Monday Motivator #11 2021-22

 

How To Cut Your Preparation Time And Lower Stress

August 29, 2020 by Michael Linsin

https://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2020/08/29/cut-your-preparation-time-lower-stress/

Because of Covid-19 and the staggering amount of preparation time required to start the new school year—whether online or in person—teachers are under enormous stress.

There is so much to do, and not enough hours in the day to do it.

There is, however, a helpful solution.

In the late 1980s, an Italian software developer named Francesco Cirillo created a way to shorten work-related tasks while producing better results.

And it’s remarkably effective. It’s called the Pomodoro Technique.

The way it works is simple.

Step#1

Decide on the work you need to accomplish. Make a list if you wish.

Step #2

Set a timer for 25 minutes. This block of time is called a pomodoro.

Step #3

Start the timer and then focus without distraction until the time is up.

Step #4

Take a 5-minute break.

Step #5

Repeat.

Step #6

After four pomodoros, if you need that many, take a break for at least 30 minutes.

Pro Tips

1. During each pomodoro, do not get bogged down. Keep the momentum going.

2. Do not work during your break under any circumstances. You need to recharge.

3. Go for a short walk, eat a snack, or do some light stretching between pomorodos.

3. It’s okay if your break lasts longer than five minutes, up to ten minutes is fine.

4. Protect your pomodoros at all costs. Let nothing short of emergency interrupt you.

Why it Works

The Pomodoro Technique works because it creates a powerful sense of urgency that is both highly motivating and maximally efficient. It keeps you sharp, fresh, and clear-headed.

It also guards against a phenomenon known as Parkinson’s Law.

Parkinson’s Law is the tendency to expand a task in complexity in relation to the time given for its completion. It’s the chief reason why we work harder and become more stressed than we ever need to.

Finally, because the Pomodoro Technique ensures that you’re at your best, and relying on your natural genius instead of ruminating over every decision, the product is much better.

You’ll find the technique tremendously helpful right off the bat.

Over time, however, and what is so cool about it is that it actually trains you to become smarter, faster, and more focused.

It trains you to devour the buffet of tasks that keep piling up on your plate, so that you can put them out of sight and mind and get on with your life.

Monday Motivator #10 2021-22

 

A Time to Cut Back

The purpose of pruning is to improve the quality of the roses, not to hurt the bush. —Florence Littauer

https://choiceliteracy.com/article/october-222021-building-community-beyond-the-classroom/

I have a plant that sits on the corner of my desk in my classroom. It has been with me since my first day of teaching 15 years ago. It has moved to three different classrooms and two different buildings, and it has survived it all.
I keep the plant in my classroom during the summer break and go in once a week to water it. This past summer was difficult. I may not have been as diligent in keeping a watering schedule. I may have neglected it, as I have neglected many personal areas in my life this past year.
As late July arrived and I began to set up my classroom, I noticed the plant was not doing well. Most of the stems were leafless, and what leaves it did have were limp and looked like wet tissue paper. I was afraid I had killed it, and I was devastated. Through all the changes in my teaching career, this plant had remained the one constant.
I had two choices: let it die or do something drastic. Because of our long history, I chose to do something drastic. I pulled off the dead leaves, cut back the stems, and added some fresh potting soil. It looked pretty silly—kind of like Medusa with green snakes crawling out of the pot. But I knew if I wanted to save it, I had to help it focus its energy on growing, and cutting it back was the only option.
For months, the plant just sat on the corner of my desk barely alive, yet I continued to water it. One day I noticed something green coming from one of the stems. As I looked closer, I also saw tiny tips of new leaves pushing their way up through the soil. I began to see new growth.
We all have our own set of challenges to face. We may have struggled to water and nourish ourselves. We may have neglected our own self-care until we have turned into a plant with limp, brown leaves and in need of pruning.
How do we nourish ourselves in times like these? How do we take care of ourselves when we are pulled in so many other directions? How do we continue to grow even when we neglect ourselves?
After seeing those new green leaves reaching for the light, I found an inner strength. Walking and eating better became my focus of energy and a way to nourish myself. I began to say no to things I didn’t have the time for. I found time for unexpected creativity. Most importantly, I realized sometimes we have to give ourselves permission to cut back, to prune the busyness and responsibilities of our daily lives in order for new growth to happen.

Shine on!
Leigh Anne Eck
Featured Contributor

Monday Motivator #9 2021-22

 

Monday Motivator #8 2021-22

 

How do you make workshop work?

Ruth Ayres

Gretchen Schroeder

Grow Their Legs

One May evening I was backing out of the driveway when my daughter Sophie let out a little yelp. I immediately hit the brakes as she said, “Mom, what is that up against the garage door?” At first glance, it looked like a crumpled brown paper grocery bag. But when Sophie added, “Is that a baby deer?” I realized that she was right. We immediately got out of the car to take a closer look. It was so tiny—maybe about 18 inches curled up—with light brown fur dotted with white spots. It appeared to be peacefully sleeping, which was an unusual sight since we live in the city. We wondered what we should do about it, but since we had softball practice to get to, we had to get back in the car and go.
When we returned home that evening, the baby deer was still there. The next morning it was gone, but a day later it showed up again, this time staying for almost eight hours, just sleeping and seemingly abandoned by its mother. My daughters thought we had a new pet, but I was more skeptical. I wondered whether there was something I should be doing to help the little fawn. 
I was relaying the story to my mom when she told me that she had recently read an article about this phenomenon of baby deer being found alone in residential areas. It turns out that it is quite normal for mother deer to leave their babies alone while they go off to forage for food and that we should just leave the fawn alone.  When they are very young, the fawns cannot keep up with their mothers and are susceptible to predators, so mothers leave them in places where they will be safe, which is usually in tall grass or bushes, but can sometimes be out in the open like our driveway.
This mother deer thought that our driveway was a safe place for her fawn. She is not unlike the caregivers of my students who send their sons and daughters off to school hoping that they will find a safe place in my classroom where they will be nourished and “grow their legs.” This is especially true for me as a teacher of high school seniors. My students are almost ready to move on to the next stage in their lives. They still need encouragement and coaching in their reading and writing lives. 
On the other hand, there is something to be said about giving students space within a safe environment. Being left alone to make their own choices about what they will read and what they will write is its own form of nourishment. We’re often quick to intervene when we see students struggle, but within a safe environment some independence will help students to develop those strong legs that will allow them to enter the world and keep up.

Monday Motivator #7 2021-22

Some great tips and reminders for parent-teacher conferences, especially some language tips on the last two pages.

Parent Teacher Conference Tips

Monday Motivator #6 2021-22

 

How to Build Resilience in Children and Teens

• By Alexandra Eidens
• • https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/how-to-build-resilience-children-teens
    

Resilient kids can bounce back from challenges, try again, and learn along the way. With the right amount of confidence and grit, children head into their teenage years and adulthood with the ability to face and grow from life’s challenges.

But kids and teens aren’t just born with resilience. It’s something they must learn and practice.

The resilience activities and strategies below are based on the 7 Cs of Resilience:

• Competence
• Confidence
• Connection
• Character 
• Contribution
• Coping
• Control

Practice these strategies with the kids and teens in your life to help them become more resilient.

Competence

Competence is being able to look at stressful situations and say, "I've got this." Kids and teens who exhibit competence stay calm under pressure and, when issues arise, can tackle them. Feeling competent in one's abilities can increase resilience for teens and children because even when something does go wrong, they know they can do better next time.

Competence Strategies for Kids

• Let Them Struggle and Solve Problems: let them find where that last puzzle piece goes or handle challenges with their friends, teachers, and siblings without intervening unless needed.
• Teach Them How to Ask for Help: kids often feel asking for help means they're incompetent. But it’s one of the most empowering things your child can do. Speak to your child about different ways to ask others for help—how should they start the conversation?

Competence Strategies for Teens 

• Provide Effective Feedback: feedback lets teens know where they have succeeded and where they can improve. Ensure your feedback is specific, descriptive, and desired.
• Teach Them Perfect Doesn't Exist: if your teen is a perfectionist, they may feel a mistake or "failure" is the end of the world. Help them set reasonable goals and encourage them to add "yet" when they feel they"can't do something." Tell them about your own imperfections and how they have helped you grow. Competence is a work in progress!

Confidence

Confident young people are competent and know it. They have the skills to handle the challenges life throws at them without much hesitation. Instilling confidence is the cornerstone of raising resilient kids and teens

Confidence Strategies for Kids

• Let Them Have Boundaries: everyone has personal boundaries and we often let people cross them because we don't want to be rude. So teach kids how to say "no" when they need to.
• Teach Them to Love Themselves: confidence isn't just about being strong; it's about consider much more than GPA and test scores when screening applicants. A poor grade is an opportunity to learn, not a reason to lose hope or confidence!

Confidence Strategies for Teens

• Learn About the Mind: teenagers often struggle with confidence, even if they were confident as children, because their brains are changing. Help them find resources about brain development to better understand what's going on in their minds. 
• Tell Them Grades Aren't Everything: it can feel like grades are the key to college acceptance and many teens believe college is the only option.  In reality, many colleges consider much more than GPA and test scores when screening applicants. A poor grade is an opportunity to learn, not a reason to lose hope or confidence!

Connection

Connection in this sense means they feel like they belong somewhere. When young people feel connected, they are less likely to hurt themselves or others and instead show greater empathy. It's difficult to go it alone, so resilience for children and teens heavily involves knowing they have people they can turn to.

Connection Strategies for Kids

• Help Them Find a Passion: music, sports, art, math…allow your child to explore different hobbies and find out what piques their interest. From there, your kids can start forming connections with others who share their passion.
• Teach About Friendship and its Challenges: it can be difficult to make friends and nearly impossible to have conflict-free relationships. First, discuss what good friendships involve. Then, for for more information check out our 5-Day Friendship Challenge for Children.

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Connection Strategies for Teens

• Let Them Talk: an important (and easily lost) connection for teens is with adults. Whether you're a parent or a teacher, if you let them speak without giving unsolicited advice, feedback, or jumping to discipline, you may better understand them. In addition, a nonjudgmental adult can make teens more likely to seek help when they're in trouble or struggling.
• Encourage Independence: let teens hang out with friends (relatively) unsupervised. When they're old enough to go out on their own, allow them to do so within reason. Letting them be with their friends without constant adult supervision allows them to form greater connections with friends and learn how to handle future relationships.

Character

Having character is knowing right from wrong and sticking with your values. Teens and kids with strong character have higher self-esteem, show empathy, and feel they can make good choices. All these traits help children and teens build resilience.

Character Strategies for Kids

• Teach Them Not to Compare Themselves to Others: comparing oneself to others can make kids want to bring others down and change their opinions of themselves. Likewise, being unkind to others or feeling less-than (or more-than) can affect their understanding of right and wrong.
• Watch Movies About Character: there are many age-appropriate movies with characters that display positive and negative character traits. After watching, discuss the different characters with your children. In which scenes did the characters show the most resilience? When did they show the biggest struggle? Ask your child how they would approach those difficult situations.

Character Strategies for Teens

• Talk About Current Events: discussing current events allows teens to analyze whether the world aligns with their values and what they could do to make things better. If your teen is especially upset about a current event, allow them to express themselves and explain their argument. Do your best to guide them to a place of resolution—and resilience.
• Help Them Manage Stress: stress can cause anyone to lose sight of their values. Learning to cope with stress can help teens maintain and grow their good character.

Contribution

Contribution is what we give to the world via attitude and behavior. Therefore, building resilience in children and teens must include lessons in contribution. Knowing they make the world better—even on bad days—encourages them to bounce back.

Contribution Strategies for Kids 

• Teach Them About Appropriate Behavior: chances are you've brought your young child into a movie, restaurant, or plane and immediately seen sighs or eye rolls. Teach them how to act in different locations (and remove them to discuss behavior if it's not going well). This helps grow resilience in children because when someone feels welcomed, they are more likely to want to contribute to the positive environment.
• Perform Acts of Kindness: while kindness should ultimately become intrinsically motivated and guided by the children, young ones likely need suggestions before they can be involved in brainstorming. Decide on acts of kindness and do them together.

Contribution Strategies for Teens

• Take the Kindness Lead: while younger kids may need instructions about acts of kindness, teens can make decisions about the types of kind actions they want to take and why. Whether it’s writing a letter of appreciation to a teacher or volunteering at the animal shelter, encourage your teen to perform at least one act of kindness per week.
• Let Them Contribute to Family and Classroom Meetings: inviting your teen to voice their thoughts during family meetings shows you value their thoughts. Take their contributions seriously and, if you decide to go in a different direction, discuss why. Giving them ownership over their own decisions can help teens become resilient and responsible.

Coping

How often do we tell kids (or even adults) "deal with it" or even "get over it," not realizing they may not know how to cope with their situation? Resilience for teens and children can't exist without adequate coping skills, which must be taught.

Coping Strategies for Kids

• Read Books or Tell Stories About Feelings: have children identify the characters' emotions and what they think the characters should do. Discuss the ending with your child and ask if they would have done anything different.
• Point Out and Discuss Specific Behaviors: for instance, "I see you rolling your eyes. How do you feel?" Then, ask if they think there's a better way to cope and what that may be. Finally, have them try out the new coping mechanism and see how they feel.

Coping Strategies for Teens

• Acknowledge Their Feelings: teens often feel alone in their feelings. Allowing them to let feelings out when appropriate rather than letting them build can help teens with resilience. It can help them avoid embarrassing or inappropriate interactions that may make them want to hide rather than try.
• Talk About Mindfulness: mindfulness looks different for different people, but the goal is always to cool off and recenter yourself. Help your teen find a mindfulness activity they can use to cope with stressful situations.

Control

When it comes to building resilience in children and teens, control is about knowing what you're in charge of and what you're not. There are things in this life that are simply out of our hands, but we can control how we react to them.

Strategies for Kids

• Help Them Understand Choices vs. Luck: Sometimes, things happen that are outside our control. help kids understand they can't control everything around them or how they feel, but they can control how they behave. Our Circle of Control poster can help them visualize this more effectively.
• Use Effective Praise: praise kids for things they can control, like their effort, rather than things they can't control, like their innate gifts. Knowing their efforts matter more than anything can build resilience in children because it gives them permission to "fail" and try again.

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Strategies for Teens

• Help Them Set Goals: creating goals and strategies can help teens stay on track when unexpected things pop up. Make sure they set their own goals so they can feel more in control and less likely to disappoint if things do go wrong.
• Plan for the Worst; Hope for the Best: if you go through potential worst-case scenarios with your teens, and create solutions for those possibilities, your teen may be able to show resilience if they occur.

Building Resilience and Grit for the Future

Building resilience in children and teens takes time and patience. With the strategies above and a lot of practice, you’ll start to see a more resilient child. For a more hands-on approach, try our Resilience Kit, which comes with worksheets and activities for your child.

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Remember, as a parent or teacher, you also need to exhibit the 7 Cs of Resilience and set the example. Don’t give up!