1. Flow state maximization
1.1. Avoid multitaking
1.1.1. Minimize distractions (put phone away)
1.1.2. Circulate class during independent work
1.2. Ensure you are adequately prepared for every lesson
1.3. Challenge ourselves to find new and engaging ways to teach the curriculum
1.4. Do things purely for fun
1.4.1. Taking a few minutes a day to play a game as a class
2. Gratitude
2.1. Positive mindset journal before going home
2.2. Listing things you are great full for
2.3. Schedule quality time alone to do a rampage of appreciation
2.4. Make a list of at least 5 people to thank in the upcoming weeks
2.5. Student share favorite thing they did or learned that week exit tickets
3. Brain Breaks
3.1. Starfish breathing
3.2. Moving brain breaks
3.2.1. Moving meditation
3.2.2. Tai Chi for beginners
3.2.3. Guided meditations
3.3. Focused Listening
3.3.1. Students sit at desks, close eyes
3.3.2. Breath in & hold it for 3 seconds, then breath out
3.3.3. For one minute they will relax and listen, taking inventory of sounds from outside the classroom at least 5 distinct sounds
3.4. Belly breathing
3.4.1. 1-2-3 breath: inhale through nose; count "1-2-3" than exhale through mouth, repeat
3.5. Bumble bee breath
3.5.1. Inhale through nose, place fingers in ears & then hum through the exhale to create a soothing, buzzing sound
3.6. Mindfullness
3.6.1. Listen to the bell
3.6.1.1. Sit up when bell sound stops
3.6.2. Breathing buddy
3.6.2.1. 1 child places toy on belly, other watches it move up and down
4. De-clutter your classroom
5. Visualizing
5.1. Sit quietly, and visualize you and your class having a great day
5.1.1. What does it look like, sound like?
5.1.2. Connect to the feelings of what it feels like
5.2. Feel the satisfaction of when a student makes a breakthrough in learning, or the way you feel when the while class is laughing together at something
5.3. Visualize yourself remaining calm and positive even when students are challenging
6. Making connections
6.1. Students
6.1.1. Student of the week
6.1.2. Buddy Bench
6.1.3. Day maker phone calls
6.1.3.1. Call a parent/ guardian and make their day by saying something positive about their child
6.1.3.2. Can also be done through text or email
6.1.3.3. Or a day maker note
6.1.4. Foster positive environment with small intentional acts of kindness
6.1.5. Mood changers
6.1.5.1. Touching a sign and saying out loud, "I'm a champ!"
6.1.5.2. Academic songs (school house rock) appropriate cat fail videos, playing one minute silent ball, tossing around a beach ball
6.1.6. Notes of appreciation
6.1.6.1. Write students a small note of appreciation or encouragment, maybe with a small quote
6.2. Co-workers
6.2.1. See if there are any small things your class can do to make someone else's day easier
7. Let people off the hook
7.1. be willing to assume people have the best intentions and are doing they best they can
7.2. If a student changes their behavior, let them off the hook
7.3. Find a way to let yourself off the hook for shortcomings too
8. Reclaiming your schedule
8.1. List activities outside your classroom mark whats mandatory or reasonable and which are voluntary
8.2. Learning to say no
8.2.1. “Thank you for thinking of me, but I’m unable to help you with that at this time. Good luck with the project!”
8.2.2. “Thanks for thinking of me, but right now my primary focus is dedicating 100% of my time and energy to my classroom and my students. They deserve nothing less.”
8.2.3. “Let me look into that and get back to you! Thanks!”
8.3. Create a set of communication guidelines for parents & share it with them at beginning of year
8.3.1. Set up an email folder to sort emails coming in (youtube turtorials)