1. WINNER Building Classroom Connections PreK ESE Teacher Meeting
January 14, 2015

2. Grand Ave Primary Learning Center
In the Spotlight!
PreK Team
Grand Ave Primary Learning Center

3. Tube Art Class Project

4. School Family Mural

5. In the Spotlight!
Kim La Rea
Blankner School

6. Building Community

7. Learning Goal
Teachers will understand the importance of developing/strengthening self-regulation skills and creating a school family.

8. Evidence 4
I can explain to my administrator, paraprofessional, and parents the importance of developing/strengthening self-regulation skills and creating a school family
I can explain during pre-conference with administrator, meetings/trainings with parents, discussion with paraprofessional 3
I implement activities to develop/strengthen self-regulation skills and create a school family consistently throughout the school day
I understand the importance of these activities and know children must be taught these skills as they would any other 2
I am somewhat familiar with the concept of self-regulation and creating a school family and I try to use some strategies but not consistently
I use strategies when I think of it or in moments of crisis 1
I am not familiar with the concepts of self-regulation and creating a school family
I’ve heard the terms in trainings or from other teachers but I’m not really sure of their importance/impact on children in my class

9. Building Classroom Connections
based on the work of Dr. Becky Bailey
presented by:
Andrea Dunckel

10. Conscious Discipline is an evidence based comprehensive social-emotional learning and classroom management program based on current brain research.
Conscious Discipline empowers adults to consciously respond to daily conflict, transforming it into an opportunity to teach critical life skills to children.

11. Safety Connection Problem Solving
Brain State Model
Safety Connection Problem Solving

12. Conscious Discipline Brain State Model
Executive State
(Prefrontal Lobes)
What can I learn from this?
self-regulation system
Emotional State
(Limbic System)
Am I loved?
attachment system
Survival State
(Brain Stem)
Am I safe?
arousal system
LET’S REVIEW!
executive: regulate self to set achievable goals. comes on at approximately 3 years old, when they start asking “why”
emotional: regulate emotions. comes on at approximately 15 months, when they start saying “no”
survival: regulates physiology. comes on at birth

13. Creating a School Family
Brain Smart Start
Safekeeper job description
Routines for predictability
Rituals for connections
Responsibility through classroom jobs
Classroom centers
Class meeting with music and movement

15. Connection Integrates the Brain
eye contact +
touch
presence
playful situation
boys require 2x more touch and nurturing than girls

16. Activity to Disengage Stress
Brain SmartⓇ Start
Activity to Unite
Activity to Disengage Stress
Activity to Connect
Activity to Commit
Brain Smart Start helps children AND adults reach an optimal level of arousal for learning, engagement and attunement

17. Music and Movement Organized movement integrates the brain
Connections on the outside build connections on the inside
Connections support impulse control, willingness, and attention

18. Greetings upon arrival
Activity to Unite
Greetings upon arrival
Morning greeting song
The morning greeting song should be the same song everyday, should involve movement and some sort of physical connection with others
My job is to keep you safe, your job is to help keep it safe.

19. Activity to Disengage Stress
use this time to practice breathing. 3 deep breaths for maximum benefit.
add breathing activity between each transition!!!!
Ask: Are the children organized or in distress? Download calm. This needs to be done by the adults all day long, everyday.The adult’s energy regulates the classroom.

20. Activity to Connect
I love you rituals should be done throughout the day
Are the children responding to the connection? Requires attunement. Try it a different way….the guidelines in the book are only suggestions. Know your child and be creative!!!

21. Activity to Commit What do you as a teacher commit to doing?
What does the class commit to doing?
Ask yourself: Am I present, preoccupied, or dismissing their state? Commit to a goal.
Class agreement/rules
Safekeeper rituals
Teacher/assistant goals for the day (I am going to do an I Love You Ritual with 3 students at three different times today)

22. Self regulation is the #1 skill required for success in school and life.

23. Stress Reduction Increase skin to skin contact (touch/massage)
Increase I Love You Rituals/social play (giggle time)
Increase downloading (child’s level)
3x a day to vacuum out stress
More visuals and visual routines
Increase music and movement
What do you think are some of the stressors in the life of 3-5 year olds? Table/group discussion
How are the kids expressing this to you and others around them? What behaviors are you seeing in your classrooms?

24. You Have the Power
We must teach children that they have the power within themselves to regulate their internal state.
You cannot “make” a child calm down. You must calm yourself first, download calm into the child and teach them how to regulate themselves.
Stop and Go music activities are a great tool to teach self-regulation-they stimulate and develop the prefrontal lobe

25. I Wish You Well! Andrea Dunckel andrea.dunckel@fdlrsaction.org

26. BDI-2 Exiting is coming…
duunnn dunnn... duuuunnnn duun... duuunnnnnnnn dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnn dunnnn

27. Don’t wait, use your progress monitoring results now!
Analyze your class data.
Look at the corresponding age range on the full BDI-2 protocol and see what skills the child is missing.
Look at your class as a whole-are there any patterns? (Example: No one knows their phone numbers).
Use the screener as a tool to HELP you. Change what is not working. Add instruction to fill in the gaps.

28. Indicator 8/ESE Parent Survey
State of Florida and Orange County did not meet this indicator.
One of the main downfalls was parents reported they were not receiving information about community resources, trainings and information.
PULSE conference is February (February 21, 2015) for parents and educators to attend. We gave several of our OCPS teachers presenting. This is a great opportunity for parents to gain strategies for their home and make connections with community resources. Teachers will benefit as well. We will be sending the flyer soon.
PULSE (Parents United with Leaders, Students, and Educators)

29. Vroom
Every parent has what it takes to be a brain builder. Vroom turns shared moments into brain-building moments. Whether it’s mealtime, bath time, or anytime in between, there are always ways to nurture our children's growing minds.
Vroom was developed by a group of dedicated scientists, community leaders and trusted brands, with input from community organizations and families like yours. Together, we're providing parents and caregivers with ways to boost early learning.

30. Reminders Upcoming meetings
February 11 PreK to K Transition/BDI-2 Review
March 11 STEM
April 8 STEM
May 13 Bringing Everyone Together

32. We are only an e-mail away!
Support
Newsletters
For teachers and parents
Wiki sites
Classroom visits
We are only an away!

33. Contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns
Janice Penn Stephanie Thomas
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