Mood Matters: A Daily Connection Ritual

*Primary Observation*
With elementary age students, it's most difficult to connect with shy and non-verbal students, yet shy and non-verbal students tend to have the most complex challenges with attendance and class participation.

*Design Challenge*
How might we build connection with shy, quiet, or non-verbal students in order to better understand and meet their needs?

*Solution Approach*
Begin each school year by incorporating daily stand-ups with students. Each morning, students identify their "mood color" to express how they're feeling at the start of the day. This quick check-in gives the teacher insight into any emotions or circumstances that may be affecting a student’s behavior or engagement. The teacher can then use one-on-one moments throughout the day to check in more deeply -- whether a student needs extra support or is simply having an especially great day.

*Reflections*
(1) Students quickly gravitated to the opportunity to share how they were feeling and often looked forward to the brief morning check-in.
(2) The teacher was able to easily identify what delights or disrupts a student’s mood and proactively provide individualized support.
(3) Teachers in the next grade level are enthusiastic and eager to carry forward the routine.

*Additional Participants*
Victoria McGuire, Silimona Hamrick