Skip to main content

Brain Basics 101: Creating Socially and Emotionally Healthy Classrooms

By
Brain Basics 101: Creating Socially and Emotionally Healthy Classrooms
Key ideas/emphasis:
  • Trauma and stress are big challenges to learning
  • Emotional health is not an “appetizer” or a “dessert”- it is the plate
  • Teaching students about the parts of the brain and what they control
  • Helping students understand dysregulation  (acting out and acting in)
  • Teaching students the proper way to breathe-the prefrontal cortex (which is used for complex thinking)  “goes offline” during times of stress, and correct/deep breathing helps bring it “back online” and also releases oxytocin
  • Pyramid of trauma, stress and learning (below)- students who form ONE healthy, supportive adult relationship can offset this pyramid



Big takeaway: CHASE THE WHY-The Posture of Curiosity
Easy to begin using tomorrow
When dealing with students who are either dysregulated or not exhibiting the desired behavior, use the following phrases: “I wonder…” or I noticed…”  
Examples: “I wonder what is keeping you from doing your work,” “I wonder if you may want to talk after class,” or “I wonder if this other seat is a better choice”   It does not ask a direct question (but initiates communication)  without creating a communication/power struggle

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Positive Classroom

By
I was struck by the importance of creating a positive environment for my students.  One presenter showed a picture of a woman who had a fearful expression on her face.  Most of the teachers in the room said she looked afraid; however, the presenter said 8/10 middle school students thought the teacher was angry.  We need to be careful how we express ourselves in front of our students, knowing that they misread some of our thoughts.
1 comment
Read more

A middle school principal's dream come true...

By
I am so grateful that we were able to take nearly our entire faculty to AMLE, and so proud of our staff for making the day a dream come true for me! We started the day with a near perfect bus ride into Philadelphia, our driver, (Daraan DeShields), gracefully maneuvered our bus to the main entrance of the Philadelphia Convention Center. He was awesome! He started our day by greeting us with a smile, letting us know his expectations for the bus, and also letting us know he would do everything in his power to ensure our trip was comfortable and safe. From that moment, I knew it was going to be a great day. Daraan obviously buys into our vision of creating a school that teaches kids to love school. He even played the radio for us. Thank you Daraan! I think all would agree that individually we each got more out of some sessions than we did other sessions. For me Dr. Monte Selby's session on teacher morale and motivation was the most impactful for me. Monte is one of most entertain...
1 comment
Read more

Bridges to Wellness - Countywide Conference

By
While at the Bridges to Wellness conference, I attended a session highlighting the program "Rachel's Challenge"  Although this program has been around for many years, and may be familiar to us, I am still inspired by its message. Rachel Scott was killed in the Columbine High School shooting, and she was a student who reached out to students with disabilities, new students, and students who were picked on.  She wrote about her moral principles in her diary, which was found after her death.  Her father has since created an educational program, spreading Rachel's ideas internationally.  The CCIU is promoting Rachel's Challenge in Chester County again. "Rachel's Challenge builds compassion in relationships and strengthens community within schools.  Guided by a set of five challenges, students and faculty are encouraged to model and enforce behaviors, and start a chain reaction of their own." The five Challenges are: 1. Look for the Best in Others ...
Post a Comment
Read more