Looking for a quick and meaningful way to incorporate more self-reflection or mindfulness into your day? Then read on to get a clearer understanding of what the peak and the pit refers to along with some quick activities to easily incorporate into your children’s day with little effort.
Peaks And Valleys Meaning
So what exactly does this mean?
Simply put, the peaks and valleys definition is the highs and lows of a situation or day.
The peak is what is best. Think of it as the peak of a mountain. It has the best view. It is bright and makes you feel good to be at the top.
Whereas the valley (or pit) is the worst. Again thinking in landform terms, a valley is a low place. It is often thought of as a darker spot. When you are in a valley it can feel deflating.
Oftentimes peaks and pits is thought of as a mindfullness tool. It offers a chance to reflect on a day or situation. What went well and was a shining point and what didn’t that can be learned from.
Peaks And Valleys Examples
Examples can be a great way to help explain things.
Examples are like little learning “lightbulbs”—they help kids see how something works!
When we give an example, we’re showing students, not just telling them. This makes things feel more real and less confusing.
Here are a few examples in a school setting that could happen in a regular day of an elementary student.
Peak – Making a new friend.
Peak – Getting a compliment for a great choice you made.
Pit – Feeling left out during a game at recess.
Pit – Struggling with a difficult math problem.
Peaks And Valleys Chart
Another helpful way to have peaks and valleys explained or doing an activity with it by having a chart to show this can be helpful for students.
Visuals in general are helpful. When students can see what we’re talking about—like a picture, chart, or diagram—it helps their brains make better connections.
It’s kind of like giving their brains a “double scoop” of understanding: one scoop from hearing, and one scoop from seeing!
Visuals can:
✩ Help students remember things longer
✩ Make tricky ideas easier to understand
✩ Keep students more focused and interested
✩ Support all types of learners, especially those who learn better by seeing
Try using a peaks and valleys drawing similar to this one to aid in understanding.
Peaks And Valleys Exercise
There are many different peaks and valley activity ideas to incorporate at the end of a situation or day. Here are a few ideas.
Partner Share Activity
At the end of a lesson, have students buddy up with a peer. Have each person share the peak of the lesson – what went really well for them and they really understood. Then have them share their pit – what they struggle to understand or need more help or practice with.
To further the activity, have groups share out their ideas. This allows everyone to see that all children have strengths AND areas they need to continue to work on.
Peak and Pit of Day
At the end of the day discuss what was a shining or proud moment. You could even continue this further by asking about feelings during this moment or what helped it go so well. Then on the flip side, what was the pit of the day? What was a big area of struggle or one that brought out big emotions or even one where the person’s actions weren’t expected. Continue this to talk about how that could have gone different and what actions would have needed to take place to get that different result.
If you need a done for you format to do this, check out this resource. Not only will you get a few different versions of a recording sheet to mark this on, you also get a whole semi-scripted lesson with all teaching materials. The lesson goes into the definition, gives examples, and provides strategies to maximize the peak or fix the pit. Great for a social skills lesson with a small group or a whole group social emotional learning opportunity. Find it here.
Peaks And Valleys Highs And Lows Journal Writing
Journal writing is a great relfeciton activity. Turn this into a peaks and pits activity by having students divide their paper in half. On the top use the sentence starter “My favorite part of today was…”. Then have students finish this prompt either using words or a picture. On the bottom half use the starter “Something tricky for me was…”, again filling out with words or a picture.
This activity is a great way for the teacher or parent to gauge how things are going and to see where each child needs extra support. It also works on writing skills in a meaningful but quick way.
Whether you are choosing to use a visual to assist or simply having students do a fun activity, incorporating the peaks and valleys expression in your classroom can be a helpful way to bring mindfulness into your classroom.
And if you need more on basic behavior, check out these posts for some helpful information, strategies, and activities.
3 Easy Ways to Increase Listening Skills – you’ll find easy to use ideas to help your students with the important skill of listening.
5 Turn Taking Activities for Early Elementary Students – taking turns with others can be difficult to learn how to do. Use these activities to boost your student’s skills in this important social skills area.
Developing Flexible Minds in Children with Books – learning how to be a flexible thinker (one who is able to adapt when needed) instead of being stuck in the same thought process can be challenging. Check out these children’s books to work on this concept in an engaging way.
Happy Teaching!
