Create a safe, supportive place for students to connect and “just talk” with caring peers and an attentive adult with the newly updated How (and Why) to Get Students Talking: 78 Ready-to-Use Group Discussions About Anxiety, Self-Esteem, Relationships, and More (Grades 6–12) by Jean Sunde Peterson, Ph.D. These guided group discussions will help young people:

Educators of all experience levels will appreciate the introductory and background materials that prepare them to feel confident as discussion facilitators.

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Educational grants available for your school or community:

Collaboration Mini-Grants

The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Foundation Fund annually awards a Collaboration Mini-Grant to recognize middle-level teachers who have taken leadership roles in developing collaborative projects within and outside of their schools. The grant is awarded to enhance an existing collaborative project or to institute a proposed program.

Eligibility: Public, Private, Charter

Prize: Grants of $3,000 are awarded.

Deadline: Applications are due April 15, annually.

Community Engagement Grants

The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) offers Community Engagement Grants that support programs that bring together teachers, students, and local communities to make music or attend live music events.

Eligibility: Public, Charter, Other (including homeschool, 501 (c)(3) organizations)

Prize: Grants of up to $750 are awarded.

Deadline: Applications are due May 1, 2019.

" Compassion Exercise" from Create a Culture of Kindness in Middle School: 48 Character-Building Lessons to Foster Respect and Prevent Bullying

Compassion helps us relate to other people with greater kindness and acceptance. This " Compassion Exercise" has been studied by researchers and been proven to expand the brain’s capacity for compassion. The activity is based on an ancient mindfulness practice and can be used regularly to build students’ compassion muscles. 

Download now.