PPBF: Planting Seeds of Kindness

Today I'm excited because I found this treasure at Target.

0

Psychological First Aid

Today I'm excited because my friend Amanda Symmes agreed to run with the baton and start writing for Free Spirit's Counselor Corner column when I stepped down; her incredible must-read first post is going viral! 

Click the image to learn more about 

The Search For The Power Between.

{I am so super proud of her!}

I'm also happy because yesterday I went to a workshop

to learn more about Psychological First Aid. 

Here are some highlights from my notes:

Psychological First Aid is about understanding

normal reactions to abnormal events. 

It's about looking at the here and now,

the current symptoms as a reaction to what happened

rather than the emotional history of the victim. 

No psych meds are called for after a trauma

unless the person was on them prior to the incident.

Schools are the HUB of the community;

people will gravitate there.

Meet basic needs first; shelter is a primary concern,

followed by food and water.

Dehydration can be a huge problem in trauma respond.

Once a child's physical needs are met,

emotional needs can be addressed. 

Expect 4-6 weeks for normalcy to start to be restored.

Normalcy feels amazing; traumatized people benefit from 

feeling comfortable and familiar.

Allow 24-48 hours before

helping them resume their normal routines.

Every disaster is different ...  and the same;

what we can control is stability and routine.

Today's kids are overexposed and 

images can trigger delayed responses.

During monitoring and surveillance,

be approachable.

Be present with the victims.

Come from a place of love and concern.

Help get them relief from what they are experiencing now.

Trauma victims need a compassionate presence.

Emotions are raw; in loss, the primary emotion is grief, which might present as anger, sadness, agitation, fear. In trauma, thinking is not clear.

Information decreases anxiety;

honestly answer any questions they might have.

Draw a social map; encourage them to 

honor their feelings, their bodies, their experience.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the #1 treatment for trauma,

but nothing is as effective as social supports.

Put social supports in place so that

trauma victims know they are not alone.

Survivors need empathy from someone who can sit with them,

to understand and accept how they feel.

There is no such thing as closure.

People remember and want to talk about their trauma.

Research is contrary to the "turn them away" mindset.

We must be willing to listen when they're ready to talk.

Use a directive approach:

"We are here to help; is that okay with you?

Where can we start?"

Let them know that they are not alone.

Ask, "Whom can I call for you? Can I stay with you?"

We are NOT diagnosing our 

traumatized kids, just supporting them.

Normalize their feelings: "YOU are not crazy."

The jobs of children are to play and learn;

get them focused on what they need to do.

Help the survivors adapt; break the cultural divide.

Ask: "What's the culture of this system. What are the norms?"

Self-care for the caregiver is essential;.

some shared trauma experiences to beware of include

secondary trauma (picking up your client's trauma),

projective identification (absorbing what's going on with your client),

and compassion fatigue (indifference to the suffering).

The typical responder reply, "I'm fine." 

can be a cover for "I'm not doing this."

So be in touch with what's going on with you

and employ your therapeutic resources as needed.

To make her point stick, our Traumatic Stress Specialist, April Naturale, told us this incredible story of the rescue dogs at Ground Zero. She reported that the dogs were getting depressed because they weren't finding any live bodies, so their handlers laid down so that the dogs could find them, whereby giving them success, purpose. 

April did an amazing job and I feel blessed that she traveled to Houston to share her expertise with us. I'm so grateful to her and to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network for normalizing the work we did after hurricane Harvey. I was actually working in a school where the administration was reticent to openly talk through things, cautious because of fear, I suppose, of the myth that talking about it might make it worse. It felt validating to know that talking about it is, in fact, important to healing and hope in trauma recovery. 

I also feel more competent to render Psychological First Aid 

the next time I'm called to be a first responder.

1

Sprinkling Sunshine, Mindfully Self-Regulating

 Today I'm feeling grateful because my friend Amy stopped by

to sprinkle sunshine with this thoughtful treat,

an ornament, to help me remember.

You see, Amy's one of my Poolside Peacemakers backup singers,

one of those fabulous five who joined me on stage in DC

to lead the singing of You Are My Sunshine, 800 voices strong.

Her visit made my heart happy,

not because she came with a present (although I love it!)

but because of her presence.
I thrive on connecting with friends,

on stepping into their stories,

and on sharing mine.

It's what experts are talking about when they say

we are meant to be relational.
Thank you, Amy, for being sunshine.

Speaking of relationships, our work helping learners understand how to make and keep friends, to cultivate healthy relationships 

to manage our feelings effectively 

and to maintain self-control
is super important.

Then along comes a superhero book to help them do just that.

Super George and the Invisible Shield, written by school counselor and children's author Laurie P. Mendoza and illustrated by Texas artist Cheryl Frances, invites us to step into into the story of George, a young superhero whose anger soars when he is teased by his peers. They call him King George, Curious George, even Georgie Porgie. And yelling at them to stop isn't working. In fact, the more he yells, the more he finds himself in trouble. With the help of his grandmother and inspired by Super Knight, a television superhero whose superpower is his invisible shield, George learns how to take his power back while he mindfully self-regulates and comes to his own rescue to protect himself from the frustrating behaviors that bother him. Click {here} for a few freebie downloads.

Check out this super new title, then cape up and enjoy watching your superheroes unleash the power within as they learn how to activate their very own 
invisible shields.

Click the image below to download this free shield template
and encourage students to write a verse about their shield strategy.

Then follow up by sharing this clip with your older learners and lead a discussion about dominant, aggressive behaviors courtesy of this role play with 
Brooks Gibbs.

What are your favorite ways to teach students 

to sprinkle sunshine and to mindfully self-regulate?

0

Pursuing Perfection, Catching Excellence

Happy Saturday; today I'm excited to have a day
with absolutely nothing to do.
Not one thing.
I slept in until 10 am. Decadent.
And I may meander to the salon for a pedi at some point.
But mostly, I'm just taking the day to breathe.
Breathe in the goodness of another miraculous day.
A chance to relax, restore, refresh, recharge.
No running around.
No rat race.
No chaos or confusion.
A chance to just BE.
And reflect.

Look what I found on Twitter as I was enjoying every last drop

 of my morning candy bar in a cup coffee.

Click graphic for source.

Perspective. From Peter Pan. Perfect.

Wait, did I just say perfect?

Okay, time to talk about perfection,

because the struggle is real. 

At least for me it is.

Because I used to still want things to line up perfectly.

It may be part of how I'm hard-wired, that need for order.

And I'd like to say that I'm getting better at 

adapting and accepting

when they don't align the way I'd

envisioned,

hoped,

dreamed 

they would.

That is, after all, a huge piece of growth mindset.

Accepting mistakes as part of the process.

Embracing failure as a success.

Letting go of that perfection ideal.

But I still mix up catching excellence

with the pursuit of perfection. Practically every day.

That's why this Lombardi quote speaks to me, I suppose.

Because he's right; perfection isn't attainable.

It's not supposed to be.

So who's with me in the fight against those persistent perfectionistic tendencies

that threaten to thwart our propensity to practice grace 

and our potential to maximize growth?

Because it's the journey that matters,

the chance to stretch and sightsee,

inspire and influence,

support and savor

as we keep moving forward.

Can I hear an amen?

In case you missed it, here's my respect guest post
from earlier this week.

Have I mentioned how grateful I am to be

on assignment with Free Spirit Publishing?

It's so kind of them to invite me share my 

perspective, 

reflections,

ideas 

and activities 

with their readers.

  

3

Kindness Online {And Off!}

Today was an inservice day, and we were treated to a visit by Sameer Hinduja, one of the cyber-safety experts from the Cyberbullying Research Center.

So much of what he said resonated with me because he addressed the social and emotional needs of not only the victim, but also the students who bully and the bystanders who freeze and don't know what to do or how to do it. He makes a great point when he says that we can put up fences, but they don't shape or change behavior. We must protect our kids from the inside out! 

Check out these anti-bullying minis that 

Ms. Defibaugh's 4th graders created to spotlight respect.

Check out these resources I've recently read, watched and listened to for our campaign to combat bullying behaviors online and in real life, this month and all year long.

Best VPN: What is Digital Citizenship?

Integrity Time: Stand Up Against Bullying film clip

Edutopia: Five-Minute Film Festival about bystanders & upstanders

Edutopia: Resources to Fight Bullying at school

Strength In Numbers anti-bullying clip

The Most Dangerous Apps of 2015

Education World: Anti-Bullying Activities 

Houston Chronicle: Character Counts! activities

Straight Talk about Bullying Behaviors podcast with Trudy Ludwig

Stop Bullying: At-Risk Warning Signs 

Embrace, Engage, Educate: Bullying? Are you sure? 

Huffington Post: Adult Bullying 

Parenting Toolkit: Your Child's Online Behavior 

Phew! What anti-bullying resource would you add to this list?

2

Master Classroom Management

Today I'm excited because I've got three whole days {without too much planned} that I can spend digesting the treasures in this book I've been reading.

From the publisher: Dr. Jerry Evanski’s approach stems from a simple and practical idea: that classroom management is based on teaching methods that keep your students interested and engaged, not on disciplining students when they misbehave. As he says, “Poor teaching strategies can trigger behavior problems. You can prevent problems before they occur.”

Based on significant review of educational research that is sprinkled throughout the book, Dr. Evanski has developed a program that offers one simple skill a day to build a repertoire of classroom management techniques. After eight weeks, teachers have mastered 40 new skills that cover the key teaching areas of:

-       Getting attention

-       Keeping attention

-       Engaging students

-       Teaching the lesson

-       Getting participation

-       Giving directions

-       Communicating

-       Transitioning

Here is a sample of some of the skills covered in the book:

-       Your Teaching Spot - Teach students to associate specific locations in your classroom with different messages—one spot for teaching, one spot for announcements, etc.

-       The Big Picture – Help students establish the context for what you’re teaching by showing them how it fits into what they are learning throughout the year.

-       Acknowledge the Effort – Encourage participation by teaching students how to enthusiastically acknowledge the effort of their classmates.

Why I'm loving this resource: The first thing that draws me to this book is that Dr. Evanski's ideas, many of which are backed by brain research, 

exude engagement, motivation and fun. I have a feeling that educators like me will learn and grow by leaps and bounds as they tailor these tips to fit the needs of the students in their classroom families. 

The second sticking point is how the book is set up, with an idea to test-drive every day of the week for eight weeks, to facilitate learning and implementation. 

The third-and-equally-important reason I'm endorsing Dr. Evanski's work is that it's a tool that supports my firm belief in disciplining through proactive modeling, teaching and practicing of skills rather than with a reactive punishing of skill deficits. Isn't that what our students deserve from us? And isn't that how we hope they'll lead when they're in charge? 

Check out this book; I predict it'll be a positive influence and support as you work with intention to create a culture of dignity, caring and respect in your 

character building.

3

Empathy & Chocolate Milk, Por Favor

Happy Sunday.
What does empathy have to do with chocolate milk?
Make room for Chocolate Milk, Por Favor!

Today I'm delighted because I get to introduce you to the beautiful

Maria Dismondy multicultural newcomer for your book shelves.

Check out the book's brief synopsis on the back cover, left side.

Love Maria's tag line: Actions speak louder than words. Truth!

My son wrote this essay in 5th grade on that very maxim.

Our personal, classroom and community libraries simply can not have enough diversity titles as we help our littlest leaders learn about, appreciate and celebrate cultural and other differences. Check out this flavorful find and see what happens when two unlikely things ~ soccer and chocolate milk ~ connect these boys and help them speak one common language.

Use a double-bubble map to compare and contrast Chocolate Milk, Por Favor with I Hate English! by Ellen Levine or The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig.

Dismondy's Gabe, Levine's Mei Mei, and Ludwig's Brian are all  thrown into a situation where they're having to not only navigate a new culture, but also master a new language and/or different school situation. How are their stories similar? How are they different? How would you help each of them if they were in your class? What would you want? What would you need? 

For other compare/contrast titles, my alma mater has made this list of 50 multicultural tales available. And check out my friend Shawna's refreshingly comprehensive extension and enrichment ideas for Maria's book {here}. Then read 5 Ways to Cultivate Empathy from our friends at Happify.

Use Maria's signature Tips For Teachers/Parents page, written by my friend Elizabeth from Fun In Room 4B, to connect with and assist English Language Learners like Gabe as they learn and grow.

Follow Maria for more inspiration:

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Google+

And for the real deal, listen to Maria reading her newest delicacy!

Author Bio: Maria Dismondy is an award-winning author, specializing in books about challenges children face. A topic close to her heart, Maria’s own childhood experience inspired her first book, Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun. Maria’s dedication to empowering children with courage and confidence has reached new heights, touching the hearts and hands of children the world over. Grounded in her belief that all children deserve a voice, Maria’s latest book, Chocolate Milk, Por Favor, drives home the important message of celebrating diversity with kindness, inclusion and empathy. As a sought-after speaker, Maria spreads her message by presenting at schools and conferences across the country. She holds degrees in education and child development. Maria lives in southeastern Michigan with her husband, Dave, and their three book-loving children.

Are you still reading? If so, you just stumbled on the secret bonus: Maria has graciously offered to give away a signed copy of her delicious treasure to one of you, my fabulous readers. Just leave a comment below (or on my book's Facebook page) telling us your favorite children's book with a diversity theme for a chance to win. 

{It will also help if you leave your email, but if I know how to find you, no need.} 

We'll put all of the comments into the Gruener Generator and select a winner this Wednesday, April 15th (Tax Day in the USA) after school, at 4 pm CST, to be announced in my Wednesday evening blog post.

Won't you join me in lifting our glasses to Maria to toast her efforts in 

elevating empathy and celebrating diversity

one kind act at a time,

one child at a time,

one book at a time,

to make our world a better, more peaceful place to be.

Oh, and don't forget to stop visit my friend Sylvia at

Learning With Mrs. Parker for tomorrow's tour stop. 

3

PPBF: Voices Are Not For Yelling

We're on a school holiday as part of a three-day Easter weekend, so I slept in this morning. Until 8:53. And wow, did that refresh. I hope you're all in an equally prayerful and peaceful place on this Good Friday or Passover or whatever it is you're celebrating in your corner of the world today.

Are you ready for today's PPBF?

Title: Voices Are Not for Yelling

Author: Elizabeth Verdick

Illustrator: Marieka Heinlin

Publisher: Free Spirit Press

Date: March 18, 2015

Suitable for: ages 4-7 (and up!)

Non-fiction

Themes: respect, manners, feelings

Brief synopsis: Help young children develop an understanding of and appreciate for the power of their voice.

Opening page:

 Excerpt from Voices Are Not for Yelling by Elizabeth Verdick, copyright © 2015. Used with permission of Free Spirit Publishing Inc., Minneapolis, MN; 800-735-7323; www.freespirit.com. All rights reserved.

Resources: Check out the book's page at Publisher's site {here}.

Read Calm Voices, Calmer Kids {here}.

Try Exploring Your Voice activities {here}.

Hear Voices of Courage talk about Healthy Relationships {here}.

Watch this Mindfulness clip for feelings management ideas.

Why I like this book:  This powerful little pick is a must for every caregivers' shelf as we model and teach feelings regulation. Just yesterday, I heard a first-grade boy using his voice inappropriately as he tried to get what he wanted. 

Let's listen in:

Boy 1, normal voice: Just go on to recess without me.

Boy 2: No, I'll wait for you.

Boy 1, a little louder: I said go on without me.

Boy 2: Why?

Boy 1, a lot louder: Just do it!

I call them over and we talk about a better way for that conversation to go. 

Because character counts, even when we think nobody's listening in. 

We push replay, to practice our new skills. 

And I can't help but wonder why we think that shouting, yelling, or using 

a mean voice is a good way to get our needs met. {Did someone just say modeling?}

Then along comes this teaching tool for our arsenal!

In my book, What's Under Your Cape?, I recall the first time I heard a speaker say that we should never, ever yell at a child. Her name is Ginger Robinson and, quite frankly, I initially thought I'd heard her wrong. Really? Never? Well, my children were 8, 7, and 3 so it was too late for that! {Insert nervous laughter}. She went on to explain that creating shame and fear in people by dominating them with our voice, tone, and words doesn't bode well for a healthy relationship. In fact, it wells up feelings of shame, guilt, and fear in those very people whom we love and want to help be better. Simple, right? 

No, not at all, because our emotions are so powerful and they'll take over if we let them. That's why it behooves us as parents, teachers, mentors, coaches, and human beings first and foremost to model what's right, then to arm ourselves with resources that will support us as we teach the future how to do it better. That's why we must practice, practice, and practice some more. And that's why I appreciate the enrichment tips and integration strategies in the back of the book and am grateful for this Best Behavior book series!

The text in Voices Are Not for Yelling addresses a child's indoor voice and an outdoor voice. Another way we've used it is in our cafeteria is measuring 

our voice volume in inches. 

Outdoor voice = 6-inch voice. 

Indoor voice = 1-inch voice.

My friend from Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits uses numbers; click the graphic to go to TpT and download this fantastic freebie from her store. Thank you, Reagan!

We simply cannot afford to leave anything this critical to chance; if we don't teach them, how will they learn? Check out this book, then go to Susanna's blog to check out more new PPBF picks on this Good Friday.

12

Just To Be Fair

All he wanted was for life to be fair.

For his children. For mankind. For goodness sake.

Just ... and fair.

Those who went before him wanted that very thing.

As do those of us who've stayed behind.

Justice. Equality. Equity.

Just to be fair.

So today we pause to honor, celebrate and thank

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

How will you carry on his dream?

I'm on my way out the door for a training in CCISD;

before I go, some links to help keep MLK's dream alive.

10 Ways To Remember MLK 

Sally's MLK Suggestions 

Kennedy's Korner MLK Timeline Freebie 

Scholastic's MLK Commemoration

NEA's Classroom Resources 

Education World's Tribute 

Ellen Y's Dr. King Pinterest Page 

Teaching Kids About Diversity 

The Value of Self-Reliance & Service  

Twitter #nbtchat - MLK Dream Edition 

0