Background: Repeatedly checking our emotions throughout the day can rewire our brains to notice our energy states and manage them. Acknowledging students and their emotions is affirming, builds trust, and helps the group work together as a team.
Today in Class: I asked students to raise their hands to indicate which emotions they were currently feeling: happiness, sadness, hurt, anger, fear, love. I acknowledged all students and their emotions and encouraged classmates to do so as well. Students are assigned to check their emotions whenever they check the time.
Self-Reflection: What are you feeling right now: happiness, sadness, hurt, anger, fear, love? What intensity do you feel it from 1 (minimal) to 100 (overwhelming)? Who can you share your emotions with?
At-Home Support
Discuss emotions with your teen:
- Let's continue to practice recognizing our emotions.
- Nod if you are feeling happiness.
- Nod if you are feeling sadness.
- Nod if you are feeling hurt.
- Nod if you are feeling anger.
- Nod if you are feeling fear.
- Nod if you are feeling love.
- How strongly are you feeling the emotion, from 1 (minimal) to 100 (overwhelming)?
- Let's talk about what we are feeling. (If your teen refuses, say, "That's okay. Remember that I'm always here for you.")
- Every time we check our phones, let's also check our emotions.
Student Reflection
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