Embedded Files
Below are the additional resources that are being used throughout Excel either in the classrooms or with the mental health team. Please click on the pictures to find out additional information or links to resources.
Mental Health Bit-Emoji Classroom - In these Slides students & their families will find Social-Emotional Learning books, lessons on Mindfulness, Brainbreaks, coping skills, having a growth mindset, addressing anxiety & feelings, and more. Parents will also find some helpful resources as well.
Zones of Regulation - Some of our students will be participating in The Zones of Regulation curriculum (or “The Zones” for short), which are lessons and activities designed by Leah Kuypers, licensed occupational therapist, to help students gain skills in the area of self-regulation. Self-regulation can go by many names, such as self-control, self-management, and impulse control. It is defined as the best state of alertness of both the body and emotions for a specific situation. For example, when a student plays on the playground or in a competitive game, it is beneficial to have a higher state of alertness. However, that same state would not be appropriate in the library. The lessons and learning activities are designed to help the students recognize when they are in the different zones as well as learn how to use strategies to change or stay in the zone they are in. In addition to addressing self-regulation, the students will gain an increased vocabulary of emotional terms, skills in reading other people’s facial expressions, perspective about how others see and react to their behavior, insight into events that trigger their behavior, calming and alerting strategies, and problem-solving skills. A critical aspect of this curriculum is that all team members know and understand The Zones language. This creates a comfortable and supportive environment for the student to practice his or her self-regulation skills. It also helps the student learn the skills more quickly and be more likely to apply them in many situations. You can support the student during this process by doing the following:
Use the language and talk about the concepts of The Zones as they apply to you in a variety of environments. Make comments aloud so the student understands it is natural that we all experience the different zones and use strategies to control (or regulate) ourselves. For example, “This is really frustrating me and making me go into the Yellow Zone. I need to use a tool to calm down. I will take some deep breaths.”
Help the student gain awareness of his or her zones and feelings by pointing out your observations.
Talk about what zone is “expected” in the situation or how a zone may have been “unexpected.”
Share with the student how his or her behavior is affecting the zone you are in and how you feel.
Help the student become comfortable using the language to communicate his or her feelings and needs by encouraging the student to share his or her zone with you.
Show interest in learning about the student’s triggers and Zones tools. Ask the student if he or she wants reminders to use these tools and how you should present these reminders.
Make sure you frequently reinforce the student for being in the expected zone rather than only pointing out when his or her zone is unexpected. It is important to note that everyone experiences all of the zones the Red and Yellow Zones are not the “bad” or “naughty” zones. All of the zones are expected at one time or another. The Zones of Regulation are intended to be neutral and not communicate judgment.
Additional Information for families:
Mindfulness - Excel Teachers will be integrating more mindfulness into our daily activities by using a program called Brain Power and mindfulness exercises provided by Jeffco’s Healthy Schools Program. By taking a few moments each day to tune in to our bodies, breath, and mind, students will learn to stay present in the moment and de-stress. The techniques that our staff will be utilizing are incredibly simple and proven to enhance learning. Through research and personal experiences, it has been found that mindful practices to be helpful in staying focused, aware and balanced.
Feel free to ask your child about this process of cultivating mindfulness and to remind them to bring the practice into their home lives, especially during homework sessions.
Jeffco Healthy Schools - Boost Your Brain With Physical Activity
Jeffco Health Schools _ Boost the Brain With Physical Activity Video
Brain Wise - BrainWise is a comprehensive program that provides the essential tools to help students learn how to make good decisions and take control of their lives by learning essential critical thinking skills called “executive functions. Students will participate in the following 10 lessons to help them develop these important skills.
Wise Way #1 - Wizard Brain Over Lizard Brain
Wise Way #2 - Build A Constellation Of Support
Wise Way #3 - Red Flag Warnings
Wise Way #4 - Exit The Emotions Elevator
Wise Way #5 - Fact Vs. Opinion
Wise Way #6 - Ask Questions And Gather Information
Wise Way #7 - Identify Choices (IDC)
Wise Way #8 - Consider Consequences Now And Later
Wise Way #9 - Set Goals And Plans for Action
Wise Way #10 - Communicate Effectively
Sanford Harmony - Sanford Harmony is a social-emotional learning program for Pre-K-6 grade students designed to foster communication, connection, and community both in and outside the classroom and develop boys and girls into compassionate and caring adults.
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