💛 SELGrade 5Lesson 1
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Identify Emotions & Triggers

How to use: Download the PDF to print the worksheet. Then use this page to repeat activities and check answers.

Learning Objectives

  • 1Name a wide range of emotions using precise feeling words
  • 2Identify the trigger that set off a feeling
  • 3Notice how an emotion shows up in the body
  • 4Choose a healthy first response when a strong feeling arrives
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Mini Lesson

Every feeling is a signal. When you can name what you feel and what set it off, you are no longer pushed around by your emotions — you can choose how to respond. This is the first big skill of self-awareness.

Emotions Have Names

There are dozens of emotions, not just happy or sad. Using a more precise word helps you and the people around you understand what is really going on inside.

  • Comfortable feelings: calm, proud, grateful, curious, excited, hopeful.
  • Uncomfortable feelings: nervous, frustrated, embarrassed, jealous, lonely, disappointed.
  • Neither comfortable nor uncomfortable is "bad" — every feeling tells you something useful.

A Trigger Is What Set It Off

A trigger is the event, thought, or situation that started a feeling. Triggers can come from outside (a comment, a loud noise, a surprise) or inside (a memory, a worry, a self-judgment).

  1. Notice — pause and look at what just happened.
  2. Name — find the most specific feeling word you can.
  3. Locate — where do you feel it in your body?
  4. Choose — pick a healthy first response.

How Feelings Show Up in the Body

  • Nervous: tight chest, butterflies, fast heartbeat.
  • Frustrated: clenched jaw, hot face, tense shoulders.
  • Excited: light, quick breathing, big smile, bouncy.
  • Sad: heavy chest, slow movements, tears building.
Emotion WheelNaming the FeelingMeright nowproudcuriousexcitednervousfrustratedlonelyUse the most specific feeling word you can find
Trigger to ResponseTrigger to Response1NoticeWhat justhappened?2NamePick afeeling word3LocateWhere inyour body?4ChooseA healthyfirst stepExample: someone took my seat at lunchName: frustrated. Locate: tight jaw, hot face.Choose: take a slow breath, ask kindly to swap.
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Tip: when feelings get big, slow down before you speak. A single deep breath gives your brain a chance to choose instead of react.

Vocabulary
emotion
A feeling that gives you information about a situation.
trigger
The event or thought that set off a feeling.
comfortable
A feeling that is pleasant or easy to sit with.
uncomfortable
A feeling that is hard to sit with — but still useful.
self-awareness
Noticing what you feel, think, and need in the moment.
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Guided Practice

Write 2-3 sentences explaining what you have learned. Use at least 4 of the vocabulary words below.
emotiontriggercuriousgratefulhopefulproudnervouslonelyfrustrated
📝 Words: 0 / 25🔤 Vocabulary used: 0 / 4
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Exercises

Match each situation to the most likely feeling.

Sort each feeling into Comfortable or Uncomfortable.

Comfortable feeling

Uncomfortable feeling

Pick the best answer for each question.

1. A trigger is...

2. Which is the MOST specific way to name a feeling?

3. Which group lists only uncomfortable feelings?

4. Where might frustration show up in the body?

5. Your best friend cancels plans last minute. Which response is healthiest FIRST?

6. Are uncomfortable feelings "bad" feelings?

7. What is self-awareness?

8. Which is the BEST first step when a strong feeling arrives?

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Assessment

Parent / Teacher Checklist

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