Embedded Files
Student wellbeing is at the heart of my teaching practice.
To maximise student learning, wellbeing and engagement, I know that each child must feel safe, supported, happy and included.
Smiling Mind
I use Smiling Mind to facilitate mindfulness and meditation.
We complete one Smiling Mind lesson per week on a Monday afternoon.
We repeat the same meditation from this lesson each day after lunch for the remainder of the week.
Respectful Relationships
We complete one RRRR lesson per week.
These lessons focus on:
identifying and understanding emotions
building resilience
understanding and developing personal strengths
problem-solving and learning to co-operate.
Restorative Practices Approach
I use restorative practices to improve behavioural awareness and create a supportive space for my students. To prevent harmful behaviour, we have regular circle times. Recently we had a circle to clarify Downball rules and another to discuss how we distribute birthday invitations in a considerate way. These circles provide a safe space for students to share.
I follow the solution-focused steps below when guiding students through conflict.
Facts - Students each share their stories
Feelings - Hear the impact of their actions
Fix - Repair the relational harm. Take accountability.
Future - Figure out the best way forward, together.
Supporting the wellbeing of 'Child A'
At the start of Grade 3, Child A could write a short narrative consisting of one simple idea expressed in one incomplete sentence. He believed he was a 'bad writer' and struggled to produce ideas. (Work sample not available).
By May, he started to believe he was capable of more and it showed in his writing. This new found writing confidence was developed and nurtured by his aide, myself and his dedicated intervention teacher.
He started to write narratives that had a clear beginning, middle and end with reasonable spelling attempts based on his phonemic awareness.
The work he produced was closely tied to what he believed he could achieve. He felt safe and supported to take risks with his learning.
Work sample written in May by Child A
Check in with parents with wellbeing-related concerns
This communication occurred by email (instead of a phone call) as this parent prefers to communicate by email.
An email from August 2022 to address a wellbeing related concern. Following the father's reply, we put a plan in place to support and encourage his child to branch out in her friendships. Examples like these highlight the importance of regular communication to build home-school partnerships where a child's goals are being worked on and talked about in the school and home environment. She now sits with others as she eats, volunteers to work with others and most importantly, seems so much happier at school.
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