1. Calmers & Energizers The Reading Connection Energizers! 88 Quick Movement Activities that Refresh and Refocus by Susan LattanziRoser

2. Bananas…Unite! Peel Bananas, peel-peel bananas (x2) Peel to the left Peel to the right Peel down the middle And chomp! Take a bite Chomp, chomp! Take a bite Go bananas, go-go bananas! (x2) Video of Go Bananas:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytnbGpRmOqE&feature=related Go Bananas!

4. I’m walking, I’m walking, I’m walking Now I’m still I’m jumping, I’m jumping, I’m jumping Now I’m still Tips: Practice what it looks like to be “still” Remind kids that they’re to maintain their personal space and not bump into others Now I’m Still

5. Each time “1-2-3 calm down me” gets quieter. In the last 2 verses, the kids can say “calm down me.” 1-2-3 calm down me: run hands from the top of the head down the side of the head or face 1-2-3 calm down me: run hands from shoulders down arms to fingers -- opposite hands 1-2-3 calm down me: run hands from shoulders down chests and tummies 1-2-3 calm down me: run hands from hips down legs to feet -- opposite hands on legs Then have the kids sit down. From Arika Van Brunt, Center for Alexandria’s Children 1-2-3, Calm Down Me

6. Activities, Themes and Books Tailoring Your Read-Aloud to meet the needs of children under stress

7. Involve several senses, not just vision and hearing: Bring things to touch, smell or taste. Include humor, fun, excitement or comfort: Silly is good. Relate to the children’s interests: sports, dancing, cooking, strange or unusual things, pirates, mysteries, popular news, or games. Ask you kids about their interests! Encourage movement: Act out stories, play games, dance, build things. Allow kids to practice communicating in a pro-social way: Make time for conversation and expression of ideas and opinions. Activities that reduce stress and strengthen connections

8. Explore cause and effect: What happens next? Why did that happen? Allow kids to explore empathy and perspective-taking: How would it feel if? Explore persistence Explore feelings Topics that are of high interest to the kids Themes that support children under stress

9. Books that support kids under stress Explore a range of emotions Feature characters with diverse ethnicities and backgrounds The Brown Bookshelf: http://thebrownbookshelf.com/ Anita Silvey’s multicultural list: http://childrensbookalmanac.com/category/multicultural/ WETA’sColorinColorado: http://www.colorincolorado.org/read/forkids Winners of the Coretta Scott King Award: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/emiert/cskbookawards/recipients.cfm

10. Books that show kids solving problems on their own Picture Books Novels

11. Volunteer Techniques Ways you can help kids at your Read-Aloud get the most out of their TRC experience

12. Use TRC’s Promises From the experts: Start with only a few rules. Be sure you know why you are saying no. Give your kids a voice. When setting limits, use the language of choices. Always be consistent. How do you/could you use them at your site?

13. More techniques Volunteers Experts say this helps foster Come prepared to lead with confidence Talk to the kids on their eye level and one-on-one Use nametags and call the kids by name Only adults read aloud to the group Reduced anxiety from adults Attachment, creating a safe environment, recognition Attachment, recognition Reduced anxiety from adults, creating a safe environment, security

14. A brain under stress makes unconscious responses. Telling a child under stress what TO DO will be more effective than telling them what NOT TO DO: “Don’t Run” versus “Please Walk” The stressed brain hears “run” Give kids positive direction for best results. Use Positive Statements

15. Follow this link to find handouts for the material covered in this presentation: http://www.slideshare.net/readingconnection/energizers-compliation-handout-8646711 Related Handouts

16. Stephanie Berman 703.528.8317 ext. 10 sberman@thereadingconnection.org Questions or Comments