AN interior whizz has revealed her nifty way of rearranging even the smallest of spaces. Her tips make efficient use of a room’s limited footprint and included one big design no-no – pu…
See how to make corner bookmarks using this easy bookmark sewing tutorial. These diy corner bookmarks are so cute - video tutorial included!
Kings in the corner is an easy to play game for families of all ages. Learn how to play, read the rules and see all the variations.
Classroom review is a lot more fun with the Four Corners game! I love using this strategy for test prep, icebreakers, and more.
How to Build a custom DIY corner banquette for extra seating in an unused corner of a living room to create a cozy space.
In this post, I'll share with you an all-natural spider repellent that you can use indoors.This spray is non-t
Ever felt like your students could benefit from slowing down and taking a moment calm? Well, you're in for a treat. Mindfulness isn't just a buzzword; it's a game-changer. It's about hitting the pause button, taking a deep breath, and diving into the magic of the present moment. And here's the kicker – it's not just for adults; it's for kids too! So, picture this: A classroom where calm reigns supreme, thoughts find their chill, and focus becomes a superpower. That's the power of mindfulness. And guess what? We're not stopping there. We're bringing you the tools to create a Calming Corner that'll turn your classroom into a sanctuary of serenity. Let's dive in! (GREAT NEWS! I've put together exclusive FREEBIES for mindfulness. Click here to receive them!) Mindfulness meditation is a way of focusing the mind so that it is fully attending to what’s happening right now, to what we’re doing, and to the space that we’re currently in. Cultivating mindfulness means to be present, to pay attention, and to be aware of our emotions and the way that we respond to them. Recent neuroscience research points to many benefits of mindfulness meditation: ➧ increased focus ➧ a sense of calm ➧ decreased stress ➧ decreased anxiety ➧ improved impulse control ➧ greater empathy for others ➧ improved conflict resolution skills Our students need opportunities to practice mindfulness mediation. Since the human mind often wanders from the present. Our brains have a tendency to become absorbed with thoughts about the past or the future. This kind of thinking makes us anxious. Academic pressure now affects kids as early as kindergarten, resulting in less time for play and other stress-reducing activities. Today’s students are faced with an unprecedented amount of anxiety. The pressure only grows greater in middle and high school. Surveys have found students reporting stress and fatigue as much as 75% of the time. What’s needed is a way to decrease anxiety and help students to manage their emotions. That’s where mindfulness comes in. Infusing moments of mindfulness in the classroom is not only powerful, it’s also quite simple. In general, to practice mindfulness, have students start by bringing attention to their own body. Then, have them breathe in through their noses and out through their mouths. When they notice that their mind has wondered away from the present moment, they should gently bring their attention back to their breathing. It’s also a great idea to intentionally plan moments of mindfulness in the classroom! Here are some simple ways to do just that… 1. A Mindful Moment At the beginning of class, or after a transition, have your students close their eyes and take several deep breaths. Ask them to pay attention to their breathing and what it feels like. 2. A Mindful Break Once or twice during a standard length class, just stop. Have your students stand up and stretch and then sit back down and do 30 seconds of mindful breathing. This takes no more than a minute, and it gives everyone a needed break. 3. A Mindful Quote Use motivational and inspirational quotes to help focus students’ minds during a moment of mindfulness. It’s as easy as sharing a quote, or you can download this free set of mindfulness quotes and put together a container to pull from all year long. If you'd like me to send you a free set of 24 mindfulness quotes and the materials to make a container like above, add your name and email address below: Yes! Please send me MINDFULNESS RESOURCES! 4. Attention Check During a long lesson, stop and ask your students to pause and “check their attention.” Is their mind on what is being done in class, or has it been wandering? This gives kids the chance to deliberately redirect their attention to the matter at hand. 5. Finger Labyrinths Traditionally, labyrinths are used for mediation and relaxation. Often, people walk through labyrinths. Give students the same sensation with finger labyrinths. I’ve made a collection of them that students can use when they need to focus their minds. Students simply trace the spiral paths as they practice mindfulness. Add your name and email address below to receive the finger labyrinths and mindfulness quotes in your email inbox! Yes! Please send me MINDFULNESS RESOURCES! 6. Mindful Closure At the end of class, have students close their eyes and focus on their breathing again. Ask them to think of what they have learned and perhaps congratulate themselves on their progress and accomplishments. As teachers. we have many opportunities to introduce students to mindfulness practices. Of course, one of the most important ways we can do this is by cultivating mindfulness in ourselves. If we, as teachers, are present and aware of our own emotions and responses, we set an invaluable example for our students. Many of these mindfulness activities work well in a Calming Corner in the Classroom. Add the quotes or labyrinths to the calming corner to help students when they need to take a step back and become more present in the moment. Find more ideas for creating a calming classroom environment here. Thanks so much for stopping by! Mary Beth
Looking for ways to use up all the scrap wood in the corner of your workshop? Here are 70 simple projects to make in just a few hours!
Birthday Posters | Cupcake Display Transform your classroom into a vibrant and festive birthday celebration with our Gentle-Colored Birthday Cupcake Display. This delightful kit is designed to create an adorable and customizable display that your students will adore. **Key Features:** 1. **Gentle-Colored Cupcakes:** Our display features 12 charming birthday cupcakes in soft, gentle colors, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for celebrating student birthdays. 2. **Editable Candles:** The cupcakes come with editable candles that allow you to use Adobe Reader to quickly type student names into the candles. Attach them to the corresponding cupcake, displaying the month of the year, for a personalized touch. 3. **Versatile Usage:** This kit is perfect for showcasing student birthdays in a fun and memorable way. It's a beautiful addition to your classroom decor that fosters a sense of belonging and celebration among students. 4. **Easy Assembly:** The kit includes easy-to-assemble decorations, making it hassle-free to create a captivating birthday bulletin board that will make students feel special. **What's Included:** 12 Gentle-Colored Birthday Cupcakes for each month of the year Editable Candles for Personalization Easy-to-Assemble Decorations Make each student's birthday a memorable occasion with our Gentle-Colored Birthday Cupcake Display. Whether you're an experienced educator or just starting your teaching journey, this kit is an essential resource for fostering a sense of community and celebration in your classroom. Order your kit today and create a beautiful and fun class display to honor student birthdays!
Here are the top 20 NYC Instagram spots you don't want to miss — plus an additional 12 hidden gems that most tourists don't know about!
See how to make corner bookmarks using this easy bookmark sewing tutorial. These diy corner bookmarks are so cute - video tutorial included!
These fun morning greeting ideas will make arrival one of your favorite times in the classroom! This post gives ideas for how to use morning greetings.
The landmine exercise device has exploded in popularity over this past year. Here's what I consider to be the best landmine exercise for each muscle group.
Throughout my years of teaching, I have been blessed with four amazing student teachers and many other pre-internship education students. I teach in the same town as a large university, so the next passionate generation of educators is always right around the corner. In fact, we have more than a dozen student teachers and pre-internship teachers...
Maximize your kitchen space with 13 creative corner pantry ideas designed for small kitchens. Practical and stylish storage solutions await!
We just can’t ignore those black stains growing bigger and bigger in the corner of the bathroom ceiling. Wondering what those stains could be? Well, it’s definitely black mold. Black mold growing on your walls and ceilings is not only unsightly but also unhealthy. Mold grows rapidly if it has the perfect environmental conditions, and bathrooms seem to be the perfect homes for mold. High humidity, moisture, condensation and darkness are the perfect conditions for mold growth. Increasing ventilation in the bathroom will prevent mold growth on ceilings, so be careful to leave the window open after each bath/shower you
You've got to get the binding on your quilt nice and straight to get the perfect look. Read this quilting tutorial to get perfectly straight corners on quilt binding.
This northernmost, triangle-shaped peninsula is among the most underrated regions in Croatia.Here, we brought you the best beaches in Istria.
5 effective strategies to help elementary teachers create a calm, productive classroom. Find ideas on creating a calm corner in the classroom and ideas for making calm down kits for students.
A lap blanket for a special friend. Created in corner to corner crochet; inspired by Marimekko designs. This post includes my original C2C graphghan.
Get more from Miiko on Patreon
With autumn in the breeze, winter soon to follow, and many of our kids back to school, virus season is just around the corner. Oregano oil, or oregano essential oil, is often in the spotlight as an excellent herbal remedy. Here's how to choose and use oregano oil wisely. [by Megan Stevens]
On a normal, middle-of-the-year day, I want my students to come into my room in the morning knowing it is a calm place, a cooperative pla...
It’s time to get your clamps out of that pile in the corner and onto the wall! Let’s build a clamp rack.
Syracuse & Ortygia is not overwhelming; it has the perfect amount of ruins, tomatoes, spectacular baroque piazzas, cozy corner cafes & lush citrus trees.
Want to fill an empty corner in your living room? This post shows you beautiful & clever empty corner living room ideas to copy!
Learn all about the triangle shape in this math printable worksheet. Practice tracing, drawing, and coloring pictures of triangle shapes.
Since summer camps are right around the corner. Many camps have themed days or if it is sleep away you get to deck out your cabin. Because of this, we compiled a list of ideas for themes! Hawaiin Harry Potter Disney Football Army Alice in Wonderland Animal planet Girl Power Going Green Game shows Hollywood Holidays Lov
The majority of singular nouns are made plural simply by adding an S on to the end of the word. However, there are many different rules depending on what letter the word ends in.
What to do in the Aran Islands, & particularly how to spend a day in Inishmore (Inis Mor). This wild & remote corner of Ireland is definitely worth a visit!
Heather and Michael share a very organized, extremely stylish 600 square feet with their three daughters, Lennon (4 years), Georgie (2.5 years), and James (15 months). The home's style is "cozy, thoughtful, not fussy, and somewhere between minimal and collected."
