Mood Meter
This mood meter activity develops students’ vocabulary for describing their feelings and their empathy muscles.
![Two middle school students write with pencils on a big paper activity.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_FH2101676.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=2LE9vXfG)
Our Names and Our Place in the World
Students consider what parts of our identities we choose for ourselves and what parts are chosen for us, as well as the impact our names can have on our identities.
![A student in conversation with a peer outside of the photograph is in the center of the photo. Another student looks at a laptop.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_SFBA_FH152706.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=Ra743RR_)
Making Meaning of Community
Students explore the idea of “community” in order to identify its key aspects and deeper meaning.
![Students sit around a table working on a big paper activity while receiving feedback from an educator.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_StudentDiscussion_FH287359.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=jnyJGnz9)
Emoji Emotions
Students use emojis to practice sharing what they are feeling while building empathy for their classmates.
![A student looks down at their paper with a pen in hand. A smiling emoji is in the foreground.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Cleveland_StudentEvent_2019_FH2100138.jpg?h=78aab1d8&itok=kV20ZA7G)
Picture This
Students engage with an intriguing image that lacks context or a title, drawing on their close viewing and analysis skills.
![Assorted images of the outdoors organized in a grid on a beige wooden table.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/assortedphotosontable_FH2174418.jpg?h=3270a554&itok=NLbmZzei)
Rose, Thorn, Bud
The Rose, Thorn, Bud exercise increases students' self-awareness as they reflect on recent successes, challenges, and opportunities.
![A bush of blooming red roses.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/bloomingredroses_FH2174430.jpg?h=790be497&itok=Bi-7cuYn)
Fist to Five
Students communicate how they are feeling in response to a chosen prompt, giving teachers a pulse on the class’s opinions or well-being.
![A person holding a rectangular white photo frame near a body of water.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/personholdingwhitephotoframe_FH2174431.jpg?h=85ee10f1&itok=FI7scKNp)
First Chapter Fridays
Read aloud a chapter of a book your students are interested in to build community around stories and storytelling.
![Person sitting on the floor while holding a book.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/personholdingbook_2017_FH2174436_teaser.jpeg?h=84071268&itok=8vuJsWXh)