USe MINDFULNESS TO INCREASE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND DECREASE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Overview:

Five Keys has recently adopted Calm Classroom, a program that uses research-based mindfulness techniques to help students and teachers increase self-awareness, mental focus, and inner calm.

Benefits:

Student participants in Five Keys’ beta groups have reported feeling:

• More focused and energized
• Able to control emotions and make good decisions when triggered (and help peers to do the same)
• Decreased anxiety in hostile situations
• That the class felt more cohesive and at ease

 
Teachers reported that the exercises:

• Are useful for bringing students back together after a disruption or upset
• Break down barriers created by jail politics – students are more willing to work with others
• Provide students with strategies to manage their anger
• Give clarity that allows students to better focus on lesson content, retain information, and apply it to other situations

Experience it:

Watch It In Action!
Ashlen Fierros shares how she has integrated Calm Classroom at the Para Los Ninos Youth site, despite the inconsistencies and challenges of an ISP class at a youth site. With limited time and varying levels of student attendance, she incorporates mindfulness exercises whenever she can, with whoever is there -- typically after lunch or when she senses students need a break, sometimes with as little as 2 students -- "and they still seem to enjoy it!" View this video to see her in action and hear some of her tips, tricks, and the benefits she and her students have experienced.

View Video Here

Tips for Five Keys from the Creators of Calm Classroom

• Listen to the audio recording of the technique before delivering to the class so you are familiar with the correct tone and pacing. Contact your principal if you do not have access to the recordings.

• Coach students on how to deal with distractions. Distractions may be external or internal, such as bothersome thoughts or emotions. Either way, distractions will come up! The trick is to notice that you are distracted, and bring your attention back to the breath or the technique instructions. It may be helpful to identify and give the distraction a mental label before refocusing the attention. Mindfulness is about observing what comes up in a non-judgmental way. Students can use simple labels such as "sounds" or "thoughts"; or they may want to be more specific, i.e. "door slamming", "voices", or "alarm." 

• Create a consistent schedule and stick to it! Teach the techniques at the same time every day to cultivate a routine that students can count on. Also rememer that you can use the techniques during authentic moments, such as after a classroom upset, before a test or quiz, or upon a student's request. 
• Give students an opportunity to earn Elective credit by assigning the Life Skills Calm Classroom ISP packet.
• If feeling overloaded makes you hesitant to implement Calm Classroom, remember that these techniques are designed to encourage a peaceful pause in your day. Giving this time to yourself AND your students will benefit everyone and increase productivity and focus. 

• In classrooms where students are not 100% bought in, continue to lead the techniques anyway. Students will decide to join in whenever they feel comfortable.

Use the Calm Classroom Packet!
​A Life Skills course packet has been posted on the Intranet for students to earn 0.25 Elective credit for Calm Classroom! Click here to view the packet. 

• ​​View the 3-minute video, “Why Mindfulness is a Superpower,” here: 

• Try a 3-minute relaxation exercise, Body Scan, here: 

• Download the technique script here and try it out with your students! (It is best to work it into your routine as something you do to open or close class): 

Click Here

Calm Classroom manuals with teaching instructions and 26 different mindfulness exercises are available. Please see your principal if you are interested in being trained.