Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration
Dear Educator,
Welcome to 2022 🥳. One thing that I am certain of as we start this year is that people (myself included) are feeling a lot! There is hope, rejuvenation, anxiety, determination, uncertainty, resolve, fear, and a plethora of other emotions. It’s ok, and normal even, to feel many emotions at once; however, I would encourage us all to acknowledge what we feel and allow others to as well. That way, we can meet learners, and each other, where we are in order to move forward and create inclusive and engaging learner-centered communities.
As we navigate a new wave of virtual, in-person, and quarantine set-ups, I want to start this year off with one of my favorite strategies to use as a check-in or deeper activity to explore and discuss feelings.
With Gratitude, Katie
BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK
How Are You Feeling?
The Mood Meter is an evidence-based grid of emotions that helps you identify the “coordinates” to your current emotional state based on pleasantness and energy. This activity is about helping students and adults name and identify how they are feeling in order to become more aware of emotions and their impact so they can choose to respond appropriately.
Many teachers use it as a mood check-in with students as they are walk in the door, and throughout the day to help regulate emotions using the specified Mood Meter App.
You can use this as a daily check-in, or you can use it to debrief big events. Amy Fast, high school principal and author, shared how the Mood Meter helped their community debrief the attack on the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Social Studies teachers facilitated a discussion and allowed students to process and use the mood meter to reflect and share how they were feeling.
Having a shared language or images to talk about feelings can help build community, shared understanding, and support to process emotions appropriately. I encourage you to try out the Mood Meter, or adopt a similar strategy for checking in and discussing feelings in the classroom.
Interested in discussing strategies to support your students' social and emotional learning? Let's connect!
2. Creating inclusive learning communities. Here are 10 strategies that you can use to get to know your students and continue to build relationships throughout the year in any learning environment.
3. Fireside chat with learner-centered leaders. Join us alongside Digital Promise on Jan 11, at 12 pm PT / 3 pm ET for an insightful conversation with school leaders from Menlo Park City School District, Embark Education, and Pioneer STEM Academy as they discuss novel ways to promote whole-child, competency-based experiences. Register for the virtual session here.
LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!
How are you checking in with your students? Use #LCBrightSpots to share your experiences on social media!
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