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.
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