Create a quiet space in your classroom

Create A Quiet Space In Your Classroom

A Quiet Space to Learn

Students come to school seeking a safe and quiet space to learn. Teachers want classrooms that are visually engaging and student-centered.  They also want a class that is welcoming, colorful and comfortable. Both teachers and students like rooms that represent the academic and social-emotional side of education.

Every classroom needs a quiet space to accommodate the many needs of the children. It is a place in the room where students can take a moment to regroup or a place for calm. A quiet space can also be a place to read a book, listen to music or work in pairs. Teachers, you can create a space in your classroom. If you are a principal or administrator, encourage and support staff members who want to create a quiet area in their room.  Continue reading →

Five Ways to Improve School Climate

Five Ways to Improve School Climate

School Climate

Every teacher and administrator wants a school climate that is calm. We want a conducive learning environment where students can learn without significant behavior issues or disruptions. Kids will do kid things! That’s human nature; however, what happens when kids’ behaviors are unusual, violent, or unacceptable?

Daily our students arrive with an array of emotions. Some students have extremely difficult home lives. Others may experience emotional or physical trauma. Then, they come to school with bottled up stress, anger, or fear. Often, all of these emotions spill out in the classroom. These outbursts can lead to increased disruptions, or decrease instructional minutes. Continue reading →

Essential Oils for Sleep and Relaxation

Essential Oils for Sleep and Relaxation, Part 2

Essential Oils for Sleep and Relaxation

We are exploring essential oils for sleep and relaxation. In Part 1, we spoke on essential oils qualities to aid sleep. These oils are an alternative to prescribed medicine or over the counter sleep aids. The previous post described these oils: Lavender, Vetiver, Roman Chamomile, Ylang-Ylang, and Bergamot. Now, we will discover more essential oils to consider: Sandalwood, Sweet Marjoram, Cedarwood, Valerian Root, and Clery Sage.

As a reminder, essential oils have been used as remedies for sleep for centuries. You can use the oils in several ways. Use them through diffusion or indirect inhalation. Try a couple of drops in the palm of your hands, rub your hands together, cup around your nose and inhale. Rub a couple of drops on the bottom of your feet, shoulders, or stomach. Mix 3-5 drops in your bath water. Also, research recipes of blends to relieve sleeplessness or to help you to relax.  Continue reading →