Mindfulness Practices

Mindfulness on mConnect

(To access content you will need to be signed in to your MPS Google account)

https://mconnect.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/MPS-Intranet/Initiatives/RtI-and-PBIS/Mindfulness.htm

MPS Mindful Videos and Resources

Direct link for Mindfulness on mConnect

(To access content you will need to be signed in to your MPS Google account)

https://sites.google.com/milwaukee.k12.wi.us/mindfulness/home

Weekly Mindfulness Practice Reminders:

Mindfulness Reminders- Don't forget to take care of yourself.

Get a text reminder every Monday and Wednesday morning with a suggestion for a mindful practice (such as a breathing exercise, movement break, or self-compassion) sent through the district's Remind account. To sign up, sent the text message @g6akh2 to 81010. You will receive an optional offer to download the Remind app (not required). When creating an account on the app, select Teacher.

Mindful Behavior Protocol

Steps to use when talking to students after negative behavior occurs

LEAPS
Listen to the student and why they were acting out. Start be asking questions and try to understand
Eye contact. Be sure to be an active listener
Ask clarifying questions about the situation. Ask if they know the expectations.
Problem solve with the student, have them part of the outcome.
Solution developed together. Reinforce that you care about the student and that you want them to be in class. Remind them that you have an obligation to protect the learning/safety of others, which is why the expectations are important.

CLEAR
Connect to self and student. Check in with where you are in this moment and provide an opportunity/strategy for the student to do the same.
Listen to the student. Ask questions in an effort to determine facts and try to understand the situation from their perspective.
Engage in conversation. Active listening through body language and possibly eye contact. Avoid districtaion such as phone/computer.
Ask clarifying questions and use reflective listening by paraphrasing what they say to ensure understanding.
Results. Develop a solution to the problem together. What can we agree to do moving forward? Ensure agreements are simple, clear and specific. Ensure that the individual is calm when agreements are shared.

Manipulatives

How to make fidgets, mindful tools and other regulation tools.

Stress Balls-

materials: dry beans, rice or other item wanted to put into balloon, balloons, funnel (if you cut part of 20 ounce bottle of soda or top from a water bottle they work great as scoop and funnel, scissors

Directions:

Stretch out your balloon. ...
Choose your filling: dry beans, rice, or other items that will fit into the balloon.
Stick a funnel into the neck of the balloon. Balloon color will not mater for the first one, since it won't be seen.
Slowly fill the balloon. ...
Remove the funnel from the balloon and let out as much air as you can. ...
Tie the neck of the balloon closed tightly.
Snip off the excess rubber.
Stretch another balloon over the balloon that is snipped off. Double knot.

Find It Jar

Find a jar that has a lid or a cap. The smoother the outside of the container the better.
Collect an assortment of small objects. Items just need to be small enough to fit into the jar. Placing various sizes will help in the search. Possible small items: unique beads, a toothpick, a rubber band, a thumbtack, a sequin, buttons, a paper clip, googly eyes, small toys, and etc.
Create a list of items in the bottle. Can make into a checkoff.
Fill the bottle with a filler material. The filler could be sand, rice or small beads. When filling the filler material into the bottle, alternate with small items to help create the challenge.
Cap and seal (glue) the bottle, it will assist in keeping materials in the bottle.