What is mindfulness?

Focus- paying attention to one thing at a time

This can be to focus on a chime, breathing, walking – or math

The awareness that we can’t control what pops into our heads but allowing ourselves the freedom to let it go. “Yes, I am feeling anxious about the math test, so I will refocus on the steps that I know!”

Mindfulness in the classroom

Deep breathing exercises – before tests or when needed

Encouraging students to use deep breathing as a strategy for their own emotional regulation.

www.gonoodle.com – Maximo, AirSpace, Calming, the Catman

Mindfulness in Math

Emotional Intelligence

Moving from “I can’t do it” to “I can do it!”

Being aware of emotions during math

Knowing how emotions affect learning

Assessment Anxiety

Calming the “what if” in our head

Handling anxiety before and during a test

Knowing how anxiety affects our brains

How to take the fear out of math

As teachers we wanted to be mindful in our modeling of the steps in math.

Break problems down into steps

Show that math is a series of steps

Teach kinesthetic movements to accompany challenging math

Data:

Surveys- initial

Self reflections on mindful breathing

Final survey

Margie’s Data ~ Math Surveys

1st Final

I find myself doing math without paying

attention (often) 19% none

I watch my feelings without being

carried away by them (often) 23% 42%

I find it difficult to stay focused on what

is happening in the present moment 19% 33%

(never)

Anne’s Data ~ Surveys Self reflections on mindful breathing 1st

Survey Final Survey

It helped 52% 75%

Didn’t help 29%17%

More Nervous 5%0%

Didn’t help/relaxing 9%0%

No Difference 5%4%

Didn’t do exercise 0%4%

Anne’s Math Survey

1st Final

I find myself doing math without paying

attention (often) 8%None

I watch my feelings without being

carried away by them (often) 30% 34 %

I find it difficult to stay focused on what

is happening in the present moment 21% 34%

(never)

Quotes and Inspiration

“That through mindfulness, students can learn to pay better attention in class, regulate their emotions, and develop stronger

social fluency. Through mindful breathing, walking and compassion practices, kids can develop neural linkages that foster a healthy

life.”

(The Way of Mindful Education, pgs. 33-34)

“greet everyone with direct attention and a sense of care”

(The Way of Mindful Education, pg. 96)

Quotes and Inspiration

Preliminary research is "beginning to show us the extent to which mindfulness offers students the key ingredients to living a

healthy, happy, and successful life."

(The Way of Mindful Education, pg.35)

"Mindfulness cultivates attention, compassion, happiness, and relaxation and decreases impulsivity anxiety and other difficult

emotional states."

(The Way of Mindful Education, pg.)

Student Testimonials - Margie

“Yes, and it helped a lot the last few math tests I got back I saw that I got better scores”

“I participate because it calms me and it makes me feel confident that I will get a good grade”

“I think you should do the mindfulness in math (next year) because it helps me stay focused and not all nervous on the score I’m going to get.”

Student Testimonials - AnneBefore doing the breathing exercise, “I felt a bit hyped up and nervous. Afterwards, I felt calm and positive.”

“Before, I felt that I couldn’t do the test, because I did not learn about fractions because I was sick. After, I felt more confident because I was relaxed.”

“I felt freaked out before doing the breathing exercise. I felt fine after breathing and I got higher!”

“Before we did the breathing exercise I was worrying and nervous. After we did the breathing exercise I felt relaxed and happy, not nervous. PS: THANK YOU!”

ReflectionsWe became more…

Mindful of the steps in math

Aware of student anxiety levels in the room

Aware of students who did not participate, therefore they did not have the tools to help them destress

Mindful of my own anxiety when students didn’t understand concepts

Aware of using mindfulness to help students with their own emotional intelligence

Aware of using mindfulness in all content areas!

Implementation

Introduce mindful breathing

Practice before math assessments or when anxiety was high

Work with students to determine the steps or procedures in math

Remind students to use mindfulness when they feel the need –for example during the state tests.