Nadine Dekker

In this 30-minute Tier 1 classroom session, 1st-grade students will reflect on their school year, identify their accomplishments and feelings, and celebrate their growth through a creative “time capsule” activity. This lesson helps students with emotional disabilities process experiences, boost self-esteem, and gain closure as they prepare for the next school year.

Create a 'Book of Calm' with students in Grades 2-4 to enhance mindfulness and stress management. This lesson involves crafting personalized calming booklets filled with activities, gratitude pages, and relaxation techniques. Students reflect on what brings them calmness, fostering empathy and inner peace.

In this lesson, students will become 'emotion detectives' by identifying and discussing different emotions they encounter in stories or scenarios. This activity enhances their ability to recognize emotions, build emotional vocabulary, and develop empathy through role-play and discussion. By engaging in this lesson, students will improve their emotional intelligence, which is crucial for personal and social development.

In this lesson, students will participate in a Kindness Bingo game designed to promote empathy and compassion. Over the course of a week, students will aim to complete various acts of kindness listed on their bingo cards. This activity fosters a compassionate classroom culture and encourages students to consider the feelings and needs of others.

In this lesson, students will engage in a craft-based activity to practice mindfulness by creating paper chains. Each link will represent a positive thought or moment of gratitude, helping students focus on the present and fostering a sense of calm and positivity. This activity is important as it encourages students to reflect on positive experiences and thoughts, promoting emotional well-being and mindfulness.