Check out our district's counseling page for elementary students
Mindfulness Practice and Learning About the Brain
In our classroom, the students are exposed to different forms of mindfulness practice, and discussion about how our brains operate, in order to help them learn about their own learning processes, how to pay attention, how to calm down in moments of anxiety or stress, and how the different parts of their brain work differently.
We touch upon creating brain pathways early in the year with our Week of Inspirational Math, by Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University, and the faculty director of YouCubed. This week of activities undo previous misconceptions on how a math person is considered to be, and teaches through fun videos, activities and conversations what real mathematicians are: slow but deep thinkers that use images, creativity, more questions than answers, and more problems than solutions to learn about math and discover patterns in nature and in life!
Then, along the school year, students are introduced to short mindfulness practice breaks that help them focus on their breathing, focus on sounds, learn different breathing and movement exercises, and readings to develop a discussion and learning about our minds, empathy, awareness of oneself and others, and other good qualities to develop in ourselves.
As part of the resources used in our classroom, the MindUp program by the Hawn Foundation, a "classroom-tested, evidence-based curriculum (...) addresses obstacles to productive learning and living by offering children and teachers simple practices and insights that become tools for self-management and self-possession", along with a curriculum developed by Mindful Schools, of which I have received training in the following areas: Mindfulness Fundamentals, Mindful Educator Essentials, Self Compassion for Educators, and Mindful Communication.
With all these resources, along with my own personal practice experience, I hope to equip my students with the necessary tools to help them thrive both academically and personally, help them develop positive social skills, and create in my classroom an environment of joy for learning, optimism, kindness, and support for each other.
We touch upon creating brain pathways early in the year with our Week of Inspirational Math, by Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University, and the faculty director of YouCubed. This week of activities undo previous misconceptions on how a math person is considered to be, and teaches through fun videos, activities and conversations what real mathematicians are: slow but deep thinkers that use images, creativity, more questions than answers, and more problems than solutions to learn about math and discover patterns in nature and in life!
Then, along the school year, students are introduced to short mindfulness practice breaks that help them focus on their breathing, focus on sounds, learn different breathing and movement exercises, and readings to develop a discussion and learning about our minds, empathy, awareness of oneself and others, and other good qualities to develop in ourselves.
As part of the resources used in our classroom, the MindUp program by the Hawn Foundation, a "classroom-tested, evidence-based curriculum (...) addresses obstacles to productive learning and living by offering children and teachers simple practices and insights that become tools for self-management and self-possession", along with a curriculum developed by Mindful Schools, of which I have received training in the following areas: Mindfulness Fundamentals, Mindful Educator Essentials, Self Compassion for Educators, and Mindful Communication.
With all these resources, along with my own personal practice experience, I hope to equip my students with the necessary tools to help them thrive both academically and personally, help them develop positive social skills, and create in my classroom an environment of joy for learning, optimism, kindness, and support for each other.
