Emotions Lesson Plan for Special Education: Naming Feelings
An emotions lesson where students name happy, sad, mad, and scared from picture scenarios on a four-face feelings chart, with per-student data.
- Social Skills
- Ages 5-8
- Group of 6
- 30 minutes
- Free printable PDF
Page 1 of 2. Page 2 is the data sheet.
What’s inside this plan
Objective: Students will point to and name the four core emotions on a feelings chart when shown a matching picture scenario or acted expression.
The goal it serves: When shown a picture scenario or a peer's expression, the student will name the emotion shown (happy, sad, mad, scared) with 80% accuracy in 4 of 5 sessions.
- 4 min Warm-Up
- 7 min Direct Instruction & Modeling
- 9 min Guided Practice
- 7 min Independent Practice
- 3 min Closure
Supports on the table: Choice Board, Social Story, Positive Reinforcement, Sensory Supports, Visual Schedule. Differentiated three ways (more support, on level, more challenge), with accommodations and a per-student data sheet at an 80% accuracy target.
Frequently asked questions
- What emotions does this lesson plan teach?
- The four core emotions: happy, sad, mad, and scared. Four is enough contrast to sort reliably without overwhelming an early learner; the more-challenge lane adds a because sentence once naming is solid.
- Does this emotions lesson plan work for preschool?
- Yes. It is written for ages 5 to 8, and the same chart-and-scenario structure works for preschool by using the two-face version from the more-support lane. Open it in the builder to change the ages and group size.
- How do I measure progress on identifying feelings?
- Each scenario card is one opportunity. The data sheet tracks correct names per student against the 80% IEP target, and the independent sort at the end gives a clean five-card probe.
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