The MindUP Curriculum: Grades 6-8

This is one of the most exciting programs that I know about for teaching children how their brains works and what happens when their behavior is out of control. Focusing on how they can change their attitudes is an amazing way to combat many challenges and anger issues throughout their lives.I introduced this program to my grandson’s preschool and kindergarten science teacher in Tucson AZ. She loved the program and found these beautiful little minds got it right away!! The first time one of them requested a “brain break” it reinforced her enthusiasm for teaching the program and providing positive experiences in other areas of teaching. She told me this program has made a tremendous difference in way these children focus their attention.

As a school psychologist I see the value, importance and relevance of teaching minfulness in the school. I see so many students with symptoms of anxiety, depression and minds that just seem difficult to slow down. Helping students understand how their brains work so that they are in control rather than their brain helps them use better practices to make better choices. I have used this curriculum over the course of this school year and have had positive comments of the curriculum's effectiveness from both students, parents and teachers. I recommend this curriculum in any format, class-wide, small group, individually, and I have even implemented at home with my two young boys.

Delivery and condition as expected. The curriculum is a great base to start with but still needs a lot of tweaking for the grade levels.

By far one of my favorite curricula. I teach middle school Social Skills and used this with my 8th graders. The lessons are so easy to read with great background as to why each lesson is important and my students had so much fun! If I had to say one negative thing it would be that I had to adapt/omit some portions of lessons as they were a bit too childish for my kids. This was no biggy though and will not effect my rating.

The (Goldie Hawn) Foundation supports the group the researched and developed this easy to follow format for teaching students mindfulness with no religious underpinnings. Helps children to have presence of mind for better decision making. Most effective introduced with younger which. Am a social worker at a school for students with disabilities, including emotional ones. The best things I can describe is that the kids are interested when I do the activities with them, the seem to relish understanding how their brains work and they understand the reasons to become mindful.

Our school Behaviorsl Consultant suggested I read this book. I had been wanting to incorporate brain research. This is a terrific way to weave academics, psychology, and collaborative multiple intelligence activities together. It provides a foundation and lots of options. Great for teaming in Jr High general and special education planning. Excited to start using it with GLAD training (language acquisition for English Language Learners).

I am a middle school counselor and used this curriculum in a multi age classroom last school year. I have been trying to introduce mindfulness to students in my school and this book is a great resource. It is a great comprehensive curriculum. I love how it describes the brain and it's functions to students so they understand how their body processes their emotions. I will use every year in my school! Highly recommend for anyone working with youth!

Working as a school counselor where we are implementing Mindfulness in the classrooms, I was looking for resources for teachers to use with their kids. There was good information in here, but the way they suggest implementing it is not what works for the students in our school setting. That being said, I could see in maybe other school settings this being something individual teachers could use if they have some background in Mindfulness.