Learning: Activation & Installation
Dr. Hanson's work is grounded in positive neuroplasticity and the amazing potential of our brains to become more resilient. He offers several strategies that we can practice (and teach our students!)
E- Enrich it. Stay fully with it, feeling it completely.
A- Absorb it: Receive it into yourself.
L- Link it (optional). Use it to soothe and replace painful, harmful psychological material.
Resilient, by Rick Hanson, Ph.D.
My Go-To Middle School Resource
But I'm Required to Teach the Common Core!
Note how Literacy Essentials align to SEL competencies!
Let's approach our learning today considering how the literacy standards, activities and resources we choose can suppport our students' social-emotional literacy.
Build the Foundation
Our students need to feel grounded and safe
.43 Teacher Expectations
Reduce anxiety
OK to make mistakes
Not yet
.72 Teacher/Student Relationships
Mirror neurons/chameleon effect
Smile .36 workplace performance
demeanor/posture/gestures/facial expression/smile/eye contact
Potential Benefits of Mindfulness Integration
A number of studies have identified the psychological benefits, as well as positive changes to the brain. Research on academic improvement is emerging, as this article indicates. Implementing consistent calming, focus, and awareness practices in our classrooms can:
- Improve classroom climate -engagement, attention, participation, social behavior
- Improve academic performance - focus, cognitive skills/executive function/working memory
- Mitigate the effects of bullying (Zhou, Liu, Niu, Sun, & Fan, 2016)
- Provide more self-control, self-awareness & insight
- Reduce symptoms related to stress, anxiety & depression
- Reduce test anxiety
- Reduce suspension rates & teacher turnover
- Reduce ADHD symptoms & hyperactivity (Zhang et al., 2016)
Teach Students Physical Presence
1. Help children be present in their physical bodies.
2. Teach them how stress hijacks the brain & nervous system.
- Hippocampus: regulates emotions; plays an important role in learning & memory. Manages our responses to threats.
- Amygdala: reacts to fear, threat, or danger and can become over-reactive. If we are in a calm, positive state, it sends information through to our thinking, reasoning brain. If we are in a negative state, that information is blocked. (Fight, flight, or freeze)
- Pre-Frontal Cortex: responsible for attention, problem-solving, planning, & self-regulation. Information is limited to this area if our brains are under stress.
3. Teach them practices that will help them regulate their physical bodies.
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Teach Students Mental Awareness
1. Teach students to observe how their attention in interrupted by distractions.
2. Teach them how to get their attention back each time they are distracted.
3. Remember: these skills take time and practice!
Squirrel!!!
Distractions/Attention
Anchor Breathing
Focus Breath (candle, object; practice distractions)
Listening -using the ears to focus; hold the sound until the end; guess the sounds; listen for sounds they hadn’t noticed
The Distraction Game:
What is distraction?
What does distraction & impulsivity feel like on the inside?
what distracts you? What can you do to refocus?
The ABC's of Life
- Accept the Challenge
- Believe in Yourself
- Choice not Chance Determines Success
Give students one to write about and discuss each day/week...OR create your classroom ABC's of Life!
Teach Students Emotional Awareness
2. Teach students to notice their thoughts and the correlating sensations in their bodies.
3. This will allow students to identify and regulate emotions before reacting.
Literacy Connection:
Helping students identify their emotions
What does it look like in your face?
What does it look like in your body? Posture
Our range of emotions are okay and temporary
Visualize the Calm
For the next three minutes, visualize of one or more of the following favorite, reassuring, and uplifting items in as much detail as you can.
Favorite color(s)
Favorite wise person
Favorite healthy food
Favorite song or sound
Favorite peaceful place
Favorite animal
Favorite natural setting
Favorite quote
Favorite soothing activity
Teach Students Social Awareness
Our brains are hard-wired for compassion, empathy, and kindness!
1. Teach students to be intentional in their social interactions.
2. Teach students forgiveness, acceptance, kindness.
3. Teach students to understand others and their impact on others.
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Teach Students Global Awareness
2. Provide opportunities for students to experience and explore nature.
3. Investigate where an object or food item came from: what is it made of? How was it produced? What happens to it when we are done with it?
Taking Care of YOU
Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
- Know yourself
- Understand your emotions
- Tell empowering stories: Try This! 3 Good Things
- Build community
- Be here now
- Take care of yourself
- Focus on the bright spots
- Cultivate compassion
- Be a learner
- Play and create
- Ride the waves of change
- Celebrate & appreciate
Lisa Madden, MACT, RYT 500, E-RYT 200, YACEP
Lisa Madden is a Learning Coach for Lapeer Community Schools, coaching other educators on the implementation of evidence-based practices. Lisa started her career in education over 25 years ago as a high school English teacher in beautiful Suttons Bay. She transitioned to Lapeer County, where she worked as an Education Consultant at LCISD, then Supervisor of ELA and Social Studies for Lapeer Community Schools, and Coordinator of Curriculum & Special Projects at Genesee ISD.
A student of yoga for over 20 years, Lisa is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance, and founded IN2 Yoga in Lapeer, MI in 2016. This blend of experience has cultivated her commitment to advocate for the integration of mindfulness practices and social-emotional learning; attention to educators' well-being and resilience; and the fostering of healthy, supportive relationships within classrooms, schools, and systems. Lisa completed her 300-hour yoga certification through the Beaumont School of Yoga Therapy, and is currently studying for her Yoga Therapy Level III Certification. She has also studied Yin Yoga under Joe Barnett, and Restorative Yoga with Jillian Pransky.
