Zen Zone in the City is a project dedicated to focusing on mental health in the classroom. My students come to school having experienced many different types of adversity from a young age. I want my student to have the skills necessary to regulate their emotions independently, until I am available to help work through some problems they are experiencing! After researching some different methodologies; I brought to my room a Zen Zone! With materials purchased from the dollar store, I utilized coloring books, play-doh, and sand. I modeled and showed students how it worked. We practiced expectations, and spoke about supporting each other emotionally. I was shocked when students reflected, and started utilizing it! It allowed students a safe-space to relax, calm-down, and reflect until I was available to support.
By supporting this project, you will be supporting emotional health in schools! This year I'd like to upgrade my Zen Zone, as many of the items I purchased from the dollar tree didn't last more than a week. I've requested a few things that I believe will change the ambiance of the classroom making it homey; such as the fountain (the cork mat to place it on) and diffuser. Students can listen to the water while reflecting with their heads down, scratch a pattern into the zen garden (the tea tray holds this), draw on the Buddha Board, toss around some thinking putty, or keep his or her hands busy with the rubiks cube. The sand timer will visually show students how much time they have to relax and calm down before I come to chat with them, or before I request they fill out a reflection form. I've asked for the doorbell as an all-class "attention getter;" using calming & predictable routines in our classroom.
About my class
Zen Zone in the City is a project dedicated to focusing on mental health in the classroom. My students come to school having experienced many different types of adversity from a young age. I want my student to have the skills necessary to regulate their emotions independently, until I am available to help work through some problems they are experiencing! After researching some different methodologies; I brought to my room a Zen Zone! With materials purchased from the dollar store, I utilized coloring books, play-doh, and sand. I modeled and showed students how it worked. We practiced expectations, and spoke about supporting each other emotionally. I was shocked when students reflected, and started utilizing it! It allowed students a safe-space to relax, calm-down, and reflect until I was available to support.
By supporting this project, you will be supporting emotional health in schools! This year I'd like to upgrade my Zen Zone, as many of the items I purchased from the dollar tree didn't last more than a week. I've requested a few things that I believe will change the ambiance of the classroom making it homey; such as the fountain (the cork mat to place it on) and diffuser. Students can listen to the water while reflecting with their heads down, scratch a pattern into the zen garden (the tea tray holds this), draw on the Buddha Board, toss around some thinking putty, or keep his or her hands busy with the rubiks cube. The sand timer will visually show students how much time they have to relax and calm down before I come to chat with them, or before I request they fill out a reflection form. I've asked for the doorbell as an all-class "attention getter;" using calming & predictable routines in our classroom.
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