This book shows educators why and how to put well-being in its rightful place beside learning at the very heart of schooling. A blend of practical activities and research-based approaches empowers Grade 7-12 teachers to cultivate positive wellness not just for themselves and their students, but for the entire school community. Classroom teachers will appreciate the over 100 ready-to-use cross-curricular wellness activities, spread across nine domains of well-being, in their Grades 7-12 classrooms Educational leaders can adopt the sharing strategies, including school-wide extensions, "lifeplay" and shareable activities, to spread wellness practices across schools, districts and into the community.
Jeff Catania conceived and led a variety of K-12 district programs including mindfulness, restorative practices, and well-being. He is a contributing author to Rebooting Assessment (with Damian Cooper), Talk About Assessment (with Damian Cooper), and The Joy of X: Mathematics Teaching in Grades 7-12 (with Shirley Dalrymple and George Gadanidis). Visit Jeff at https://alove.ca.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Well-Being Goes to School
Chapter 2. Safety: Essential Needs and Freedoms
Chapter 3. Social Well-Being: Relationships, Community, and Belonging
Chapter 4. Eudaimonia: Meaning, Excellence, Growth, and Authenticity
Chapter 5. Resilience: Transforming Challenge into Thriving
Chapter 6. Cognitive Well-Being: Mental and Intellectual Health
Chapter 7. Emotional Well-Being: Hedonia and Beyond
Chapter 8. Environmental Well-Being: Wellness with the Natural World
Chapter 9. Physical Well-Being: Healthy Bodies, Balanced Lifestyles
Chapter 10. Spiritual Well-Being: Transcendence, Union, and Peace
Chapter 11. All is Well
Appendix A: Achievements Unlocked
Appendix B: Activity Keywords
Appendix C: Wellness Is in the Cards
This is an incredibly valuable resource with a range of benefits. Whether students need to be calmer, build agency with their emotions, create more body awareness, or move out of trauma responses, there are practical exercises that are easy to apply. I know many adults will benefit from these practices as well. Whether a teacher is familiar with well-being work or a novice, this book is chock full of activities to guide students into awareness and harmony with themselves. — Gary van Warmerdam, Author, "MindWorks: A practical guide to changing thoughts, beliefs, and emotional reactions"
Since I am blessed to count Jeff Catania among my personal friends, I have the opportunity to learn directly from this remarkable human being. For everyone else, reading Flourishing Classrooms will immerse you in the sense of peace, joy, and love that emanates from him. Educators and students will be enriched beyond measure through the reflections, stories and practical activities that fill this wonderful resource. Essential reading for our troubled times. — Damian Cooper, author and educational consultant, Ontario, Canada
A wealth of ideas and activities for enhancing well-being in your classroom! — George Gadanidis, PhD, Education Professor, Western University
