Unique Ways to Check on Students - Strategies and Check-In Questions

Aug 26, 2026

Upload by Quinn

Unique ways to check on students focus on building connection, peer support, and practical help in both online and in-person classes. The strategies include a simple “1 stressor & 1 coping strategy” prompt, the “Rose and Thorn” one-sentence sharing method, and changing check-in questions each meeting to cover disappointment, worries, missing needs, and challenges at home or in online learning. Additional tools include creating an emoji and concept Google Form check-in and using a color-coded feeling chart to reflect, validate emotions, and discuss strategies for moving toward desired emotional quadrants.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

1 Stressor & 1 Coping Strategy

Rose and Thorn

Changing Check-In Questions Each Meeting

Sample prompts

Create a Google Form Check-In

Mood emoji and technology

Food and concept difficulty

Use a Color-Coded Feeling Chart

Unique Ways to Check on Students These strategies are wonderful at helping students being able to connect to the professor and fellow students. They also offer a way with online and in person classes to be see how people are doing & to share and direct people to resources as needed. 1 Stressor & 1 Coping Strategy Ask students to share one stressor from this week and one coping strategy that has helped. A benefit to this strategy is that students learn that they are not alone in their challenges and some coping skills they may not have tried. Rose and Thorn Students share one positive thing and one thing they are experiencing in a one sentence. Special thanks to Michael Duncan for sharing this method with me. Changing Check In Questions each Meeting Ask a different questions on days you meet. You can even use the chat feature on zoom or Teams instead of outloud. Special thanks to Yuma Counseling Services & Stephanie Auwaerter for sharing. What has been the most disappointing? What are you missing the most? What has been the hardest thing about online classes? What has been the hardest thing about being home? What has been the easiest part about being home? What are you most worried about? Create a Google Form Check in Using the drop-down options, select the emoji that corresponds to your mood right now. Are you have challenges with technology or wifi? Did you have enough food to eat today, yes or no? Thinking over the last week which concept are you finding to be the most difficult? Select all that apply from the drop-down menu or provide a short answer. Use a Color Coded Feeling Chart Ask the students to review the chart, find the feeling, observe it as if from a distance, and give a color description of where they are at the beginning of class. During the period when reflecting on feelings, students can consider what quadrant they want to be in and discuss strategies for how to get there. Students can also benefit from learning how to respect and validate other's feelings and learn how to support without pressuring and cajoling others to another space. Thanks for Margaret Hagood for helping me with this strategy [https://www.6seconds.org/2017/04/27/plutchiks-model-of-emotions/](https://www.6seconds.org/2017/04/27/plutchiks-model-of-emotions/)

FAQs

What is the “1 stressor & 1 coping strategy” check-in activity?

Students share one stressor from the week and one coping strategy that helped. It reinforces that they are not alone and helps surface coping skills they may not have tried.

What does the “Rose and Thorn” method ask students to share?

Students share one positive thing and one thing they are experiencing in one sentence. It supports brief, structured connection with both the professor and peers.

How can a color-coded feeling chart be used during a class check-in?

Students review the chart, observe their feeling as if from a distance, and give a color description at the start of class. They then reflect on which quadrant they want to be in and discuss strategies to get there, while practicing validation and supportive communication.

Aug 26, 2026

Upload by Quinn