Relationship Skills – Grade 8 – Lesson 1
- Students will demonstrate the ability to identify and articulate their own emotions as well as recognize and respect the diverse range of feelings experienced by others in various situations.
- Students will engage in interactive activities to explore different scenarios and name the corresponding emotions, fostering emotional intelligence and empathy.
Introduction:
Emotional awareness is a fundamental aspect of social and emotional learning. Being able to identify and name feelings is the first step toward understanding and managing them effectively. In this lesson, we explore emotions and appreciate that everyone’s feelings may differ in the same situation, emphasizing that there are no “right” or “wrong” feelings. Each individual has the right to experience their emotions genuinely.
Getting Started:
Today, we will explore feelings and their impact on others. Ask students to take a piece of paper, fold it in half, and draw two feelings they experience while listening to the “Don’t Laugh at Me” song. Afterwards, encourage volunteers to share their pictures with the class.
Activity 1: How Would You Feel If…
Pair students and designate one as “Partner A” and the other as “Partner B.”
Let’s engage in a partner activity focused on identifying our feelings. Begin by greeting your partner and standing back-to-back. Partner A will answer first, while Partner B listens attentively. Each person will have a chance to share their response. I’ll signal when it’s time to switch roles and go back to back again.
Next, I’ll ask a series of questions, starting with “How would you feel if…?” Take a moment to think about each question. Then, turn around and share the feeling with your partner. Feel free to elaborate on that emotion if time allows.
Use the following questions in any order:
- How would you feel if a teacher used your paper as an example of how to write an excellent paper?
- Now, turn around and tell your partner how you would feel. Signal at 30 seconds and ask the partners to go back to back again.
- Repeat question and ask them to face one another again. Partner B now answers. Signal at 30 seconds that they are done.
- How would you feel if someone you really wanted to go with invited you to the school dance?
- Now, turn around and tell your partner how you would feel.
- How would you feel if someone spread a rumor about you throughout the school?
- Now, turn around and tell your partner how you would feel. Signal at 30 seconds and ask the partners to go back to back again.
- How would you feel if an adult you look up to told you they were proud of you?
- Now, turn around and tell your partner how you would feel.
- How would you feel if someone posted a picture on social media of a party most of your friends were at, but that you weren’t invited to?
- Now, turn around and tell your partner how you would feel.
- How would you feel if your best friend invited you to go the movies with them?
- Now, turn around and tell your partner how you would feel.
- How would you feel if you were suddenly asked to perform in a play or sing a song or play an instrument in front a lot of people?
- Now, turn around and tell your partner how you would feel.
Please thank your partner and go back to your seats.
After the activity, debrief with the group:
- Ask for a show of hands on whether students would have positive or negative feelings based on each scenario.
- Discuss the range of emotions that came up for different situations.
- Chart all the feelings on an anchor chart titled “Feelings” to build a feelings vocabulary for future reference.
Example:
The question was: “How would you feel if you got the winning hit or score or goal in a school sport/recess? How many of you would have positive feelings?” [Show off hands.] Look around.
“How many of you would have negative feelings?” [Show of hands.] Look around.
What does that tell us about feelings?
Next, explore the feelings.
What are some of the negative feelings that came up? What are the positive feelings?
Continue debriefing in this manner the “How would you feel if. . .?” questions you covered and charting the feelings as time allows.
Closing:
- Have students choose one feeling word from the chart and create an illustration using colors and images from magazines on construction paper.
- Invite volunteers to share their artwork and explain why they selected the images and colors they used. Alternatively, facilitate small group discussions or a gallery walk to encourage sharing and conversation.
- Display the artwork in the shape of a rainbow somewhere in the classroom or hallway, symbolizing the diverse and colorful range of emotions we experience as individuals.
Lesson adapted from: Rutgers SECD Lab Resources