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Literacy Tools and Strategies to Strengthen Executive Functioning
Executive functioning is crucial for learning and development. These are the skills that allow us to plan, focus, organize, and set and achieve goals. Utilizing digital resources with purposeful literacy lessons provides opportunities for teachers and students to develop self-awareness, organizational skills, self-regulation, planning and prioritizing. In this course, you'll learn how to incorporate executive functioning in reading and writing instruction to build life-long skills.Michele L. Haiken, Ed.D. is an educator, author, and blogger. She has been teaching for more than 24 years and is passionate about empowering 21st century learners through educational technology and literacy so everyone can reach excellence. She is the author of Creative SEL: Using Hands On Projects to Boost Social-Emotional Learning and Personalized Reading.
Engaging Activities to Build Classroom Culture
Note, this course was previously aired but because of its popularity we are running a recording of this session live at this time. The presenter will not be able to address your questions, but our Professional Development team members will be in the chat box to answer any questions you have. This session can also be found in our Course Library by searching the same title.
As educators, we know the importance of creating a positive classroom environment right from the start of the school year. As we re-enter the classroom, our goal is to build meaningful relationships and provide our students with a sense of safety and security. In this session, we will explore specific team building activities as well as opportunities for discussion and collaboration. We will also provide tips for creating a positive classroom culture and discuss ideas for building rapport with our students. Let’s start off our year with positivity and classroom community!
Creating Virtual Calming Rooms with Wakelet
Wakelet is the perfect tool for organizing content for personal and student use. In this session, we’ll explore how to use Wakelet to create your own virtual calming room that students can access with ease. Join us to learn how to add resources for meditation, mindfulness, inspiration, and so much more to your Wakelet collection. We will also discuss how a digital calming space can be a powerful resource for students, teachers, and families.
Stress Management in the Elementary Classroom
Did you know that April is National Stress Management Awareness Month? For young children, adolescents, and adults, stress can impact life on a daily basis. Join us for this session where we will focus on stress management strategies that are specifically targeted to our elementary students. We will dive into the importance of understanding stressors for this grade band, such as new routines, test anxiety, and social pressures, as well as symptoms of stress among school-aged students. We will then explore specific activity ideas that students can use both in and out of the classroom. Let’s learn how to manage stress together!
Addressing SEL Through Arts Instruction
Are you looking for unique strategies to promote social-emotional learning skills? Incorporating the arts enables students to express themselves creatively and tap into their social and emotional well-being. In this session, we will dive into the importance of connecting the arts to SEL and explore specific strategies for enhancing empathy, promoting positivity, and monitoring emotions. We will also share specific strategies such as emotion management through dance, utilizing music to create a calming environment, and using acting and theater to teach social skills. Join us for some new ideas to incorporate the arts into your daily instruction!
Self-Reflection Activities for Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conference season is a great time to give students activities that encourage them to reflect on their work habits, social skills, and identify some of their strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. Whether students are filling out a basic skills form or writing freely about their strengths and areas of improvement, this can free up some time for you before conferences and can be a valuable addition to your meetings with guardians. Join us to learn some ideas that will help get students reflecting!
Conversation Building for ELLs Through SEL Activities
How can we teach English language learners to understand and effectively use SEL terms? In this session, we will build background knowledge by examining the importance of providing ELLs with the tools, resources, and language skills that they need in order to successfully tap into their own SEL needs and build meaningful relationships. Whether students are new to the language or new to the school, it is important that we explore tools that will help them build confidence through conversation. Join us as we explore specific resources such as SEL visual aids to support your ELLs. Plus, we'll give you free conversation prompts and activities to get students communicating!
Raising Heart Health Awareness in Physical Education
February is National Heart Health Month, and it is the perfect time to teach students about the importance of heart-healthy activities and living an overall healthy lifestyle. In this session, we will explore strategies for teaching students about Heart Health Month and showcase specific activities to get them up and moving. From yoga and meditation, to a PSA on fitness and heart health, students will be engaged every step of the way!
Enhancing Classroom Management with Classroomscreen
Are you tired of toggling between class management apps, timers, and feedback tabs throughout the day? Classroomscreen has got you covered! In this session, we will discuss Classroomscreen and all the ways it can be useful in your classroom. Classroomscreen is a one-stop shop that eliminates the need to have multiple tabs open for your LMS, class management, visual cues, etc. We will discuss the widgets available on Classroomscreen, how it's beneficial across all grade bands and disciplines, how you can customize your screens, and more!
Integrating SEL into Physical Education
How can we provide students with social-emotional learning opportunities across subject areas? In this session, we will explore the value of SEL and the importance of confidence boosting, teamwork, and relationship-building in the PE classroom. We will also discuss how you can take lessons that you already have and easily add SEL components. Finally, we will share best practices and detailed activity ideas to strengthen the mind-body connection. Join us to get your mind muscles moving!
Addressing SEL Through Bulletin Boards
Bulletin boards can be powerful, eye-catching tools that communicate information and celebrate student learning. Have you ever thought about using them to help support students' social-emotional needs? Join us as we discover unique bulletin board ideas and best practices for creating boards that promote SEL, inclusiveness, and make a positive impact.
Tools to Alleviate Back to School Anxiety
Educators are key players when it comes to helping students cope with back-to-school anxiety. Join us for this course as we explore techniques for educators to recognize the signs of student distress and how to guide them through anxiety. We'll show you ways to ensure your students thrive over the course of the academic school year. You may even find that some of these strategies can help you to address some of your own start-of-the-year anxieties too!
Celebrate Student Success Using 3D Design & Printing
As educators, we wear many hats. We are listeners, planners, data collectors, and above all: motivators. In order to motivate our students, we are constantly looking for ways to celebrate their achievements. In this session, we will share ideas for designing prizes and other celebratory items to commemorate your students’ accomplishments for homework completion, attendance, and so much more!
Are you looking for a unique way to engage your students with social-emotional learning activities? Jamboard is the perfect tool for creating unique learning and self-reflection opportunities. In this session, we will explore the importance of integrating SEL into daily lessons for your early elementary students. We will also dive into specific activities and templates that can be created with Jamboard. Join us for some great ideas to help your students gain self-esteem and build confidence!
Note, this course was previously aired but because of its popularity we are running a recording of this session live at this time. The presenter will not be able to address your questions, but our Professional Development team members will be in the chat box to answer any questions you have. This session can also be found in our Course Library by searching the same title.
In times of stress, it is important to have outlets and coping strategies. This is often managed with calming techniques, mindfulness, and dedicated spaces for relaxation. What happens if your students are not physically present in school? In this course, we will go over how to offer social and emotional support and build emotional management skills in your students, whether you are teaching traditionally, hybrid, or remote. Digital calming spaces can be a great resource for students of all ages.
Creating a Culture of Kindness in the Early Childhood Classroom
As educators, we know the importance of building a positive classroom community. A major part of bringing this practice to life is teaching our students the importance of kindness and treating one another with respect. In this session, we will review the value of creating a culture of kindness at an early age. We will dive into strategies, best practices, and activity ideas to get your students motivated to connect with one another in meaningful ways. We will also explore relevant children’s literature to spark powerful conversations about kindness both in and out of the classroom. Join us for some tips and tricks for fostering a culture of kindness!
Using Nearpod for Brain Breaks
As educators, we know the value of brain breaks. They allow our students to recharge and get moving. Nearpod adds interactivity to our instruction and provides students with meaningful and engaging tools to keep them motivated. Join us as we discuss tools such as VR field trips, polling, collaboration features, and more for effective brain breaks.
Brain Breaks for Movement and Alertness
According to a growing body of research, scheduled movement in the classroom has positive effects on cognitive development. In this session, we will share our top energizing brain breaks for the classroom to give your students the tools they need to refocus their physical and mental states. Don't miss out on this session if you're looking to incorporate brain breaks into your classroom in a positive and meaningful way!
Engaging Activities to Build Classroom Culture
As educators, we know the importance of creating a positive classroom environment right from the start of the school year. As we re-enter the classroom, our goal is to build meaningful relationships and provide our students with a sense of safety and security. In this session, we will explore specific team building activities as well as opportunities for discussion and collaboration. We will also provide tips for creating a positive classroom culture and discuss ideas for building rapport with our students. Let’s start off our year with positivity and classroom community!
Social and Emotional Learning with Pear Deck
Pear Deck is a Google add-on that allows us to transform Google Slides presentations to enhance student engagement and lesson content. Social and emotional learning is an essential part of our daily instruction and it's necessary to provide opportunities for this type of learning throughout our instruction. In this session, we will explore the pre-made social and emotional learning templates available on Pear Deck, and discuss the benefits of check-ins throughout academic lessons. Join us for some unique, ready-to-go SEL lessons!
Self-Assessment and Monitoring Confidence Levels Using Nearpod
Nearpod is a powerful tool for engaging your students in learning. Join us to discuss the benefits of using Nearpod for self-expression. We'll explore quick self-assessments and self-monitoring activities, discuss how to add assessment and critical thinking opportunities into our lessons, and walk you through the steps for including polling and open-ended questions to get students to reflect on the learning process.
Student Mental Health with GoGuardian
Understanding your students' mental health is critical for their education. GoGuardian can be a useful tool to help you understand how your students are doing by looking at student trends, observing digital behaviors, and connecting with students who may need more support. Join us to see how you can use the features of GoGuardian to check in on student wellbeing.
