A new school year, a new month, a week, a new day-These are all great times to think about goals that you would like to achieve.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your early enrichment mini spark recording page: #7: Best Year Ever!

2. Watch this Brain Pop video, Setting SMART Goals for Kids. What does the acronym SMART stand for?

S – 

M – 

A – 

R – 

T – 

Step 2: Write down three goals you have.

1 – 

2 – 

3 – 

Step 3: Recreate this graphic organizer or print it and add in your information.

Enjoy this spark? Try the Go Get Your Goals or New Year’s Goals badges at the EY website.

When you are at school, you follow a routine. This school-day schedule helps us structure our time. It tells us when the day begins and ends, and how to spend all the hours in between. The school day builds in time for learning, physical activity and play, creativity, socializing, eating and taking breaks, too. When you have school breaks, sometimes, without this routine, a day at home can feel endless.  Learn how to set up a routine for when you are not in school.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your SEL mini spark recording page: #6 – A New Routine

2. There are steps you can take to create a daily routine that works for you and provides some of the structure you’re missing. You’ll want to make sure your new routine allows you time for both productivity and rest.  On your recording page, write some of the activities you enjoy to do while at home on the weekends or over school breaks.

3.  Look over some items that you need to do everyday to stay healthy and exercise your brain. On your recording sheet, record 3-5 of these ideas that you would like to add to a daily schedule.

• Wake up at the same time each day 🛏️
  (Consistent sleep supports brain and body health!)
• Make your bed
  (Builds responsibility and sets a positive tone.)
• Do a quick stretch or 5-minute workout 🤸
  (Jumping jacks, pushups, yoga, etc.)
• Read for 20–30 minutes 📖
  (Choose fiction, nonfiction, or a magazine.)
• Practice a skill or hobby
  (Piano, drawing, coding, a new language, etc.)
• Brain puzzle or game 🧩
  (Sudoku, word search, math challenge, chess.)
• Take a walk or play outside for 20–30 minutes 🌳
  (Ride a bike, walk the dog, toss a ball.)
• Work on a creative or school project
  (Science experiment, writing, building, art.)
• Limit screen time (TV/games) to short breaks
  (Use a timer if needed.)
• Journal or write a few sentences ✍️
  (How your day is going, what you’re learning, or a funny story.)
• Clean up your space for 10 minutes 🧼
  (Keeps things organized and calm.)
• Read, draw, or listen to relaxing music
  (Helps your brain settle down.)
• Turn off screens 1 hour before bed
  (Screens can make it harder to fall asleep.)
• Brush teeth and wash face 🪥🧼
• Reflect on the day or say 3 things you’re grateful for
• Go to bed at the same time each night 🕙
  (Aiming for 9–11 hours of sleep!)

4. Create a chart that includes the activities in your morning, afternoon, and evening while you are at home. You may use a table in Google Docs, create a presentation in Google slides or print one to use.     Daily Routine      Daily Schedule Planner 

EXAMPLES

5. Post your routine chart/slides  to keep you on track and get the most out of your distance learning journey! Where did you put your schedule?

6.  Share your SEL mini spark recording page and your planner with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

We all have an inner voice that speaks to us regularly. When this voice is kind and understanding, it can be a great guide to helping you through challenges.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your SEL mini spark recording page: #5: Inner Voice

Square breathing, or box breathing, is a fun way to help you relax and focus! It’s a deep breathing technique where you breathe in, hold your breath, breathe out, and hold your breath again, all for the same amount of time. Think of it like the four sides of a square!

1. Set up your SEL mini spark recording page: #3: Square Breathing

2. Boost your superpowers of calm and focus by breathing  with Finney. Practice Square Breathing by watching this video and following along. When you are done, write “I practiced square breathing!” on your recording sheet.

3. Deep breathing helps aid the body in many functions such as: ➔ Calming and regulate the nervous system ➔ Help the body cope with stress ➔ Ease panic and worry ➔ Bring more oxygen to the body. On your recording sheet, write down a few times when you think square breathing would be helpful for you to try.

4.  It is also helpful to play this game when you already feel relaxed to build the muscles of calming down in more stressful situations. Set your timer and practice square breathing for 2 minutes.  When you are done, write “I practiced square breathing!” on your recording sheet.

5. Remember what you learned about square breathing the next time you feel stressed or upset. Share this technique with a friend or family member.  Write down the name of the person you talked to about square breathing.

6.  Share your SEL mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Do you sometimes feel stressed from juggling school, friends, family, and extracurricular activities? If so, don’t worry! You’re not alone. We’ve got you covered! Sal from Khan Academy has recorded a few short meditations to help you relax. This is the first one in the series.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your SEL mini spark recording page: #2: Guided Meditation: Intro

2.    You may be wondering—what is meditation? Why should I do it? Meditation, a simple practice of mindfulness, can help you reduce stress and improve your focus.  Watch this video and record a few reasons why meditation may be helpful for you.

3.   NOTE: This step will take about 12 minutes and it is helpful if you can sit in a quiet space.

Practice by listening to “Guided Meditation for Students” with Sal. When you are done, write “I did guided meditation” on your recording sheet.

4.  Write down three ideas you would like to remember from your guided session.

5. Share your SEL mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

In this mini spark, explore the characteristics of a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.  This mini spark will provide tips on how to switch on your growth mindse, and you will learn how to appreciate mistakes and failures.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your SEL mini spark recording page: #1: Growth Mindset 1

2. Watch the story of two seeds.  When you are done write “I learned more about embracing mistakes” on your recording page.

3. Review this image. Write one of your own fixed vs growth statements.

4. What are some times during your week when it will be helpful to use some of the ideas presented in this mini spark?

5.  Share your SEL mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Enjoy this spark? Try the Growth Mindset badge at the EY website.