#caedchat is for California educators, by California educators. All are welcome as moderators and participants discuss issues that emerge in California education, which are generally applicable to other regions of the United States.
Good evening, everyone! Thanks for joining #caedchat! I am your moderator tonight as we discuss “The Role of Mindfulness in Education”! Tonight’s questions can be found here: https://t.co/u9bHhwY8xD
REMINDERS: Moderators will post questions with Q1, Q2, Q3. Participants respond with A1, A2, A3, etc. 🍎 Use TweetDeck and be sure to include the #caedchat hashtag on every tweet!
Hi all! Kim from Orange County. Digital Learning Coach for PYLUSD, K-12. I am hoping to bring some "mindfulness" to my PD that can be used for adult learners and students. #caedchat
Hello everyone! Melissa from California! I currently teach a bible study of 3rd to 9th graders, but in the process of helping start a school. I hope to learn more about social emotional learning! #caedchat
Q1: Let’s start with some word association. Where does your mind take you when you hear the word “mindful”? Do you picture someone meditating? A person focused on their breathing? A yoga mat? Can you define what “mindful” means to you? #caedchat
Christy, elementary principal from Costa Mesa. Joining in for the first time in a very long time & am excited about this topic. I hope to learn about different strategies I can apply & share with teachers and students. #caedchat
I unfortunately can’t make the chat tonight (but I’ll go back and read) but I wanted to share a great resource for A7. It’s Scholastic MindUp curriculum https://t.co/BZPYmnb3KM#caedchat
Rick Stevens from San Francisco Bay area. Spent 25 years in K-12 teaching and admin. Now ed consultant and web designer. Here to learn to be more mindful. Always looking for insights. #caedchat
Hello #CAedchat. Lemarr Treadwell, Fresno CA. Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert and Master Trainer. Microsoft Consultant to Fresno Unified. Thank you for moderating tonight, Laurie.
A1: I usually go to one of my "happy places": Havasu on a float or on a trail riding my quad or camping at Duck Creek, Utah, hopefully fishing. Mindful = peaceful and serene #caedchat
Judy Blakeney here from South OC, going back to a MS classroom to teach ELA and CTE...and Still be an instructional coach...hoping to get more mindful #CAedchat
A1: When I think of mindful, I think of a large, open space that is free from clutter and distraction. There's no busyness; you actually have time to just think and react. #caedchat
Q1: Let’s start with some word association. Where does your mind take you when you hear the word “mindful”? Do you picture someone meditating? A person focused on their breathing? A yoga mat? Can you define what “mindful” means to you? #caedchat
Q2: We often tell students to “calm down,” but many have truly never been shown how. (This applies to us teachers too!) What are some of your favorite techniques to help refocus anxious energy and be mindful in the present moment? #caedchat
Karla (jumping in a little late), 7th grade science, electives & athletics at NAS Lemoore in Central Valley (near Harris Ranch Restaurants & Large Cattle Ranch) off I-5. #caedchat
A2: #CAEdChat Some mindfulness strategies that have helped me in challenging situations include focusing on my breathing, focusing on what I can control, being present, and taking a mental and physical break from the situation.
A2: My most energetic kid is my nephew, and usually, I just say "You need to look up here" or "You need to pay attention," which works for that moment, but I'm open to new techniques besides that. #caedchat
Q2: We often tell students to “calm down,” but many have truly never been shown how. (This applies to us teachers too!) What are some of your favorite techniques to help refocus anxious energy and be mindful in the present moment? #caedchat
A2: It took me years to learn, but I breathe deeply and "ground" myself. I picture myself letting letting stuck energy flow into the earth. I allow myself to be in the moment. #caedchat
Q3: In what ways has a focus on mindfulness changed your teaching or your personal experiences? If this approach is new for you, what results are you hoping to see? #caedchat
#caedchat I’m so mindful right now, I don’t know what to do with myself. So mindful that I’m 15 minutes late! Chris from Costa Mesa checking in. Middle school history.
#caedchat I’m so mindful right now, I don’t know what to do with myself. So mindful that I’m 15 minutes late! Chris from Costa Mesa checking in. Middle school history.
A3: Personally, it's helped me better recognize and remember what I'm grateful for. I think the world would be a better place if there was more gratitude in it. #CAedchat
#caedchat A1- mindfulness to me relates to being completely present in the classroom and focused on the task at hand. Rather than say what I see, I’ll share what I try not to see...and that’s me checking my emails and messages while I should be focused on the lesson.
A3: I am out of the classroom so the stress-inducing situations are different. I am trying NOT to multitask so I can focus and then take a mindful break between tasks. Get up and walk, up and down the stairs, regroup. #caedchat
Q1: Let’s start with some word association. Where does your mind take you when you hear the word “mindful”? Do you picture someone meditating? A person focused on their breathing? A yoga mat? Can you define what “mindful” means to you? #caedchat
A3: I think for my context, I can see mindfulness working in terms of our prayer sessions. Praying requires a lot of focus to keep your mind from wandering, and it also requires you to calm down and relax. #caedchat
A3: #CAEdChat Practicing mindfulness has helped me focus on how I react....focusing on positive intent from all parties, focusing on solutions instead of the problem, and just enjoying the moment more.
A4: SEL can be a significant part of a student’s overall education. Targeting the development of these skills can translate into higher academic achievement, among other gains.
#caedchathttps://t.co/1FCgek0lHX
A4: I feel that it does because it allows us to remain in control of our emotions. Students may not get work done simply because they're mad at someone or something happened at home. I think SE learning helps them regulate their emotions. #caedchat
A4: Absolutely! Kids need to feel safe and loved before they can work on the academics. Relationships are key. When I was in the classroom, I wanted a "family" in my classroom #caedchat
A3 I'm still learning more about this as a whole but realize that my team and have learned over last 16yrs to focus on students energy/vibes & adjust lessons to help lessen stress or anxiety. I have different playlists in Spotify for class music. #caedchat
#caedchat. A2 I’ve learned that the students are the best helpers at keeping me focused. There is nothing like 8th grade sarcasm to get you back in the moment. I try to develop a culture in my room where we can respectfully keep each other accountable.
Q3: In what ways has a focus on mindfulness changed your teaching or your personal experiences? If this approach is new for you, what results are you hoping to see? #caedchat
A.3 Mindfulness interweaves through the 6 C's in my classroom. Being more experiential and less content driven has helped both my students enjoying #LEARNING#caedchat
A4: #caedchat Absolutely! How can a child focus on reading or learning math facts when they don't understand their feelings or how to control them. Ts are expected to do so much for our Ss. This is why it is critical for Ts to receive PD in SEL& practice mindfulness themselves.
That's good technique. A few months ago, I also started playing music in my classroom as kids walk in, and I noticed a real shift in my classroom atmosphere. #caedchat
#caedchat A3 I am hoping that being mindful of the moment will help me to gain real relationships with more students. I tend to gravitate towards the students who need the most help or who need to be challenged. I’d like to get to know all my students more
A4: Absolutely. Ss who feel safe and secure light up and thrive in welcoming conditions. As true for college students as it is for any K12 student. #CAEdChat
A4: Yes, a focus on #SEL improves academic achievement. Increased self awareness helps lower emotional barriers to learning such as anxiety, or acting out that interferes with learning. #caedchat
A.3 Mindfulness interweaves through the 6 C's in my classroom. Being more experiential and less content driven has helped both my students enjoying #LEARNING#caedchat
A5: #caedchat With incorporating anything new in the classroom, it is important to start small. Breathing exercises at the beginning of the day, after recess, movement breaks, music, etc.
A4 I absolutely agree especially in middle school. I know my content will more or less be repeated in HS so my team also takes time to focus on SEL, building community, & trying for at least one team mbr making a connection to all Ss #caedchat
A5: I have no idea if this is correct...start the day with a personal greeting, checking in. Maybe establish a routine for transitions that brings about that feeling of purposefulness and switching gears. Get kids out of their seats! Relationship building #caedchat
A5: #caedchat With incorporating anything new in the classroom, it is important to start small. Breathing exercises at the beginning of the day, after recess, movement breaks, music, etc.
A5: Watch other teachers who incorporate mindfulness and #SEL into their daily curriculum. @TeachingChannel has some helpful videos and strategies. What does it mean to be present? https://t.co/zebMNqhUFJ#caedchat
A5. I'd encourage to look at their Professional Development: Support Systems and formal Learning Opportunities (Twitter Ed Chats). #2030learningdesign#CAedchat
I like that idea. I have kids switch off helping me with presentations and passing out things to make them feel purpose and to get them out of their seats. #caedchat
A.5 Teach Students, not Content.
#LEARNING is the most important skill we can give our students.
If they can #LEARN the content will take care of itself.
#caedchat
I love music in the classroom. The last two years I’ve had Spotify playlist for each period. I have a google form where they can request songs to be added! It’s fun. #caedchat
In helping me present, I had my nephew learn the importance of not getting ahead of the presenter. He's an anxious and energetic one, so he learned discipline, pacing, and how to be in control of his actions. #caedchat
A1: To be mindful, I aim to consider all possibilities of a situation- causes, variables, responses- and then proceed in my thoughts & actions with consideration for the person/people I am interacting with so that my contribution to the moment is constructive. #CAEdChat
Q1: Let’s start with some word association. Where does your mind take you when you hear the word “mindful”? Do you picture someone meditating? A person focused on their breathing? A yoga mat? Can you define what “mindful” means to you? #caedchat
A6: Nothing quite like a handwritten thank you note. And new idea from #HiveSummit, sketchnoting can lead to gratitude...I really like that idea. Great chat with @mrmatera and @HeckAwesome hand-brain connection #caedchat
A5: Another simple exercise to assist students is to check in with them with ?s like How are you feeling? Why? Followed up with an acknowledgement by the T and a strategy for either helping or a celebration depending on the Ss statements #caedchat
#caedchat A6 I say thank you! Nothing like a good old fashioned and simple “thanks” . I don’t need a card, email shoutout, just acknowledgment that I helped or was useful to someone else.
A5 start small. Since my classes are period by period, I try not rush bell to bell but built in time for Ss to settle & clean-up. Music in background, Breathing w/ affirmations before assessments. I want to read bk @thezenteacher#caedchat
A6: #caedchat I try to tell my staff, "thank you" as much as I can, write notes, small tokens of appreciation, create videos of Ss for their Ts. I could probably improve on expressing gratitude to my family. Time to exercise is my form of gratitude to myself. #gratitudegoals
A6: I try to give sincere verbal expressions to Ss, send a thank you card or even little emails with cute bitmojis. I have Ss sign photo TU cards 4 parents volunteers, field trip speakers, veterans, firefighters, etc. #caedchat
A7: I am actually going to work with linking digital citizenship and SEL. So many issues seem to stem from digital influence. I look forward to resources this chat may share :) #caedchat
A2: To help Ss (& myself) I pair a physical movement with a calming thought/direction. i.e, Deep breaths & pause thoughts, drop chin to chest/stretch neck & think of task, roll your shoulders & consider another point of view, sit up straight & feel confident, etc. #CAEdChat
Q2: We often tell students to “calm down,” but many have truly never been shown how. (This applies to us teachers too!) What are some of your favorite techniques to help refocus anxious energy and be mindful in the present moment? #caedchat
A7: #caedchat I used to use S'Cool Moves every day w/my Ss when I was a T. Some apps are Breathe, Headspace, & Calm. I started following Mindful Schools & their summer program has been great. My favorite book is "Finding the Space to Lead" by Janice Marurano. Love this book!
A.7 Teach students that Answers mean nothing if they don't know WHY?
Teach them to ask questions and work the problem. Answers will come and will have more meaning.
#caedchat
Q8: Mindfulness training is most effective when practiced whole-school. Does your school incorporate a mindfulness curriculum or place a focus on mindfulness? If not, how could you help to create this focus? #caedchat
A3: Mindfulness has made me calmer and less stressed in the moment, and I’m hoping it will continue to help me build strong relationships with my Ss. #CAEdChat
Q3: In what ways has a focus on mindfulness changed your teaching or your personal experiences? If this approach is new for you, what results are you hoping to see? #caedchat
Whoa..Chris you are fast. I was about to share it. Enjoy! And if you have any suggestions you'd like added to the playlist, shoot them my way! #caedchat
A8: I don't know about anything going on at the site level. We are hiring additional counselors to address SEL and behavior needs. It will be interesting to see how this evolves. #Caedchat
A8. This is where my Informal Learning Opportunities could come into play. Connected educators should look for learning opportunities outside their district or school. The world is global! #caedchat
Q8: Mindfulness training is most effective when practiced whole-school. Does your school incorporate a mindfulness curriculum or place a focus on mindfulness? If not, how could you help to create this focus? #caedchat
A8: #caedchat This has been growing across our campus organically w/some T taking mindfulness themselves & then applying it in their rooms. One day I want to offer yoga for Ss at lunch, create movement break spaces across campus, & lead parent ed classes on mindfulness. #goals
A:1-8 I encourage all of us to be mindful of our students’ behaviors and learn to recognize and look for patterns, triggers etc. We need to remember that our behaviors/actions contribute greatly to their ability to self regulate. “Know thy Impact” #caedchat
A7: I try to create a judgement free environment. Let students know that it is okay to get wrong answers as long as they are trying. That helps with the stress of the students. Celebrate mistakes. #caedchat
A7: The Richards Institute ETM Education through Music is a great tool. Remember to add The Richards Institute to your search or you’ll get the wrong one #caedchat
A4: Yes, Mary Helen Immordino-Yang states cognition and emotion are inseparable. Ss NEED to be told this, and how it affects their learning. We Ts have to create a space that directly considers Ss emotions while they learn- visualization is a great technique for this. #CAEdChat
