One of the ways we are trying to encourage student engagement is through mindfulness education.  Our lessons are very much based on brain research, through which we have learned that if the student is calm and alert, they can better learn.  Ms. Nachbar's class recently explored the concept of being present: aware of one's own thinking, sensing and understanding in the moment - not worrying about the furute or reliving the past.  Here are some samples of their ideas.