Trauma Sensitive Schools

See the below information provided to us by Dr. Lisa Friesen:

Taking a quick brain break can increase the effectiveness of your lesson.

Brain Breaks are a quick and effective way of changing or focusing the physical and mental state of the learners in your group. They are also a useful tool for students to use to help activate, energize and stimulate their brains. Research indicates that brain breaks also improve students’ concentration and relieve stress.

Why it’s effective: Studies show that the brain absorbs and retains more information when the body is exercised periodically. Movement stimulates the flow of two important neurochemicals, noradrenaline and dopamine, which prime the brain for learning. It erases sedentary fatigue, increases heart rate, and improves circulation, all of which impact the success of a lesson. (http://www.edudemic.com/brain-based-learning-techniques-classroom/)

Several brain break ideas can be found here and attached:

www.gonoodle.com

40 Brain Breaks

Mindfulness is tuning into your biofeedback. How am I feeling? Am I antsy? What is my heart rate? Are my basic needs being met? Mindfulness is knowing where you are in space in relation to other people. Listening to your body and responding to that feedback will help you to stay centered and present in the moment. This will help you to keep other stressors from affecting how you problem solve the issue in front of you.

Resources for mindfulness:

Pixel Thoughts

Teachers Take a Breath

Sam Brown is offering flexible seating to her students. It provides choice and allows for physical needs to be met during a class period. While flexible, students are not interrupting the flow of the learning environment and are not needing to leave the classroom to meet their needs to move. Here is what Sam had to say:

"It has been great! The students are more focused and stay on task. I have fewer behavior problems and fewer buddy room visits. They do not abuse the privilege of having them, and are doing great! So much, they have asked for more!"- Sam Brown

*Mrs. Brown's alternative seating was funded through Donors Choose.

Principle One: Always Empower, Never Disempower

– Show compassion by avoiding power struggles

– Response should reflect an understanding of potentially traumatized behavior

– Recognize that the youths’ behavior may be outside awareness /self-control

– Discipline should be consistent and respectful

– Discipline should never resemble violence against children

• (yelling, sarcasm, blaming, threats)

Website: www.nkschools.org
Twitter: @NGMSGators