There is something lately that is really sparking my interest as an educator. That something is all about educating and helping our students to be mindful of their social and emotional intelligences. Sometimes as educators, I feel that assessments, lessons, paper work, mandates, and other such tasks get in the way of helping us connect with our students on personal levels. Time is so precious these days, and there seems to be a lack of time for actually educating students on their interpersonal and interpersonal skills. Fortunately, the ELA Common Core and 21st Century Learning Skills help us to focus on speaking, listening, and communicating. I feel that with these standards we, as educators, can help our students become more proficient in social and emotional aspects of life. However, we as educators must be mindful ourselves and give or "mandate" some time to such important life skills. I love the blog post "Habits of the Heart: Helping Students Reflect and Act on Gratitude" found in Edutopia today by Maurice Elias. (click on the image above to read the article.) I feel he has hit home on some of the things we have to help our students learn and practice social and emotional life skills. Thanks Maurice!
He suggests these simple activities to help students reflect on gratitude:
With the Thanksgiving Holiday coming up, I had to share these fantastic ideas with my staff that can help student reflect and act on gratitude. With seven instructional days before Thanksgiving, perhaps you could pick one, two, or even all of the ideas to help your students be mindful of the things they should be thankful for?
Just a thought...
He suggests these simple activities to help students reflect on gratitude:
- Thank you cards
- Appreciation Journals
- Where did that come from?
- Gratitude Poster/Gratitude Board
- Gratitude Reflection
With the Thanksgiving Holiday coming up, I had to share these fantastic ideas with my staff that can help student reflect and act on gratitude. With seven instructional days before Thanksgiving, perhaps you could pick one, two, or even all of the ideas to help your students be mindful of the things they should be thankful for?
Just a thought...