As I've already shared, my school has the privilege of becoming a Leader in Me school this year. Part of Habit 1: Be Proactive is choosing your own weather. Despite what outside forces are impacting you, we can make the decision to be happy. This is something I've been focusing a lot of energy on and guess what! IT'S WORKING! I'm happier than I've ever been, I feel more successful in my work, and it has been much easier to solve conflicts in my personal life.
So I had a thought...why not use the weather as an assessment tool in finding out how a child is feeling? So I decided to make the above display for my room: What's your weather? The child can pick the weather symbol that best describes how they're feeling and then explain more about what it means. Here's my thought but it's up to interpretation by each child:
Sunny = happy
Sun peeking behind cloud = feeling OK
Cloudy = not feeling my best
Rainy = sad
Lightening = angry
After the child figures out which weather picture depicts how they are feeling, we will be able to discuss it and then talk about how to make ourselves feel sunny again. Some other ideas that I've received from others (and use all the time) are the emotions tree, feelings posters, etc.
What do you use to assess a child's feelings?
LOVE this idea, Tracy! I am definitely going to incorporate this idea - maybe using some other kinds of weather too. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of feelings kids attach to some of our Vermont weather too - snow, sleet, ice storm, and blizzard.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Awesome! I'd love to hear what you come up with!
ReplyDeleteI love the weather analogy...I use something similar in my Kindergarten bully lessons. I send you a link as soon as I post it. I do use the anger gage a lot with kids...even my tough 8th grade boys liked making and using them. www.thehelpfulcounselor.blogspot.com/2012/8/anger-management-anger-gage.html
ReplyDeleteOne of my third graders came up with 'windy.' He said that means he's feeling hyper. I thought it was pretty creative!
ReplyDelete