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Yoga cards for kids to practice.

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Stretch your way to a fun and healthy lifestyle with each of the 50 yoga poses in this colorful activity deck for kids. These sturdy cards include forward bends, back bends, partner poses, balance poses, mindfulness, visualizations and breathing. Clear step-by-step instructions with illustrations make yoga easy for children from preschool to high school and beyond. Discover why parents, teachers, therapists and kids love this bestselling wellness tool!

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Yoga Pretzels: 50 Fun Yoga Activities for Kids & Grownups (Barefoot Books Activity Decks)

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Stretch your way to a fun and healthy lifestyle with each of the 50 yoga poses in this colorful activity deck for kids. These sturdy cards include forward bends, back bends, partner poses, balance poses, mindfulness, visualizations and breathing. Clear step-by-step instructions with illustrations...

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Introduce FMJs in your classroom!

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Find the latest in professional publications, learn new techniques and strategies, and find out how you can connect with other literacy professionals.

Home › Professional Development › Professional Library

Book

by Julie Wollman, Ph.D.

Grades

K - 5

Type

Book

Pages

144

Published

July 2000

Publisher

Description

Bursting with the energetic voices of young writers and their families, this book follows the development of emergent and beginning writers as they explore the power and joy of written communication.
Free Sample Chapter Table of Contents

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Family Message Journals: Teaching Writing through Family Involvement - ReadWriteThink

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Find the latest in professional publications, learn new techniques and strategies, and find out how you can connect with other literacy professionals. Home › Professional Development › Professional Library by Julie Wollman, Ph.D.

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Restore More Educational Consultants in Atlanta

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Restore More Educational Consultants in Atlanta

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Restore More is an Educational Consultant Firm, based in Atlanta, that supports middle schools with Restorative Practices, Social-Emotional Health, and Relationship Building.

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Start your day with some kind of quiet choice. Read “ The Curious Classroom”, chapter 4 to find out more about how to introduce Soft Starts in your classroom.  For example: My students didn't not follow the Art teacher's expectations during transition yesterday. This morning I started the day with a reflection. They wrote notes to the Art teacher apologizing and and telling her how they would fix their behavior.

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10 Structures for Teaching with Student-Directed Inquiry

Ever wonder how to get students genuinely engaged in your curriculum? Or wish you could let them explore the amazing questions they ask? If so, Smokey provides research-based suggestions that help cover the curriculum by connecting what kids wonder about to the wonders you have to teach them.

Curious about inquiry? Hundreds of thousands of elementary teachers are. Smokey Daniels travels the country supporting well planned and organized inquiry teaching, and he gets these two questions most often:

Where do I find the time?

What are some simple ways I can try with my kids?

The Curious Classroom answers these questions. It shares a ladder of 10 inquiry structures. Begin with briefly modeling your own curiosity or start on a higher rung as you gradually move toward units driven by kids' own questions.

Ever wonder how to get students genuinely engaged in your curriculum? Or wish you could let them explore those amazing questions they brim with? If so, Smokeyprovides research-based suggestions that help cover the curriculum by connecting what kids wonder about to the wonders you have to teach them. He shares 10 structures, 34 inspiring models from teachers nationwide, full-color photographs and examples of students work, plus specific suggestions for assessment and grading.

Just getting started with inquiry? Looking for your own next step in student-driven inquiry? Or do you just want new teaching ideas to try? Read The Curious Classroom. "By the end of this book," writes Smokey Daniels, "I hope you will say two things:

I never knew my kids were capable of working at this level; and

This is the most fun I have ever had in my teaching life."

Be sure to check out our study guide, complete with infographics, Tanny McGregor's chapter-by-chapter sketchnotes, and space for you to interact with the book.

(click any section below to continue reading)

Contents

Introduction: Welcome to Student-Directed Inquiry

1. Demonstrate Your Own Curiosity

2. Investigate Ourselves and Our Classmates

3. Capture and Honor Kids' Questions

4. Begin the Day with Soft Starts

5. Check Our News Feed

6. Hang Out with an Expert

7. Pursue Kids' Own Questions with Mini-Inquiries

8. Address Curricular Units with Mini-Inquiries

9. Lean into a Crisis

10. Learn with Partners and Pioneers

In Depth

This is a book about teaching with inquiry, which means building instruction out of children's curiosity, rather than from a curriculum guide, a standard textbook, or a handed-down unit. It means kids investigating and exploring, instead of just sitting and listening. It means an active, lively space where children make choices and take responsibility for their learning. It means classrooms where teachers flow between their role as an expert and their job as lead learner and facilitator of research. Inquiry means children partner up to gather information, build knowledge, and then teach the world, together.

Inquiry is an exciting and energizing way to engage kids' hearts and minds - and to cover content and meet standards. It holds important rewards for our students and delight for the adults working with them, but inquiry also requires some courage and some adjustments from us. The two biggest questions I hear from teachers are:

1. How do you find the time to try out kid-driven inquiries? I have my hands full trying to cover the official curriculum.

2. What are some quick and safe structures for getting started? I want to start small, dip my toe in the water, see how it works, and make sure my kids can handle it.

The next two hundred pages address those concerns with specific and practical strategies, lessons, and models. Together, we will work our way up a ladder of student-directed learning that shows how to make room for inquiry in our schedules and to use that time well. By the end of this book, after you have tried out some of its ten major structures, I hope you will say two things:

"I never knew my kids were capable of working at this level."

and

"This is the most fun I have ever had in my teaching life."

- From the Introduction

Companion Resources

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Curious Classroom by Harvey Daniels. Student Inquiry.

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Suggestions that help cover the curriculum by connecting what kids wonder about to the wonders you have to teach them. Provides 10 structures, 34 inspiring models from teachers nationwide, full-color photographs and examples of students work, plus specific suggestions for assessment and grading.

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Conscious Discipline

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Your Headspace Mindfulness & Meditation Experts

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We want children to be healthy & happy now & for the rest of their lives. Teach meditation for kids with Headspace, using easy exercises designed for young minds.

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At the beginning of the year, the students created affirmations to have a productive day. Every day, the students read aloud this affirmations and together we created hand gestures shows each affirmations. The students at this point know this affirmations without having to read them from the paper. I believe this helps to set the tone of the day.

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Relationship between School Climate and SEL Learning

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Relationship between School Climate and SEL Learning

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How do SEL competencies affect our students digital citizenship.

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Great for Grades PK-2

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Nice website! You can print worksheet activities to use in your classroom!

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Welcome to our supplemental Social Emotional Learning Activities page!

As you will see below, many of the supplemental SEL activities and lesson plans include characters from our game-based, social emotional learning interventions. And when you use the online programs with your students, these activities will reinforce the learning that occurs during game play.

These supplemental resources - lessons, activities, and worksheets - are in the following SELskill areas: Communication, Cooperation, Emotion Regulation, Empathy, Impulse Control, and Social Initiation.

These resources are age-appropriate for elementary and middle school students and are typically used in a classroom or a small group setting. And in most cases, if materials are required for the activity, they are items that you already have in your classroom or office.
Note: Please share this page on your school website so other educators may also benefit.
Social Emotional Learning at Home

Additional Resources for Social Emotional Learning

Our classroom management plan is a step-by-step guide and includes proven strategies, tips and printables for elementary school teachers, and it covers four key components for establishing a successful, well-managed classroom.

These free downloadable posters will decorate your classroom and be great teaching resources, reinforcing social and emotional skills in your classroom and reminding students to practice their skills like emotion regulation, impulse control, empathy, and more.

Social Emotional Learning Quotes

For each of the topics below, we have curated a list of quotes. You can incorporate these quotes in your social emotional learning lessons, add them to social media images, create classroom posters, or write one on your whiteboard each day.

Need Something More Engaging And Effective For A Few Students?

Simply request a FREE Centervention educator account and start using our online programs!

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95 Free Social Emotional Learning Activities

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95 free social emotional learning activities, worksheets, and lessons to help students in elementary and middle school. Most are no-prep and ready to go.

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SEL + other great ideas for virtual learning

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Wide Open School's mission lives on at Common Sense

With schools back in person, we have closed this dedicated distance-learning site designed to guide families and educators through the sudden shift to remote learning.
Discover More Great Resources for Families & Educators
Common Sense is dedicated to providing teachers and families with free resources to help kids learn, grow, and thrive with media and technology. Join our community for more tips and resources to support kids' learning and healthy development.

More Resources You'll Love

Get more free content like what you found on Wide Open School.
For Families For Educators
Thank You to Our Supporters & Partners

We are grateful to our supporters and partners for helping to bring these resources to kids, families, and educators everywhere during a global crisis. It is a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to education and digital access for all.

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Wide Open School's mission lives on at Common Sense With schools back in person, we have closed this dedicated distance-learning site designed to guide families and educators through the sudden shift to remote learning. Discover More Great Resources for Families & Educators

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"social and emotional learning" "educational research" "educational practice" "educational policy"

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The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is your source for knowledge and guidance on social and emotional learning (SEL), including monthly webinars on key topics such as SEL implementation, SEL assessment, and more. About CASEL: CASEL is the nonprofit that founded the field of SEL.

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Marina y los Emoticantos: El Rock de las Emociones - ¡Nueva versión!

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Teacher Message Journal (3C - Ms./Sra. Silvia)

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SEL in Distance Learning and Hybrid Classrooms

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SEL in Distance Learning and Hybrid Classrooms

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In my experience, students come to us with two kinds of backpacks: the one that holds their school supplies and the one that holds all their experiences prior to setting foot in our classrooms. My heart broke several times during my first-year teaching as I discovered how much the negative parts of our society had deeply affected my students. However, my heart was healed as I saw my students' resilience, perseverance, and desire to achieve their goals. I realized that it was as much my responsibility to help them build the social-emotional skills needed to make their dreams a reality as it was to teach them academic standards. For the better part of a decade, I have researched and implemented many different social-emotional learning techniques and have seen students grow dramatically.

We've all been thrown for a loop this year in many different ways and we all feel deeply worried that our students are very much at risk in this pandemic. Schools are a safe place for many students, especially our vulnerable ones, and knowing that staff members on campus truly care for them is a major motivating reason for a lot of students to come to school. I have been fortunate to work with many incredible teachers and administrators, and at my current school I am lucky to be part of a team of dynamic, caring, and forward-thinking educators. One of the pieces I am enjoying the most right now in our team's conversations is reflecting on how a fundamental element of instruction or culture-building can translate most effectively in a digital environment. I would argue that social-emotional learning is one of, if not the most, important pieces of a child's education and as such, it must be included in all types of learning, virtual or not. Let's dig into a list of some of the most critical pieces of social-emotional learning and how they can be applied in a virtual setting.

Social-emotional Learning in a Distance Learning or Hybrid Model

Checking in at the beginning of class

Knowing how students are doing at the beginning of class is a game changer if I ever knew one. Luckily, this can be done in many ways in a virtual setting:

Instead of holding it as students enter the classroom, an emoji poster can be displayed through a screen share or on a digital platform, such as Nearpod or Google Slides, and students can send you a private message with the word that describes how they are feeling that day.

Survey sites and online polls, such asGoogle Forms and Poll Everywhere, can be used to ask Entry Questions. These can be a great way to ask questions that provide insight into how students are feeling, such as "If today was an ice cream flavor, what flavor would it be?"

For most of my teaching career so far, I've taught English Language Arts and Italian. I have learned a lot teaching two different subjects and one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that many great instructional strategies transcend content areas, particularly when it comes to social-emotional learning. My favorite part of every school day has always been greeting students at the door because, just as with any beginning, there is opportunity to learn, connect and grow. One of my favorite ways to greet students is to hold a laminated sheet of paper with many different emojis on it and ask students to identify which one they are feeling at that moment. If it is for Italian class, the emojis are labeled in Italian and if it is for English Language Arts, they are labeled with high-level adjectives so that students can practice vocabulary as well. Doing this 10-second check-in with each student before the bell rings allows me to gauge how they are doing that day so that I can better teach them. If a student says they are feeling energetic, they might love an opportunity to help pass out papers or help with other classroom duties. If they say they are tired or sad, I know that they might need to be given some space and will likely not participate as much as they normally do. I will also know that I need to find time during class to check in with them one-on-one to see if they need support. Knowing the range of emotions that my students are feeling before the bell even rings gives me the chance to think of ways to help them and, most importantly, it lets them know that their emotional wellbeing is just as important as their academic progress.

One-on-one conversations

Just as in a brick-and-mortar classroom, one-on-one conversations can make all the difference when it comes to understanding the reasons behind a student's behavior, and they provide one of the biggest opportunities for SEL through reflection and restorative practices. In my experience, when a student is having a rough day or is being disruptive, there is always a reason for it. Speaking with students individually instead of in front of the entire class lets the student be themselves, without the pressure that comes with being surrounded by their peers. Normally, this would happen right outside the classroom door, as the teacher positions themselves so that they can both observe their classroom and speak with the student. Here's how that could look in a digital classroom:

Send a private message (if your platform allows it) or an email to a student, letting them know that you noticed they were "off" that day and asking what the reasons could be. This will open the door to a conversation that will most likely give you insight into what they need to be successful and learn from the experience.

Schedule a one-on-one check-in with the student, whether online or by phone. The power of this social-emotional technique is that students are given the opportunity to make sense of why they acted the way they did. This reflection is a chance for them to learn, with the teacher's support, how to correct the current situation and develop the skills to choose a different path the next time.

Activities that promote self-expression, personalization, and student dialogue

One of the central pieces to social-emotional learning is providing chances for students to express who they are and connect with their classroom community in meaningful ways. Luckily, all of that can be done in a virtual classroom! Here are some ideas:

Allowing student choice in activities is a great way to provide personalization for students. Students can choose to draw their response and show it on camera in place of typing it, or they can record a verbal response in place of writing it if that works best for them. Nearpod has some fantastic activities embedded in their platform for students to draw or record their responses and Padlet provides opportunities for creative responses as well.

Community circles can easily be done in a digital classroom if acceptable norms are set (mics off while your peer is talking, snaps or other quiet hand signals to show support and appreciation). I find that low-stakes questions such as "What is your favorite candy?" can help students find common ground and over time develop the trust to ask deeper questions like, "What is one of your proudest moments?"

You can implement a variety of SEL classroom activities. With some imagination, and inspiration from this article, you can adapt any activity for a virtual environment.

Opportunities for feedback and reflection

Students, just like all stakeholders, appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on what is working and what could improve the classroom experience. When students have been in situations where they did not have a lot of input, knowing that they are an important part of a classroom community that values their feedback is a powerful thing.

Google Forms is a quick way to design surveys to gather meaningful feedback. Here are some questions I've asked that promote insightful responses:
What are your favorite ways to learn? Why?

What has been your favorite activity in this class? Why?

What could make this class better?

What types of activities would you like to see more of?

At its heart, social-emotional learning both creates an environment where students feel supported and part of a community-and builds the skills needed for our scholars to live happy, fulfilling lives. None of the strategies I've discussed are brand new ones for this year, but rather strategies I have been implementing for years. However, I think this represents an important lesson in the adventure that is teaching in 2020: we do not have to reinvent the wheel, we just need to redesign it a little by thinking of ways to make the most impactful pieces of our classrooms evident in our online setting. In a time where our most vulnerable students are more at risk than ever of slipping through the cracks, we must make sure that students know they are valued members of our classroom communities and that they are capable of achieving their goals. By checking in with students and providing them with opportunities to reflect, explore and grow, we are helping them build the skills they will need to navigate this pandemic and beyond.

Kate Mendoza is a secondary literacy instructional coach in Los Angeles. She is passionate about reading, languages and Italian food. You can find more at her blog.

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Tags: Social-Emotional Learning

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Social-Emotional Learning in Distance Learning & Hybrid Classrooms | Resilient Educator

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In my experience, students come to us with two kinds of backpacks: the one that holds their school supplies and the one that holds all their experiences prior to setting foot in our classrooms. My heart broke several times during my first-year teaching as I discovered how much the negative parts of our society had deeply affected my students.

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http://www.aplithelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Teacher_Meditation.mp3

A Guided Visualization Audio Experience for Teachers

The following guided visualization is designed to help teachers focus their minds while their bodies unwind. Building confidence, creativity, and connection with learners are recurring themes throughout the upcoming journey of the mind. We hope the visualization helps you recover from the stress of teaching and enhances your ability to inspire learners.

The voice that guides you through the visualization belongs to Michelle Marshall. Scott Finley, wrote the electronic music and produced the audio. After listening to several audio meditation CDs over a couple months and reading the helpful advice of Dr. Christopher Lloyd Clarke from The Guided Meditation Site , I wrote the guided visualization transcript.

We make no scientific, spiritual, medical, or psychological guarantees. Moreover, the guided visualization should not be thought of as a substitute for professional help. Lastly, please do not listen while operating heavy machinery.

The meditation will work better if you do not read the transcript. However, we have included below this paragraph a transcript of the experience for individuals who wish to preview the text before listening to the audio.
Welcome to this guided meditation for teachers, where you will experience profound relaxation, and feel an enhanced sense of confidence and creativity as an instructor. Please do not listen while driving or operating heavy machinery. Before we begin, find a comfortable and quiet place to either sit or lie down. Close your eyes and take several slow, deep breaths [22 second pause]. Relax your hands...[5 second pause] and face [5 second pause] and shoulders [5 second pause]. Identify a part of your body that feels good [5 second pause] and allow warmth from that spot to expand through your entire body [8 second pause]. As you continue to breathe slowly and deeply, allow tension and stress to melt from your body [8 second pause]. As I count down from five, feel your body and mind descend deeper and deeper into a blissful state of relaxation. 5 [5 second pause], 4 [5 second pause],3 [5 second pause], 2 [5 second pause], 1. With each breath, you relax further, feeling deep tranquility. Birds glide in the warm morning wind [5 second pause]. You walk towards a silver bridge that spans a stream. Water burbles as you cross over. . . [5 second pause]. On the other side is a field of lemon grass, shrubs, pine trees, and wild melon [5 second pause] . In the center of the field is your classroom door [5 second pause] . You walk towards it. Opening the door, you slip inside, where students are already seated [5 second pause] . The classroom walls rise twenty feet into the air and glow with the animated faces of past and present mentors . . . trusted friends... faces of people who believe in you...faces of personal heroes...and even your future self...all here for you [8 second pause]. The power of their faith in you swells in you like symphony music. They see everything you are: caring, curios, wise, purposeful, and creative. Those qualities magnify inside you, while self-doubt melts away [10 second pause]. Unbeknownst to your students, above each of their heads floats a transparent balloon [5 second pause]; a small object in each one symbolizes that learner's gift to the world. When you peer into a balloon, the gift inside glows pink and blue. You take your time and look at all the gifts-learning their secrets [35 second pause]. Finally inspired with renewed clarity and purpose, you leave the classroom through the door that you entered. You walk past lemon grass, shrubs, pine trees, and wild melon and cross the silver bridge. The confidence and power at your center resonates and is growing and spreading, expanding with loving force through every part of this special world [5 second pause] touching every blade of grass and every sentient being [5 second pause] and everything this energy touches feels your pleasure. Take four long breathes [15 second pause]. As I count from one to five, you will become more and more aware of your relaxed body and surroundings. When I reach 5, your body will remain relaxed, but your mind will be completely alert and refreshed. 5 [5 second pause], 4 [5 second pause], 3 [5 second pause], 2 [5 second pause], 1.Please open your eyes when you are ready.
Let us know how the experience worked for you!

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Guided Meditation: 7 Minutes to Calm Your Teaching Soul - AP LIT HELP

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by Todd Finley A Guided Visualization Audio Experience for Teachers The following guided visualization is designed to help teachers focus their minds while their bodies unwind. Building confidence, creativity, and connection with learners are recurring themes throughout the upcoming journey of the mind.