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SPRINGWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Use of the 5 point scale as a self-regulation tool:

At Springwood, we've adapted the 5 Point Scale, from the books When My Worries Get Too Big! by Kari Dunn Buron, and The Zone of Regulation by Leah M. Kuypers, to create a visual scale that goes from 0-5.  This scale is used for many different purposes – many of our students have their own individual visual that helps them regulate their emotions for anxiety, anger, fear etc.  Most of our classrooms are referring to the scale as a general barometer gauge, and on the playground, each duty supervisor carries visuals to help our students with problem solving and conflict resolution. 

Briefly, here is some of the language we use with the scale:

0 – I am tired/have no energy/not engaged

1 – I feel super

2 – Things are OK (I can handle it)

3 – I am not fully in control (I can take a deep breath/I can work in a different space/I ask for help)

4 – I am losing control. (I need a break to calm down/ I can let my teacher know I need help right away)

5 – I feel out of control.  I am going to break something.  I need to leave