Check-In Spinner

Purpose:

Use this spinner to kick off your morning meeting by randomly selecting a student to share how they’re feeling. The wheel promotes inclusivity and gives everyone a chance to speak.

## Spinner Design & Segments
Divide a circle into 8 equal slices. Label each slice with one of the following feeling words or emojis:

• Happy 🙂
• Excited 🤩
• Calm 😌
• Proud 🏆
• Curious 🤔
• Nervous 😬
• Grateful 🙏
• Silly 🤪
  
  ## Materials Needed
• Sturdy cardstock or laminated printout of the spinner
• A paperclip and a brad fastener (or laminated arrow spinner)
• Check-In Spinner graphic (printable)
• Clip or pointer for spinning
  
  ## Setup Instructions

1. Print the spinner template on cardstock or laminate it for durability.
   2. Attach a paperclip at the center with a brad fastener; the paperclip acts as the spinner arrow.
   3. Place the spinner where all students can see it (whiteboard, chart stand, or table).
   
   ## How to Use During the Meeting
2. Gather students in a circle so everyone can view the spinner.
   2. Invite a student volunteer (or yourself) to flick the spinner.
   3. When the spinner stops, read the feeling word on which it lands.
   4. Call on the next student in the circle (or whoever volunteered) to share one sentence about why they chose that feeling today.
   5. After they share, offer a quick positive acknowledgment (nod, thumbs-up, or “thank you”).
   6. Repeat until each student has a turn or time is up.
   
   Tip: If the same student is selected twice before everyone has had a turn, give them the option to pass or pick someone who hasn’t shared yet.

Empathy Scenario Cards

Purpose:

Use these scenario cards in small groups to spark conversation about understanding others’ feelings and practicing empathy. Distribute one card per group and discuss the prompts.

## How to Use
1. Print and cut along the lines to create individual cards.
2. In groups of 3–4, take one card each.
3. Read the scenario aloud and discuss the questions on the back.
4. Share key insights or example empathetic actions with the whole class.

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Card 1
Scenario: Your friend has been studying hard for a big test but still got a lower grade than they hoped for. They look disappointed.
Discuss:
• How might your friend be feeling right now?
• What could you say or do to show you care?

Card 2
Scenario: A new student just joined your class and is sitting alone at lunch, looking nervous to join a table.
Discuss:
• What thoughts might be going through their mind?
• How could you help them feel welcome?

Card 3
Scenario: Your teammate seems upset after missing an important part of the group project because they were absent.
Discuss:
• What emotions might they be experiencing?
• How can the group support them and include them now?

Card 4
Scenario: You overhear someone being teased in the hallway for wearing a different style of clothing.
Discuss:
• How might the person being teased feel?
• What respectful action could you take in that moment?

Card 5
Scenario: A classmate is crying because they received some bad news at home.
Discuss:
• What might you imagine they’re going through emotionally?
• What could you say or do to show empathy and support?

Card 6
Scenario: During a partner reading activity, your partner keeps stumbling over certain words and looks embarrassed.
Discuss:
• How do you think they feel about this?
• What could you do to encourage them without making them feel worse?

Card 7
Scenario: A friend shares that they’re nervous about performing in the school play next week.
Discuss:
• What fears or anxieties might they have?
• How can you use kind words or actions to boost their confidence?

Card 8
Scenario: You notice a classmate eating lunch alone and scrolling through their phone without talking to anyone.
Discuss:
• What might be the reason they’re alone?
• What small gesture could you offer to show you care?

Respect Prompt Slips

Purpose:

Use these prompt slips in small groups or pairs to explore and practice respectful actions in everyday situations. Distribute one slip per group, read the scenario aloud, and discuss the prompt.

## How to Use
1. Print and cut along the lines to create individual slips.
2. In groups or pairs, take one slip each.
3. Read the scenario and discuss the question below.
4. Share your respectful action ideas with the class.

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Slip 1
Scenario: A classmate gets interrupted while speaking in class.
Discuss: What respectful action could you take to help them finish?

Slip 2
Scenario: You see someone drop their books in the hallway.
Discuss: What respectful action could you take to help?

Slip 3
Scenario: Your partner mispronounces a word during a presentation and looks embarrassed.
Discuss: What respectful action could you take to support them?

Slip 4
Scenario: A friend seems upset about missing recess because of extra homework.
Discuss: What respectful action could you take to show you care?

Slip 5
Scenario: You notice someone being left out of a group game at lunch.
Discuss: What respectful action could you take to include them?

Slip 6
Scenario: A classmate is stressed about a big assignment and keeps muttering under their breath.
Discuss: What respectful action could you take to offer help or encouragement?

Slip 7
Scenario: You disagree with a classmate’s opinion during a debate.
Discuss: What respectful action could you take to express your view politely?

Slip 8
Scenario: Someone shares a creative idea in class but no one responds.
Discuss: What respectful action could you take to acknowledge their contribution?

Teamwork Building Blocks Activity Guide

Purpose:

This activity encourages students to collaborate, communicate clearly, and practice shared decision-making as they work together to design and build a structure using simple blocks or manipulatives.

Learning Targets:

• Demonstrate effective teamwork through planning and role-sharing
• Use clear, respectful communication to solve problems together
• Reflect on group strengths and areas for improvement
  
  ## Materials Needed
• A set of building blocks or LEGO® pieces (15–20 per group)
• Timer or stopwatch
• Workspace for each group (desk or small table)
• Reflection Journal Template for post-activity debrief
  
  ## Setup Instructions (5 minutes)

1. Arrange students in their small groups of 3–4 around workspaces.
2. Distribute an equal set of blocks to each group.
3. Explain the challenge and agenda. Display or announce the timer settings.
   
   ## Activity Steps (Total: 10 minutes)

1. Planning Phase (2 minutes)

• Prompt each group to:
  • Agree on a simple goal for their structure (tallest tower, strongest bridge, creative shape)
  • Assign roles (e.g., builder, planner, quality-checker, timekeeper)
• Provide guiding questions:
  • How will we share ideas?
  • Who will place each piece?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

2. Building Phase (6 minutes)

• Start the timer.
• Students collaborate to build according to their plan.
• Encourage:
  • Clear, respectful prompts (“Can you hand me the blue block, please?”)
  • Listening and adjusting when something doesn’t work
• Teacher circulates, noticing and praising teamwork:
  • “I saw you asking your partner for ideas—great communication!”

3. Showcase & Debrief (2 minutes)

• When time’s up, each group presents their structure briefly:
  • One member explains their goal and how they worked together
  • Peers offer one compliment on teamwork or design
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Reflection Questions

Distribute the Reflection Journal Template and ask students to respond:

1. What was one thing our group did well as a team?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What challenge did we face, and how did we resolve it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What is one skill I want to improve for next time?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Tip for Teachers:

• Highlight specific examples of collaboration you observed.
• Encourage students to use these skills in upcoming class projects and daily interactions.

Reflection Journal Template

Name: ______________________ Date: ________________

1. What was one thing our group did well as a team?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What challenge did we face, and how did we resolve it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What is one skill I want to improve for next time?