Past projects 2
Mindfulness Matters In Middle School
Funded Sep 11, 2024Mindfulness Really Matters and makes a positive difference in Middle School. 6th Grade is a time of transition, students leave their elementary schools and join in a bigger school with many more academic, social and educational demands. Many of my students are emergent bilingual students and transitioning to a new country, navigating middle school while learning a new language is a very challenging endeavor.
Mindfulness Matters Project has been helping me integrate mindfulness activities and helping me teach strategies my students will be able to use in their lives. I received a few items that I have been using everyday with some students. For instance, fidget bands that can easily be attached to the students chairs give them a chance to self regulate their need for movement and helps them stay seated and focused. I have noticed some students now ask for these tools, while other students have utilized other self-regulating techniques that we reviewed as a whole class.
I have not yet needed to use the ball that suggests activities if a student feels angry and loses their temper. I am glad that the proactive approach has helped me maintain a stable, calm and positive learning environment in my classroom.
I am saving some activities to be taught and implemented in trimesters 2 and 3. In trimester 1 we have used many of the get to know each other and we have learned how to build trusting relationships.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Clinton
Active Listening Project
Funded Nov 4, 2023Active Listeners Project (our first ESL self-directed project) was a big hit with most of my ELLs. We averaged listening/reading 20 -25 minutes at least five times a week, and came in ready to talk about what we read . Most students reported the headphones with speakers also led to really great conversations about improving social skills, focus, concentration and other issues that teenagers often deal with.
ELLs were able to use the headphones and microphones independently from depending on their ESL teacher, and this is when I saw students fully engage and concentrate on learning at their own pace. They were able to connect with issues such as immigration, racism and the current political climate in their journey as learners in a foreign country. When some of my administrators visited the class, they commented that they were impressed. with students' engagement and self-direction.
This experience grew us as students, starting grade 6 Middle School and future mentors to other ELL students. We appreciate all that you have done to make this project succeed, thought and idea come true to us, our peers and our community in Framingham, MA. Thanks so much for your support and generosity!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Clinton