Mindful ClassroomsT: Daily 5-Minute Practices to Support Social-Emotional Learning (PreK to Grade 5)

by James Butler M.Ed

Overview

A guide for busy elementary educators on how to easily incorporate mindfulness activities into existing curriculum

Teaching students how to focus and self-regulate at a young age can provide them with skills that will help throughout their schooling and adult lives. Like anyone, they need easy-to remember tools and strategies to calm their minds and focus on the moment. This interactive, research based curriculum helps preK and elementary teachers integrate simple, ready-to use stretching, breathing, and reflective exercises as well as other mindfulness practices into their daily routines. Includes digital content with reproducible handouts from the book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781631983696
Publisher:	Free Spirit Publishing
Publication date:	04/03/2019
Series:	Free Spirit Professional®
Edition description:	First Edition, book with digital content
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	1,149,827
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 13 Years

About the Author

James Butler, M.Ed., has been teaching kindergarten and prekindergarten since 2002. He has a B.S. in education and early childhood from Indiana’s Manchester University and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from Grand Canyon University.

He is now the SEL (social-emotional learning) mindfulness specialist for the Austin Independent School District (AISD), working with teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and grades preK–12 students. During the 2016–2017 school year, James helped implement a mindfulness curriculum in all 130 AISD campuses.

He lives in Austin, Texas.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

The Basics of Mindfulness 1

About This Book 2

Research About the Benefits of Mindfulness 3

Benefits in the Classroom 4

How to Use This Book 5

Getting Started 8

Mindfulness Activities Week by Week 11

Week 1 A-B-C-D Poses & Name Your Feelings 12

Week 2 E-F-G-H Poses & Mutual Respect 16

Week 3 I-J-K-L Poses & Including Others 20

Week 4 M-N-O-P Poses & Active Listening 24

Week 5 Q-R-S-T Poses & Ways to Play Fair 28

Week 6 U-V-W-X Poses & Compassion 32

Week 7 Y-Z & Classic Poses & Courage 36

Week 8 School Poses & Serf-Talk 40

Week 9 Student Choice & Speak Up 44

Week 10 Autumn Poses & Honesty 48

Week 11 Tree Life Cycle Poses & Being a Good Friend 52

Week 12 Shape Poses & Integrity 56

Week 13 City Poses & Believing in Yourself 60

Week 14 Music Poses & Learning from Mistakes 64

Week 15 Light Poses & Gratitude 68

Week 16 Animal Poses & Generosity 72

Week 17 Winter Poses & Self-Compassion 76

Week 18 Student Choice & Positivity 80

Week 19 HOPE Poses & Seeking Help 84

Week 20 READ Poses & Perseverance 88

Week 21 LOVE Poses & Adapting to Change 92

Week 22 Warrior Poses & Empathy 96

Week 23 Furniture Poses & Saying Problems Without Blame 100

Week 24 Flying B Poses & Strong Feelings 104

Week 25 CALM Poses & Courtesy 108

Week 26 REST Poses & Patience 112

Week 27 Student Choice & Forgiving Others 116

Week 28 Sports Poses & Anxiety/Worry 120

Week 29 Butterfly Life Cycle Poses & Respecting Differences 124

Week 30 SWAG Poses & Caring for the Earth 128

Week 31 Plant Poses & Taking Responsibility 132

Week 32 LIFE Poses & Being a Team Player 136

Week 33 PLAY Poses & Put-Downs 140

Week 34 SWIM Poses & Trying Your Best 144

Week 35 Summer Poses & Having Fun 148

Week 36 Student Choice & Taking It Home 152

Acknowledgments 156

Endnotes 157

Appendix 159

The following scripts and modifications are available to download. Please see page 181 for instructions.

Mindful Breathing Scripts 160

Mindful Listening Scripts 162

Mindful Seeing Scripts 166

Mindful Eating Scripts 170

Modifications: Mindful Breathing & Mindful Stretching 173

Index 175

About the Authors 182

Editorial Reviews

Students and teachers quickly embraced using Mindful Classrooms on a daily basis. Both groups stated it helps them be more centered and focused. It’s had a positive impact on my campus from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Genia Antoine

Mindful Classrooms has helped teach our students and staff to self-regulate when they are frustrated, angry, or anxious, or they need a brain break. Academics are very important but with the help of Mindful Classrooms, we are teaching whole-child life skills that will complement their academic work.

Mark Overly

My students have been more aware of themselves and how their attitude affects themselves and others. They’ve even told me ‘I was able to do this when I was angry, and I wanted to yell but I just breathed, and I worked through it.’

Callie Alldredge

Mindful Classrooms offers wonderfully concrete activities for teachers who want to lead mindful movement and breathing exercises with their students in the classroom. It’s the perfect complement to the daily guided sitting practices that more and more schools are embedding into the school day to benefit both students and teachers. This book can help educators foster a more mindful classroom in which to support their students’ social and emotional learning.

Laurie Grossman

Especially recommended.”—Wisconsin Bookwatch

Wisconsin Bookwatch

I have been inspired by the research presented that shows the positive effects of secular mindfulness in schools. It allows time for reflection while reducing stress and anxiety. Learning how to relax and concentrate on the task at hand is important and worthwhile for students, teachers, and even superintendents. I’m hopeful for Mindful Classrooms, and I want to encourage everyone to reflect on the importance of having a proper balance.

Dr. Paul Cruz

One of my favorite parts of the day is walking into a classroom where the teacher is leading a mindfulness activity. Seeing a room full of kiddos, sitting on the carpet, working on their breathing together, with the teacher modeling it with them . . . it’s really amazing to see. The Mindful Classrooms activities have been huge for our campus climate and we have even started incorporating mindfulness at our morning assemblies. It’s that important.

Brian Hill

I have experienced Mindful Classrooms as both a parent and an educator. Both my son and my students alike have learned how to use mindfulness as a tool to self-regulate. Professionally and personally I have learned how to use mindfulness as a way to manage everyday stressors that come along with being an educator, a wife, and a mother.

Allison Hinojosa

Mindful Classrooms offers wonderfully concrete activities for teachers who want to lead mindful movement and breathing exercises with their students in the classroom. It’s the perfect complement to the daily guided sitting practices that more and more schools are embedding into the school day to benefit both students and teachers. This book can help educators foster a more mindful classroom in which to support their students’ social and emotional learning.”—Laurie Grossman, director of social justice and educational equity, Inner Explorer, Inc.

“I have been inspired by the research presented that shows the positive effects of secular mindfulness in schools. It allows time for reflection while reducing stress and anxiety. Learning how to relax and concentrate on the task at hand is important and worthwhile for students, teachers, and even superintendents. I’m hopeful for Mindful Classrooms, and I want to encourage everyone to reflect on the importance of having a proper balance.”—Dr. Paul Cruz, Austin ISD superintendent

“Mindful Classrooms has helped teach our students and staff to self-regulate when they are frustrated, angry, or anxious, or they need a brain break. Academics are very important but with the help of Mindful Classrooms, we are teaching whole-child life skills that will complement their academic work.”—Mark Overly, Carrcroft Elementary principal

“My students have been more aware of themselves and how their attitude affects themselves and others. They’ve even told me ‘I was able to do this when I was angry, and I wanted to yell but I just breathed, and I worked through it.’”—Callie Alldredge, Pflugerville Elementary third-grade teacher

“Students and teachers quickly embraced using Mindful Classrooms on a daily basis. Both groups stated it helps them be more centered and focused. It’s had a positive impact on my campus from kindergarten through fifth grade.”—Genia Antoine, Pflugerville Elementary principal

“One of my favorite parts of the day is walking into a classroom where the teacher is leading a mindfulness activity. Seeing a room full of kiddos, sitting on the carpet, working on their breathing together, with the teacher modeling it with them . . . it’s really amazing to see. The Mindful Classrooms activities have been huge for our campus climate and we have even started incorporating mindfulness at our morning assemblies. It’s that important.”—Brian Hill, Pillow Elementary principal

“I have experienced Mindful Classrooms as both a parent and an educator. Both my son and my students alike have learned how to use mindfulness as a tool to self-regulate. Professionally and personally I have learned how to use mindfulness as a way to manage everyday stressors that come along with being an educator, a wife, and a mother.”—Allison Hinojosa, Gullett Elementary preK teacher and mom

From the Publisher