The POEMS project (Project Number: 2023-1-IT02-KA220-SCH-000157972) has been co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
Want to build emotional intelligence in your students?
Our resource page provides a database of lesson plans designed for teachers working with students aged 11-15.
| Picture | Title | Subjects | |
|---|---|---|---|
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How was the Holocaust possible? This interactive lesson plan aims to raise student awareness about the Holocaust, encourage emotional engagement with sensitive material, and promote analysis of modern circumstances with a historical lens. Teacher-guided interaction with students is limited to a brief conversation at the start of class which introduces source types, the Holocaust, and the learning method. Then, the class will be split into four groups and will engage with four different kinds of material at four distinct “stations” around the classroom, where the materials should be displayed. The teacher-student interaction grows into a discussion on how to respond to hate and how to reduce its escalation in such events and in more concrete circumstances students face. |
History | |
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Discovering Me: Building Self-Awareness for Personal Growth This lesson on self-awareness aims to help lower secondary students understand and develop a deeper awareness of their own emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. Through interactive discussions, self-reflection activities, and roleplay scenarios, students explore how self-awareness influences personal growth, relationships, and decision-making. The lesson encourages students to identify their strengths and areas for improvement, recognize emotional triggers, and learn strategies for emotional regulation. |
Trans/ Multi disciplinary | |
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Speak with Confidence: Mastering Effective Communication The lesson focuses on helping students develop essential communication skills that enhance their ability to convey ideas clearly and interact effectively in various social and academic contexts. Through interactive activities, role-plays, and reflective discussions, students will explore key aspects of communication, including clarity of speech, active listening, body language, and appropriate tone. |
Art, Trans/ Multi disciplinary | |
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Understanding Michelangelo’s Art Through Empathy The lesson plan is crafted for secondary students to explore Renaissance art by delving into Michelangelo's experiences and challenges, particularly in painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Across three sessions, students are introduced to Michelangelo's works and the Renaissance period, fostering discussions on the physical and emotional trials he may have encountered. In an engaging activity, students simulate Michelangelo’s ceiling-painting experience by creating their own art from an unusual perspective, which enhances their understanding of his perseverance and creative process. The sessions culminate in a reflective discussion on empathy, connecting students' personal experiences with historical insights. During these activities, the student is expected to empathize with the artist's life, as well as the labor and patience required to create the artwork. |
Art, Graphics, History | |
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The Scientific Method by Galileo Galilei and the development of social and relational skills Based on cooperative learning, students learn contents about the scientific method, interact with several classmates, experience different involvement within the group and improve their communicative skills. Students are divided into “groups of experts” of 4-5 persons, within which they have a specific role and acquire particular contents. In the second part of the activity, new groups are formed by different experts who exchange their knowledge. Groups must be heterogeneous in order to facilitate inclusion and social skills; teachers should pay attention to the details of communication, capturing both verbal language and body language. |
Biology, Chemistry, Math, Technology | |
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The emotion wheel This English language lesson engages students in a range of interactive activities meant to help students review, learn, and use adjectives in their own sentences to express and talk about their emotions and what makes them happy, sad, mad, tired, or relaxed. Moreover, the students discuss emotion regulation strategies, which help them identify emotional triggers, and practice appropriate emotional responses. |
Foreign Languages L2 | |
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Mastering Self-Regulation: Managing Emotions, Impulses, and Goals Students will be introduced to the concept of self-regulation, emphasizing its importance in emotional, behavioural, and cognitive control. Through direct instructions, group activities, and scenario-based role plays, the students will explore strategies for managing emotions, controlling impulses, and staying focused on goals. The lesson integrates key components of self-regulation—emotional regulation, impulse control, and goal-directed behaviour—by guiding students to reflect on their personal experiences and apply self-regulation techniques in academic and social contexts. |
Trans/ Multi disciplinary | |
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The heart This biology lesson focuses on the human circulatory system and its functions, helping students understand how emotions influence heart rate and overall cardiovascular health. Through various interactive activities, the teacher illustrates the relationship between emotions and physical health, emphasizing how emotional intelligence can contribute to better heart health. Additionally, the teacher engages students in discussions about strategies for managing their emotions. |
Biology | |
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My words: opening up or closing down? Based on circle time, students are invited to reflect on what are the characteristics of the meaningful relationships, on sentences and/or idioms of common use. The activity is divided into individual, pair and plenary phases and aims to improve communication skills. |
Trans/ Multi disciplinary | |
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Introducing Emotional Intelligence (EI) in the classroom Topic: Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Emotion Recognition Learning Outcomes: Students will understand basic emotional intelligence concepts, identify and interpret various emotions, and recognize non-verbal cues. They will practice expressing emotion |
Trans/ Multi disciplinary | |
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Walking in Someone Else's Shoes: Understanding and Practicing Empathy The lesson is about understanding empathy and differentiating it from sympathy. After watching videos, doing roleplays, working in groups or pairs, participating in discussions and giving feedback, students will be able to define empathy and practice empathy themselves. The students will become more aware of being empathetic in their everyday life. |
Trans/ Multi disciplinary |