As a teacher, you know that it’s important to have high-energy lessons that capture your students’ attention and keep them engaged in learning. But what do you do when it’s time to calm the class down? Here are 5 tips for calming down that will help your students relax after a high-energy lesson.
Calming Tip #1: Use a consistent signal
Let your students know when it’s time to transition to a calmer activity by using a signal. This could be a clapping pattern, a song, or even just whispering “it’s time to calm down,” and having the students join in the whisper until the whole class is whispering in unison and ready for the next lesson.
Calming Tip #2: Read aloud from a chapter book
Choose a chapter book that your students will be interested in. Turn the lights down lower, let the students get comfortable, and let them escape into the imaginary world of a great story. This is a calming activity that can also be used as a transition to the next lesson. You can download a leveled list of great read-alouds right here.
Calming Tip #3: Get them moving
It might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes the best way to get students to calm down is to get them moving. Try some simple yoga poses or stretches that can help release tension.
Calming Tip #4: Breathe
Help your students focus on their breath and the present moment by leading a short breathing exercise. Have them close their eyes and breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of four, and then exhale for a count of four. Repeat this several times.
Calming Tip #5: Visualize
Help your students relax by having them visualize a calm place. This could be a beach, a meadow, or even their own bedroom. Have them close their eyes and imagine being in this peaceful place.
Now that you have a few tips for calming down that you can turn into classroom management strategies, don’t be afraid to try out a high-energy lesson such as setting up a holiday scavenger hunt with Christmas-themed task cards.
By using these back-to-focused tips for calming down, you can help your students transition from a high-energy lesson to a calm and focused state. Remember, it’s important to give them choices, get them moving, and help them focus on their breath. With a little practice, your students will be able to calmly transition into the next activity.
P.S.-If you need some extra classroom management ideas for the holidays, check out that blog post.