Tagged with 'classroom'

Although it may manifest in different ways, many kids will be carrying some serious stress when they return to the classroom. From concerns about COVID and a new set of rules to follow to social anxiety and worries about getting back into the school schedule after months of being away, this will by no means be a typical school year. And that’s just the kids! Teachers have their own set of stressors.While we can’t solve all these problems, we do have some great ideas to help create a calm, cool, collected classroom during these crazy times, like:1. Sometimes we all just need a moment. Visit our friends at Teachstarter.com for some amazing mindfulness activities and meditation moment ideas. Breathing is about as easy as it gets, with great, calming results. Have students place their hands on their bellies, close their eyes, and take a deep breath in, then out. See if they can move their hands using only their breath.[caption id="attachment_6810" align="alignnone" width="843"] Photo credit: https://fit.sanfordhealth.org/[/caption]2. Lavender has been shown to reduce anxiety, increase relaxation, quiet anger, and soothe restlessness. So, spritz your classroom with a spray, keep lavender-scented lotion at your desk, and opt for lavender scented hand sanitizer at your hand washing station. Or, better yet, put all of these things on your classroom wish list!3. Sensory play has also been proven to help kids stay calm and sit still and is particularly important for students with Sensory Processing Disorder. Providing breaks for sensory stimulation is a great way to create a more soothing space and there are so many ways to do it! Find some great sensory play ideas including bean boxes, colored rice, and more on our Pinterest board, Sensory Activities for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. And, of course, Playfoam^® is the perfect mess-free sensory play substance – kids can squish, squash, and sculpt – then stash the Playfoam away for next time. It never dries out, so the sensory fun never ends! Check out tons more ideas for Playfoam activities here.[video width="1080" height="1080" mp4="https://www.educationalinsights.com/media/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PF_pinterest_5.mp4"][/video] 4. Sometimes we need more than a moment! Help calm a completely crazy classroom with “heads down in the dark.” Turn off the lights, turn on some soft, classical music, and have students place their cheeks down on their cool desks. Breathe in and out, listening to the music and the sound of your breath, until everyone seems ready to resume the day.[caption id="attachment_6818" align="alignnone" width="839"] Photo credit: Washington Post[/caption]5. Speaking of lights, flickering, glaring fluorescent lighting can cause eyestrain, headaches, and tension for all. Cover it up and create a soothing atmosphere in the classroom with calming Classroom Light Filters! Available in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes, Classroom Light Filters are designed to fit over standard fluorescent ceiling lights, attaching securely to their metal frames with sewn-in magnets.Parents! Show your thanks for teachers who are going above and beyond to keep your kids safe and smart. Many of these ideas also make great teacher gifts! Check out more cute ideas on our Teacher Appreciation Pinterest Board! 

5 Favorite Tips and Tricks for Teachers

Hopefully your summer was super relaxing and you’re looking forward to a fresh new school year complete with a clean classroom, organized lesson plan, and students who are ready to learn! To help you maintain your optimistic outlook, we’ve pulled together some of our best tips and tricks to keep you calm, cool, and collected as back-to-school time begins.

1. Make a choice. Take a few moments each morning to commit yourself to calm. No matter what happens that day, promise yourself that you will keep your cool. Take a few deep breaths, count to 10, sneak a peek at a relaxing vacation pic – make a conscious decision to do whatever it takes to stay composed.
2. Keep your voice down. Save your vocal cords – and your sanity – with the No Yell Bell®! This handy electronic bell features seven different sound effects including a bugle call, cheering crowd, and, of course, a clanging bell, to get your students’ attention. Simply raise the bell to sound the alarm – without ever saying a word, raising your voice, or getting upset.
3. Be realistic about your time. Teachers pack an unbelievable amount of learning into each and every day. While you are some of the very best multi-taskers around, trying to make the most of every free minute can create a frantic atmosphere and put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Instead, try putting off what doesn’t absolutely have to get done during the day until after school. Then turn on some tunes and take care of biz without all the pressure and stress.
4. Speaking of… turn on some tunes during the day, too! Played at the right times, music is proven to help students focus, build discipline, and develop language and thinking skills. You’re probably already doing your fair share of singing and maybe even using music as a morning welcome or transition notification, but soft, instrumental music played in the background during independent learning or reading time can create a calm atmosphere for everyone.
5. Dim those harsh lights. The fluorescent lights found in most classrooms create a harsh glare and often flicker, causing eyestrain, headaches, and anxiety in students – and teachers. Snap a perfectly-sized Fluorescent Light Filter onto the metal frame of your classroom ceiling lights and create a soft, relaxing environment perfect for keeping your cool and conducive to learning. Plus, everything looks better in softer light.✨

Teachers are practically super-human, so we know you can do this. Ready, set, stay calm!

AnnMarie may have the best jokes in the office, but she's very serious about helping the youth. This past month, she made it her goal to make a contribution to DonorsChoose.org for the Change It Up! program, where each month an employee chooses a worthy organization for which to fundraise and collect spare change.DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help public school students in need. Here's how it works: 1. Public school teachers across the U.S. post classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org. Requests range from pencils for a poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class. 2. Supporters can browse project requests and give any amount to the one that inspires them. 3. Once a project reaches its funding goal, the materials are delivered to the school. 4. Supporters get photos of the project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a cost report showing how each dollar was spent. If contributors give over $50, they'll also receive handwritten thank-you letters from the students.At DonorsChoose.org, you can give as little as $1 and get the same level of choice, transparency, and feedback that is traditionally reserved for someone who gives millions.Teachers are constantly honored at the organization. Check out the surprise that the founder, Charles Best, set up for a few Bronx public school teachers (try not to cry): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XHJQIefAsYFind out how you can help AnnMarie donate to DonorsChoose.org, HERE.

[caption id="attachment_2204" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Back to School Gifts![/caption]While most kids are sad to say goodbye to the fun of summer break, you can ease their transition back to school with awesome gifts perfect for students of all ages. We believe that education and fun should be combined. Our games and toys allow kids to practice communication, develop problem-solving skills, increase creativity, learn to collaborate, and build their basic reading and math skills. Here are few of our favorite toys, games, and tools that are both entertaining and educational, ensuring that your loved ones will start the school year off right.Hot Dots® Jr. "Ace" - the Talking, Teaching Dog®: Meet Ace, part learning companion, part magic wand, and part pen. This amazing pen works with the Hot Dots activity cards (sold separately, see below) to help teach kids basic math and reading skills. This toy is especially designed for younger students, and encourages fun learning by lighting, buzzing, and laughing as children move their way through the activity pads. The wand encourages independent discovery by cheering for kids for correct answers and gently redirecting children on more challenging questions. Great for home or the classroom, this toy helps review key learning topics and build new skills! Hot Dots®: The Hot Dots books features an array of games and activities that encourage playful and interactive learning for children of all ages. Children answer questions using the electronic pen, then receive audible feedback as they progress through the math and reading activities. Activities are designed for children of all ages, so you can find the Hot Dots to suit your child’s specific needs. Dinosaur Puppet-On-A-Stick™, Set of 3: Teachers and parents alike love the educational and imaginative possibilities of Puppet-On-A-Stick! This trio of wacky Jurassic characters can be used by kids on their own or in groups. Create a dinosaur-inspired story using Crusher, Stomper, and Buster as they adventure through the prehistoric world! These toys are easy to clean-up, making them ideal for the classroom or at home. Watch as kids practice communication skills and further develop their imagination using these amazing and adorable dinosaur puppets! Smencils®: Add some flavor to classwork and homework with Smencils. Smencils are gourmet-scented pencils, offered in a variety of colors and scents, including Gum-E Bear, Cherry Vanilla, Pom Paya, Blackberry, Juicy Melon, and many more! In addition, Smencils are made from 100% recycled newspapers, making them a green alternative to standard wooden pencils. We also have Puppet-on-a-Stick pens and Wacky Winderz™. With so many options for fun and learning, your home or classroom will be buzzing with laughter! Check out these toys and more for some great ideas for back-to-school gifts for students on educationalinsights.com. Your kids are sure to love the wonderful playtime additions, and you’ll love watching the children reap the amazing educational benefits.