Pandemic teaching is hard. I often feel like I am just treading water, barely keeping up with the demands to prerecord weekly lessons, make digital assignments, check in on absent students and their families, provide feedback on work… the list could go on and on, not to mention teaching 5 days a week over zoom. All of this brought me to a breaking point. After a lot of talking, crying, and reflecting, I thought that adding a mindfulness routine to my classroom would help my students and myself. My school counselor suggested that I looking into the book Sitting Still Like a Frog.
When I went to purchase that book I saw another book, Breathe Like a Bear. I bought both books. I have started using Breathe Like a Bear with my class. The mindful moments in the book take no more than a couple of minutes to read. It helps us energize, calm and refocus in a way that feels more intentional than playing a video. I feel better when we do these activities and I like to think my students do too.
How are you modeling mindfulness and self care to your class?