"The BEST Self-Direction Toolkit is a collection of resources for teachers to use in the classroom for instruction and assessment that focuses on self-direction. The toolkit includes the self-direction rubric, self-direction activities and targeted resources for teachers. All tools are designed by teachers and tested in the classroom."

The kit includes activities, self reflections/assessments, rubrics and more!

Life can be overwhelming, anxiety invoking, and stressful. Sometimes we all need a healthy escape. This Virtual Calming Room was inspired by School Counselors and School Social Workers across the United States to help students locate tools and strategies to positively manage their emotions.

"Sitting Still Like a Frog Audio
Read by Myla Kabat-Zinn

The audio exercises included with Sitting Still Like a Frog are based on mindfulness-training exercises for adults and developed especially for children and their parents. They form the core of learning to be more mindful at different times throughout the day. You can do the exercises together with your child or children. Some kids like to do the exercises on their own, and many parents love doing the exercises themselves. You can do them sitting on the floor, on a couch or chair, or lying in bed.

To play the audio exercises in your web browser, click the links below. You can also go to SoundCloud directly and download all the tracks to your device or computer."

Social-emotional learning (SEL) instruction in small groups can be a great way to build student belonging and community—while also teaching key skills and competencies that students may need additional support with.

This toolkit includes a set of 6 facilitation guides for small-group SEL activities—complete with “how to” instructions for educators. These low-lift strategies are designed to help promote positive relationships while building students’ SEL skills.

Smiling Mind can be used with kids, teachers or parents - at school and at home!

"Smiling Mind is a non-for-profit web and app-based meditation program developed by psychologists and educators to help bring mindfulness into your life."

To use these mediation, you can use the website, or download the free app from the App Store or Google Play.

There are full programs for classrooms, specifically for teachers, kids as well as adults.

The Smithsonian Learning Lab puts the treasures of the world's largest museum, education, and research complex within reach. The Lab is a free, interactive platform for discovering millions of authentic digital resources, creating content with online tools, and sharing in the Smithsonian's expansive community of knowledge and learning.

Use the search tool to discover lots of resources on endless topics. The sky's the limit!

Spatulatta is a cooking website designed to introduce children to the culinary arts. The website aims to teach children basic cooking skills using easy to follow recipes with simple ingredients. You can find recipes for every meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And of course, there’s a section on children’s all-time favorite desserts and drinks.

The website gets recipes from different countries and cultures. The recipes for desserts and drinks make use of fruits and vegetables instead of artificial sugars to encourage healthier eating habits among kids. There’s also a variety of vegetarian recipes to help children overcome their fear of leafy greens. The Gerasole sisters (aged 9 to 11) demonstrate the recipes to provide assurance that kids can do them. Spatulatta is designed for children between the ages of eight to fourteen, but adults are always welcome to join.

"Physical signs of stress can include headaches, stiff joints, and sore stomachs. Due to our bodies’ own self-protective measures, we might not realize that we’re living with symptoms of stress for days, weeks, months, or years. To support you, Yoga Ed. has created this toolkit. In this toolkit, you will find body-based practices to manage stress and support your and your students’ physical and emotional wellbeing."

You will need to provide your email to download the kit.

Poses and exercises for:
*headaches
*tension
*tight shoulders
*back ache
*sore hands
*vertigo
*stomach ache
*jaw

Strong Minds make for Strong Kids
Strong Minds Strong Kids, Psychology Canada is committed to promoting the mental well-being of children and youth in Canada. We are dedicated to nurturing resilience in kids with the use of psychological science so they can manage, learn, and grow from the many challenges in life.

"TED-Ed is TED's youth and education initiative. TED-Ed's mission is to spark and celebrate the ideas of teachers and students around the world. ... TED-Ed has grown from an idea worth spreading into an award-winning education platform that serves millions of teachers and students around the world every week"

Students can:
1. Watch Video
2. Think (online quiz)
3. Dig Deeper
4. Discuss

Ages: 8-12

Start a conversation with your students about mental health and how taking care of our minds is just as important as taking care of our bodies.

Sometimes life can be overwhelming and it can be hard to work through difficult times. This Virtual Calming Room was designed to assist in identifying different strategies for managing emotions.

Resource Links:
-Sounds and Music
-Visual Relaxation
-Guided Practice
-Colouring & Create
-Live Cameras
-Smart Phone Apps

An authentic guide to learning about stress, anxiety, depression, self-awareness and wellness. included are TED Talks, definitions, causes, symptoms, triggers and reflections.Included is information and quizzes about stress, anxiety and depression. Also includes a 20+ Slide presentation about the role of the brain!

This video series from The Sun West DLC examines several simple tips and tricks that students, parents, and teachers can use to assist with their emotional, physical, intellectual, spirtual and social wellness.  Each video is approximately five minutes in length.