Ready or not, the 1st day of school is quickly approaching. For me, that means soon-to-be-kindergarteners are at home anxious to use their new backpacks! As you set up your classroom, be sure to consider the emotional needs of your students. A quick and easy way to "check-in" with them is to make it part of your daily routine. Our Feelings Check-In is set in an easily accessible location. As part of their morning "jobs" (i.e. taking out mail, putting away lunch, hanging up backpack) children take their mini-self portraits (not-shown) and place it under the emotion they are feeling. As the day goes on, children are invited to move their picture as their feelings change.
Why Feelings Check-In?
This board opens up a dialogue not only between teacher and student, but also between student and student. This helps us provide emotional support that will benefit the child. Without this dialogue, emotions in the classroom are often misinterpreted as behaviors.
Teachers don't stop. We are on the go from the moment the bells rings in the morning until the last child is dismissed. Using a feelings check-in creates yet one more way for us to assess our students. You can ask yourself:
Is this child tired everyday?
Is this pattern due to lack of sleep or breakfast?
Is something more happening?
Is this child constantly sad? Why?
It is important for students to:
notice the feelings of the people in their learning environment
know that it is okay to be sad and express it
learn that you can feel more than one emotion at the same time
learn how to cope with different feelings
learn how to help a friend deal with their feelings
know that emotions change
Make a Feelings Check-In Board for your classroom:
Materials:
Colored tape
Magnetic board
Labels for feelings (text and visual)
Tape, laminating paper/machine, velcro
Hang the magnetic board up in a central location.
Use the colored tape to make sections- as many as you desire.
Once you have the labels (either printed or handmade), I suggest laminating them. Add velcro to the back and attach to the tops of each of your sections. *I made extra's that I switch out sometimes. Don't limit their vocabulary. Instead of "happy" or "sad" and use words like "joyful" and "disappointed".
I had the children make mini self portraits on a small piece of colored paper (about 2 inches by 1.5 inches) and I printed their named on it in sharpie. Laminate these and add magnet to the backs! (You can choose what you want to use. Anything with their name and/or picture will work!)
Teach, teach, teach. Feelings and social emotional skills must be taught. Show your students how to use the board. You may choose to make your own mini-self portrait and model your feelings along with them.
♡
And lastly... do a happy dance.
xo Maria