End theYear With Your Sanity: Learn to FISH

End theYear With Your Sanity: Learn to FISH

The one thing that might save your end of the year is learning to FISH. Add in a few regulation moments for your class and stick with what’s been working all year, and you might actually end the year with your sanity.

I know what you’re thinking, “FISH?” We’ll get to that in a sec. But let’s talk about the end-of-the-year commotion that happens. Students are eager and excited for the break, but it seems like they’ve forgotten everything you taught them. You’re at your physical, mental, and emotional limit. And that’s totally fair…you’ve been holding it together ALL. YEAR. End of year feels like a valve that’s building pressure and is about to blow. I get it, I’ve been there. Here are a few things to try that may make it a little easier. Ready?

Ok, let’s talk about the FISH in the room. FISH is actually an acronym I created for a neutralizing routine. Without getting all science-cy, basically, a neutralizing routine is a pre-planned routine that you can use to help you pause and reset before responding. So when you feel that pressure rising, I want you to remember “I just need to FISH.” FISH stands for Focus, Inhale, Sigh, Here.

F– focus on what’s happening in your body

I– take a deep inhale

S – sigh to exhale (it can be audible)

H – you are here, ready, and regulated

Plus, saying FISH is so random that it kind of disrupts the stress cycle. I mean, can you imagine telling your class or a colleague… “I’m feeling overwhelmed. I need to go FISH.” (You should totally do that.)

After you FISH…keep doing what’s been working all year. Your routines, procedures, and expectations are gold. They don’t get to go out the window just because the school year is ending. The same standard students were held to at the beginning counts just as much right now. So review those expectations, practice if you need to, and make sure to give them positive feedback when they do them correctly. Praise goes a long way.

Now it’s the students’ turn.

So you’ve FISHed and you’re regulated. You’ve maintained your routines and expectations like the boss that you are. It’s time to help your students regulate. This can be as simple as taking a 60-second “sniff sniff breathe” break. (It’s technically called a psychological sigh…but that term may not fly with the kids.) This is a strategy that can help bring calm in 60 seconds or less.

Try doing a silent color hunt. Give students a piece of paper, call out a color, and tell them to silently list everything in the classroom they can find in that color. Their brain has to slow down, scan the room, and focus. Regulation without them even knowing it.

You can also do Robot and Noodle. Call out “Robot!” and students tighten every muscle, stand tall and stiff. Call out “Noodle!” and they release their muscles, their shoulders drop, and their bodies go limp and wiggly.

These are just a few strategies I thought of that could make your end of the year a little easier. Try one or try them all.

Want more calming strategies for your students?  Grab the free coping skills print right here. 

Hey, you’re doing awesome…you’re in the home stretch. Now go FISH.