Lesson Plan

Trigger Exploration Plan

Students will identify personal emotional triggers, reflect on their reactions, and learn healthy coping strategies to manage their emotions.

Understanding triggers builds self-awareness and equips students with emotional regulation skills, reducing classroom disruptions and promoting mental well-being.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Materials Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Triggers

5 minutes

Step 2

Think-Pair-Share Discussion

10 minutes

Step 3

Personal Reflection Journal

10 minutes

Step 4

Group Brainstorm of Coping Strategies

10 minutes

Step 5

Coping Strategy Exit Ticket

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Understanding What Sets Us Off

Welcome everyone! Today we’re diving into emotional triggers. Use our class colors #8B4F97, #A36EB9, and #C193DE to create a welcoming atmosphere. Point out that this deck—[Understanding What Sets Us Off Slide Deck](#understanding-what-sets-us-off-slide-deck)—will guide us through definitions, examples, and an interactive discussion.

Lesson Objectives

Read aloud each objective. Emphasize that knowing our triggers helps us respond—not just react—to situations.

What Is an Emotional Trigger?

Ask: “What comes to mind when you hear ‘emotional trigger’?” Let a few students share before revealing the formal definition.

Why Understanding Triggers Matters

Highlight each benefit as you go. Relate back to how understanding triggers can keep us calm at home, school, and with friends.

Common Emotional Triggers

Invite students to suggest other triggers. Record student contributions on the board alongside the examples below.

Think-Pair-Share Activity

Explain the steps and hand out the [Think-Pair-Share Prompts](#think-pair-share-prompts). Circulate while students discuss.

Next Steps

Transition smoothly: “Next, we’ll capture our personal triggers in journals and then brainstorm coping strategies together.”

Lesson Plan

Trigger Exploration Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Materials Preparation

Step 1

Introduction to Triggers

Step 2

Think-Pair-Share Discussion

Step 3

Personal Reflection Journal

Step 4

Group Brainstorm of Coping Strategies

Step 5

Coping Strategy Exit Ticket

Slide Deck

Understanding What Sets Us Off

Lesson Objectives

What Is an Emotional Trigger?

Why Understanding Triggers Matters

Common Emotional Triggers

Think-Pair-Share Activity

Next Steps

Journal

Cool Down

What’s Your Trigger?

Carlette Walker