Helpful Mindfulness Websites:
"Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life." - Buddha
I have found these websites to be extremely helpful in developing my own mindfulness, as well as trying to teach mindfulness and self-regulation to students. These websites have free resources that you can use in your classroom or at home. Please feel free to share additional resources, activities and websites with me!
I read a great quote today from the Yoga with Adriene blog, that rang such truth with my own life, both personally and professionally. It is always such a challenge to find balance. I hope that Adriene's thoughts bring you a moment of peace and clarity as well.
"When we create space for downtime, we provide ourselves with opportunity to engage with our life in a way that feels good.
Studies have also shown that when we carve out space for downtime we create opportunity for more focused productivity and creativity. " Adriene (https://yogawithadriene.vhx.tv/members-only )
I have found these websites to be extremely helpful in developing my own mindfulness, as well as trying to teach mindfulness and self-regulation to students. These websites have free resources that you can use in your classroom or at home. Please feel free to share additional resources, activities and websites with me!
- https://kumarahyoga.com/free-lesson-plans/
- https://www.lovelyholisticliving.com/library/
- https://yogawithadriene.com/
I read a great quote today from the Yoga with Adriene blog, that rang such truth with my own life, both personally and professionally. It is always such a challenge to find balance. I hope that Adriene's thoughts bring you a moment of peace and clarity as well.
"When we create space for downtime, we provide ourselves with opportunity to engage with our life in a way that feels good.
Studies have also shown that when we carve out space for downtime we create opportunity for more focused productivity and creativity. " Adriene (https://yogawithadriene.vhx.tv/members-only )
Franklin Institute for Educators:
Shared by Joan Brown, LDTC:
This fall, The Franklin Institute is hosting two terrific experiences where educators can come to our museum for free (!!) and take advantage of all the terrific activities that we have to offer. Educators are our best partners, and as someone who has come to Educators’ Night Out in the past, we want to make sure you feel engaged and included when we do special things.
All we ask in return is that you consider The Franklin Institute when planning your school-year field trip. We are able to put on these free events because of the support you give us through field trips and memberships, and we hope to continue these terrific relationships! I have attached a flyer for our exciting upcoming special exhibit, “The Worst Case Scenario Survival Experience”, in the hopes that your students can enjoy a trip to see us!
· October 30th – Educators’ Night Out (4:00-8:00pm)
Our annual educator open house! Enjoy all The Franklin Institute offers to students on field trips in this annual tradition engaging educators throughout the region. In addition every exhibit, IMAX, planetarium show and Live Science Show, this year we are welcoming the world premiere of “The Worst Case Scenario Survival Experience” special exhibit. This is an exclusive opportunity for educators to have a free exhibit preview! Here, students will be presented with unlikely, yet plausible, scenarios that they could be confronted with in the real-world. You won’t want to miss it. Click here to register and request your tickets!
You can see that it’s a busy time here at our museum. Please contact me today with any questions, and to help set up your 2019-2020 school year field trip.
OWEN MULLIN
GROUP SALES DIRECTOR | THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE
E: [email protected] P: 215.448.1207
222 North 20th Street | Philadelphia, PA 19103
This fall, The Franklin Institute is hosting two terrific experiences where educators can come to our museum for free (!!) and take advantage of all the terrific activities that we have to offer. Educators are our best partners, and as someone who has come to Educators’ Night Out in the past, we want to make sure you feel engaged and included when we do special things.
All we ask in return is that you consider The Franklin Institute when planning your school-year field trip. We are able to put on these free events because of the support you give us through field trips and memberships, and we hope to continue these terrific relationships! I have attached a flyer for our exciting upcoming special exhibit, “The Worst Case Scenario Survival Experience”, in the hopes that your students can enjoy a trip to see us!
- October 12th – Community Day
Sponsored by trustee Hallee Adelman, this free day includes readings and book giveaways by author & trustee Hallee Adelman. Additional science & Literacy themed activities as well as additional floor programming & live science shows. Guests can receive up to six (6) free tickets, so you can even bring your friends and family! Click here to register and request your tickets.
· October 30th – Educators’ Night Out (4:00-8:00pm)
Our annual educator open house! Enjoy all The Franklin Institute offers to students on field trips in this annual tradition engaging educators throughout the region. In addition every exhibit, IMAX, planetarium show and Live Science Show, this year we are welcoming the world premiere of “The Worst Case Scenario Survival Experience” special exhibit. This is an exclusive opportunity for educators to have a free exhibit preview! Here, students will be presented with unlikely, yet plausible, scenarios that they could be confronted with in the real-world. You won’t want to miss it. Click here to register and request your tickets!
You can see that it’s a busy time here at our museum. Please contact me today with any questions, and to help set up your 2019-2020 school year field trip.
OWEN MULLIN
GROUP SALES DIRECTOR | THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE
E: [email protected] P: 215.448.1207
222 North 20th Street | Philadelphia, PA 19103
Week of Respect
As shared by my fabulous Director of the Educational Services Unit, Bobbie Downs:
- "October 7th-11th is the Week of Respect in NJ. In your schools, you might have spirit days, but do you know why?
- The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (P.K.2010, c.122) requires that the week beginning with the first Monday in October of each year be designated as the Week of Respect in New Jersey
- Schools are required to do activities that promote an anti-bullying culture and climate."
- Bullying Facts:
- More than one out of every five (20.8%) students report being bullied (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2016).
- 33% of students who reported being bullied at school indicated that they were bullied at least once or twice a month during the school year (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2016).
- Bullied students reported that bullying occurred in the following places: the hallway or stairwell at school (42%), inside the classroom (34%), in the cafeteria (22%), outside on school grounds (19%), on the school bus (10%), and in the bathroom or locker room (9%) (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2016).
- Bullied students indicate that bullying has a negative effect on how they feel about themselves (19%), their relationships with friends and family and on their school work (14%), and physical health (9%) (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2016).
- Students who bully others, are bullied, or witness bullying are more likely to report high levels of suicide-related behavior than students who report no involvement in bullying (Center for Disease Control, 2014).
Zones of Regulation
As we are talking about self-regulation and mindfulness, I wanted to include a really great newsletter/blurb developed by my friend and co-worker, Vicki Cann. She gave me permission to share her summary of the Zones of Regulation, as it is a common tool that she and I both use within the school setting, to help students understand their emotions and develop strategies for self-advocacy, awareness and overall regulation. This great program was developed by an occupational therapist and can be used in both the home and school settings.
Emotional regulation
There are four zones related to the students emotions and feelings:
Alerting activities:
Emotional regulation
- Emotional regulation is the ability to effectively manage and respond to emotional experiences.
- It is important to help students identify how they are feeling and teach them effective self-regulation strategies.
- There are no "bad" emotions. The student needs to learn to recognize if their response is appropriate for the situation.
There are four zones related to the students emotions and feelings:
- The blue zone relates to being sad, tired, sick, bored, or moving slowly. Students in this zone would benefit from some movement to pump up their energy.
- The green zone relates to being happy, calm, focused, and ready to learn. Students in this zone will benefit from breaks and movement to stay in this zone.
- The yellow zone relates to being frustrated, worried, excited, and wiggly. Students in this zone would benefit from breaks, calming activities, and movement.
- The red zone relates to being mad, terrified, elated, and out of control. Students in this zone would benefit from breaks and calming tasks. Movement would also be helpful.
Alerting activities:
- Rapidly changing gross motor tasks
- Quick tempos
- Bright lights
- Cold temperatures (including foods and drinks)
- Light touch
- Fast movement, especially spinning/rotational
- Sour, mint, or spicy flavors
- Using muscles for “heavy work” of pushing, pulling, isometric resistance
- Slow, steady, rhythmic, repeated, predictable input
- Slow and rhythmic music
- Dim lighting
- Firm, steady, pressure touch or squeezing (think massage or a big hug)
- Using muscles for “heavy work”
- Bland or sweet-tasting flavors
- Slow linear movements forward-and-back or head-to-toe
Upcoming Virtual Resources
Check out Understood.com for free online support sessions during the month of October, on how to support your child and increase success, in the classroom setting.