Fast Llamas
How many of you have heard the same topic over and over again, but, by different people at different times? I guess that what's a "trending" topic is, a topic everyone is talking about.
Well, it seems everyone is talking how students are coming to us in our classes with less ability to think critically and hold onto information. There also seem to be a lot of kids easily distracted, easily frustrated and quick to shut down when learning becomes challenging. I would too, if I couldn't concentrate and something seemed overwhelming to me. Add food insecurities, divorce... you get the picture...
I have lots of theories as to why the brains of our kids are changing... digitally distracted parents, too much screen time for kids, lack of outdoor play, lack of sleep, and too much emphasis on academics are a few that come to mind. When my oldest son was a kindergartner in the fall of 2000, the whole class took an afternoon nap, and the teacher said they slept! By, April she noticed a lack of needing the nap, but, they still took a break. Today, it is unheard of for a K class to nap during the day... When my younger son was in Kindergarten 6 years later, the academic work he was required to do had increased significantly and there wasn't even a break. The State of Texas replaced the jumping, running, physical activities with academics, and we are seeing the results in later grades. Kids are learning too fast. In my own experience, the work we do in middle school science today has increased significantly since 1991, my first year teaching.
Now, what can we do about it.. this is a "so what, now what" moment. As advocates for our students, there are a few things we can do in our classrooms to help with students.
Shameless plug - learn this and more of this in a Quantum Learning training - this is where llamas get fast! and it's all about the hearts and brains of our kids. Look for training dates in the spring and summer of 2020.
Let's start with a few...
1. Home Court Advantage - This is a strong classroom culture of inclusion, warm, homey vibes and a place of safety. Students not humiliated for mistakes and there is a strong bond between them and the teacher (rooting for their success) and each other. We have agreements instead of rules, we have systems instead of rules, we have procedures instead of rules.
2. Meta-Cognition - We teach students how to learn and as teachers we are aware of brain basics - how our middle schoolers learn. We know to calm the amygdala and feed the hippocampus.
3. Consistency - Fast llama teachers are experts in providing consistency in a world of chaos.
4. Classroom Environment - We know that the use of music, lighting, atmosphere (our classrooms are homey) calms the amygdala and allows for learning. We know that FAST is bad for learning (Fear, Anxiety, Stress and Threat)
5. Fidelity - Fast llamas know that certain ways to teach enhance learning, and we plan for them. This includes setting up students for success, knowing about and using wait time, the power of 10,24 7, using anchors and mnemonics... to name a few...
6. Laughter - We know that smiling, laughing and being nice enhance learning.
7. Perception - Fast Llamas see everyone as a 10, even when they are acting like a -4. this includes complaining about those -4's. It doesn't help to vent, if you aren't going to put anything into action about the problem.
8. Theta Scans - We teach kids the power of sleep and how they can study a little before bed, then go right to sleep to improve memory.
9. State Change - When kids come into our rooms, we use state changes to get kids into down to business thinking modes. This includes an Opening Tradition such as playing a song, saying a mantra, revisiting Agreements, getting to Alpha State or crossing the Mid-line.
- Getting into Alpha State involves training kids to visualize a place of relaxed alertness.
Here's how your can train your kids...
1. Tell your students you are going to get them into a state that will enhance their ability to learn.
2. Tell your students to SLANT.
3. Have them close their eyes and visualize a place of calm, safety and relaxation.
4. Tell them to visualize the sights, sounds, feelings, colors, etc. of what they visualize. "what do you visualize? What do you hear? What do you feel? The temperature is perfect"
5. Remind them to breathe.
6. Open their eyes.
This exercise takes some practice, don't give up, if the first time doesn't go well. (and some 6th grader makes a fart noise), keep up the consistency and you will get there. Some kids cannot visualize this place (the Alpha Place), so you may need to help them know what to visualize. Provide pictures and let them choose.
10. Crossing the Mid-line is another way to change state and enhance learning because it makes a physical connection with the body and the brain. Studies have shown that using exercises that cross the mid-line before learning takes place, increases the students abilities to concentrate, retain information and decreases feeling of frustration when learning gets challenging.
Would you like to know some examples?
1. Shoulder to Shoulder - Start with both arms out-stretched. Right hand crosses the body and touches left shoulder. Then switch. This movement is not done quickly. Repeat two or three times.
2. Elbow to Knee - While standing or sitting, right elbow to left knee and switch.
3. Nose and Ear - Right hand touches left ear, left hand touches nose. Then, switch.
4. Leg Switch - While standing or sitting, cross right ankle over left ankle
5. The Twist - Hold arms stretched out in front of body. Thumbs up. Turn the hands so that the back of the right hand and the back of the left hand touch. Cross the right hand over the left so palms are touching. Link fingers. NOW, bringing hands toward the body, twist them up, the hands meet the chin. Level up by having the right leg cross the left leg as you twist, nice deep breathe as you move. Check out the video from a QL training in action. https://twitter.com/i/status/1203339653580910592
Have a great week!
No comments:
Post a Comment