Mindfulness in schools starts with the adults. Here's some goodness for y'all. :)
- Saturday, April 13th, 9am-1pm @ Zavala Elementary
- There will be a keynote (Ebony & Xavier from Yoga N Da Hood) & 3 different 45-minute mindfulness sessions you get to choose courtesy of Amala Foundation that focus on us as adults
- The sessions will involve: self-care, health & wellness, and/or stress relief
- Yoga mats will be available to use or you can bring your own
- Unfortunately, due to liability we aren't able to offer childcare
- Register on HCP (Section #91097)
- Exchange Day Credit Available
Additionally, here's a compilation of mindfulness related self-care resources.
Mission Be is offering a Mindful Educator Training April 5th-7th at Del Valle Elementary. Here are some details...
"Join us for a weekend of learning and relaxation. The Mission Be team gives you easy to use mindfulness techniques for yourself and your classroom. This interactive weekend will also provide K-5 educators with a solid easy to use 12 Week mindfulness-based education course to bring back to your classroom, plus daily practices to teach throughout the year! The weekend will explore self-care and relaxation practice to help you feel calm and rejuvenated. Come join us and learn how to use mindfulness practices to create more compassionate and thriving classroom and gain the skills to help yourself too!"
Additionally, we have two more HCP Professional Learning opportunities. See below...
Thursday, April 25th Mindfulness 301 8:30am-3:30pm @ Blanton Museum
Tuesday, April 30th Librarian Mindful Maker Spaces 1pm-4pm @ Blanton Museum
- "Leaves On A Stream" video & guided script for recognizing and detaching from thoughts
- Two-Minute Stress Buster guided script
- Fingertip Breathing video for stress relief/relaxation
- Slow Roller Coaster/Finger Tracing breathing video for stress relief/relaxation
- Highlight Reel guided visualization video to help build confidence
- Animated Breathing GIFs to help focus on breath
Awareness is a huge part of mindfulness. Here are some "awareness games" that you can share with your students' families.
As a reminder, you can always find family resources on bit.ly/mindfulfams.
I just finished my yoga certification training through Amala Foundation's Community Yoga Teacher Training. I learned a ton and have already started implementing what I've learned in AISD trainings. I look forward to sharing more with AISD, including leading yoga classes at schools. One of my goals as the SEL Mindfulness Specialist is to show that mindfulness is accessible to all regardless of race, body type, gender, etc. and this class was designed through that lens. It also had a trauma-informed/healing-centered focus.
Regarding the upcoming training, I currently don't have any funding available to help pay for AISD staff, but Amala offers partial scholarships and payment plans. I'll also continue to look for funds to help.
Amala also has a really cool Authentic Facilitation Retreat this July if you'd like to check that out to pick up some amazing tools to use with students.
Puppy Mind
"In this picture book for children and adults, illustrated by Jim Durk, who is adored by thousands of children for his many Clifford the Big Red Dog and Thomas the Steam Engine books, a young boy discovers his mind is like a puppy, always wandering away, into the past or the future. He sets about learning to train his puppy mind to heel to the present moment. Through remembering to breathe, the boy becomes a stronger and more caring master of his puppy mind, keeping it in the present, if only for a moment. Includes a link to a discussion guide for parents and teachers."
Breathe and Be: A Book of Mindfulness Poems
"Hear thunder crash, feel your toes touch sand, and watch leaves drift softly away on a quiet stream. The simple poems in Breathe and Be help children learn mindfulness as they connect to the beauty of the natural world."
Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain
"Between the ages of 12 and 24, the brain changes in important, and oftentimes maddening, ways. It’s no wonder that many parents approach their child’s adolescence with fear and trepidation. According to renowned neuropsychiatrist Daniel Siegel's New York Times bestseller Brainstorm, if parents and teens can work together to form a deeper understanding of the brain science behind all the tumult, they will be able to turn conflict into connection and form a deeper understanding of one another."
Marquette Men's Basketball star, Markus Howard, uses sports psychology and meditation to help him keep things in perspective.
Shout to Lanier Athletic Director, Jacob Anderson, for sharing this resource.
Mindful Classrooms: The Educator Guide
Thanks to everyone who requested a PDF of Mindful Classrooms: The Educator Guide. It's humbling and a huge honor to know that a book I wrote is being utilized in AISD and beyond. I'm happy to share that I was able to donate 844 copies of the book to AISD staff! The book will be published by Free Spirit Publishing in April. Thanks for all your support, y'all!
Inner Explorer
So much gratitude to LG for the $20,000 grant to provide Inner Explorer community licenses to 20 AISD campuses through the 2018-2019 school year!! Inner Explorer is a web-based mindfulness program that's very easy to use for all ages. Elementary content is in Spanish as well. They even have a community component where families can have an account along with the school. For more info and sample practices, click here.
Stop Breathe Think--Free Lifetime Subscription
Calm--Free Lifetime Subscription
FREE Calm.com Lifetime Subscription for Teachers (PreK-12). Fill out the form at the link above for a FREE subscription to their site & app.
#mindfulAISD YouTube Playlist
Letter to Families
Here's a letter about mindfulness you can share with families. It provides a brief description of mindfulness and a message from Dr. Cruz supporting mindfulness in schools.
The letter is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Farsi/Dari & Burmese.
Multilingual Mindfulness
Want mindfulness activities in Spanish, Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Burmese, Swahili & Kinyarwanda? We've got them for you!
Zen Den YouTube Playlist
The "Zen Den" YouTube playlist offers 18 videos, ranging from 4-8 minutes in length.
Mind Yeti: Connecting Mindfulness w/ Explicit SEL Lessons
Mindyeti.com is a great resource that connects mindfulness with Second Step lessons, and it's FREE!
GoNoodle
GoNoodle is for the body and the mind.
Here is a link to a document that lists all the GoNoodle Mindfulness videos sorted by channel and with the length of each video.
De-Escalation Strategies Poster
This poster can be an addition to your classroom, Peace Area, hallways, Mindfulness Room, etc.
Mindful Life Project
Guided Mindfulness Activities in English & Spanish--Great for Secondary.
They also have a free app titled "Mindful Life Project."
Videos Explaining Mindfulness
Contact
SEL Mindfulness Specialist
2014 Austin ISD Teacher of the Year
Twitter: @mrbutler629