Lesson Plan

Emotion Detective Lesson Plan

Students will learn to detect and name emotions in themselves and peers by examining contextual clues. They will practice identifying emotional signals through guided activities and a collaborative game.

Building emotional self-awareness helps students regulate feelings and fosters empathy. This lesson equips them with practical skills to recognize emotions in real life, supporting social and academic success.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review and Organize Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Caseboard Exploration

10 minutes

Step 3

Clue Collection Activity

15 minutes

Step 4

Emotion Mystery Match Game

15 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Wrap-Up

5 minutes

Slide Deck

🔍 Emotion Detective Caseboard

Introduce the Caseboard: tell students they will examine snapshots of real-life moments to find emotional clues. Encourage them to think like detectives, looking beyond words to body language and context.

How to Read the Clues

Explain each step slowly, pointing to examples if possible. Emphasize that clues can come from tone, posture, expression, and setting.

Case 1: Classroom Crunch

Project the image of Alex (upset expression). Read the scenario aloud. Then ask: “Which clues stood out? What emotion fits best?”

Case 2: Recess Alone

Show Jordan’s image (slumped posture). Prompt students to work with a partner: “Share the clues you noticed and your emotion choice.”

Think-Pair-Share Discussion

Guide a brief whole-group discussion. Use responses to connect to next activity: clue collection sheets.