Mood Meter

Using a mood meter...

- Increases self awareness
- Promotes emotional regulation
- Provides a visual for emotional literacy

Implementation

Overview

The mood meter is a visual representation and categorization of different emotions.
The emotions are divided into quadrants and a scale is used.
The scale's Y axis is level of energy low to high
The scale's X axis is level of pleasantness low to high
The mood meter is designed to expand emotional literacy and self regulation.
A mood meter can be provided as a visual to all students or specific students to practice regulation.
Time intervals may be used to prompt students to check in on the mood meter.
The mood meter may be used at check in/check out times.
The mood meter may be used in combination with scheduled breaks or processing reflections depending on appropriateness.

Core Components

- The mood meter should be introduced as a way of identifying emotions.
- All emotions are felt by everyone and there are no "bad" emotions.
- We all have a "permission to feel" according to Marc Brackett creator of the mood meter.
- Education on emotions should be provided and coping strategies are trialed to support the emotions felt.

Proactive Implementation

- Proactively implementing the Mood Meter requires the supervising adult to introduce the concept of valuing all emotions and take the time to teach the mood meter to all students.

Responsive Implementation

- Responsively implementing the Mood Meter may result from students who need support in recognizing, identifying, and learning what they are feeling. Valuing all emotions as information. Students should practice the mood meter when regulated.

Connection

If the need is connection then the class may have discussion on their regular check ins and provide that information to each other consistently.

Skills Training

If the need is skill building then a student may practice using the mood meter at specific times of the day relating to a specific skill.

Awareness

If the need is awareness then a student may be signaled or prompted to use the mood meter by a supervising adult.

Emotional Regulation

If the need is regulation then a student may complete a mood meter check in pre and post sensory/regulation/coping break.

Consider Factors Prior to Start

Gender, race, function, topography, family dynamics, interpersonal relationships

Resource availability, classroom instruction, physical space, time, technology

Intensifying or Fading During

REMINDER

- Make a note to document when you're starting this intervention.
- After 10 consecutive school days of implementation, use collected data to determine the intervention's effectiveness.