Throwback Thursday: Mindfulness Tools

 3rd grade GCISD student exploring the 
Mindful Powers app

Mindfulness has become an even bigger buzz word since we first blogged about it in 2017 (original post). Two of the apps we suggested are no longer available in Meraki, however we have new resources that both teachers and students can use.

What is mindfulness? 

According to Dictionary.com, mindfulness is "a technique in which one focuses one's full attention only on the present, experiencing thoughts, feelings, and sensations but not judging them." 

Basically, it's intentionally focusing on the moment we're currently experiencing and accepting how we are doing in that moment.  We often allow our digital devices to distract us from being fully present in each moment when we try to multitask by checking our email, texting, or scrolling through social media.  Choosing to use our digital devices to practice the habit of mindfulness is one way we can use our devices for personal growth.  The resources we offer are not meant to work for all teachers and students, however they are each part of the social emotional learning toolbox. 

Tools to Try

The Calm app and website offers guidance in three areas: meditation, sleep, and relaxation. Teachers and students over the age of thirteen can access the Calm website together as a class.  The Calm app is not available in Meraki due to its terms of service. While it's a paid service, K-12 teachers can fill out the form on the Calm website to get free access to Calm's paid subscription service. 

Recent updates include a Spanish version, a Sleep Timer for "Calm Music and Soundscapes," as well as a story named "Wonder" read by actor Matthew McConaughey.



Chillscape is an app available in Meraki for both students and teachers to download and explore. It's described on the ChillScape website as an app that "is designed to help slow heart rate, reduce blood pressure and lower levels of stress hormones."

You can choose the length of a session (from 2 minutes up to forever) to enter a world where you pop bubbles so they emit a musical tone. Try it out when you just need to chill!




Mindful Powers is also an app available in Meraki designed for students, but it can also be helpful for teachers.  The main character, a friendly Flibbertigibbet™ (pictured on the left) guides the student through exercises in a story format.  There are two ways for the user to interact: Mindful Play or Focus Time. 

Mindful Play is a great option for students to interact with the Flibbertigibbet™ while practicing skills, such as: "Train your brain!", "Big breaths", and "5 powerful senses." Focus Time asks the question "What is your focus?" and allows either a timer to be set from 1 minute up to 12 hours and 60 seconds.  The whole class can view one iPad or individual students can use their timer when they need to dedicate their time one activity.

The GoNoodle website is a great tool to get students up and moving! Did you know it also offers guided mindfulness exercises? GoNoodle accounts are free and once you log in, your class can chose a colorful"champ" avatar to acquire points after each activity.  

Find the FLOW channel to access at least fifteen different guided mindfulness exercises. Elementary students enjoy the "Melting" exercise and even a group of teachers I was with had a positive experience trying "Up and Moving."


As we continue through the season of standardized testing and mixed emotions that come with the end of school, it's a perfect time to explore these apps!  

                                                       

3rd grade student images from Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/CarriePerdue/status/1101501447160643585

"Chillscape - Sonic Meditation App." Studioamplify.com. N. p., 2019. Web. 10 Apr. 2019.