PAX Newsletter
September 2020
How Do I Use PAX Now?
As schools open in a number of formats for the Fall of 2020, teachers may be overwhelmed as they consider shifts and adjustments needed to implement PAX in various settings.
"What will PAX look like in a social distance classrooms?"
" How can I use PAX in my virtual classroom?"
In this newsletter you will find information for updated resources found on our website, useful tips for engaging students in a virtual PAX classroom, and ideas to implement PAX Quiet (harmonica) in various settings.
New Resources Available!
PAXIS has created a number of resources to help teachers facilitate this return to learning. These are available online at www.PAXIS.org. There you will find calendars, reproducibles, and recommendations for implementing PAX strategies in virtual learning environments as well as socially distanced classrooms.
These resources help PAX teachers, partners and parents support students in the face of social isolation, the impact of the pandemic and the unique needs posed by distance learning.
To access the website please visit www.paxis.org
If you have not signed up for the new website you must do so as a new user. Please sign in with the email address you used to register for training. Once your email is verified you will receive notice that you can access the resources.
Using PAX in Virtual/Distance Learning Settings
Distance Learning Roll-Out Guides
Distance Learning with PAX
Virtual Wacky Prizes
A Daily Dose of PAX
September Calendars for Teachers, Students, and Partners
Video Tutorial for Accessing and Utilizing Website Resources
Create a Nurturing Environment in a Virtual Setting
Creating a safe and nurturing "PAX classroom" is critical in remote learning. When we develop meaningful relationships, create a sense of community and belonging, our students are more engaged in learning. This can be quite difficult in virtual or remote settings.
The following tips can help create a more nurturing "PAX" environment during distance learning:
- Set a Vision for online learning immediately. Many apps are available to do a Vision with your class such as: Jamboard; Liveboard Interactive Whiteboard; Miro, Ideaflip.com. Using the PAX Vision will restore a student's ability to take an active role in setting expectations for their own outcomes.
- Use the chat box to send positive messages to students. Some students may to be recognized privately.
- Allow students time to chat when arriving to the on-line session. This helps set a sense of community and engagement.
- Start your day with a virtual Wacky Prize. Reinforce PAX Leaders for arriving to the session on time.
- Recognize Pax Leader behavior throughout lessons. Encourage students to recognize peers for showing PAX Leader behavior during work in break-out rooms, proper use of chat box, collaborating with partners, and self-regulation while others are presenting. Reinforce with a Wacky Prize!
- Students write a Tootle Note as an exit slip to end each session.
Bernadette Holguin from New Mexico set up her virtual PAX Classroom. Love the Tootle Board and PAX posters!
Student Led PAX Visions for Distance Learning
- Use verbal or contextual PAX Visions to set the stage for each on-line activity.
- Keep it short.
- Review PAX Visions several times during on-line sessions.
Student PAX Vision Chart
High School Classroom PAX Vision
"What would you like to see more of in our on-line classroom?"
PAX Vision with On-line Sticky Notes
Students used on-line sticky notes via ideaflip to create a PAX Vision for their virtual classroom.
PAX in Virtual Morning Announcements!
Great way to start the school year with PAX!
Marshall Elementary
Oxford, Ohio
Using PAX Quiet in Various Classroom Settings
Tips from "PAX-perts"
PAXIS Institute reached out to a few experienced "PAXperts" to help address one of our most frequently asked questions:
"How can I use the harmonica considering all the health concerns and while wearing a face mask?"
I sometimes recommend that the teacher use a (tech savvy) student in the role of the "PAX Quiet Keeper." This student, when cued, goes to the teacher's computer where the app webpage is open and chooses the harmonica feature........Many teachers are planning on using face shields rather than masks. If they keep their harmonica tucked into their shirt, that would keep it cleaner. Kathleen Pachin- PAX Teacher, PAX Trainer
’I'm remembering my days in the classroom (before the app) and I remember when students used my harmonica and I didn’t clean it yet, I used to put the harmonica in front of my mouth and mimic the harmonica sound. It wasn’t the best mimic, but it worked. I think the worse the mimic the more effective it was. I also did this when I forgot/lost my harmonica. Like air guitar but for a harmonica, air harmonica. I also incorporated hand signals (the peace sign). - ----------Oh it was bad. Though my students loved it, well they loved making fun of it. Still it got their attention quickly and was only traumatic for me (joking). Come to think of it, it might have been more effective than the actual harmonica.- Mike Muempfer- PAX MTSS Integration Coordinator PAX International Trainer
In the high school classrooms I’ve been working with they use the peace sign along with eyes on the speaker and it works well. They are currently doing this on-line and its proving successful for virtual classrooms.- Bev Waters, PAX Success Coach
I think the real answer is to not deflect and throw out all of PAX over the harmonica. The success of PAX rests with implementation not the harmonica. - Trina Raper , PAX Trainer
Have Questions? Need Support?
PAX Chats Available
Our September PAX Chats will take place from 4:00pm-5:00 pm EST & MST on:
- September 9th
- September 23rd
Please see the link below to access the PAX Chats
https://zoom.us/j/91556768330?pwd=WGVBR1BqWjhuV1FwNlBuSmhSOS8rUT09
PAXIS Institute
PAX Good Behavior Game
PAX Ohio
PAX Arizona
PAX Texas
PAX Tools
PAX Partner Learning Community
Email: info@paxis.org
Website: www.paxis.org
Facebook: facebook.com/paxgoodbehaviorgame