Offer students a way to let you know how they're feeling by using a "virtual temperature check-in" with this graphic or this emotional check-in worksheet.
Let's do an emotions scavenger hunt!
Provide students with an opportunity for some creativity through self-reflection with this vision board.
Talk with students about things that are going well, things that are challenging and things they're looking forward to by engaging in the roses, thorns and buds activity.
Help students feel in control during a time when life may feel somewhat out of control by asking them to channel their "inner superhero". This quick drawing exercise will allow students to acknowledge their strengths and positive qualities to draw upon when needed.
Have students work on this all about me worksheet. First, with the help of a family member, students will discover facts about themselves and what makes them who they are. Second, they will paste a favorite photo and write about what is happening and why it is important to them.
We all have inner voices ... the "inner coach" (positive self talk) and the "inner critic" (negative self talk). Explore with students the idea that the more positive self talk we use, the more likely we are to feel good about ourselves. Give an example from your own life. Have students complete these affirmation cards and send them on their way to a more positive day!
Just because we are currently limited in what we can do, and where we can go, it does not mean that things will be this way forever. Invite students to create a Someday Soon Jar.
Feeling a bit unsettled? Use these calm breathing techniques as a way to manage big feelings.
Use this 54321 grounding exercise to relax and stay in the present moment.
Feeling creative? Color in these in beautiful mandalas. See how relaxing it is!
Feeling restless? Enjoy some movement with this new Go Noodle video!
Need to get grounded before doing school work? Explore this strategy of self care breath awareness.
Ask students to complete one or both of these mindfulness reflection sheets. The first page prompts students to think about five things that help them calm down related to each of the five senses and the second asks them to draw or print out a picture of something that helps them calm down. These exercises will help students add to their "tool box" of coping and self regulation strategies.
Offer this fun self regulation breathing worksheet as a way for students to connect with their breath. Challenge them to create their own fun breathing page!
Do a "mind dump" together! Ask everyone to take out a piece of paper and write down all the things that are jumbled in their heads. There doesn't have to be any rhyme or reason to it, and it doesn't have to look pretty. Just getting it all out is so freeing! Maybe, set a timer for 3 minutes to just write down everything. Afterwards, it can be helpful for some people to crumple it up and throw it away. For others, it can be helpful to talk about it. Offer one or both!
Ask students to create a Coping Strategies Box to help regulate mood, increase focus, and/or self-calm as needed.
Engage the students in a kindness activity during morning meeting by creating and sending imaginary positive wishes for the world.
Create a virtual class journal together.
I thought this was a great list of books to help nurture classroom climate. Many of you have these books, as do I, but if you are unable to access them right now they can be found online in the form of a video book!
Cultivate an "attitude of gratitude"! Create a virtual gratitude wall where students can contribute what they're most grateful for. Or use this gratitude Google Form to collect positive thoughts.