Happy Teacher Appreciation and Education Week for the first week of May! This week is a time for students, educators, parents, and community members to celebrate teachers and student achievement. We use this week to bring attention to the appreciation educators deserve for their endless dedication to our communities.
This week is also a time to reflect on student excellence and how it creates a better society. Without educators students would not be able to achieve this excellence, so we also celebrate your dedication to educating our youth and creating a better society! Teaching can also be a challenging profession. If you know a teacher, thank them this week! If you are a teacher, thank you for being YOU!
We have found some of the best resources and tools to help educators practice self-care, encourage our communities to celebrate educators, and bring attention to the many student achievements that occur because of our outstanding educators.
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got a series of videos available right now to access on the X Movement Classroom online platform!
Have your students write a thank you note to the educators at your school, including YOU. Ask other classrooms to do it. Join this into one big book of appreciation for educators.
2. Reset week
Educating can be draining, and educators need to care for themselves too. Use this week to put the same energy into YOU that you put into others. You deserve it! Click here for ways to reset and practice self-care.
3. #ThankaTeacher
Social media is a great way to show your appreciation and support for educators. Use #ThankaTeacher and add a thank you note to a teacher in your life or educators in general. Find some inspiration and appreciation here.
4. Student Achievement Day
Get your students to come up with several awards: “kindest student,” “most athletic,” “greatest sense of humor,” “greatest at science,” and more. Students can vote for a student for each award and celebrate this student's excellence.
5. Trivia Day
What better way to celebrate Education Week than to play a fun game that educates everyone participating? Break your classroom into groups and play some trivia. The group with the most points wins a prize!
External
Resources
Click here for a relaxing meditation to practice self-care.
More on the history of Teacher Appreciation week here.
Click here to learn more about statistics on how much teachers matter in our lives!
Every kid needs a champion by Rita Pierson. Click here
Reflection
Questions
1. How can you celebrate educators today?
2. How do educators and student excellence help make the world a better place?
3. Who are some people who show student excellence in the past and present?
4. Who is a teacher in your life you are grateful for? Why?
5. How can educators practice self-care this week?
Next Digest:
Mother's Day - May 8th 2022
Share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to bring Teacher Appreciation and Education Week awareness. We all can work together to create communities that value student excellence and achievements and celebrate the educators that help to create such eXtraordinary learning environment.
Love+Celebrate,
- The X Fam
Teach Children
To Save Day
April 28th 2022
Hi X'ers,
Happy Teach Children To Save Day for this Thursday! This day is celebrated every year in April since 1977 to bring awareness to saving money from an early age.
Did You Know?
Every year, the date of this day changes so in 2022, Teach Children To Save Day falls on April 28th with the focus to help the country’s youth develop financial strength. Studies show that learning to save money at a tender age like yours develops a habit of managing ends efficiently and can create a path of living a secure life in the aging years. In America, bankers across the country volunteer and visit educational institutions every year to teach children to save by offering tools and resources through events across the country.
Learning the skill of valuing, using, and saving money can get the kids ready to face the world. So, let’s look at some ways to do exactly that on this day!
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got a a series of videos available right now to access on the X Movement Classroom online platform!
Give every child their own jar(bank). And ask them to save money every week. It helps if the bank is clear so that they can see their savings grow.
2. Saving incentives
Involve the parents in this activity. Ask them to give their kids an incentive x amount to put in their jar if their jar money exceeds another certain amount.
3. Classroom discussions
Have a discussion as a class and ask the students to set saving goals for themselves. This will allow them to learn to save for an incentive
4. Spending diary
Once the goals are set and the bank is ready to use, get the students to maintain a diary of all their expenses. This will give them an idea of how much they can spend to save for their ultimate goal.
5. Educate them
Research different jobs around the world and how people earn money as a class and let the kids write down 5 reasons why they think saving is important.
5. What will you buy from the money you have saved?
Next Digest:
Teacher Appreciation & Education Week - May 2nd 2022
Don't forget to share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to celebrate Teach Children To Save Day!
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
International Dance Day
April 29th 2022
Hi Xer's,
International Dance Day is just around the corner! This day celebrates the amazing diversity and talent of dancers globally.
What is International Dance Day?
The dance committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) created this day in 1982 as a global celebration of dance. It is celebrated on April 29th every year since it is the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, the creator of modern ballet.
Did You Know?
Every year an outstanding dance personality is selected to write a message for this day. ITI also holds a Gala Celebration in a host city. There are dance performances, educational workshops, humanitarian projects, speeches made by ambassadors, dignitaries, dance personalities, and the selected Message Author for that year. Beyond the Gala itself, ITI Centres across the globe are encouraged to mark April 29th in their own country through special educational initiatives, humanitarian drives, dance performances, and festivals.
The day is a celebration day for those who can see the value and importance of the art form of dance and acts as a wake-up call for governments, politicians, and institutions which have not yet recognized its value to the people. Let’s look at how we can help in their initiative with our brilliant X’ers!
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got a a series of videos available right now to access on the X Movement Classroom online platform!
Research the different dance styles from yesteryear and try to learn a move or two. Revisiting our past is always a fun game!
2. Freeze Dance Painting
Get the students to step on paint and then play freeze dance with them on a giant sheet of paper. They have to dance exactly the way you tell them to and then hang up the colorful sheet of paper to remember this day.
3. Celebrate Uniqueness
Challenge students to learn a few dance moves from one dance style around the world. Let them celebrate how unique every dance form and culture is!
4. Learn with dance
Dancing isn’t just fun. It also has a lot of other benefits. Get the students to discuss the different health and wellness benefits dance offers.
5. Make your own dance
Allow the kids to be creative and make up their own dance form full of their favorite dance moves and much more!
Don't forget to share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to celebrate International Dance Day!
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
Earth Day
April 22nd 2022
Hi Xer's,
Every April 22nd since 1970, we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement and demonstrate support for environmental protection on this day.
Did You Know?
In 1970, Denis Hayes, a young activist, built a national staff of 85 to promote events across America. The effort soon broadened to include many organizations, faith groups, and others. Hence, the first Earth Day in 1970 inspired 20 million Americans to take to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate against the impact of 150 years of industrial development, which had left a growing legacy of severe human health impacts.
Today, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and create global, national, and local policy changes.
Now, the fight for a clean environment continues with increasing urgency as the ravages of climate change become more and more apparent every day. Let’s look at how WE can contribute and make a difference with our extraordinarily talented X’ers!
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got a a series of videos available right now to access on the X Movement Classroom online platform!
Organize a walk in the park and get kids to observe and fall in love with everything natural that our planet offers.
2. Scavenger hunt
As an extension to the first activity, you can also prepare a list of natural things the kids have to do and spot during their walk. This will help them deepen their connection with nature and understand it better.
3. Plant a tree
As a class, you can plant a small sapling in your school garden or just bring a seed jar for the kids to enjoy the process of planting and taking care of our nature.
4. Brainstorm ways to go green
Ask the students to prepare a list of ways they can protect the planet and contribute at home, in school, or their community.
5. Take a pledge
As an extension to the previous activity, once every student has prepared their list, ask them to promise to start doing these things and have them record it for weekly rewards.
3.Read this article for more suggestions of activities to do with kids on Earth Day.
Reflection
Questions
1. What does Earth Day mean to you?
2. Why do you think we should protect the environment?
3. Why is the environment important to you?
4. How can you contribute to protecting the planet?
5. How will you celebrate Earth Day this year?
Next Digest:
International Dance Day - April 29th 2022
Don't forget to share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to celebrate Earth Day!
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
World Health Day
April 7th, 2022
Hi Xer's,
World Health Day is celebrated annually on 7 April and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The theme for 2022 is "Our Planet, Our Health". Watch this video to learn more about this years theme!
In the midst of a pandemic, a polluted planet, increasing diseases like cancer, asthma, heart disease, on World Health Day 2022, WHO will focus global attention on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being.
WHO estimates that more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes. This includes the climate crisis which is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. The climate crisis is also a health crisis.
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got a World Health Day video available right now to access on the X Movement Classroom online platform!
Promoting world health isn’t just about diet and exercise, it’s about promoting mental health as well. In these trying times, students may be feeling anxious because their normal everyday routine has been uprooted. To help combat some of that anxiety, students can practice mindful meditation.
2. Promote Healthy Eating
Just as cars need fuel to run properly, our bodies need healthy food to function at their best. It’s important that students learn how nutrition affects their health and how eating the proper foods can not only make them feel better but keep them healthy.
3. Dance, Dance, Dance!
Most kids love to dance, and there's something about music that lightens the day. Have your children create playlists and crank up that music. You can even create dance routines together!
4. Hand-washing Song
Hand-washing is a super important topic to regularly cover and remind everyone of (not just children!), especially given the COVID-19 pandemic. This song to the tune of 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat" is another fun one to add to your repertoire.
5. Thank a frontline worker
As a class, put together a letter or cards thanking a frontline worker. You could also share these messages virtually with posts on a classroom or school Twitter account!
Reflection
Questions
1. What does the term 'health' mean to you?
2. What are some things you could do as an individual, or as a class, to help build a fairer and healthier world?
3. Why do you think it is important to have a wholistic approach to health?
4. What are some conditions people might have no control of, that could effect their physical health?
5. What's one small habit or behaviour you could change to positively impact your own mental health?
Next Digest:
Earth Day - April 22nd 2022
We know you'll get some great use out of these resources, so be sure to share them with your school community, colleagues, family and friends!
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
Autism Acceptance Month
April 2022
Hi Xer's,
April is Autism Acceptance Month. This is celebrated to increase acceptance for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and come together to advocate for inclusion. This month is about moving beyond awareness, towards acceptance and improved understanding by encouraging autistic individuals to be who they are. The classroom and home are great places to start doing so!
Did You Know?
ASD is a developmental disorder where traits generally appear in the first two years of life. 1 in 160 people will be diagnosed with ASD in any given year. Although traits of autism tend to appear at the early stages in life, a diagnosis of autism can occur at any age. There are many myths about who can be autistic, but the truth is that the autistic community is a part of every race, religion, income level, gender, age, and more.
Autism exists on a spectrum, which is where the "spectrum" comes into play in ASD. Spectrum refers to a variation in the type and severity of traits autistic individuals experience. Due to this, there is no proper way to be autistic or no magic list of traits that describes all autistic people. Some can speak, some communicate in other ways. Some need a lot of help; some only need a little.
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got a a series of videos available right now to access on the X Movement Classroom online platform!
Autistic children are much more likely to be bullied due to their everyday struggle with friendships and socialization. Have your class sign a sticky note saying they will not bully, and place these on your board for everyone who enters the class to see.
2. Autism fact share!
Create teams within your class. Have each group come up with a list of facts about autism. Get them to research as many as they can! Once done, have them share with their classmates. The team with the most points wins a prize!
3. Education on autism
Have your students learn about the various ways in which autistic individuals cope with the world. Get students to join teams and list the different ways! Learning about how autistic individuals cope can help everyone learn acceptance.
4. Fundraiser for acceptance
Students can participate in various community activities, such as mowing the lawn, washing cars, and planting trees and flowers. The money they earn can go towards your chosen organisation that increases acceptance for the autistic community.
5. Neurodivergence trivia
Break your classroom into small groups. All students take turns answering questions to understand neurodivergence more-get some trivia questions here. The group with the highest score wins a prize!
External
Resources
We have found some of the best resources and tools to help educate our communities on ASD, promote understanding and inclusion, and increase acceptance.
5.Click here to find common myths concerning autism.
Reflection
Questions
1. How can we move beyond awareness of ASD towards acceptance?
2. What is neurodivergence?
3. How does society benefit from neurodiversity?
4. How can you take action to make our communities more inclusive of neurodivergence?
5. How has our understanding of ASD evolved?
Next Digest:
World Health Day - April 7th 2022
Share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to bring awareness to ASD. We all can work together to create environments in our community that are inclusive, safe, and diverse and respect the needs of those with ASD.
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
World Water Day
March 22nd 2022
Hi X'ers,
World Water Day is coming up on March 22nd. Since 1993, this day has been held every March to bring awareness to the billions of people across the globe that do not have access to clean water, and to bring focus to how important freshwater is. One goal this day hopes to help with is water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Did You Know?
2.2 billion people worldwide are without clean drinking water. This contaminated water puts people at risk for contracting numerous bacterial diseases. Our growing population, climate change and the increasing demands of agriculture and industry all worsen the impact of this water shortage. Each of us can play an important part in reducing this threat and advocate to bring clean water to everyone on earth! Water plays a vital role in our society, and has value in households, food, culture, health, education, economics, and the environment. We need to look into each of these values in order to manage our water supply well. We all can work together to protect this vital resource and to learn about what water means to different people. Individuals are often left without access to clean water for various reasons-poverty, disability, age, race, and nationality, are among a few. Today, we work to tackle this water crisis and create equal access for all.
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got a World Water Day Video, plus a reflection journal available right now to access on X Movement Classroom!
The following activities can help students learn about the water crisis and take actions to help solve it.
1. Clean water and sanitation challenge
Research the different levels of water scarcity around the world. List the top 3 countries with the least access to water. Have students come up with ways to solve the scarcity of water in these countries. The team with the most solutions, wins a prize!
2. Educational series
Play documentaries, videos, and short films to have students learn about the importance of clean water. You can find some documentaries here.
3. Save water day!
Every time a student uses water, have students think of ways in which they can save water. For example, instead of leaving the tap running to brush their teeth, they can use a cup of water. Ways to save water can be found here.
4. Win calendar
Post a calendar in your classroom for a month. Place one goal that the class needs to meet a day in relation to saving water. If the class meets these goals, they win for the day, and get a prize!
5. Water footprint
All students keep a chart of how much water they are consuming for a week. You can then measure their water footprint here. The student with the smallest footprint wins!
External
Resources
There are numerous resources that can help drive conversations to help create a world where everyone has access to clean water.
1.Click here for some activities you can do in the classroom with your students.
2. Educational resources for World Water Day can be found here.
3.Here you can learn about the importance of a working toilet in accessing clean drinking water.
5.Ted Talk on a country with an abundance of oil and power, but a lack of water.
Reflection
Questions
1. How can you help to end the water crisis?
2. Why do you think it is important to have access to clean water?
3. What does clean water mean to you?
4. What is one way you waste water that you can start changing?
5. What environmental and social factors impact access to clean water?
Next Week:
World Autism Day - April 2nd 2022
Make sure to share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to bring awareness to the water crisis and all the ways we can work together for access to clean water for all.
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
International Women's Day
March 8th 2022
Hi X'ers,
Happy International Women’s Day for this coming Tuesday! Every March 8th since 1977, we celebrate the social, cultural, economic, and political achievements that women worldwide have accomplished over the years!
What is Women’s Day?
In the 1970s, women’s groups worked with labor organizations asking for equal pay and opportunities, reproductive rights, and child care. After which, the United Nations declared that March 8 would be an official UN holiday for women’s rights and world peace in 1977!
Did You Know?
International Women’s Day dates back to 1911 when millions of women banded together to fight for their right to be treated equally as men! After many protests and marches worldwide, women were given the right to vote and work! This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias, which focuses on inclusivity and dismantling stereotypes to help forge women’s equality! We can help do this by raising awareness about the work that still has to be done today and promoting empathy by coming together once again, just like in 1911, to help create a better world for our future generations!
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got an International Women's Day Video, plus a reflection journal available right now to access on X Movement Classroom!
Students can create a collage of all the women who inspire them, from their friends and family to leaders around the world!
2. Write letters:
As an extension of the first activity, ask the students to write letters to these inspirational women and let them know why they admire them.
3. Become world leaders:
The students can each write five issues that they think women face in their everyday lives and then come up with solutions to fix them.
4. Get curious:
Challenge students to interview one woman in their life and learn about the different struggles they face every day.
5. Get involved:
The color purple symbolizes women, so ask the students to wear purple and take a class photo to make a statement and celebrate this day by joining the #InternationalWomensDay movement on social media or just in your school.
External
Resources
1. Watch this inspiring video demonstrating the history of International Women’s Day.
2. Read a chapter from this book to help them understand feminism better.
3. Play this video to show them all the incredible achievements of women in history
Reflection
Questions
1. Is there a role you can play in International Women's day this year?
2. Why is it important that we live in a balanced world?
3. Can you think of any professions in which women outnumber men? Why do you think that this is the case?
4. What are some stereotypes some people may have about women? Why is this not good/healthy?
5. Do you think that women are underrepresented in any aspects of modern Canadian life?
Next Week:
World Water Day - March 22nd 2022
Make sure to share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community!
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
National Nutrition Month
March 2022
Hi X'ers,
This March is National Nutrition Month, which was started by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. We celebrate and acknowledge how choosing healthy food options helps to improve our overall health. Making this conscious decision can help us function better throughout the day, get tasks done, and keep us strong. This email includes fun activities for the classroom, extra resources for teachers and parents, and some reflection questions.
This digest will help provide activities to apply National Nutrition Month to our lives!
Did You Know?
Worldwide, around 45% of child deaths are due to malnourishment, and 31.5% of children ages 5-17 in Canada are either obese or overweight. We can reduce these rates and build healthier communities by providing children with the knowledge they need to make healthy choices. Asking students to come up with meals for each food group, and then planning out healthy meals throughout the week is one way to do so. Click here to see Canada’s Food Guide for a complete list of food groups.
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got National Nutrition Month videos, plus a reflection journal available right now to access on X Movement Classroom!
Remind students they won’t perform their best on activities or be able to concentrate on tasks if they’re not eating healthy! Support, reflection questions, and resources can help students lead healthier lives!
1. Nutrition trivia:
You can use Kahoot to create your own or use existing trivia on nutrition-related topics! Click here!
2. Know your veggies and fruits:
Some students don’t know all the different kinds of vegetables or fruits which can affect their willingness to try new things! See how many your class can name and see who's tried what.You can click here for vegetables and here for fruit ideas!
3. Gartic Phone:
Using this website, ask a student to write down a healthy food, and have other students draw this food. It is a fun online game that can help students learn about different healthy foods, and improve their spelling skills!
4. Healthy goals calendar:
Teachers can make a healthy goal calendar for the students. Each day in March, there can be a goal for the students to try to achieve. Some examples of goals that the teacher can set are: eat a fruit today, drink 8 glasses of water, eat something containing vitamin A, etc.
External
Resources
There are plenty of resources parents and teachers can use during National Nutrition Month to help children lead healthier lives. Learn more about this month here.
See the benefits of eating healthy:
What are the benefits of eating healthy? Click here!
Clickhere to watch an insightful and inspirational Ted Talk about eating healthier.
Reflection
Questions
1. Did you have food group balanced meals today?
2. What motivates you to eat better?
3. Why do you think people don’t eat healthy? How can we change that?
4. How can you motivate students in the classroom to eat more balanced meals?
5. How can the school promote or provide healthier meals to the community?
Next Week:
International Women's Day - March 8th 2022
Make sure to share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to encourage everyone to live more balanced lives! Let’s all pledge to eat healthy and create communities with stronger minds and bodies!
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
Pink Shirt Day
February 23rd 2022
Hi Xer's,
On February 23rd join us in Pink Shirt Day, and take a stand against bullying. Pink Shirt Day has been celebrated on the last Wednesday in February every year since 2007 when a student was bullied by their classmates for wearing pink. Two of their fellow students took a stand against this homophobic bullying, and distributed pink shirts to the rest of the school to make this student feel included. We use today to recognize the importance of safe, supportive, and welcoming schools that encourage everyone to be who they are.
Did You Know?
1 out of every 3 students in Canada reports being bullied each year. Students that are LGBTQ+, BIPOC, have a disability, or are a part of another marginalized group are significantly more likely to report having been bullied. Today we bring attention to homophobic bullying-and the harm it can cause LGBTQ+ individuals. We devote today to practicing kindness, and the power of not being a bystander.
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got a Pink Shirt Day video, plus a reflection journal available right now to stream on X Movement Classroom!
Create a wall in your classroom specific to anti-bullying. Get all of your students to write/draw their commitment to anti-bullying on a pink piece of paper. Then put them all together to make a pink shirt and declare your classroom an anti-bullying zone.
2. Spread Kindness
Have every student create a kindness journal, with a list of kind acts they can do for their classmates, family, friends, and others in the community to make people feel included.
3. Educational Video Series
Spend some time with your students watching videos of students who have taken part in anti-bullying campaigns and awareness videos, to teach students how each of them has the ability to do the same. These videos can inspire kids to be a part of the change and commit to create initiatives to stand against bullying.
4. Sea of Pink
Encourage your students not only to wear pink for Pink Shirt Day, but to understand the meaning behind why we do so. If they don’t have a pink shirt, hand them a pink ribbon, sticker or pin. Take a picture of your class wearing pink, and have your principal post these pictures as a collage in the office.
5. Resource Share!
Create teams within your class for a game. Have each team come up with a list of resources for anti-bullying. Get them to research as many as they can. Once done, post the resources in a Google doc for your students, and have them share with their classmates, and others. The team with the most resources, wins a prize!
General
Resources
1. Click here to find a list of activities for you to do with your students.
2. Ideas for resources to share with your community are here.
3. Order a mini-pride kit here to show solidarity for your LGBTQ+ students.
4. Tips for how to talk to your students or children about bullying can be found here.
5. What are some things we can say or do when we see someone being bullied?
Next Week:
Nutrition Month - March 2022
Make sure to share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to bring awareness to anti-bullying initiatives and resources. We all can work together to create a positive change in the lives of those being bullied, and create a community without hate.
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 17th 2022
Hi X'ers,
Happy Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Day for this Thursday! Every 17th of February, we perform and encourage kind gestures to celebrate this day.
What is RAK Day 2022?
This year’s theme is ‘Make Kindness The Norm’ since the work to create a kinder world should never end. So, let’s celebrate this day and remember to perform kind gestures all year round.
The Random Acts Of Kindness (RAK) Non-Profit Foundation was founded in 1995 by Will Glennon in the U.S, but the first RAK Day celebration began in 2004 in New Zealand. Different countries celebrate on different days, like in Perth, it is celebrated on November 4th, in New Zealand on September 1st, and in the U.S and Canada on February 17th.
The days are different but the goal remains the same. No kind act is big or small and you can contribute by letting someone go ahead in line, buying flowers for someone, writing an encouraging note, or anything that puts a smile on someone’s face! Since celebrations become more significant when we come together, here’s a list of classroom activities that you can do to encourage the kids to choose kindness today, tomorrow, and forever!
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got activities related to kindness and gratitude, plus a reflection journal available right now to stream on X Movement Classroom!
A kind smile can make someone’s day! Assign kids in groups for every session to greet their friends at the classroom door when they come in.
2. Kindness for the classroom:
Every group of students will be assigned tasks like bringing a pot plant for the class, making a poster, cleaning up all the desks, etc.
3. Donations:
These don’t always have to be big. Students can just donate their old books to the library or bring their old clothes to a charity. Remind the students that every little action makes a huge difference!
4. Make a playlist
Encourage students to write sweet notes for their parents, guardians, or even the principal to make their day!
5. Kindness treasure hunt:
"Kindness done to others will be done to you!" Students in every class will paint rocks with pretty pictures or positive sayings and hide them in the playground for other students to find.
2. Enter the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation’s coloring contest as a class
3. Play videos from this channel to learn more about the power of kindness.
Reflection
Questions
1. What does kindness mean to you?
2. What is the kindest thing you have ever done to someone and vice versa?
3. Why do you think being kind is important?
4. Who is the most thoughtful person you know?
5. How will you spread kindness?
Make sure to share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to help celebrate kindness!
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
Celebrating Black History Month
February 2022
Hi Xer's,
The celebration of Black History Month dates back to Carter G. Woodson, a historian who proposed we set aside time to acknowledge the accomplishments of Black folks. Black history month began as a week in 1926 however, in 1995 the first Black woman elected to Parliament, Jean Augustine, officially pushed for it to be recognized as a month-long celebration in February. It was not until 2008 that this was recognized by the Canadian senate after being brought forth by the first Black man appointed, senator Donald Oliver.
While there is great celebration and pride to be had in these accomplishments, the significance of Black History Month lies in the absence of Black history, accomplishments, and celebrations in the other remaining eleven months. Celebrating Black History Month is important and it is just as important to create the opportunity to include the Black experience all year round.
In a very blatant anti-Black climate, as educators, it is important to prioritize ways to connect Black, Indigenous, and racialized students to their history consistently. It is vital to connect all students to this history as a way of building community in the classroom and moving past single stories about what the past has been and what the future may hold.
Being critical about race requires a lot of time and challenges so to make this easier we have created these tips, reflections, journals and video to help celebrate this February.
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got an activity with our Energizer Seth plus a reflection journal to celebrate Black History Month, available right now to stream for free on X Movement Classroom!
5 Tips For Integrating Black History Month Into Your Everyday Classroom:
1. Practice what you preach:
If you don’t know, read: Challenge yourself to read a book about anti-Black racism.
2. You may not be the right person but assume you are the ONLY person:
As their teacher, it is your responsibility to be comfortable with including and discussing race.
3. Representation matters
When choosing classroom materials (books, articles, topics, etc.) make a conscious effort to include a generous amount of Black, Indigenous, Racialized materials.
4. Don’t assume:
It can cause a lot of harm to students if you make assumptions or judgements about their experiences. Ask questions, be open to learning from them and with them. It is okay to not have all the answers.
5. Be compassionate:
Understand that your experience is not their experience and their experience is not yours. Find ways to connect, not avoid.
1. Is our educational approach multicultural if my school/class still centres on eurocentric holidays, culture, and history as the benchmark?
2. Am I making assumptions about students' backgrounds without the knowledge or experience required?
3. Am I ignoring race in my classroom by not including lesson plans, activities, and materials that not only include but support Black students?
4. Am I aware of my limits as an educator when it comes to matters of race and am I doing something about it?
5. Am I paying attention to the historical and ongoing trauma caused by schools towards Black, Indigenous, and racialized students?
Next Digest
Celebrate Love Day - February 2022
Make sure to share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to help celebrate Black History Month!
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
Bell Let's Talk Day
January 26th, 2022
Hi X'ers,
Bell Let’s Talk Day is on January 26th, 2022. This day has been held every January since 2010 as a way to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness and promote mental health.
What is Mental Health? What is Mental Illness?
Mental health is our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
Mental illnesses are health conditions that are associated with distress and/or problems with functioning. They involve changes in the way a person thinks, feels, or behaves. A mental illness is a diagnosed condition.
One can have a mental illness and still have periods of good mental health. On the other end, one can have good mental health, and still have periods of distress, but not to the extent that they will be diagnosed with a mental illness.
Did You Know?
Mental illness does not discriminate, and will affect everyone on earth, either directly or indirectly, in their lifetime. Each year, 1 in 5 of us will be diagnosed with a mental illness. Some populations are more susceptible to mental illness, due to inequity in society-racism, poverty, homelessness, discrimination, and gender-based violence can all negatively affect mental health and increase a person's chances of developing a mental illness. Bell Let’s Talk Day is a chance to start the conversation around how to decrease these inequities in society to have a positive impact on our communities mental health.
X Movement
Classroom Activity
We've got an activity with our Energizers plus a reflection journal to celebrate Bell Let's Talk Day, available right now to stream on X Movement Classroom!
Encourage your students to be open about their mental health and how they are feeling in the classroom. Display an emotion wheel in your classroom to promote this. You can find an X Movement emotion wheel here.
2. Educational series
Research myths and stigmatizing language in relation to mental illness.We all play a role in debunking these myths. Three of them are listed in the video above, and you can find a list of stigmatizing words, myths and phrases here.
3. Be an ally
For those with a mental illness, one of the most difficult things they go through is the stigma behind the illness. You as an educator can help to act as an ally to your students with mental illness, by making sure your classroom is stigma free. If you see a student or staff member speak negatively about mental illness, speak up, and don’t let it slide.
Make sure all children know about the value of inclusion in group activities. Use a buddy system in your class, so that every student has at least one person they can turn to when wanting to do an activity.
4. Create an environment that encourages self-care!
Speak to your students about what items or activities would help them keep calm or what activities they enjoy doing that uplift their mood. Have each student create a list of these activities. Encourage your students to regularly complete at least one item from their list. Each day, you can ask them to write on the chalkboard what self-care task they completed.
External Resources
There are numerous resources that we can all use in order to help start the conversation about mental health. Here is a handbook to guide your conversations in the classroom.
1. Click here for activities in the classroom that promote mental health awareness.
2. Learn about how your actions can have a positive impact of those with a mental illness here.
3. Here you can find out about the different types of mental illnesses, and how they can be treated.
4. Check out these podcasts on how to be inclusive to those with a mental illness:
- How to create an inclusive workplace for other staff-click here.
- How to foster positive talk about mental health in schools, at home and in the community-click here.
- Click here for a number of podcasts on creating mentally healthy communities.
Self Reflection
1. What does mental health mean to you?
2. What is one way you practice self-care?
3. What is one action you can take to make the world more inclusive for those with a mental illness?
4. Why do you think Bell Let’s Talk Day is important?
5. What are some actions you can take if you spot warning signs of mental illness in someone?
Next Digest
Black History Month - February 2022
Make sure to share this email and these resources with staff and the wider community to bring awareness to mental health, and how to make our community more inclusive to those with a mental illness.
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
Human Rights Day
Friday December 10th, 2021
Hi Xer's,
Happy Human Rights Day! On Friday we celebrate EQUALITY - reducing inequalities and advancing human rights. Human Rights Day has been celebrating equality every December 10th, since 1948!
What Are Human Rights?
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.
Did You Know?
Human Rights Day is the heart of all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that we learned about on United Nations Day. In 2015 the United Nations shared 17 SDGs as a part of their 2030 agenda. These goals provide a framework to streamline collective efforts. Click here to learn more!
Here's what you, me and all our Extraordinary students can do Friday: help the United Nations! Yes! Every change begins at home, and every act of humanity starts with a single human. Just think of all the ways we can contribute to making our world a peaceful place. Let's dive right in!
X Movement Classroom Recourses & Activities
We've got an activity with our Energizers: Ren, Smiley and Gummy Bear PLUS a reflection journal, available right now to stream with your X Movement Classroom membership!
Challenge the entire class to develop 17 goals to help the world! They can overlap with the United Nations' existing ones, but we bet there will be some creative goals that will be just as important.
2. Exercise the Right to Expression
Have the students make posters / creative presentations about human rights. The sky's the limit for their imagination! They can create songs, videos or even prepare a dance.
3. Same and Different
Show the students a photo from any community in the world and ask them to list the similarities and differences. Click here to learn more about this activity!
4. Become Activists
Start a petition, volunteer, bring food to the homeless shelter! Pave the way, as a class! There are so many ways to create a difference in the world by providing a small helping hand.
5. Show and Tell
Get the students to pair up and discuss their favourite human rights with the other. The other student will tell the class what they learned or show a drawing or an essay!
External
Resources:
1. Click here to see an excellent video that summarizes Human Rights.
2. Here are some additional fun activities to do with younger students.
2. Describe a time when you felt completely at peace.
3. Have you ever helped another human in need?
4. What more do you want to learn about human rights?
5. How can you contribute to bringing more peace in your own community/school?
Next Digest
Universal Health Coverage Day - December 12th
Don't forget to share this with your staff and school community!
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
International Volunteer Day
Sunday December 5th, 2021
Hi X'ers,
Welcome to the International Volunteer Day digest! We celebrate the power of selfless acts on this coming day. It has been celebrated every year on December 5th since 1985 by the UN! The goal of this day is to focus on all the hard work volunteers do and the impact they make. Organizations and individuals that encourage volunteerism can promote it on this day!Click here to learn more.
Did You Know?
There are around 970 million volunteers, who give their time and energy freely for the benefit of others, worldwide helping at local, national, and international levels. They provide a helping hand in situations where more people are needed and are committed to bringing success and development within communities. During COVID-19, volunteers have helped with medical, community, and societal responses. Volunteers have selflessly put themselves at risk during this time to give back and help the world. Now it is our turn to show our support and encouragement! This coming week, let students think about the ways they can volunteer to help their community and the world. Every volunteer counts!
X Movement Classroom Recourses & Activities
We've got a range of different of activities and a reflection journal available right now to stream with your X Movement Classroom membership!
Let the students come up with a list of different ways volunteers help their community. The group with the longest list wins!
2. Act of kindness
Let the students volunteer in the classroom or school in any act they like. At the end of that day, let them reflect upon the impact of their actions!
3. Start a drive
Ask the students to help support any kind of fundraising drive! For example, to help your local food bank, click here! At the end of this activity, celebrate what the students accomplished!
4. Volunteer log
Have the student keep a history of all their volunteer work and write what they did and how it made them feel! Click here to see some sample templates.
5. Volunteer appreciation
Let the students draw or write a special letter/picture to the volunteers thanking them for their hard work, as a token of their appreciation.
External
Resources:
1. Click here to see some fun volunteer ideas for children!
1. Have you volunteered before? If so, how did it make you feel?
2. What kind of issues are you concerned about for the world? How can volunteering help?
3. In what ways can volunteering help you grow as a person?
4. How can you encourage students to think about and see the importance of volunteering?
5. How can volunteering help build better relationships and communication within and between different communities?
Next Week
International Human Rights Day - December 10th
Don't forget to share this email and resources with your staff and school community.
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Friday December 3rd, 2021
Hi there,
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is just around the corner. It has been celebrated every year on December 3rd since 1992 by the UN! This digest includes insightful activities for the classroom, extra resources for teachers and parents, and some reflection questions on the theme of INCLUSIVITY! Because, a disability should not limit someone’s participation or success in the environment around them!
What is a disability?
“Any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions)” (Defined by CDC).
Did you know?
Around 15% of people worldwide face a disability of some sort, including you and me. Let’s think more about how our community can be mindful of ALL individuals, especially for response and recovery post Covid-19! Teachers and students can think together, about how to make their community and the world more inclusive and accessible for individuals with disabilities. Today, it can be helpful to let students become more aware of their surroundings and how their actions can affect others.Click hereto learn more!
X Movement and Dance Ability Movement
We've teamed with with Dance Ability Movement to create activities, resources and reflection journal available with an X Movement Classroom membership.
The Dance Ability Movement provides inclusive and accessible programming in dance studios so that everyone can participate in dance classes, express themselves and realize their potential.
They do this through collaborating with the studio owners and instructors to build a safe and supportive environment, providing OT support and consultation, and recruiting and training volunteers who buddy with dancers in their classes. Check them out on social media!
Ask the students to think about what disability is and to give examples of different kinds of disabilities and how it affects someone’s daily life. You can use the link below from the resource section to learn about common developmental disabilities.
2. Make a poster
Seniors can choose a disability and make a poster focusing on bringing awareness to the need for inclusion and accessibility in society. Juniors can make a poster on disability awareness in general! You can put the posters up in class as a reminder of this event!
3. Accessibility scavenger hunt
Make a list of accessibilities at your school and ask students to go around school checking off all the accessibilities they have at school. Click here to learn more about this activity!
4. Action Plan
Brainstorm with students (as a class, groups or individually) on how they can try making their classroom, home, or the world a more inclusive or accessible place for everyone! Include the 5 Ws and H: Who, what, where, when, why, and how.
5. Make a list
Ask the students to make a list of all the ways they can be a friend to someone today and provide help when needed!
1. What kinds of challenges can a disability cause?
2. How can stigma affect someone more than the actual disability?
3. What can you do to teach students about the importance of inclusivity for all students?
4. How have you tried to include or provide equal access to individuals with disabilities in your classroom?
5. In what ways can your school be more accessible to individuals with disabilities?
Next Week
International Volunteer Day - December 5th
Don't forget to share this email and resources with your staff and school community.
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
Wednesday November 24th, 2021
Hi there,
Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day is held every year on November 24th. This day is meant to appreciate the unique talents we all have! Everyone around the world has some kind of talent that is dear to them. The day is all about bringing attention to and showing others your unique talent!
Teachers and students can both show off their unique talents. This can help individuals feel encouraged about their talents or feel encouraged to learn about their talents! Our talents can help us do things we never thought we could do. Our unique talents can help us with a job or assignment. These talents don’t necessarily have to take us somewhere. They can even be used for our enjoyment!
Let students spend time thinking about or doing these unique talents. Our talents make us unique! Most importantly, let students explore and try new things. They may be able to find a new talent today! Talents aren’t always something we are born with. Sometimes we need to discover what our talents are. School is a great opportunity for students to feel safe exploring new things!
X Movement Classroom
Resources & Activities
We've got a range of different of activities and a reflection journal available right now to stream with your X Movement Classroom membership.
Let the students show off their talents to the class. They can share how this talent makes them feel unique and why they like doing this talent!
2. Talk about someone’s talent
Get the students to come up with one person’s talent they are inspired by. It can be anyone! They can talk about this person and how their talent makes them unique.
3. Charades
Put every student’s talent in a container and pick one out randomly for each student to act out. It can be a fun and engaging game for the class to play! Students can act out all the different talents they have.
4. Talent log
Every time a student improves upon a talent or tries to learn a new one, they can write it down in their talent log. Students can write what they did and the date they did it. This can show them all the talents that they have accomplished and learn to appreciate them!
5. Research talent
Tell the student to think about a famous person with the same or similar talent they have. Students can research about this person and find information of their life and accomplishments. Through this activity, students can learn how someone has used their talent, be inspired by their work and improve their own talent. This activity is for senior level students!
External
Resources:
1. Click here to read an interesting article about what talent is and how it is discovered!
2. Click here to learn students’ talents and help them explore their talents.
3. Click here to learn how to encourage students to use their talents!
4. Click here to see fun activities for Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day in the classroom.
5. Check out these interesting Ted Talks on discovering talents called Life is your talents discovered by Sir Ken Robinson. Click here!
Self Reflection
For Students
1. What is your unique talent and why is it unique to you?
2. Are there any talents you would like to learn or improve upon?
3. How can you encourage the student to further improve or engage in their unique talent?
4. Why are talents important in our lives?
5. How do our talents affect others and shape society?
Next Week
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December 3rd
Don't forget to share this email and resources with your staff and school community.
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
Monday 15th to Friday 19th, November, 2021
Hi $[FNAME]$,
Next week is Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week in many provinces and school boards around Canada.
Between November 15-19 2021, students, school staff and parents are encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being.
The longer a child is bullied, the more likely they are to develop physical, emotions and psychological scars that can last a lifetime.
As educators, we can do a lot to stop this, with the right resources. So let's get started!
X Movement Classroom
Resources & Activities
We've got a range of different of activities and a reflection journal available right now to stream with your X Movement Classroom membership.
Bullying can come in different forms. It can happen in person, in or out of the classroom, or it can happen online.
It can be;
Physical: Hitting, spitting, shoving, stealing or damaging property.
Verbal: Name-calling, teasing, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting, threatening to cause harm, making sexist, racist or homophobic comments.
Social: Leaving someone out on purpose, encourage others to socially exclude someone, damaging someone’s social reputation or social acceptance, spreading rumours about someone, telling other children not to be friends with someone, embarrassing someone in public.
Online or Cyberbullying: Spreading rumours and hurtful comments through the use of cellphones, e-mail, text messaging and through social media.
2. Have you experienced bullying either towards yourself or others? How did it make you feel?
3. What are some things you can do if you see bullying in action?
4. Why is it important to take action to stopbullyingin schools?
5. If you could come up with ways to stopbullyingin your class or school, what would you do?
Next Week
Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day - November 24th
Don't forget to share this email and resources with your staff and school community.
Cheers for now,
- The X Movement Team
Remembrance Day
Thursday, November 11th, 2021
Hi X'ers,
Remembrance Day is upon us. Have you decided how your class will share in the history of this day?
Remembrance Day is a memorial day that has been observed since the end of the First World War to remember soldiers who died in the line of duty. In most countries Remembrance Day is observed in November--the 11th month, on the 11th day and the 11th hour to reflect the end of hostilities following WW1.
Out of ten provinces in Canada six consider Remembrance Day a statutory holiday, however Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec do not recognize it as an official holiday. There can be a disconnect for citizens of Canada when it comes to reflecting on Canada’s involvement in War, however, the Department of Veterans Affair Canada that Remembrance Day is that, a day to remember people who have served and continue to serve in times of peace, war and conflict. Particularly the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War in which the Canadian armed Forces have participated. The Veterans Affair has a program to help young and new Canadians (most who have never known war) to understand and appreciate Canada throughout the war.
X Movement Classroom
Resources & Activities
We've got a range of different of activities and a reflection journal available right now to stream with your X Movement Classroom membership.
National Aboriginal Veterans Day is observed on November 8th to recognize the contributions of Indigenous communities during the First, Second and Korean War? This first began in 1994 in Winnipeg and has since spread nationwide. What a great opportunity to extend your recognition and teach your class about Indigenous involvement, we have attached resources below to learn more about the discrimination Black and Indigenous soldiers faced.
For The
Classroom
Veterans Affairs Canada has resources, activities and lesson plans for classrooms! All you need to do is sort by age group and war/conflict. Many of these resources are free or electronically accessible. Below we have shared some examples of what they have to offer and how you could use them in your classroom!
1. Tales of Animals in War
The series of stories dates back to 2006 with different learning objectives that pertain to teaching children about the war. This year's 2021 story is about artifacts, the clubhouse animals take visits to the Canadian Museum and learn about the experiences during military conflict and peace efforts.
2. Postcards for Peace
Write postcards or draw pictures on postcards for Canadian Armed Forces members, you can ask students if they know veterans or may have people in their lives serving or you can choose from the existing list and choose what community you would like to mail your postcards to! Click this link for more information.
For Teachers
And Parents
There are a lot of themes that come out of Remembrance Day, themes such as gratitude, pride, freedom, safety, patriotism, violence, war, peace, death, racism, civilians, etc. This year, we challenge you to think about what these words mean to Canadians and other places in the world. You can find ways to learn and teach from a broader cultural lens, while you are showing gratitude for those who have sacrificed so much. Take an extra moment of silence and think about your teaching practices, your position in the world and those who are still fighting for freedom and safety. Find ways to also add themes of compassion, love, and solidarity with your children this Remembrance Day. Below are a few resources to help you get started!
