For the last few weeks we have been introducing each zone to the students and having a great class meeting sharing times that we all have felt in each of these zones. The more I teach this curriculum, the more I see that students need concrete language around their feelings/emotions beyond just mad, sad, and happy. We have talked a lot about how none of these zones are a "bad" thing. There are going to be times where we are in the red zone or the blue zone and that is okay! What we really need to be thinking about is when is it expected to be in that zone and what is it unexpected. The problem with being in the red zone at unexpected times is that it can be unsafe, you can make people feel uncomfortable, and you might be hurting your learning and the learning of others. |
We also played a "zones game" where I read through some scenarios that they might experience throughout the day and then they went to what color zone they would be in on the carpet. It was rally interesting to see how 1 scenario could mean so many different things for each kid. For example, "sitting at the dinner table" was a scenario. I had kids go to all different colored zones. Some comments included,
"I'd be in the green zone because I like spending time with my family and it makes me feel happy"
" I'd be in the yellow zone because I feel a little worried that I don't know how long I will have to be there"
"I'd feel in red zone because I don't like the food that we eat"
This is a great activity to do at home if you are curious about how students are feeling about different activities you do at home and why :)
"I'd be in the green zone because I like spending time with my family and it makes me feel happy"
" I'd be in the yellow zone because I feel a little worried that I don't know how long I will have to be there"
"I'd feel in red zone because I don't like the food that we eat"
This is a great activity to do at home if you are curious about how students are feeling about different activities you do at home and why :)
The zones song!
I found this fun song that goes along with teaching the zones! It has a very catchy chorus and some fun lyrics that speak to each one of the zones. We have been singing it together as a class these past few weeks, so if they are humming a new tune at home, this might be it! There is an actual song that I have played for them a few times, but I prefer singing it myself :)