Allow me to introduce myself... Mindfulness

While there is no school on our Blake Wednesday Advisory, we would still like each advisory to find time to  introduce mindfulness (link to google doc of this lesson) through these activities.

Begin by sharing this video below. https://youtu.be/kk7IBwuhXWM

After watching the video, take time for students to brainstorm a WordSplash on the white board or shared space of any stresses/challenges/worries they have.  

What is the impact on you when you name your stressors and write them down?

We are going to practice letting go and being present. Everyone should find a comfortable spot in the classroom at their desk or on the floor and have them shut their eyes (if they are comfortable).

Guided mindfulness/breathing exercise: https://youtu.be/dEzbdLn2bJc

During their guided meditation erase the WordSplash so, when students open their eyes everything they wrote is gone. 

How did the mindfulness meditation make you feel?

Challenges, distractions etc.

Do you see any benefits to taking 5 minutes to refocus? What are they?

Would you like to do this again? why/why not?

If you have time, end with: https://youtu.be/up3MZuYkf-g

or FlipGrid it!

Go to the Blake Advisory FlipGrid to share your experience. Click on the image or open the app and join with the

CODE (Ask Ms. Horvath)

Mindfulness Apps offered for FREE to Educators

📲 There are several apps that allow you to carry mindfulness in your pocket and for teachers, to easily bring into the classroom. Think of it as a way to model the use for students as a whole group activity (airplay it to your projector), then students will have a better idea of how access, use independently, and make it a solid strategy where and whenever needed.

TechChef4U's Lisa Johnson shared these in her weekly (full of resources) newsletter:

Calm now offers a premium account FREE for teachers. Choose from age-based meditation and mindful exercises or play relaxing sounds in the background.

Stop, Breathe, & Think also offers a FREE Lifetime Premium membership to educators that includes classroom resources, check in posters, worksheets, wall art, and more. As well as access to the complete video series in both of their apps (Stop, Breathe & Think and Stop, Breathe & Think Kids). 

Looking for more apps, visit this top 10 list.

Feel free to leave a comment with other suggestions not mentioned or ways you are using these apps in your classroom.

Wednesday Advisory: ORGANIZE YOUR IPAD!

Hello October! We'll kick off this month with a little more organization in terms of the iPad and how to best organize your apps and make use of upcoming awesome features in the latest iOS 13 updates. However, the majority of the month will dive into mindfulness with exploring different activities, setting goals and reflecting during interim report card time.

🎃You can take a look ahead at October Calender -here

This week we are sticking with the organization theme and thinking more of how you're actually setting up your device for success with app layout and using any of the features to help you focus and stay on track. (Few iPad organization tips) Can you add on?

Another option is for those more techie enthusiast to do some research about the new iOS 13 features that will soon be here. (Explore Highlight of IOS 13 Features) How can you use them to your best advantage in school?

Don't forget to Flipgrid your thoughts and ideas to share with the Blake Community! If you have a good quality video response that shows uniqueness and substance, you could make the mixtape reel!