https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg Video Reflection en-us 2018-02-01 01:20:02 UTC 2025-11-12 18:39:16 UTC hello@padlet.com 0 theresa_badum https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/226867144 This was an amazing, heartwarming story that teaches students how they can have some control over their thoughts and actions through breathing and mindfulness. 
Marina Middle School made me think of my former middle school because of its student population and difficulties with behavior. The school had an interventionist come into an especially challenging class. Through her perseverance, she was able to give the students tools that they could use to be calm in adverse situations. This in turn trickled down to better behavior and more academic success.
I wonder why these techniques have not been part of all school policy everywhere.]]> 2018-02-01 01:25:53 UTC https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/226867144 theresa_badum https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/227875537 1. Not teaching a foreign language until 7th or 8th grade when this is the time that the "pruning of synapses" starts taking place and therefore disconnecting language acquisition skills that have not been used since  childhood. 
2. The pace of the math curriculum. There is little to no flexibility in the math curriculum for students to "disengage and see the problem in another way."
3.  The lack of, or weakness in building strong social-emotional skills knowing that they have been linked to higher academic achievement, positive results in the workforce, and general improvement in overall health.
4. Incorporate mindfulness teachings into the daily life of students across the board beginning in kindergarten as was illustrated in the video, "Habits of the Mind."
5. Not teaching yoga and breathing strategies in a systematic way to students and teachers when it has been shown that knowing how to use these skills benefits our overall well-being.

]]> 2018-02-04 17:18:59 UTC https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/227875537 Lisa_Mott https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/229757344 Foreign language acquisition is definitely something that should be explored in the elementary years. It would be wonderful if each year was a different language and the basic were covered, like the class they offer in middle school that does 1 language a term. At least build a vocabulary and allow them to see connections between all the languages while at the same time keeping those synapses strong!]]> 2018-02-08 18:51:30 UTC https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/229757344 kimberly_steven https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/230279282 I completely agree with Number 4 on your list. This year our school (TES) has incorporated a 15 minute Mindfulness block into the schedule each day. It has been a great experience teaching the students yoga poses, breathing and meditation practices. It has been a powerful way to get them to understand their body and minds! 
Kim Stevens ]]> 2018-02-10 15:31:29 UTC https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/230279282 melanie_brown2 https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/230399532 It is always interesting to me that we have so much research and support on the benefit and ease of learning a foreign language when children are very young, yet most school systems don't begin it until 7th/8th grade.  I understand that some of this may be budgeting factors, but I would think that opening the brain to a language in Kindergarten would allow for better and easier learning throughout the future grades.  Even learning a language, such as Latin would help students greatly with spelling patterns and probably communication and speech.

I also agree with your comments on the math curriculum. Coming from teaching middle school math this was often one of my biggest concerns. The best way for the students to learn is through hands-on methods that allow for multiple strategies and using real world scenarios. However, all of this takes time and the curriculum does not allow for that. It really is sending mixed messages on what is important: the teaching of the curriculum or actually allowing students to learn the content.]]> 2018-02-11 19:14:15 UTC https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/230399532 teresa_heiss https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/230872052 2018-02-13 00:16:23 UTC https://padlet.com/theresa_badum/pd3iblaabpmg/wish/230872052