How can change be powerful? Kids do it every day without any thought. They are constantly changing. Their bodies, their attitudes, their abilities, and their perceptions – both of the world around them and of themselves. And then, of course, there is the type of change that can be anxiety-provoking, a little scary, and full… Read More

There are a few things in life that are certain: paying taxes and change. You can’t escape change (or taxes) no matter how hard you try. Change is inevitable, it happens with or without our consent. Change isn’t always a bad thing! As educators, we see change every day with our students and with many… Read More

DIRECTIONS Think of all the things that keep you positive. Fill in your My Positive Pledge below. Print it out and post it in a place where you will see it every day. Kelly Mendoza is Senior Director, Education Programs at Common Sense Education where she oversees education programming and content strategy, including the Digital… Read More

During hard times and times of trouble, thinking positively might seem impossible. Life is no longer the same for you and your family, and it will likely be different moving forward. Everything has changed, and it’s hard to feel great when there’s uncertainty around us. But during dark times, though it can be difficult to… Read More

Back in my 20s, I read The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. This book changed me. When I was 19, my dad passed away unexpectedly. I had just started college. I struggled with issues of anger, fear, insecurity, and worry. I never considered how my own thoughts might be affecting me. But… Read More

Editor’s note: Learning in the Time of Coronavirus is a multi-part video interview series where, in each episode, we interview folks with a unique perspective on how Covid-19 is affecting education across the world – and how we can keep learning in spite of it. Mei Chen, Instructional Designer, born in China and making her life in… Read More

Editor’s note: Learning in the Time of Coronavirus is a multi-part video interview series where, in each episode, we interview folks with a unique perspective on how Covid-19 is affecting education across the world – and how we can keep learning in spite of it. Dr. Mary Jane Pearson, Chief Academic Officer, led the development of the… Read More

Editor’s note: Learning in the Time of Coronavirus is a multi-part video interview series where, in each episode, we interview folks with a unique perspective on how Covid-19 is affecting education across the world – and how we can keep learning in spite of it. In this episode, Elizabeth Cook, Senior National Advisor of Social-Emotional Health, shares… Read More

Here’s our favorite collection of book titles that support resilience-building in students. We’ve organized the list into three age groups: Ages: 4 – 8 (Grades 1 – 5) Ages: 8 – 12 (Grades 6 – 8) Young Adults (Grades 8 – 12) And don’t forget to share the list with your fellow teachers, students, parents,… Read More

Editor’s note: Learning in the Time of Coronavirus is a multi-part video interview series where, in each episode, we interview folks with a unique perspective on how Covid-19 is affecting education across the world – and how we can keep learning in spite of it. In this episode, Tom, an American citizen currently living in Berlin, talks… Read More

DIRECTIONS – Part 1 In the My Responsibilities section in the diagram, write your duties: the things that you must do and are responsible for doing (i.e., schoolwork, chores, etc.). In the My Activities section, write the things you like doing (e.g., riding your bike, making art, playing games, etc.). In the middle of the… Read More

We can start to recognize our feelings and our emotions by feeling them in our body. Can you identify where you feel certain emotions? DIRECTIONS First, color code the emotions in the provided area. Color in where you feel each emotion on your body outline. Draw an arrow to where you feel that emotion and… Read More

DIRECTIONS – Part 1 – Log Your Routine In order to create a well-balanced daily schedule, it is a good idea to first reflect on how you currently are spending your time: Pick a day. Then repeatedly ask yourself, “What am I doing today?” Use a simple log to keep track of the time you… Read More

When we feel stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed, we may say that our life is “out of balance.” And considering the drastic changes we’ve all faced due to the coronavirus – with shelter-in-place for most of us, schools shutting down and going online, working from home or our jobs being affected – we likely feel out… Read More