The Mood Meter
I am experiencing a high level of energy, and feel really good about it. What color on the mood meter am I in?
Yellow
I don't like really loud noises and there is going to be an assembly today. How can I prepare for it?
Bring headphones or earplugs to drown out the sound, tell my teacher and ask to sit by the door and take breaks if needed.
I have too much energy and am having trouble sitting still. It is making it hard for me to focus. What is the size of my problem? If it is small or medium, what can I do about it?
Small problem- I can use a strategy!
Ask to go for a walk, use a standing desk, ask for a break to get movement out, use a calming strategy like breathing, self hug, weighed object to calm, ect.
What does our inner coach say to us?
Positive things that help us feel good or manage challenging situations (you got this, with practice I can get better, one step at a time, ect.)
What are the three ways that people communicate?
Assertive, aggressive, and passive
I have low energy and feel like I can't make it through the day at school, it's really uncomfortable. What color of the mood meter am I in?
Blue
My friend makes silly faces at me sometimes during class and I get in trouble for laughing. What can I do to help myself?
Talk to the teacher, ask for a different place to sit in the classroom to avoid looking at them.
I tried to answer my math problem and got it wrong. What is the size of my problem? What can I do about it?
Medium!
I can ask for help!
I am trying to do math, but keep thinking I am bad at it. Is this my coach or critic?
Critic.
If I am looking down and not saying anything when I need help, what form of communication is this?
Passive
I am feeling really excited! I can't wait to tell all my friends about my weekend! What color on the mood meter am I?
Yellow
We have a math test and tests make me feel nervous. What can I do prepare?
Ask a parent to help me study for the test, use positive self talk and breathing exercises to help my body and mind feel calm, ect (there is no one right answer)
What makes a problem a huge volcano size problem?
It is an emergency, it is not easily fixed, or it may take a lot of time, effort, and people to solve. It may not be solved but something we learn to manage.
I thought to myself that I am going to be brave and try something new today. Is this my coach or my critic?
Coach
When I am mad, my brain goes into a fight response. What strategy can I use first so that I can communicate my needs assertively?
Breathing, a break, a walk, a drink of water
I am ready to learn! What color on the mood meter am I in?
Green
I feel sad when my friend plays with other kids at recess. What can I do?
Ask other kids from my class if they want to play with me, ask if I can join the bigger group, sit on the buddy bench, talk to an adult about it to get some ideas, ect.
My friend and I had a disagreement about our lemonade stand. We tried to solve it ourselves, but just kept arguing. What is the size of our problem and how can we solve it?
Medium.
Ask an adult for help.
I am thinking that reading is too hard and there are too many words on the page. How can I change my thinking to help me feel better?
If I get started, I can see how much I can do. I can use a highlighted tracker to focus on one line of text at a time. I have been getting better with my reading, so this may be easier than I think. If I get stuck I can always ask for help. (or other helpful thoughts!)
When I am frustrated, my brain goes into flight. I do something else or go to the bathroom when I don't understand my work. What is a strategy I can use to ask for help instead?
My inner coach (positive self talk), breathing, stretching, a calming item
True or False? It is possible to experience feelings in all areas of the mood meter in one day.
True! You can have lots of different feelings throughout the day!
True or False? I can plan for all my triggers.
False. Sometimes life gives us surprises, but if we plan often enough, we can start to manage any surprises that come our way!
My shoelace keeps coming untied when I have tied it several times today. I scream and yell and throw my shoe. Does my reaction match the size of my problem?
No. My problem is small to medium (maybe an adult can help me with my shoe laces). I can slow down, take a breath, and try again or I can ask for help from an adult.
I can make responsible choices! How does this thought make me feel?
Proud, happy, motivated, ect.
Give an example of being assertive. You must use your tone of voice, volume, facial expression, and word choice.
Polite language, expressed a feeling and need, head up, sitting or standing straight, eye contact, neutral tone, calm demeanor