Understanding Emotional Transitions

Emotional Intelligence

Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School

Learning Objectives
  1. Understand what an emotional transition is and recognize that feelings can change throughout the day
  2. Recognize that feelings can feel light and easy or big and intense
  3. Identify body clues that signal different emotions, such as relaxed muscles, wiggly energy, or tight muscles
  4. Connect physical body sensations to emotions like calm, excited, or upset
  5. Name feelings using words, visuals, or AAC when noticing body clues
  6. Develop awareness that noticing and labeling emotions helps build self-understanding

Kindergarten
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 – Participate in collaborative conversations
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.2 – Ask and answer questions about information presented orally
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.6 – Use words and phrases acquired through conversations

Grade 1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1 – Participate in collaborative conversations
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2 – Ask and answer questions about spoken and visual information
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.6 – Use words and phrases acquired through conversations

Grade 2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1 – Participate in conversations with peers and adults
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.3 – Ask and answer questions to clarify understanding
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.6 – Use words and phrases acquired through conversations

Grade 3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1 – Engage effectively in collaborative discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.3 – Ask and answer questions to deepen understanding
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.6 – Acquire and use conversational and academic vocabulary

Grade 4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1 – Engage effectively in discussions, building on others’ ideas
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.3 – Identify reasons and evidence a speaker provides
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.6 – Use academic and domain-specific vocabulary

Grade 5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1 – Engage effectively in collaborative discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.3 – Summarize points a speaker makes
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.6 – Use conversational and academic vocabulary

Grade 6
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1 – Engage effectively in collaborative discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.3 – Delineate a speaker’s argument and claims
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.6 – Use academic and domain-specific vocabulary

Grade 7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1 – Participate in discussions, expressing ideas clearly
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.3 – Analyze a speaker’s argument and evidence
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.6 – Use grade-appropriate vocabulary accurately

Grade 8
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1 – Initiate and participate in collaborative discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.3 – Evaluate a speaker’s reasoning and evidence
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.6 – Use precise words and phrases for effective communication

  1. The student will identify at least three different emotions (e.g., calm, excited, upset) when presented with verbal or visual cues in 4 out of 5 opportunities by [date].
  2. The student will describe or indicate at least two body clues associated with an emotion (e.g., tight muscles, fast heartbeat, relaxed shoulders) in 4 out of 5 opportunities by [date].
  3. The student will match body sensations to corresponding emotions with 80% accuracy across three consecutive sessions by [date].
  4. The student will use words, visuals, or AAC to label their current emotional state during structured activities in 3 out of 4 opportunities by [date].
  5. The student will independently state or select a feeling after noticing a body cue in 4 out of 5 opportunities with minimal prompting by [date].

Related Companion Activity

Understanding Emotional Transitions