Lesson Plan

Emotion Spectrum Blueprint

Students will identify, articulate, and discuss a range of emotions to build self-awareness and empathy through interactive check-in, creative expression, and reflection.

Understanding and naming emotions strengthens social-emotional learning skills, fosters empathy, improves communication, and lays a foundation for positive classroom climate.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Emoji Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduction to Emotion Spectrum

10 minutes

Step 3

Main Activity: Color-Your-Emotion Canvas

20 minutes

Step 4

Cool-Down: Emotion Reflection Journal

8 minutes

Step 5

Closing

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Feelings Unlocked

Welcome students! Today we’re going to unlock the world of emotions—learn to name them, notice how they feel, and understand how they vary in intensity. Use this slide deck along with our emoji check-in and creative canvas activity.

What Are Emotions?

Ask: “When you feel something—like happiness or anger—what does it feel like in your body?” Introduce the idea that emotions are signals we can learn to read.

Emotion Spectrum

Display this slide and point out how emotions can slide from mild to intense. Use student examples to fill in blanks if possible.

Basic vs. Complex Emotions

Explain that some words are basic (happy, sad) and others are complex (ecstatic, heartbroken). Invite students to suggest other feeling words and add them here.

Emotions in Action

Show each emoji and ask: “What emotion do you think this is?” Encourage students to name the emotion and describe when they might feel it.

Your Turn to Share

Prompt students to turn to a partner and name one new emotion word they heard today. Then invite volunteers to share with the whole class.

Up Next: Color-Your-Emotion Canvas

Transition students to the hands-on canvas activity. Explain materials and timeline.