SEL Highlighted by Dr. Cruz
#AISDProud of our district for taking @AustinISDSEL to the next level! http://bit.ly/2dyQfcU
Dr. Cruz highlights Austin ISD SEL in his weekly newsletter. #AISDproud to be in a district that strongly supports Social & Emotional Learning.
"Breathing Square" Activity
Yes mam @BreneBrown It's all about the breathing! #mindfulness @momentous #ChangingTheOdds
Darla Caughey, SEL Specialist, shares a mindful breathing strategy learned at the Momentous Institute conference. Drawing a box in the air while you take deep, intentional breaths.
Mindfulness Trail Signs Available
@AustinISD Science Health/Resource Center has amazing signs 4 campuses serious about implementation. #mindfulAISD @AustinISDSEL #SELinNature
There are a few sets of durable, outdoor signs available for Mindfulness Paths on your campus if interested. Email Anne Muller from the Science Health Resource Center for more details.
Stop Breathe & Think App and Site
The best way to incorporate mindfulness in the classroom is by having some type of regular personal practice. It doesn't have to be an added part of your day either and it can just be for a couple minutes. Find something that you regularly do and integrate mindfulness into that activity (bedtime, going for a walk, washing the dishes, morning routine, etc.).
Getting Curious (Not Furious) With Students
An article from Edutopia about being curious about your students' behavior. Below is an excerpt from the article.
"As you seek to learn more about trauma-sensitive teaching, you can also explore the curious-not-furious maxim I offer to novice teachers. Getting curious on the part of the teacher looks like this: Why might the student be behaving this way? What might be some contributing factors? Might this be a reaction to fear or insecurity? Might she be scared, hungry, lonely, or tired? Instead of defaulting immediately to a disciplinary measure (detention, off to the principal's office, a time out), the teacher chooses to first ask the child:How are you? Are you okay today? How can I help? Is there anything you would like to talk about?"
Mindful Classrooms--Week 8
Calm
FREE Calm.com Lifetime Subscription for Teachers (PreK-12)
Calm also has an app for phones.
**There are free sections on calm.com and the app, so feel free to share with your students' families.
Mind Yeti
Connecting Mindfulness w/ Explicit SEL Lessons
Mindyeti.com is a great resource that connects mindfulness with Second Step lessons. Visit the site and sign up for a FREE account!
There is also an informational page that explains the connection between Mind Yeti and Second Step.
GoNoodle
GoNoodle For the Body and the Mind
Go to the CATEGORIES tab at the top of the page and look for "calming" and "stretching." They have a bunch of great videos to use for daily mindfulness time and/or mindfulness breaks. GoNoodle can be found in the AISD cloud and then you have access to GoNoodle Plus with ALL of the videos.
**Share gonoodle.com with your students' families so they can sign up for a FREE account to use at home.
Pokemon Poses (created by AISD 3rd graders)
List of Pokemon Poses created by AISD Students
Mrs. Garcia's 3rd graders at Cunningham created Pokemon Yoga Poses for Market Day last week and they wanted to share their creativity and hard work with y'all. Creating poses and incorporating mindful breathing with the poses is such a great way to make mindfulness fun and easily practiced by all. Nicely done!
Mindful Life Project
Guided Mindfulness Activities in English & Spanish--Great for Secondary
They also have a free app titled "Mindful Life Project."
