SS/7 Mindsets for Learning Coaches
March 2024
The Student Success team would like to take a moment to thank you for visiting our Resource Kit for the Mindset: The Time Is Now. We know how passionate you are about your student' and this school because it shows. Thank you for choosing OVCA and continuing to make it the BEST Online School!!
March: The Time Is Now
The Time Is Now - Unit Overview & Objectives
The Time Is Now Mindset teaches us the importance of harnessing the power of the moment and taking purposeful action. The simple fact is that all of our power to act and make an impact exists in this moment. We cannot change the past, and the future hasn’t happened, so we must recognize that our only path to happiness, fulfillment and meaning is to take purposeful action in the present toward creating the lives of our dreams.
The 4 critical components of The Time Is Now:
1. Embrace Every Moment – One measure of our lives is how we feel in each moment. To what degree do we experience positive emotions like joy, love, gratitude, empathy, etc.? When we embrace every moment, we squeeze the most out of all experiences and live lives of greater joy and happiness. We must seek circumstances and moments that create great joy and memories. Even in difficult times, such as losing a loved one, we experience love; while sad, such experiences are still rich and add meaningfully to our lives.
2. Get in the Zone – When we act out of anger, jealously, or resentment, we almost always get it wrong and cause more harm than good. The key is to recognize when we are out of sorts, stop taking action, and figure out a way to get in a better state of mind. When we can do this and get into our zone, the actions we take are much more effective and result in a far more positive outcome. This is not to say that justified anger isn’t appropriate, such as when we react to bullying or discrimination. The key is to think before we act, in all cases.
3. Let Yourself Be Vulnerable – When we’re vulnerable, we’re in a heightened state of emotion or energy. Whether we’re facing a fear, taking a risk, or expressing a deep emotion, our senses come alive and we really are at our best. Many people don’t allow themselves to be vulnerable, because they believe it’s a sign of weakness. In fact, allowing oneself to be vulnerable shows great strength. The greatest moments in life happen when we’re at our most vulnerable: when we first ride a bike, introduce ourselves to a future companion, or take the game-deciding shot. To become great, we must put ourselves in positions to become great, in which we are vulnerable and step out of your comfort zones.
4. Act with Purpose – While all action is significant, the actions we take that align with our dreams are the most powerful. First, they’re part of who we are and matter to us more, so we try harder and work to overcome more when taking them. Second, these are steps directly toward our dreams, giving them a greater impact on the overall quality of our lives. Ask yourself about the actions you’re taking, “Is this helping to bring me closer to living my dreams?”
Top 5 Dos and Don'ts at Home:
1) Do encourage your children to discover what motivates them and what makes them feel powerful. Tapping into these feelings and knowing what tools they might use to get into a “zone” and perform at an optimal level is a win-win for both parents and children. Talking with them about times where they felt their absolute best and figuring out what was unique about those moments is a great way to help them get back there. For some children, it’s a song or routine that makes them feel great. For others, the memory of a time they felt powerful is enough to think back to.
2) Do celebrate and support action plans in your home. When your children come to you with a plan of action for anything, to exercise more or spend more time on homework, applaud the effort. The Time Is Now is about taking action. As parents, we are part of our children’s Dream Teams and our encouragement of them and their dreams is paramount. Helping them find their purpose, what makes them truly happy, is part of the fun.
3) Don’t let regrets pile up in your life or talk excessively to your children about all the things you wish you had done. It’s important for them to see you taking a proactive stance about doing what you want to do and not regretting things that you haven’t done yet.
4) Don’t focus energy or time on fears. Rather, find ways to overcome your own fears so that your children are inspired to do so as well. Fear prevents you from taking the actions necessary for your success. People who succeed in life know that great rewards exist beyond their conquered fears, and they therefore work constantly to overcome them.
5) Do encourage vulnerability. That emotional state brings with it a heightened sensitivity and access to moments of greatness and triumph. Vulnerability is invigorating, and every great dream requires a combination of energy and great enthusiasm to persevere through the difficulties and challenges.
Activities to Do with Your Child:
Additional Resources for Student Success at home!
- Elementary School Reading List (All Mindsets)
- Middle School Reading List (All Mindsets)
- Middle/High School Reading List (All Mindsets)
- For Teens: 20 Books to Inspire Social Change
- Random Acts of Kindness Website - Free Resources for Home
❤Positive Affirmation Resources❤
Other Great Mental Health Resources for your Family!
Click on the image above to register!
This monthly webinar series will offer middle and high school students a safe space to participate in conversations about mental health, bullying prevention, relationships, self- care, and more. K12’s network of experts and partners will provide students with an interactive platform to connect in support of their personal mental health. Each session will be hosted by K12 staff and esteemed guests, providing live discussions and interaction through safe, monitored Live Chat and Q&A. Check out our upcoming events and register today! https://event.on24.com/wcc/ r/4439469/4BC4D3057EA0C755A8BCB462F965386E/5163762
Exciting News! The 7 Mindsets App is Now Available
Elementary School Learning Coaches! Make sure to remind students that the Bison Mindset Minute happens once a month for all grade levels! Check out the specific day and times below.
Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS)
Media Balance and Well-Being
While there are many free quality digital citizenship curriculums available online, one of the most reputable sources of digital citizenship curriculum is Common Sense Media. In addition to quality lessons vetted by teachers and other educational experts, Common Sense Media also provides take-home resources for families to extend the lessons beyond the classroom.
To access age-appropriate lessons related to media balance and well-being, click on the links below.
Grades K-2: Pause for People, How Technology Makes You Feel, Device-Free Moments
Grades 3-5: My Media Choices, Finding my Media Balance
Grades 6-8: Finding Balance in a Digital World, My Media Use: A Personal Challenge, Digital Media and your Brain
Grades 9-12: My Digital Life is Like, The Health Effects of Screen Time
Join us on Facebook
We invite you to join the new 7 Mindsets Parents’ Corner on Facebook!
This private community is a place for parents to connect, share ideas, learn, and grow together. You will find resources and activities to engage your child, foster conversation and connection, and help your child grow towards an authentic and happy life.
Questions?
Middle School Counselor &
Student Success Support
p: 405.259.9478 ext. 3196
t: 405.696.0910
Amanda Coyle, M. Ed.
Elementary School Counselor &
Student Success Support
p: 405.259.9478 ext. 3077