mindfulness & social emotional learningresdnj.org/2017-2018/district-info/re mindfulness.pdf ·...
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Mindfulness & Social Emotional Learning
River Edge Schools2017-2018
Dr. Tova Ben-Dov, Superintendent of SchoolsBeth Rosen, Assistant Principal - Cherry Hill School
Christine Moran - Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction
District Goal★ Integrate mindfulness practices in each
building to promote student health and wellness.
Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness?★ Mindfulness means maintaining a
moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.
★ Mindfulness helps students relax, recharge, and refocus.
Mindfulness in River Edge Schools➔ Yoga➔ Meditation➔ Physical/Movement Breaks➔ Breathing Exercises➔ Brain Breaks➔ Positive Behavior Supports➔ Flexible Seating
Mindfulness Support Activities● R.E.A.L. Courses (Facilitated by Staff Members)
○ Yoga & Mindfulness: 37 Staff Members, PreK - 6○ Positive Behavior Supports: 16 Staff Members, PreK - 6○ Flexible Seating: 12 Staff Members, PreK - 6
● Yoga in Physical Education Classes - Grades PreK - 6● Small Groups
○ Second Step - Kindergarten○ Coping Cat - Grades 1, 2○ Primary Project - Grades K, 1○ Girls Empowered - Grade 4○ Stress Relief - Grades 3, 4, 5○ Social Club (self-regulations) - Grades 1, 2○ Kids’ Turn - Grade K - 6 (Coping strategies for changing families)
● Website: https://sites.google.com/riveredgeschools.org/wearemindful/home
Mindfulness Survey Results
Yoga/Mindfulness Practices
Meditation Tuesday in Grade 3
Yoga in Grade 4
Mindful Breathing Exercises in Grade 4Yoga/Mindfulness
Professional Development for Staff
Using a Glitter Jar as a Calming Strategy
Brain Break in Grade 3
Highlights
● R.E.A.L. Courses - 37 Staff Members● District-Wide Yoga PD Session -
March 13th● Integration of Mindfulness activities &
practices in the classroom throughout the day
● Fosters techniques to deal with frustration and anxiety
● Students describe feeling calmer and in touch with their feelings
● Lends itself to a variety of teaching styles
★ 36 Staff Members reported that Yoga/Mindfulness Practices help students to focus and calm down
Challenges
● Reaching a comfort level● Helping all students engage and
benefit from the practices● Encouraging students to
independently engage in Mindfulness Practices when they feel upset, stressed, or frustrated
● Providing differentiated Professional Development for teachers in these practices
Positive Behavior Supports
As a reward for good behavior, Grade 4 students get to play a board game with their classmates.
Positive Behavior Incentive Charts for Individual Students
Grade 3 Fuzzy Jar for Whole-Class Behavior
Students earn points during Math Class on the website, ClassDoJo.
Highlights
● More effective classroom management
● Addresses whole-group and individual behavior challenges
● Improves student time on task● Promotes awareness and ownership
of behavior● Creates a positive classroom
environment● Students feel good about themselves
and about helping others● Can be differentiated for a wide
range of behavior challenges● Complies with IEPs, 504 Plans, and
other individual student needs
Challenges
● Knowing how to adjust whole-class and individual plans throughout the year
● Consistency outside of the classroom (lunch, recess, related arts)
● Communication and collaboration with parents
● Professional Development to address the variety of teachers’ needs
Flexible Seating
Flexible Seating gives students a choice in what kind of learning space works best for them, and helps them to work collaboratively, communicate with others, and engage in critical thinking.
Highlights
● Individualized to students’ learning styles
● Promotes core balance and good posture
● Provides vestibular and tactile input● Student choice empowers ownership● Teachers are able to choose what
seating options work best for them (ex. cushions, standing desk, hokey stools, etc.)
● In a comfortable environment, students work efficiently, work longer, and put more effort into their work
● Carries over to other choice options in student learning
Challenges
● Ensuring that Flexible Seating improves focus and does not create a distraction
● Provide a variety of examples for teachers to introduce flexible seating options effectively
● Professional Development to address the variety of teachers’ needs
CharacterEducation
Character Counts in River Edge!
Highlights
● Small Groups○ Second Step - Kindergarten○ Coping Cat - Grades 1, 2○ Primary Project - Grades K, 1○ Girls Empowered - Grade 4○ Stress Relief - Grades 3, 4, 5○ Social Club (self-regulations) - Grades 1, 2○ Kids’ Turn - Grade K - 6 (Coping strategies for
changing families)● Big Buddies, Peer Pals● Zippy - Kindergarten● Student Council
○ Table to Table ○ Spirit Days
● Roosevelt Family Meetings○ Roosevelt Pride Positive Referrals
● SOAR ○ Character Education Slips for Students & Staff
● April - Autism Awareness Month○ Puzzle Pins Sold During Lunch
● Adopt-a-School: Puerto Rico○ PTO Clothing Connection○ Letters Written to Students
Challenges
● Establishing common language and continuity through the grades, related arts classes
● Helping students during unstructured periods (lunch and recess)
● Providing time for embedded character education instruction and student reflection in routines and schedules
● Training teachers and monitoring behaviors to impact student choices
● Communicating and including parents for common goals
Buddy Bench
Highlights
● Gave adults and students an opportunity to be aware of a difficult challenge at recess
● Integration of meaningful technology and character education
● Tapped into student creativity● Helped students gain sensitivity● Helped identify students, who
previously could have gone under the radar
● An average of 60% of students shared that they helped a friend, who was sitting on the Buddy Bench
● An average of 20% of students shared that someone helped them during recess
Challenges
● Continuing to help and educate adults and students during recess
● Continuing to collect targeted data to identify trends and needs
● Identifying students who need additional support
Multicultural Education
International Day - Cherry Hill School International Day - Roosevelt School
Highlights
● International Day● Kindergarten Multicultural Songfest● Creation of Multicultural Dolls● Parent Presentations● Sharing of Cultural Celebrations on Padlet● Art: Projects Connected to Various Cultures● Physical Education: Playing Games from
Around the World● Spanish: Projects about Customs from Other
Countries● Read-Alouds with Books About Other
Cultures○ Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha
Lai○ My Name Is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor
Ada○ Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
Challenges
● Connecting education to practice in the classroom
● Continuing to provide resources for existing and future programs
● Taking more advantage of the richness of the multiculturalism in River Edge
Recommendations for the Future★ Increase staff awareness and comfort level about Mindfulness★ Provide differentiated Professional Development
○ District○ Grade Level○ Related Arts○ Visitation to other Districts
★ Offer a Parent Academy on Mindfulness and Flexible Seating★ Monitor and support new and continued practices★ Find ways to connect instruction to student practice★ Provide additional opportunities for student input★ Explore having older students in leadership roles to model best
practices in Character Education