Relaxation Apps

Given the current climate, these apps might be beneficial for you, colleagues or students. There are so many apps out there, here are a few that you may enjoy and a link to the source with many more is below.

Calm is the perfect meditation app for beginners, but also includes hundreds of program for intermediate and advanced users. Guided meditation sessions are available in lengths of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 minutes.

Headspace: Guided Meditation & Mindfulness Meditation made simple. Guided meditations suitable for all levels from Headspace. Meditation can help improve your focus, exercise mindful awareness, relieve anxiety and reduce stress. Cost: Free

Smiling Mind Smiling Mind is designed to help people pressure, stress, and challenges of daily life. This app has a fantastic section on Mindfulness in the Classroom and is suited for kids ages 7-18. Cost: Free 

Relax Melodies Mix and listen to over 52 different relaxing sounds with background sound support — this app can be used while using other apps! Cost: Free 

Source: List from: https://parentingchaos.com/anxiety-apps-kids/ 

8 Ways a Child's Anxiety Shows up As Something Else...

 

Source: https://gozen.com/8-ways-a-childs-anxiety-shows-up-as-something-else/ 

Books about Diversity and Inclusion (All Ages)

Students in my SEL course shared a variety of books and apps related to ideas and themes of Social Emotional Learning. I have pulled a few samples from their recommendations to share books related to diversity and inclusion. Leave your favourites in the comments to share. 

Book / App	Age/Grade Level	Description and Usefulness
A Kids Book About Racism	Grades 1 - 4	In this book you'll find a clear description of what racism is, how it makes people feel when they experience it, and how to spot it when it happens. Though racism is a big and heavy topic, it is never too early to start having conversations around it, especially with the Black Lives Matter movements happening worldwide over the past couple months. This book could be used as an intro to this topic and to formulate a class definition of racism.

Amina’s Voice

Ages 9+

Amina, a Pakistani-American Muslim, struggles with whether she should hide her true self to try and fit in and be more American like her best friend has done, as she copes with middle school drama and a devastating vandalism attack on her local mosque. Teaches about the value of multiculturalism, diversity, social awareness, self-awareness in society.

Malala’s Magic Pencil

Intermediate- Secondary

This book follows the character, Malala, who dreams of having a magic pencil to add/erase things in her life. She then begins to realize this power could do great things and could help the world. This book could be used to teach students how the little inconveniences in our lives are so miniscule compared to other struggles around the world. A good idea would be to read this book before starting a class-wide project to give back to the community and learn about world-wide current events.

Teaching Tolerance App	K-12	This is a thought-provoking classroom resource that supports diversity education.  It is an invaluable tool to help reduce prejudice and encourage tolerance in schools, as well as within society as a whole.  https://www.tolerance.org
Facing History and Ourselves App	Grades 6-12	This has valuable materials that empower students to understand and address difficult ethical choices – past and present.  They believe that facing history fosters empathy and reflection, improved students’ academic performance, and supports safe and inclusive schools.  https://www.facinghistory.org/our-work
Finding Home - A Refugee’s Journey	Age 13+	This show a Refugee’s Journey which portrays the experience of being a teen refugee in Malaysia.  The app shows users what the experience of being a teen refugee would be like.  This could be used when we talk about the global refugee crisis.  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/finding-home-a-refugees-journey
Global Oneness Project	Grade 9-12	Interdisciplinary stories that highlight universal themes with a humanistic lens.  They connect through stories based on ideas such as climate change, water scarcity, food insecurity, poverty, endangered cultures, migration and sustainability.  All issues that we deal with in a SS9/SS10 classroom.  https://www.globalonenessproject.org/#

Skin Again - Bell Hooks

K - Grade 3

A helpful book teaching not to assume things because of how people look on the outside and the importance of getting to know people first. The words and message are simple and clear. Great for social skill development and inclusion.  Key Questions: Can we tell who people are and what they are like from their appearances? What is important about us? What would it be like if everyone was the same?  (More Activities Here!)

Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson and Sean Qualls

K-12

In this book (based on a true story), Emmanuel Ofusu Yeboah from Ghana is born with one functioning leg and has been dismissed by society. However, his mother constantly reminds him to never let his impairment stop him from doing things other people do. After his mother  falls ill and eventually passes away, he is determined to spread his message that disability does not mean inability, as he cycles through Ghana. This book teaches the importance of having courage, strength, and determination and how our differences do not make us inferior or less important to others.

Grades K – 3 SEL topics:  Social Awareness & Relationship Skills

“Nell eats fish for breakfast, she doesn’t hug or kiss, and she does NOT want to be called grandma. As her great- granddaughter slowly learns more about Nell’s life, she finds ways to connect with her prickly great-grandmother.” This would be a great book to focus on at the beginning of the school year with making connections. Looking at how we may not think we have anything in common with people at first (or second) glance but in fact there is a lot we don’t know under the surface. There is a great activity where the students go around the class and ask a list of student generated questions to each other. Once finished we make a bulletin board of pictures of each student with their answers to the questions. String is then connected from each student to another who shares that connection. It is a wonderful visual of how we all connect.

K-7

This beautifully illustrated book explores the different perspectives of people from around the world.  How we are different but inherently the same.  Focuses on inter-connectedness, diversity and how everyone matters

K-3

This is a lovely book about a bond between a Father and a Son.  The book shows what it is like to be brave and why it is important to try new things with a focus on courage and building confidence.

The Hate U Give – by Angie Thomas (Novel)

High School

This is the true story of a 16 year old girl Starr who lives in a poor neighborhood but attends an upscale suburban prep school. She witnesses the shooting of her childhood friend at the hands of a police officer. He was not armed.  Starr has difficult choices to make and pressures to handle as she was the only witness to the shooting.  The story focuses on resiliency, honour, decision-making, racism and truth.

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani (Novel)

Middle School

“Set in 1947 India, Veera Hiranandani’s book traces the journey of 12-year-old twins Nisha and Amil, who live with their father, their grandmother, and a housekeeper named Kazi. The family is Hindu, Kazi a Muslim. At the end of British rule, the family lives in what will become Pakistan and must get to India, but Kazi can’t go with them. They make a grueling walk to safety, almost losing their lives.” https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/549250/the-night-diary-by-veera-hiranandani/   The Night Diary won the 2019 Newbery Award. The story is a true account of events of that time and contain themes related to perseverance, decision-making, religion, ethnicity and trust.  According to reviews, this is a great book for discussions around these issues.

SEL Sunday Reads: Mindful Practice

I have been doing weekly SEL Sunday Reads for a couple months and this is likely my last one for a while. I wanted to include some around mindfulness.

Here are a few recommendations for Social Emotional Learning Picture Books, specifically around the topic of mindfulness Some of these books were suggested to me from teachers taking an SEL education course. Enjoy!

I am Peace:A Book About Mindfulness – by Susan Verde

This book is a wonderful picture book that helps children find peace within through mindful practice.  It is an easy read for teachers and conveys simple messages of:

·         Connecting with the Earth

·         Enhancing one’s imagination

·          Developing one’s expression of emotions

·          Being present

My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing – by Nick Orther and Alison Taylor

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uT0EeYuhiA

This beautifully illustrated picture book teaches children about the power in their “magic breath” Students learn how deep breathing can manage stress, worry and other emotions by calming their mind. The story is a great introduction to mindful breathing.

“Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids”  by Eline Snel

This book presents mindfulness practices in a simple, kid-friendly way to help children learn about concentration, deal with anxiety and stress and handle demanding emotions.  It also provides common scenarios to help children understand their feelings, manage anger, become more aware, and exercise patience.  The book includes a 60 minute audio CD of guided exercises.

“Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere”  by Kira Willey

This book teaches children techniques for managing their emotions.  It is filled with lots of ideas that can help children connect with themselves.  The simple and short mindful practices in this book can be performed anytime and anywhere!