“i tripped”

Yesterday, I introduced a new “check-in” chart, per say, to my students.

The chart is called “Above the Line/Below the Line” and it is simply a vertical line with a perpendicular line in the middle. It’s basically the right side of a full graph.

The idea behind this is for students to be able to check-in in the morning and throughout the day as their mood changes – if they are feeling above the line or below the line. I made magnets of their school pictures for them to do this.

We talked a lot about what the line means and what types of things would put you above, below, or even at the line.

For above the line, we came up with things like: having something special for breakfast, getting to sleep in a little bit later, holding the door for someone, someone bringing you a coffee(this was my example), receiving or giving a compliment, etc. We also talked about how even if you are feeling at or slightly below the line, you can make a conscious effort to mentally get yourself above the line.

For “below the line”, we came up with things like: oversleeping/not getting up on time, a fight with a sibling or parent, and heavier things like the passing of a family or losing a pet, etc.

We also talked about how I am trusting them to use this chart honestly. We talked about how you should not ask people why they are below the line and we need to give each other privacy, but maybe go out of your way to lift someone’s spirit who’s below the line. And lastly, we talked about how they can certainly move themselves throughout the day as long as it’s not during a lesson.

…

Well, it was my last class of the day and I noticed one of my students magnets was missing and we were both standing in front of the chart discussing where it could’ve gone (it ended up that he hid it).

Then, one of my kids came back from the bathroom and wove himself in between us and dragged his magnet (which was pretty high above the line) down just about an inch or so.

He looked at me after he moved it and said, “Tripped on the way back from the bathroom. Kinda hurt.” And he went back to his desk and started working.

Kids really are funny.

love always, caitlin