Birdseed: A Guide to Teaching Emotional Intelligence in the Primary & Secondary Classroom: Daily Activity to Foster Social-Emotional Development & Personal Growth

“Cat helps students bridge the gap between happiness and academic success by making both the practice of joy and the practice of writing a daily activity.”

~ Shawn Achor, New York Times bestselling author of Before Happiness and The Happiness Advantage.

Secondary Teachers and Homeschooling Parents: Enhance Your Classroom with a Positive Daily Bell-Ringer Activity!

Looking for an engaging way to start every class period? Discover Birdseed, a daily 5-10 minute activity that fosters social-emotional intelligence. Designed by a veteran teacher and endorsed by New York Times best-selling author and positive psychology expert Shawn Achor, by the MTSS coordinator for The Colorado Department of Education, and by psychologists, teachers, and students worldwide, Birdseed is a game-changer!

The Activity Shared in This Text is a MTSS Tier 1 Intervention:
The Impact of Relaxation on the Brain and Learning

When students' nervous systems are relaxed, their brains are better able to focus on learning. This is because a relaxed state activates the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for higher-order thinking, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. In a state of stress or anxiety, the brain shifts to the "fight or flight" response, driven by the amygdala, which hinders cognitive functions. By calming the nervous system, students can access their prefrontal cortex more effectively, enhancing their ability to concentrate and learn. Implementing these activities at the start of class can help create a calm and focused learning environment, enabling students to better engage with the instructional material.

A Simple Tier One Learning Support Strategy: Creating Predictable Daily Routines and Procedures

Establishing predictable daily routines and procedures in the classroom is crucial for creating a structured and stable learning environment. This predictability can have a profound impact on students’ nervous systems, particularly in how it affects their ability to learn and retain information.

Impact on the Nervous System:

1. Stress Reduction in The Classroom: When students know what to expect, it reduces anxiety and stress. The brain is less likely to trigger the "fight or flight" response, which is a physiological reaction to perceived threats.

2. Turning on the “Learning Centers” in Students' Brains: The brain operates more efficiently in a relaxed state. When students feel safe and calm, the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for higher-order thinking, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, is more active.

3. Reducing Hyper-vigilance in the Classroom: Students who are constantly on edge or hyper-vigilant due to unpredictable classroom environments or external factors may struggle to concentrate.

The daily Birdseed activity is a quick, engaging, and effective daily procedure that will relax your students' nervous systems and transform your classroom environment.

Inside Birdseed:

• 365 Inspirational Quotes: Organized by theme for easy reference.
• Daily Usage Guide: Transform your classroom environment with these practical, daily writing prompts.

Benefits of Birdseed:

• Smooth transitions into class
• Daily structure and routine
• Strengthens social skills and character development
• Orients students' minds for joy and success
• Establishes communication between teacher and students
• Creates a safe and welcoming environment
• Builds a sense of community within the classroom
• Promotes critical thinking and self-awareness
• Encourages reluctant writers
• Ideal for grades 4-12