Being Proactive

I was looking for a way for students to become aware of their feelings

so that I could empower them with some tools to improve their mental state.

Each day we rate ourselves on two 1 - 10 scales

where one is the worst imaginable and ten is the best imaginable. 

We rate our feelings and how ready to learn we are.

Each day we pick one scale to share. 
For instance, on this day we shared our ready to learn number using the frame:

Today I feel ____ ready to learn because _______. 

Each student writes their frame on a sticky note and we post them on the whiteboard. 

We have used many formats such as vertical spectrum, horizontal spectrum or bull's eye.
This day we used a bar graph format.

One at at time, students report out their frame to the class.

(Apologies for poor photo quality, but it protects the students' privacy.)

Students graph both numbers daily on a double line graph.

In order to make the connection that we have power to influence our own state of mind, we brainstormed criteria of ways to improve or "bump up" our ready to learn number. 

Here is what we came up with:

* think something happy

* relax

* think positive/ think about the good things that are likely to happen today

* have a healthy breakfast/ include protein if possible

* have a good sleep

*clear your mind

* find a positive way to express your emotions (ex. Dear Mrs. Emms Journal)

*Be responsible for your feelings

Our school practices the 7 Habits of Being Green 

(based on Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective Kids).

We read the Being Proactive story. 

Although the students have heard these stories each year, we discussed how they are now able to make more sophisticated connections to their own lives. 

At the end of our activity, each student reflected in their own journal using the following frame:

I will do the following things to improve my ready to learn number:

1. I will ______ because _________.

2. I will _______ because _________.

3. I will _______ because __________.

I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of our labour :)