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Check-In Champions

Linda Roldan

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Check-In Champions Session 1 Lesson Plan

Introduce the Mood Meter framework for identifying emotions by energy and pleasantness levels, and guide the student through reflecting on physical and thought cues to build self-awareness.

Building the ability to recognize and label emotions is foundational for self-regulation, emotional intelligence, and future SEL skill development.

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through modeling, discussion, and hands-on reflection

Materials

  • Mood Meter Chart, - Self-Awareness Reflection Worksheet, and - Journal and Pencil

Prep

Review Session Materials

5 minutes

  • Familiarize yourself with the Mood Meter Chart and Self-Awareness Reflection Worksheet
  • Print or prepare digital copies for the student
  • Ensure journals or notebooks are available and accessible

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Greet the student and explain that today’s focus is learning a tool to notice emotions
  • Ask how they’re feeling right now and briefly discuss their response

Step 2

Explain the Mood Meter

10 minutes

  • Present the Mood Meter Chart
  • Describe the four quadrants: Red (high energy, unpleasant), Yellow (high energy, pleasant), Blue (low energy, unpleasant), Green (low energy, pleasant)
  • Provide examples of emotions in each quadrant and invite the student to share examples

Step 3

Practice with the Mood Meter

10 minutes

  • Ask the student to recall a moment from today and choose where it fits on the Mood Meter
  • Have them mark that quadrant on their copy of the Mood Meter Chart
  • Discuss why they chose that quadrant and what cues (thoughts, body sensations) informed their choice

Step 4

Self-Awareness Reflection

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Self-Awareness Reflection Worksheet
  • Prompt the student to note any physical sensations or thoughts when they felt that emotion
  • Encourage drawing or writing brief reflections on patterns they notice
  • Praise their insights and preview next session’s journaling focus
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Activity

Mood Meter Activity

Objective:
Guide the student to practice identifying and labeling their emotions using the Mood Meter in an interactive exercise.

Time: 15 minutes

Materials:

  • Mood Meter Chart
  • Colored Sticky Notes or Index Cards
  • Markers or Colored Pencils

Prep (5 minutes):

  • Gather sticky notes and markers
  • Print or project the Mood Meter Chart

Instructions:

  1. Set-Up (2 minutes)
    • Provide the student with 3–5 sticky notes and markers
    • Display the Mood Meter Chart prominently
  2. Emotion Brainstorm (5 minutes)
    • Ask the student to recall three moments from this week when they felt a strong emotion
    • On each sticky note, write one emotion word (e.g., “excited,” “anxious,” “calm”)
  3. Pin Emotions on the Meter (5 minutes)
    • Have the student place each sticky note onto the quadrant of the Mood Meter Chart that matches its energy (high/low) and pleasantness (pleasant/unpleasant)
    • Encourage them to explain what body cues or thoughts led them to that placement
  4. Reflection and Debrief (3 minutes)
    • Discuss any patterns (e.g., many notes in one quadrant)
    • Ask: What did you notice about how your body or mind gave you clues to place each emotion?
    • Praise their insights and preview how they’ll use this skill in daily check-ins



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Worksheet

Self-Awareness Reflection Worksheet

Use this worksheet to explore an emotion you noticed using the Mood Meter. Think about what you felt in your body and what was going through your mind.

  1. Date and Time of the Emotion:






  1. What emotion did you identify on the Mood Meter? (e.g., “anxious,” “excited,” “calm”)






  1. Which quadrant did you place this emotion in on the Mood Meter Chart?






  1. What was happening right before you noticed this emotion? Describe the situation or trigger.






  1. Physical Sensations: What did your body feel like when you experienced this emotion? (e.g., tight chest, butterflies, warm face)






  1. Thoughts or Images: What thoughts or pictures came to your mind? (e.g., worries, memories, predictions)






  1. Patterns and Insights: Looking back, do you notice any pattern or connection between the trigger, your sensations, and your thoughts?






  1. Rating Intensity: On a scale of 1–5, how strong was this emotion? (1 = very mild, 5 = very strong)

1 2 3 4 5




  1. Reflection: What might you try next time to notice or manage this emotion sooner?






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