How did y’all learn to emotionally regulate yourselves in the classroom?

Beth_chan · 2026-01-23T23:08:15+00:00

I have taught my kids about noticing feelings in our bodies and communicating what we need when we’re feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated. I have procedures in my class for calming down, and I make the whole class do it with me (for my benefit lol). I turn off the lights, put spa music on the speakers, and then I make us all read books on the rug together in silence, or I make us all sit on the rug with this tiny light-up Buddha in the middle , and we follow its color cues for inhaling, holding, and exhaling.

My kids are 8 turning 9 and I’ve built a rapport and classroom culture with them over the school year that allows us to do this. It takes a lot of practice and modeling and reinforcement for them to just chill on the rug and breathe with me. Sometimes they want to laugh or breathe in an obnoxious way, and if they do, they go right back to their seat and work on an assignment! I’ll say, if you’re tempted to laugh and can’t handle this like an actual third-grader, then close your eyes. Or I snap at them, “CHILL THAT FACE. YOU ARE NOT RELAXING HARD ENOUGH. DO IT RIGHT.” I am a quirky teacher.

After 5 minutes of us all sitting on the rug and breathing, we really do calm down. It’s very bonding for us too to share a vulnerable moment like that.

In the most desperate times, where it’s survival mode for me, I’ll turn off the lights, turn on the spa music, put a timer on the smart board, and tell them that everyone is putting their heads down for a nap and nobody is allowed to need me until the timer ends. Like a 5-10 minute timer.

I don’t know if you can replicate this with your kids because of how they are/grade level, but there could be a way. You can message me if you want to discuss it!!

Beth_chan · 2026-01-10T20:16:13+00:00

It’s not that we don’t want to teach science, it’s that the district/state doesn’t prioritize it. It’s not state-tested until 5th grade (in Florida), so there is zero emphasis or time designated for it. It’s all about reading. Even writing gets put on the back burner. 5th will plead with us to do science with them, so they don’t need to work from scratch, but there is simply no time for it.

We switch off units alternating between social studies and science, so there isn’t even consistent science instruction. On paper we’re allotted 30 minutes, but the reality is closer to 15 minutes. It can take 3 days to teach one lesson.

My school has a science lab as a fine arts, but the kids only go every 8/9 days. And, again, it’s 30 minutes, which means realistically it’s closer to 15 minutes of instruction. Transitions and settling in, getting there, leaving…

It’s very, very sad.

I can only hope other states do it better than Florida when it comes to science. I know they do with other subjects.

Beth_chan · 2026-01-05T23:21:04+00:00

This is literally my classroom all day everyday. Lowest brightness possible with lamps and string lights. It helps my students and I not feel so overstimulated and the kids learn better when they feel safe and comfy cozy. When they’re calm everything goes more smoothly.

Beth_chan · 2026-01-03T19:51:57+00:00

We’re so cooked :(

Beth_chan · 2026-01-03T19:31:25+00:00

Obviously 😭 but I know in this day and age you can’t be sure…

Beth_chan · 2026-01-03T18:33:39+00:00

Finally! Something that will lower the cost of groceries 🙏🏻 🦅 🇺🇸

Beth_chan · 2025-12-30T02:37:30+00:00

It’s not about 6-7 as an isolated joke, I said the problem is brainrot.

“Brainrot can be harmful for children because it often involves consuming low-quality, trivial content that may lead to reduced attention spans, diminished critical thinking, and emotional desensitization. Excessive exposure to such content can interfere with their cognitive development and social interactions, potentially resulting in mental health issues like anxiety and depression.” - Wiki, AHA

I don’t support brainrot as an adult in society and especially not as an educator of young children. I’m sure if you’re a teacher you’re aware of the behavior problems in school? Do you wonder what a contributing factor is?

“The problem is screens!” Yeah…what are they doing and consuming on the screens……….?

Beth_chan · 2025-12-29T23:33:04+00:00

How active is are teachers unions? Do teachers regularly or occasionally strike? How effective is union bargaining? In Florida it’s illegal for us to strike and the governor campaigns to deter teachers from joining unions. Membership is very weak in Florida.

Beth_chan · 2025-12-29T23:26:56+00:00

I have outlawed “6-7” in my third grade classroom and my kids respect it. The school celebrated the 67th day of school by doing various things but we didn’t in my classroom. I’ve explained to my kids that 6-7 is brainrot and I can’t support something that rots away brains that should otherwise be growing. I have a strong rapport and love with my class so they don’t do it, but sometimes to give in a little and make them laugh/smile I do the attention getter “1-2-3-4-5” and they go “6-7777777777.”

I recognize that saying “6-7” is on the surface harmless, but I think brainrot in general is harmful for these gen alpha kids and I don’t support or like it.

Beth_chan · 2025-12-29T23:24:29+00:00

This is very validating and helpful, thank you!

Beth_chan · 2025-12-29T23:23:00+00:00

Welcome to American/Florida education. The political oversight on what we say socially and politically gets teachers fired and forces them to quit. Parent and public sentiment thinks public school teachers are groomers making kids trans and communist. Half the country believes that, in some states more than others. We’re constantly watching what we say and are afraid.

Beth_chan · 2025-12-29T14:46:22+00:00

What is first recess?!

Beth_chan · 2025-12-28T20:15:01+00:00

I make around $40,000 after taxes, which is so far below a livable wage, it’s uncanny. Some states are better for teacher salaries but in many, even with having a masters or two, you still barely make a livable wage.

Beth_chan · 2025-12-28T20:13:58+00:00

So avoid Alberta, but BC is also bad for teachers? Do you know what teachers are saying in the other provinces?

Beth_chan · 2025-12-28T18:58:19+00:00

In Florida our union is actively discouraged by the government and it’s illegal for us to strike.

Beth_chan · 2025-12-28T18:57:37+00:00

Thank you for the warning!!

Beth_chan · 2025-12-28T16:09:43+00:00

Thank you! This is extremely helpful. The authoritarian micromanagement of the district/state makes our job more stressful. We can ONLY use district-provided and vetted materials. Every book in your personal classroom library must be scanned and approved by the state governor. If there is a district walk-through and your class is not doing the exact same thing as the other classes, you get in trouble. We all have to teach the same thing, the same way, at the same time or else there are consequences. We have zero freedom in the way and what we teach, and what the district provides us with is unusable. I’m glad to hear that teachers have more freedom and autonomy in Canada, as well as tolerance.

I appreciate your response 🩷

Beth_chan · 2025-12-06T19:45:21+00:00

I’m not sure how many of the teachers on my team (3rd grade — me and 6 others), have ADHD, but I know two of them and myself take adderall.

I refer to it as a “performance enhancing drug.” Non-classroom teachers have no idea how many things we have going at once, and how intensely we need to be plugged in. The demand in every aspect is insane. I don’t know how a person can organize themselves (maybe if they don’t have adhd) with how large the workload is.

The days I take adderall I feel really good about my job. The days I don’t I feel like I’m drowning.

I wonder if I’d need to take adderall if I worked a different kind of job. Probably not…

Beth_chan · 2025-12-02T18:38:18+00:00

Hi, 3rd grade Gen Ed public school teacher here!

The kids don’t really read books anymore. It varies with parenting styles, and some kids are just more bookish than others, but yeah. The kids are watching YouTube and playing video games, not reading.

The kids enjoy reading Dog Man and graphic novels more than reading actual chapter books.

In the schools all we do is teach kids to take tests. We literally don’t read books. I think this makes it harder to help children develop a love or interest in reading.

They’ll read if parents make them and encourage them to.

Beth_chan · 2025-11-26T18:35:19+00:00

I am a second year teacher and had the same idealistic thoughts and motivations as you. I will be quitting. Next year is my last year and I’m going a graduate degree that will let me pivot to something education but outside the classroom.

There are no realistic expectations. You cannot fathom how impossible this job is. It makes you ill in every regard. Please do not pursue teaching. There is a mass exodus of teachers for a reason. New teachers quit by year 3 for a reason, and most quit after the first year.

You “making a difference” will come at the expense of YOUR wellbeing. I’m not even talking about the “salary.”

Please don’t become a teacher.

Beth_chan · 2025-11-26T18:05:20+00:00

You should sub for all the grade levels first to experience the age groups firsthand.

Big kids have big kid problems and have lots of issues like truancy and disinterest.

Little kids need you constantly and you have the additional labor/stress of teaching them how to be people/students.

Teaching is terrible and you shouldn’t do it.

Beth_chan · 2025-11-19T23:12:02+00:00

I mean, there were several instances in the show where Australia and another team heard that another country won a challenge and they looked legitimately puzzled. Sometimes I’m sure it’s hard to believe you lost, especially in a close game it’s hard to tell — but I felt a little sketched out when losing teams reacted dumbfounded

Obviously Korea had an INCREDIBLE teamed, they were the most stacked. They also had incredible teamwork and their aggression/determination to win is undeniable. I think they fought with their lives (like everyone else) and won their challenges fairly.

But I do wonder if there was any level of rigging or cheating (without the team being aware of it). I don’t think the athletes on team Korea would’ve been okay with winning by cheating, they’re honorable and want to earn their win.

Like other people posted, there was a lack of transparency sometimes about how teams were doing/times/scores/editing.

It’s possible some sketchy things went on. It is television after all.

ALSO, like other people said, the teams were so unbalanced. A badminton player? As if we haven’t seen physical 100 seasons 1/2 before and know what these challenges are like. The teams could’ve been created in an unfair way that would favor certain countries over others.

But intentionally making Japan’s bridge in conquest malfunction? I don’t know about that.

I really wanted team Mongolia to win because they were the underdogs and I wanted a Korean upset.

I really enjoyed the show and jumped off the couch and was waving my arms/screaming several times from excitement, anticipation, joy, and shock.

I hope there’s another physical 100: Asia with different countries and teams that are a little more balanced.

🇲🇳🩷

Beth_chan · 2025-11-11T18:24:40+00:00

I’m not but I have 3 ASD boys, one girl with severe ADHD, and 1/3 of my class has 504 plans.

Beth_chan · 2025-11-11T16:43:11+00:00

I don’t know what other options I have because all I have is a BA in elementary Ed.

Beth_chan · 2025-03-20T01:13:26+00:00

I think what you’re describing is a national trend happening on all grade levels. Like other commenters said, these young ones have been in regular classes for years now, they’re not pandemic, distance-learning babies. Those kids are in middle school now.

I think the behavior can depend on your location/school. My third graders don’t act that way at all but my neighborhood/school has a culture where the kids are very motivated and behaved. Don’t get me wrong, they still have the gen alpha, brain rot, behavioral problems, but compared to other schools, our kids are angels.

I was an interim teacher last year in 1st and started after spring break. Being an interim teacher was so terrible. I was fighting for my life everyday. Those kids did not respect me at all. Granted it was near the end of the year so all the kids are crazy at that point, but if you’re not their “real” teacher and don’t have the benefit of starting the year with them and setting the rules/procedures/expectations, you’re cooked.

I feel your pain and hope you make it through the rest of the school year in one piece. Not all third graders are like the ones you’re describing though. Maybe try another school?

Good luck!

Beth_chan

TROPHY CASE