Dear Sewanee Elementary Students and Families,
Greetings!
The end of the year is here, and December is a wonderful time to reflect, celebrate, and prepare for a fresh start in the new year. This month, we're focusing on mindfulness, a skill that helps students stay present, manage emotions, and build resilience. Let's make the most of this festive season by supporting our students' emotional well-being!
In our lesson this month, we're teaching students how to:
- Pause and Notice: Becoming aware of thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.
- Breathe: Using breathing exercises to calm the body and mind.
- Focus: Redirecting attention to stay present and engaged.
We're practicing activities like:
- Mindful Breathing: color breathing and pinwheel breathing
- Body Scans: checking in with different parts of the body to notice how we feel
- Mindful Affirmations: positive words or phrases that are repeated out loud or to oneself
- Mindful Journaling and Coloring: focus on our thoughts and feelings in a moment
- Gratitude Practice: naming three things we're thankful for each day
We will be reading the book, Ten Ways to Hear Snow, by Cathy Camper. Students will be creating a "Snow Down" snowball wreath that shows how they can pay attention to the world around them by using some of their senses (hear, feel, see, and smell).
Encourage your child to practice these techniques at home, which is great for moments of stress or even family mindfulness.
Last month, we focused on kindness and gratitude. We discussed the joy of helping others and finding gratitude in everyday moments. All students shared what they are thankful for and created a kindness "thankful" feather that stated that the student gives thanks for kindness. Students in grades 2 through 5 included examples of how they show kindness. The feathers were hung in the hallway leading to the cafeteria so students could enjoy them as well as their families that attended the Thanksgiving luncheon.
Students in kindergarten and 1st grade had a second lesson that focused on kindness. Kindergarten's dino themed lesson was about Shy-ceratops; they learned that kindness can help others have a sense of belonging and feel confident. First grade students participated in a safari themed lesson about kindness; they heard the story about the Kindest Kangaroo and created a kangaroo craft with a pouch that included 3 confetti circles. The students wrote at least 3 kind things they can do for others on the confetti and placed them in the kangaroo's pouch.
Tips for Winter Break:
The holidays can be exciting but also overwhelming. Here are some tips for a smooth break:
- Set a Routine: keep bedtime and mealtime consistent to reduce stress
- Plan Breaks: include downtime between activities to recharge
- Connect: spend quality time together - reading, cooking, or taking a family walk
Wishing you a joyful end to 2024! I look forward to continuing to support our students in 2025. Have a safe, happy holiday season!
Warmly,
Kim Hasty, M.S.
SES Student Advocate
