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Brainology: Teaching Students About Growth Mindset and the Zones of Regulation


Recently, our hallway brain board got a bit of a facelift.  We went from this....


to this...


I have to admit, I was a bit sad to take down the fixed and growth mindset self-talk.  We referred to them often with a lot of students.  They were really powerful.  But, alas, we must move on.

Crystal asked her students to draw what is inside their brain.  She didn't give them too many requirements.  Some chose to have their page oriented landscape, though most chose portrait.  Some chose to use one colour, while others had many.  If you know her children, they are actually very accurate and quite insightful!
At our school, we teach the Zones of Regulation school wide. 

Being that my students are in fourth grade, they have a fairly good understanding of the four Zones already.  To refresh their memories, we read the book "The Way I Feel."




Everyone folded a paper into 8 spaces.  The book showcases 13 emotions, so we had more than enough room to work with the front and back combined.  I read each emotion, but I didn't reveal the actual emotion.  My students had to guess.

Once they had guessed correctly, I projected the emotion on the SmartBoard with a corresponding Zones images.  This really helped a few of my low students with spelling.  Their job was to write the emotion and guess the Zone that emotion belongs in.  At the end of the book, we discussed each one.

Next, I assigned students a Zone.  They met with the other students of the same Zone to discuss all the emotions that would belong there.  They then returned to their desks where a poster was waiting for them.  The task was to write in their assigned Zone and fill in the face with an expression that properly represented the Zone.  Around the edges, they had to write a variety of emotions for the Zone.





I'm not thrilled with these photos.  I really need to bring my proper camera to school.  The iPhone just isn't cutting it.

I hope that these posters will be helpful to others as they pass by!  I know I've referred to them a few times.

Do you use the Zones of Regulation in your classroom or school?

Are you interested in even more bulletin board ideas? Do you want to save time by finding them all in one place? Follow the image or button below to grab your copy of my free bulletin board inspiration guide. 

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8 comments:

  1. What a great idea! We are starting zones of regulation in a few of my speech therapy groups. Is there any chance you could share the template for the face worksheet?

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    1. Send me an email at funinfourthmsgatt@gmail.com

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    2. Can you please email me the zone faces as well? Every time I try to download it as the freebie it constantly redirects me to sign up again. sarah.taylor@cfisd.net or sataylor2010@gmail.com thank you so much!

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  2. I'm just learning to teach growth mindset with my students. Thanks for sharing your ideas! I would be lost if I had to do this on my own!

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  3. I love this idea!! I spent many years as a para in an EBD classroom. We used the Zones. Now in a different district as a student teacher my co teacher and I want to introduce this as they are in the behavioral rooms. Wondering if I too can get the template for the face?! Thanks

    Trish

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    Replies
    1. email me at funinfourthmsgatt@gmail.com

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  4. I love designing 3D bulletin boards. What did you use to make the brain? Thank you!

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    1. Hi Lorie! I apologize as I am just now seeing this comment. We used plastic tablecloths from the dollar store. Scrunch and staple!

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