Understanding Emotions and Decision-Making
Module 1 — Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Lesson objective
Students identify and name their core emotions, understand how emotions shape decisions under pressure, and practise a simple self-regulation technique they can apply in everyday situations at school and at home.
Self-awareness, emotional regulation, responsible decision-making.
Teacher guide — session outline
Opening (5 min)
Ask the class: name three emotions you felt this week. No judgement — just naming. Write responses on the board or whiteboard. Note which come up most often.
Concept (10 min)
Introduce the emotion-decision loop: emotions are information, not instructions. When we feel something strongly, we can pause, name it and choose our response. Use a simple diagram: Trigger → Emotion → Pause → Choice.
Pair activity (15 min)
Students read a scenario card (provided in the workbook): a friend ignores them in the corridor; they fail a test they studied hard for; they are asked to speak in front of the class. For each scenario: what emotion comes first? what would a fast reaction look like? what would a considered response look like?
Group debrief (10 min)
Two or three groups share their scenarios. Facilitate: was the considered response always better? Are some emotions harder to pause on? Why?
Closing technique (5 min)
Teach the 4-7-8 breathing pause: inhale 4 counts, hold 7, exhale 8. Practice once together. Explain this is one tool — not the only one — for creating a pause before reacting.
Student workbook activity
Students complete their emotion-decision map: choose one emotion they felt recently, describe the situation, write the fast reaction they had or almost had, then write what a more considered response would have looked like. No need to share if personal.
Closing reflection
Students write one sentence: "When I feel ___, I tend to ___. Next time, I could ___." They may keep this in their personal Vivenzi Edu journal or share with a partner if comfortable.
Request the full sample lesson
The complete pack includes the full teacher script, printable scenario cards, student workbook page, facilitation notes and a ready-to-print activity sheet. We will send it within 2 working days.