Professional Development Notes
Below is a collection of resources, links, and ideas we’ve collected from past workshops and professional developments. We’d love to keep growing this list, so if you have any success stories or “learning opportunities” from your own classroom, we’d love to share them. Feel free to reach out at any time!
SEL Resources
Books
Because by Mo Willems (VIDEO)(BUY)
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds (VIDEO)(BUY)
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae (VIDEO)(BUY)
I Can Handle It by Laurie Wright (VIDEO)(BUY)
It’s Ok To Be Different by Todd Parr (VIDEO)(BUY)
My Magic Breath by Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor (VIDEO)(BUY)
Videos
Self-Care
Notes from Fellow Teachers
Using clips from Naruto or other shows popular with your students is a great way to discuss emotions, color, or musical terms. After a scene discuss the connections between what’s happening and the music and why they might have chosen that.
Ideas for Virtual Learning
“If my students can’t find scarves, we use their socks!”
Ensure they have enough “Mindful Moments” each class. Make it part of the schedule and provide options for how they use them.
“When I have to discipline a student, I always make sure I say ‘I STILL LIKE YOU.'”
The “SHUT IT DOWN ZONE” – a place to recreate the “coming home ritual” of pre-covid, providing the physical and routine triggers that the work day is over.
Ideas for the Calming Corner
“I set up my own PERSONAL ZEN ZONE IN THE CLASSROOM. Seeing how I handle myself when I’m overwhelmed gives my students permission to do the same.”
Create multiple calming corners (color coded)
Use sheet dividers and dry erase markers with your FEELINGS JOURNAL to save on paper
“I keep a SHARE BUCKET where students can write down and share problems anonymously and/or personally. This helps me be more aware of what might be distracting them emotionally.”
Ideas to help with Morning Greetings
Have students take turns being the greeter
Establish clear transitions into the start of class
Have a video or activity for kids already in the classroom
“Establishing BOUNDARIES
is self-care”
“What do you teach?” “I teach students. I TEACH CHILDREN. That’s the correct answer.”
Get full access to all of our resources on our membership site, SEL CORE.
For Yourself
For Your School or District
Learn more about special discounts and bulk pricing.