MINDFULNESS IN THE CLASSROOM
Teachers, imagine a classroom where your students’ ability to focus on tasks lasts longer. Imagine a classroom where your students possess a sense of calm that allows them to be more receptive to instruction and prepared for deep, critical, high level thinking after lunch, recess, or any core content class. Does this sound like nothing more than some fantastic hypothetical scenario?
It is not.
The classroom described above exists, and is the result of the practice of mindfulness by students in the classroom. And any teacher can learn and share this practice with their students to achieve similar results in their own classrooms, and develop mindful students all school year long.
As a veteran core content teacher with over twenty years and counting of classroom teaching experience, I can personally attest to the effectiveness and simplicity of the mindfulness practice in the classroom. I witnessed my students’ improved classroom demeanor, preparedness for instruction, and ability to listen both to me and their peers.
Did it work perfectly with every single student in my classroom? No. However, the vast majority of students in my classes found value in the practice and utilized it daily. Most were prepared for the practice without me having to say a single word; desks cleared, sitting properly in their seats and waiting for me to begin. With nearly all of the students finding value in the practice, the classroom was easier to manage, and the environment that was created allowed for more positive peer interactions and more learning to occur.
It started with 30 seconds of practice each day during morning meeting from the first day of school, and climaxed with several minutes per day by the last day of school. Several students even used the practice in their extra-curricular activities to prepare themselves for big moments in soccer games, prior to recitals, and even more situations.
So, what is mindfulness? Join me, Paul Mack, at Shaolin Kung fu Institute Flemington to find out what mindfulness is, learn the practice for yourself, and learn mindfulness strategies you can use in your classroom.
It is not.
The classroom described above exists, and is the result of the practice of mindfulness by students in the classroom. And any teacher can learn and share this practice with their students to achieve similar results in their own classrooms, and develop mindful students all school year long.
As a veteran core content teacher with over twenty years and counting of classroom teaching experience, I can personally attest to the effectiveness and simplicity of the mindfulness practice in the classroom. I witnessed my students’ improved classroom demeanor, preparedness for instruction, and ability to listen both to me and their peers.
Did it work perfectly with every single student in my classroom? No. However, the vast majority of students in my classes found value in the practice and utilized it daily. Most were prepared for the practice without me having to say a single word; desks cleared, sitting properly in their seats and waiting for me to begin. With nearly all of the students finding value in the practice, the classroom was easier to manage, and the environment that was created allowed for more positive peer interactions and more learning to occur.
It started with 30 seconds of practice each day during morning meeting from the first day of school, and climaxed with several minutes per day by the last day of school. Several students even used the practice in their extra-curricular activities to prepare themselves for big moments in soccer games, prior to recitals, and even more situations.
So, what is mindfulness? Join me, Paul Mack, at Shaolin Kung fu Institute Flemington to find out what mindfulness is, learn the practice for yourself, and learn mindfulness strategies you can use in your classroom.
Paul Mack is an educator with 22 years of teaching experience. He currently teaches 5th grade Language Arts and Social Studies at Reading-Fleming Intermediate School in Flemington, NJ where he has conducted mindfulness trainings for staff and students, and utilizes the mindfulness practice in his classroom every day. He has studied Kung fu, Tai chi, and Qigong for nearly 15 years, and and has taught hundreds of students the benefits of the mindful arts.
Dates and times:
May 7 & May 21
Noon - 1pm
Location:
Old Egg Auction
84 Park Avenue, Suite G103A, Flemington, NJ 08822
Old Egg Auction
84 Park Avenue, Suite G103A, Flemington, NJ 08822
Workshop Fee:
$75
for mindfulness strategies that will last a teaching LIFETIME
$75
for mindfulness strategies that will last a teaching LIFETIME
Attendance at this event is limited to 20 participants, so sign up now to reserve your spot!
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