Musical Check-In
Searching for a simple yet effective method to gauge your students' energy levels and boost engagement in the classroom? Try using the Musical Check-in.
How to do a Musical Check-in:
Watch the video above, or follow along with the steps below.
- Play an upbeat song. Anyone who has lots of energy moves to this song.
- Play a neutral song. Anyone who feels in a neutral mood or energy moves to this song.
- Play a grounding song. Anyone who is tired moves to this song.
Explore using Visual Check-in Cards throughout the activity, as well.
Benefits of Using a Musical Check-in:
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Energy Level Assessment: The Musical Check-in offers a straightforward and effective way to assess your students' energy levels. By playing different types of music and having students move accordingly, you can quickly gauge their current energy state.
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Enhanced Engagement: Understanding your students' energy levels allows you to tailor your teaching approach to boost engagement. Whether they're high-energy, neutral, or tired, you can adjust your activities to match their mood and energy, ultimately leading to more engaged and responsive students.
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Interactive Self-Assessment: This activity encourages students to actively participate in self-assessment. By choosing the song that best reflects their energy level, they take ownership of their feelings, fostering self-awareness and self-regulation.
Ideas for Using a Musical Check-in:
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Morning Check-In: This helps you quickly gauge the class's overall energy and plan your lessons accordingly.
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Transition Times: Use the Musical Check-in during transitions between activities or subjects. This brief activity can help students acknowledge and regulate their energy levels, leading to smoother transitions and reduced disruptions.
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Group Discussions: After the Musical Check-in, engage students in discussions about their energy levels. Encourage them to share why they chose a particular song and discuss strategies for managing their energy throughout the day. This practice promotes emotional intelligence, empathy, and a sense of community within the classroom.
Looking for music? Check out this Grounding Playlist or this Energizing Playlist.
