Lesson Plan

Snapshot Session Guide

Guide a 3rd grader through quick verbal prompts, drawing, and a brief stretch to capture their current emotions and identify coping strategies for personalized support.

This targeted 20-minute assessment builds self-awareness, helps the counselor understand the student’s emotional state, and informs tailored interventions to support the child’s well-being.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Greeting & Warm-Up

2 minutes

Step 2

Emotion Check-In

5 minutes

Step 3

Drawing Activity

7 minutes

Step 4

Reflection & Discussion

4 minutes

Step 5

Self-Soothing Cool-Down

2 minutes

Slide Deck

How Do You Feel?

Explain that each card shows a feeling. Ask the student to pick 2–3 cards that match how they feel right now.

Happy

Point to the smiling face and label. Ask, “When do you feel happy like this?”

Sad

Show the sad face and label. You might say, “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes—when might you feel this way?”

Angry

Highlight the angry face. Say, “This is what anger can look like. Can you think of times you felt this?”

Scared

Point out the scared face. Ask, “What scares you or makes you feel worried like this?”

Surprised

Show the surprised face. Encourage the student to share a time they were surprised.

Excited

Present the excited face. Ask, “What makes you feel this excited?”

Calm

Focus on the calm face. Invite the student to describe what helps them feel calm.

Worried

Display the worried face. Ask, “What kinds of things make you feel worried like this?”

Great Job!

Praise the student for exploring their emotions. Remind them they can use these cards anytime.