I am so happy to be doing a blog hop with the #kinderfriends! We are giving you tips for a successful school year. We are also having a SALE! My tips are about staying balanced, healthy, and happy. Taking care of yourself is crucial to having a great year. Happy, healthy, teacher = good teacher!
1. Breathe.
Just sit and breathe.
Taking a few minutes out of your day to just simply sit and focus on your breath can make a huge difference in your life. It helps get rid of the mental "clutter" and can make for more peaceful and productive time with your students. We practice mindfulness at our school. When I say we I mean teachers AND students. It is a secular practice that research has shown helps reduce stress and increases mental focus. It also helps reduce conflicts naturally because it helps students (and grown ups) regulate emotions and impulses better. It's good for us! (I used the Buddha photo because I have been wanting to use it for something ever since I took this in SF at the Japanese Tea Garden two years ago.) Again, mindfulness practice at our school is NOT related to any religion.
2. Take your supplements!
Germs abound in the early childhood classroom! Oh my goodness, we have students that are still learning how to blow their noses. It is just a part of the job... we are constantly bombarded with pathogens! Our immune systems need as much support as they can get! These are my two must have supplements. Those vitamins are AWESOME! They help my energy levels!
The other supplement is an amazing Chinese herbal formula to increase chi (energy) and mental clarity. It is made up of several adaptogenic herbs that fight fatigue, build immunity, and increase mental function. I just love the name "Vibrant". My husband says every teacher should take it. He is an acupuncturist. You can only get that Evergreen Chinese formula from licensed acupuncturists. I take these every day I teach and I sure notice the difference if I forget.
What supplements do you take to stay healthy during the school year?
3. Prep ahead!
I like to leave on Friday with my next week completely ready to go. This tub has two weeks worth of big envelopes that hold my prep for each day. Each afternoon, I prep for the same day the following week. It keeps my stress levels down and allows me time to prepare and enlist help for big prep intensive activities.
4. My best tip for a successful school year is...
go to Teachers Pay Teachers and grab some resources to make your life easier! Just search the hashtag #kinderfriends for some great deals on back to school essentials. We all have items on sale right now. My most popular back to school resource is Print and Go! Back to School Math and Literacy. It has loads of pages perfect for the beginning of the year in kindergarten. But this is what's new in my store for back to school...
Writing prompts and pages perfect for September in kindergarten or first grade. I will be making one of these for every month of the school year. There are loads of pages in here that you can use for writer's workshop, your writing center, assessments, and just for fun during your writing period. My kids love to write when the pages look FUN! You can find it right here: Writing Activities ~ Pretty Papers and Prompts SEPTEMBER It will be 20% off through Thursday September 15th. Make sure you search the hashtag #kinderfriends on TpT for more great deals from all the fabulous bloggers in the hop.
Keep hopping along and go see my friend Cristina over at The Primary Besties for more great tips. You can click on the link below her logo.
Hope you are back in the swing of things and have the best year ever!
Happy teaching!
Awesome advise... Breathe!!!! Many times we often put our kiddos first and forget to take care of ourselves. Thank you for the reminder Katie!!
ReplyDeleteElaine
Yes, I need to remind myself! I am the worst for making myself last on the list. It is a goal this year to stay balanced.
DeleteKatie
Fantastic Papers for Writing Centers! My supplements? Vitamin D ! Doc says every day! Hap1stgradefireworkspy BTS! Wendy
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThank you, Wendy! Yes, I should be taking vitamin D too! Happy BTS to you too!
DeleteLeaving each Friday with everything ready for the following week is a wonderful idea, but I somehow seem to end up working very late on Friday to make that happen. I love your idea of prepping for the same day the following week each day - no more overwhelming amount to do on Friday (or take home over the weekend) - this is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paula! I learned this trick from another teacher and I do it just like she did. It has made such a big difference in my stress levels over the years.
DeleteI love the just sit and BREATHE!! I need to do that more often!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cara! The days when we are busy and DON'T have time are the days we need it the most. But it IS hard to remember.
DeleteI take my vitamins every day including Vitamin D (we lack the sun here in NH!). I love how you are a week ahead! It must be a great feeling to walk out on Friday afternoon knowing you are prepared for the upcoming week!
ReplyDeleteI need to start taking Vitamin D regularly! It does feel good leaving on Friday ready or mostly ready for the coming week. It helps to keep the weekends for myself.
DeleteHi Katie! LOVE, LOVE your tips. Being mindful is something I try to do, but the beginning of school is so overwhelming it can be hard to remember that. I also love that your husband is an acupuncturist. I love going to acupuncture! It is so relaxing and amazing. Does he needle you often?
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
Kindergarten Planet
Thanks, Suzanne! You would think I get acupuncture all the time... We are both so busy, I usually only ask for it when I REALLY need it.
DeleteKatie
I am really trying to get better at #3 so I am not "scrambling" on Monday morning. There is nothing like being prepared and getting off to smooth start. Makes for a better week. Thank you for the great reminders! Happy BTS!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, me too... Everything goes better when I stick to this plan. I am not always perfect. It does make for a better week when I don't wake up on Monday thinking about everything I have to get done.
DeleteHappy BTS to you too Robin!