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Quick Bite of the Month

10/16/2017 4 Comments

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.
4 Comments
Bobi
10/18/2017 02:46:41 pm

Thank you for the audio! I will use this with my students.

Reply
Tanya Grove
11/1/2017 09:02:03 am

I'm wondering if anyone has used this in ISP and has ideas how to implement it when students come and go, often overlapping.

Reply
Kristin Saito
11/6/2017 05:03:47 pm

Hi Tanya,
That is a great question, one we have talked about pretty extensively during Calm Classroom Facilitator trainings. One tip that was suggested was to establish specific times when you will always be doing a CC exercise -- for example, at the start and end of every class (and let students know your intention). They key is to then follow through, even if you only have 1 student. It was also suggested to have Calm Classroom days -- let students know that on Tuesdays and Thursdays (for example), you'll be doing short CC lessons at ___ time. We have developed a CC ISP packet so students can earn units, which will be shared soon! Please feel free to email me to talk more in depth about your specific environment and challenges. I also have a few teachers in mind who I can connect you to.

Reply
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3/20/2019 12:21:41 am

I have already adopted the idea of five keys to increase involvement in the class and to lessen the management issues of class rooms. I am stunned to see the results as soon as I applied this idea. I can feel relaxed in the classroom now.

Reply



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