Meditation and the Classroom inventively articulates how educators can use meditation to educate the whole student. Notably, a number of universities have initiated contemplative studies options and others have opened contemplative spaces. This represents an attempt to address the inner life. It is also a sign of a new era, one in which the United States is more spiritually diverse than ever before. Examples from university classrooms and statements by students indicate benefits include increased self-awareness, creativity, and compassion. The religious studies scholars who have contributed to this book often teach about meditation, but here they include reflections on how meditation has affected them and their teaching. Until recently, though, even many religious studies professors would find sharing meditation experiences, let alone teaching meditation techniques, a breach of disciplinary and academic protocols. The value of teaching meditation and teaching about meditation is discussed. Ethical issues such as pluralism, respect, qualifications, power and coercion, and avoiding actual or perceived proselytization are also examined. While methods for religious studies are emphasized, the book provides valuable guidance for all those interested in this endeavor.

LEARN THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF MEDITATION IN THE CLASSROOM Meditation can be a potent practice for creating focus and facilitating learning in the classroom, for kindergarteners, grad students, and everyone in between. Longtime schoolteacher William Meyer has taught a variety of meditation techniques to students, fellow teachers, and parents with remarkable results. In Three Breaths and Begin, Meyer details how teachers can incorporate mindfulness into their curricula every day. He covers every aspect of teaching meditation, from creating a dedicated space in the classroom to meditating on field trips, in sports settings, and even in the midst of tragedy. Offering numerous ready-to-use scripted meditations, this insightful, practical, and loving guide will benefit anyone interested in the well-being of students — and, most of all, the students themselves.

A step-by- step and easy to understand guide to support teachers, social workers, and administrators in learning all of the techniques of the Calm Classroom program. The accompanying CDs and presented by the Luster Learning Institute's staff. An exact demonstration of how to implement each three minute modules is provided. The manual is fully illustrated and includes a comprehensive description of the following age appropriate techniques: * Twenty-five physical stretching movements, steady postures and relaxation techniques * Twelve breathing techniques to maintain alertness and energy * Twelve mental concentration and focusing methods * Templates and instructions for designing a unlimited variety of unique lesson plans

Based on the popular Soles of the Feet program, this groundbreaking resource for teachers offers a proven-effective, mindfulness-based intervention to reduce disruptive behavior in the classroom—so everyone can get back to learning. As a teacher, you know that some kids need extra help staying focused in the classroom. You’ve probably also lost countless hours of precious learning time in class due to student disruption. Whether kids are suffering from stress, a behavior disorder, or emotional issues—the good news is that there are real tools you can use to help children manage their feelings, stay on task, and reach their full potential. This book will show you how. In Mindfulness in the Classroom, two experts in the field of mindfulness research, child psychology, and school psychology offer a mindfulness-based intervention to help support a healthy learning environment. Based on the authors’ Soles of the Feet program, this book provides an evidence-based strategy to help you put a stop to disruptive behavior in the classroom, and help kids be their very best. Without early intervention for disruptive behaviors, many students will maintain these behaviors as adults. The Soles of the Feet program not only decreases disruptive behavior and increases teaching time, it also improves the long-term outcome for children experiencing behavior challenges—so they can thrive well into adulthood.

This introduction to meditation in education is written as a resource for class teachers and educators as a practical guide. Parents will also find it valuable, though its main focus is in using meditation in schools. The purpose of the book is to inspire and to provide concise, practical and general information, and techniques that can be considered and explored before introducing primary or secondary students to meditative experience.Meditation in schools covers such topics as:o information on schools where meditation is practiced, and the perceived resultso issues and concerns involved with introducing meditation in schoolso the relationship between mediation and other relaxation quieting techniqueso experiential learning and a holistic approach to educationThis essential guide is written from the contributors' personal and professional practice experience and emphasizes how meditation can contribute to the school environment and to the curriculum, as well as developing the positive potential of students' hearts and minds. It includes a useful section on further reading.

In today's schools, students and teachers feel unprecedented—even alarming—levels of stress. How can we create calmer classrooms in which students concentrate better and feel more positive about themselves and others? Author Thomas Armstrong offers a compelling answer in the form of mindfulness, a secular practice he defines as the intentional focus of one's attention on the present moment in a nonjudgmental way. In Mindfulness in the Classroom, Armstrong - Explains how mindfulness affects the structure and function of the brain. - Provides an overview of mindfulness as both a personal practice and a classroom methodology that aligns with such educational models as Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS), and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). - Shares and explains the extensive research that shows the positive effects of mindfulness practices in the classroom. - Describes how to adapt mindfulness for different grade levels, integrate it into regular school subjects, and implement it schoolwide. - Offers guidelines for teaching mindfulness responsibly, without religious overtones. Dozens of observations from teachers, students, researchers, and practitioners provide striking evidence of the power of mindfulness and offer hope to anyone who wants to make classrooms more productive places of learning.

A helpful guide to Christian meditation for children, which encourages adults to experience meditation themselves and equips them with the tools to introduce the practice to children.