Tests and Screen Time

 We can utilize mindfulness for ourselves as well as our students. During testing season a little extra mindfulness can help us all. 

A quick reminder; Inner Explorer under the Transition section has mindfulness for testing. They are short, 5 minutes or less and could be a great way to calm your students before you have to start testing.

On the website Movethisworld.com data is presented sharing that anxiety can negatively impact testing. This test anxiety is often seen through negative behaviors displayed in the classroom. The more we test the more behaviors we may see. With that in mind taking time to reduce anxiety is important.

We can utilize Inner Explorer and mindfulness to help reduce test anxiety. This could help test scores and classroom behavior. A Win-Win-Win!

After you have successfully helped combat testing anxiety, what next?

When testing is all done we like to celebrate with our students and give them some "free time" in class. Often I see an electronics days came up. I want to share some information this week to help us choose other options for brain breaks after testing.

In his new book, Psychologist Jonathan Haidt talks about Gen Z and younger and their relationship to screens. His new book is called, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.

The title alone says it all. The Anxious Generation. In his book he presents information regarding mental health and the correlation to the rise in technology and social media. 

Haidt shares that since 2010 we have seen a dramatic rise in anxiety, depression, and even a significant rise in ADHD. In fact since 2010 we have seen anxiety in young people increase by 134% and depression increase by 106%. Haidt calls this increase a tidal wave, which couldn't be more fitting when you look at the numbers. 

Not to scare us, but rather to help us further understand the concerns screens (and social media) present, Haidt also shared information regarding suicide and girls. In an article in The Atlantic Haidt shares that statistics from 2010-2019 show a 131% increase in suicide among girls ages 10-14. 

Does this mean we should never allow our students to utilize screens? No, of course not. But it does bring up some good questions which we cannot ignore. 

Do we perpetuate the use of screens? Or do we encourage building the brain and reclaiming the parts of the brain we are losing due to screens?

Much like the beginning of the title, Haidt really hits home saying ...great rewiring of childhood... Screens are literally rewiring our brains. For those of us over the age of 25 our brains are fully formed. For some of us we were lucky enough to be born before smart phones, computers in homes, and social media. Our brains were wired to run around barefoot outside until dark. The students in our school (and those in our homes) need some time to disconnect from screens and learn to reconnect (or learn to connect) with people and challenging and sometimes "dangerous" tasks.

Have you ever had to do a team building activity? They might stress you out or annoy you, but they have purpose. Think back to some you have have done. We Are Teachers has a list that could help you consider other options for after testing. 43 Team Building Games

The games students play on a screen are vastly different than a board game. Video game companies employ psychologist to help them ensure the game is addictive. Board games are great tools to learn math, reading, team work, and other life skills. The tactile nature of a board game also builds neuro pathways in the brain to help with problem solving skills. 

If we take time to combat anxiety before a test lets take some time to help our students combat screen anxiety after a test.

Parenting Tips for School

 

Lessons in parenting can provide lessons in education. 

Two of my favorites are a source of my information this week. Dr. Becky Kennedy and Dr. Adam Grant. Both psychology impact how I parent, in a positive way. As I utilize their wisdom in my personal life I am also able to see ways I can utilize their knowledge in my professional life. And I hope that you take some time to consider what will be shared this week. How can you utilize these parenting tips in the classroom?

Organizational Psychologist Adam Grant has a podcast called Re: Thinking with Adam Grant. On his podcast he hosted Clinical Psychologist Becky Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy is known as a parenting expert. If you have a moment check out her Instagram page. Her short advice videos will have you reflecting on your parenting/educating behaviors. During this episode of Dr. Grant's podcast the pair explored ideas in parenting that I feel we can apply to our interactions with our students.

Something that was said during the episode that really stuck out to me was a comment about the questions we ask. It was said that the questions we ask others show them the road we want to walk down with them. One example is the question that Adam Grant asks his children when they get home from school. And it is a question I have adopted and ask in my home too. The question is who did you help today? Dr. Grant shared that as he began to ask this question his wife suggested adding  who helped you today?  Dr. Grant admits that he was not fully onboard at first. He wanted to focus on his children becoming helpers and seeking ways to support others. His wife helped him understand that children need to also be taught to accept help and to let others support them. I love this idea. I have added this to Leila's daily check in after school.

How can we utilize this idea at school? The idea that the questions you ask show the path you want to take with others is powerful. What questions are you asking your students? Are you asking them if they are hungry? Are you asking them if they are alright or how they are doing? Are you check in on them? Or are you asking them why would you do that? how come you can't behave better? What path are your questions taking you down with your students? Can you do better?

Another great idea that was present was from Dr. Kennedy. She shared that she likes to take time once a month or more if she can, to spend one-on-one time with her children. She said that during this time she makes sure her phone is rooms away. During this time she askes her children for a performance review. She asks "how can I do better?" or "what do you need from me?" She shared that her children have commented on screen time, use of specific apps, etc. This opens a line of communication and chance to allow a child to feel like they are important and their opinion  matters. Dr. Kennedy shared that she is then also able to share again her view point. This is something that we can utilize at school. Ask a student what you can do better to help them, how you can better support them, or what they may need from you. It might surprise you what they say. It may create a time of self-reflection and building better understanding. You can share more clearly why you handle things the way you do or why you set up your class the way you do. It builds the relationship.

There were so many good points in the podcast. Go look it up and listen. I want to share just a couple more quick highlights.

During the conversation Dr. Kennedy said that as adults we need to get better at repair. Get good at repair. Apologize to students. Repair what has been broken. Children need to see humility. We make mistakes. 

Children need connection. They need to feel like adults care. Dr. Kennedy shared that the best advice she can give to anyone is to let children know that you believe in them. Children need to hear " I believe in you." Children also need to know what adults believe them. They need to hear "I believe you." 

Power in the Positive

 Getting back into school after a break can be challenging. Coming back to testing season adds an extra level of stress. This time of year can also be rainy, like today snowy, and still cold. Recess may be inside or outside and messy. It is a lot and it doesn't seem to stop!

No matter which meme best represents you, you can still keep going! Our blog from before break gave us a lot of self-care and mindful reset ideas. We can continue to utilize them as we push through April. 

Micky VanDerweker out of Virginia Tech send out a weekly email regarding behavior. He shares tips on how to help school staff address challenge behaviors.

Last week Mickey shared a fun way to start the day creatively with structure. He shared that this idea is best for middle school students (I think upper elementary could do it too). Have your students line up outside of the class before they enter. As you greet them ask them a question such as "what would you use to battle Aquaman?" After the question is answered the student walks into class and follows directions on the board.

You can take notes of the answers given and share this later in the day with the students. You could use the information to make graphs or create team building. It is a fun way to engage the students and talk one-on-one with them as they enter the class.

Another suggestion Mickey shared is positive post-it notes. This is something I have touched on in past blogs. I have also seen this mentioned by Matt Eicheldinger, a teacher who shares his wisdom on social media. Leave sticky notes on desks. Share encouraging words or a silly smile. 

I had a high school math teacher who knew I was a runner leave me a Far Side comic one day. I walked into class and on my desk this small comic from her daily calendar was waiting for me. I had a meet that day and this small gesture made my day.

I love how Google helped me find the exact comic to share. This was the best and I still remember this waiting on my desk for me. The small things you do can impact a student today. It may also stick with them for years to come!

The last thing Mickey talked about in last week's email was testing season and the Power Pose. Again this is something we have talked about in previous blogs. I also have it posted on my door. Come check it out. Take a minute or two before you start a test and have students stand. Tell them to be Superman or Wonder Woman. Hold their heads high, hands on hips, and breath in deep and think powerful thoughts. This is a mindfulness technique that helps create positive neuro pathways in the brain. 

And remember, You've Got This!