emotion (happy) and highlight the positive expressions and gestures as clues.

Scenario 3: Leo’s Teasing

Have pairs examine the scenario and list clues. Guide them toward recognizing anger and the physical signs that accompany it.

Clue Categories on Your Caseboard

Explain that these clue categories will help organize evidence on the caseboard. As students share findings, record under each heading.