Lesson Plan

Explorer’s Map of Feelings

Students will identify, label, and express four basic emotions—happy, sad, angry, surprised—through interactive exploration and reflection.

Building emotional vocabulary and expression supports self-awareness, social skills, and a positive classroom climate, helping children recognize and communicate their feelings.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Warm-Up

3 minutes

Step 2

Emotion Photo Safari

5 minutes

Step 3

Emotion Matching Adventure

5 minutes

Step 4

Emotion Explorer Log Journaling

4 minutes

Step 5

Mood Meter Check Cool-Down

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Emotion Photo Safari

Welcome, Emotion Explorers! Introduce today’s safari: we’ll look at photos of kids showing different feelings. Encourage students to be eager and curious.

What’s This Feeling? 😊

Show the image of a child smiling. Ask: “What do you think this person is feeling? How can you tell?” Invite volunteers to share.

What’s This Feeling? 😢

Display the sad-face photo. Prompt students: “What clues show this child is sad? Have you ever felt this way?”

What’s This Feeling? 😠

Show the angry-face image. Ask: “What makes this face look angry? Can you show me your angry face?”

What’s This Feeling? 😲

Present the surprised-face photo. Encourage students to copy the surprised look and share times they felt surprised.

Great Job, Explorers!

Praise the class for their great observations and energy. Transition to the next activity by introducing the matching game.

Lesson Plan

Explorer’s Map of Feelings

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

Step 1

Welcome and Warm-Up

Step 2

Emotion Photo Safari

Step 3

Emotion Matching Adventure

Step 4

Emotion Explorer Log Journaling

Step 5

Mood Meter Check Cool-Down

Slide Deck

Emotion Photo Safari

What’s This Feeling? 😊

What’s This Feeling? 😢

What’s This Feeling? 😠

What’s This Feeling? 😲

Great Job, Explorers!

Game

Journal

Cool Down

Emotion Explorers

Araceli