Every time I do this activity, the results are always fascinating. As a class, we talk about the school day and what things we could do to make it more fun, but this is the true test. Seeing the "zones of their day" gives me individual insight on how each student is feeling throughout the day.
Here is an example graph that I showed the kids before they did theirs. We had a conversation about why this student might be feeling different ways at different times. Being in the yellow zone is expected at recess, but being in the red zone at lunch isn't. Being in the blue zone at class meeting might just be because it has been a long day, and they are tired.
Having each student fill out a zones graph is very helpful for them to be self-aware of what zone they are in and how they can help get themselves back to the green zone if that is what is expected. It is also helpful for me to see trends in how they are feeling and how I might be able to support them individually or as a whole class.
Some trends I noticed were,
- Lots of kids get in the yellow zone at morning meeting when they don't get called on to help with calendar.
- Kids don't like any time we have to wait or sit :)
- Our zones change a lot throughout the day
- NO ZONE IS A BAD ZONE! Yellow or red zone can mean we feel excited or silly.
- Overall, some students are misunderstanding the red zone. The red zone is when your body is completely out of control with excitement or anger.
Having each student fill out a zones graph is very helpful for them to be self-aware of what zone they are in and how they can help get themselves back to the green zone if that is what is expected. It is also helpful for me to see trends in how they are feeling and how I might be able to support them individually or as a whole class.
Some trends I noticed were,
- Lots of kids get in the yellow zone at morning meeting when they don't get called on to help with calendar.
- Kids don't like any time we have to wait or sit :)
- Our zones change a lot throughout the day
- NO ZONE IS A BAD ZONE! Yellow or red zone can mean we feel excited or silly.
- Overall, some students are misunderstanding the red zone. The red zone is when your body is completely out of control with excitement or anger.