Lesson Plan

Feelings Detective Plan

Students will identify and label at least three emotions in themselves and others by acting as “Feelings Detectives,” enhancing self-awareness and empathy.

Recognizing and understanding emotions empowers students to manage their own feelings and empathize with peers, contributing to a supportive classroom climate.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

3 minutes

Step 2

Introduction to Feelings Detective

2 minutes

Step 3

Detective Activity

7 minutes

Step 4

Class Debrief

2 minutes

Step 5

Exit Ticket

1 minute

Slide Deck

Feelings Detective

Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s lesson: we will become “Feelings Detectives” to spot and understand emotions in ourselves and others. Share the objective: identify and label at least three emotions. Preview the activity flow.

Warm-Up Discussion

Guide the warm-up: ask each student to pick one feeling word that describes how they feel right now. Call on 2–3 volunteers to share their word and why. Reinforce that all feelings are valid.

Introduction: Become a Feelings Detective

Explain the detective role: students will look for clues such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. Act out “surprised” and prompt students to name the clues they notice. Distribute the Detective Notebook Sheets.

Detective Activity Instructions

Explain the activity steps clearly. Remind students to rotate roles every 2 minutes and aim to act out and identify three emotions each. Circulate and encourage detailed observations.

Exit Ticket: Real-Life Clues

Distribute the Exit Ticket template. Prompt students to reflect on what they learned and collect the tickets as they leave.

Lesson Plan

Feelings Detective Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

Step 2

Introduction to Feelings Detective

Step 3

Detective Activity

Step 4

Class Debrief

Step 5

Exit Ticket

Slide Deck

Feelings Detective

Warm-Up Discussion

Introduction: Become a Feelings Detective

Detective Activity Instructions

Exit Ticket: Real-Life Clues

Worksheet

Worksheet

Worksheet

Warm Up

Cool Down

Feelings Detective

jennymullaney