"Take 5"

This year in the library, I decided to try a different approach to starting storytime with every class that comes into the library. I wanted the students to learn to calm themselves dow and feel that the library is a safe place to come and find a welcomed quiteness. So I have them all "Take 5" after coming in: 5 deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. At first I thought they wouldn't want to participate and evn make fun of the whole idea, but now they remind me, if I'm still caught putting books away from the previous class. I have found that most of us don't make the time to do something as simple as mindful breathing. It is changing me. A month after school started, I had a dr's appointment and my BP was the lowest since the accident. I attribute that to the fact that I get to "take 5" atleast 7 times a day.I am also calmer and able to deal with the everydayness of dealing with elwmentary schoolers every day.