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Brain Bite: How to Talk to Students About Scary News and Difficult Topics

It can be incredibly challenging to navigate the current state of the world, even for adults! The stream of scary and difficult news can feel relentless, at times. Add to that the need to inform children about the goings-on in the world, and the task can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help take some of the stress and mystery out of how to approach these topics, and equip you with proven strategies and tools recommended by doctors, researchers, and psychologists. You may not be able to control the news, but you can control how you talk about it with your students in a way that will provide them the most beneficial outcomes. 
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What do other teachers think?

"I really like how each lesson starts out with the objectives and informs us of what we will learn and then at the end of the lesson there is a summary."
"Excellent variety! I liked the links to further information within the articles."
Leah S.
Lexington MA Schools
Kristie
Wesleyan Schools
Course Overview

Children often hear adults yelling about the news, but lack a safe space for their emotions and for civil discourse: Learn how to create one!

These days, the stream of scary and difficult news can feel relentless at times, even for adults. Add to that the need to discuss it with your kiddos and foster calm discussion even if students disagree, and the task can feel overwhelming.

We’re here to help take some of the stress and mystery out of how to approach these topics. We will equip you with proven strategies and tools recommended by teachers, mental-health doctors, and psychologists. You may not be able to control the news, but you can control how you talk about it with your students.

Don't miss this short, practical course on methods to empower your students to discuss these topics calmly and productively -- now and in their future. 
Course Objectives

As a participant, you will:

  1. Discover five (5) strategies to use when discussing hot-button current events and social issues with your students.
  2. Explore these tangible, practical strategies and how to implement them with your students of different age groups.
  3. Receive ready-to-use worksheets, exercises, and other resources that support these strategies. (You can download and print them at any time.)
  4. Be guided to build a plan to customize and implement these strategies with your students immediately.

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Course Contents

Strategies for Talking to Students About Scary News and Difficult Topics
  • Introduction to How to Talk to Students About Scary News and Difficult Topics
  • Strategy 1: Develop Class Norms and Create a Positive Environment
  • Strategy 2: Be a Facilitator
  • Strategy 3: Provide Space for Students too Feel Their Emotions
  • Strategy 4: Provide Time for Reflection
Resources and Printables
  • Playbook
Exam and Certificate of Completion
  • Practical Reflection
Course Structure

All Brain Power Academy Online Professional Development Courses consist of a blend of learning elements to engage you and empower you to implement new strategies and techniques with your students. 

Lessons consist of:
  • Engaging videos
  • Reading materials
  • Lesson assessments
  • Practice activities to apply strategies and techniques
  • Opportunities for reflection
  • Printable takeaways
Free Course Printable

Download this printable from the Brain Bite: How to Talk to Students About Scary News and Difficult Topics:

Use this Micro Lab Protocol printable with your class to help students learn to talk about difficult issues and learn to listen to others concerns.
your teachers

The Brain Power Academy Team

Experienced educators and neuroscientists.

The Brain Power Academy Team is composed of neuroscientists, educators, and mental health experts who are dedicated to creating the best PD to empower you in the classroom. We specialize in translating the latest neuroscience research into easy, ready-to-use techniques and exercises that assist teaching and learning in this new distanced-learning environment.

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Frequently asked questions

When does the course take place?

All of our PowerPD units are self-guided so you can explore at your own pace! Once you enroll in a unit, you will have lifetime access through your Brain Power Academy account.
Our units are setup to allow for free navigation; however, we recommending completing the lesson activities in order for full synthesis of the content.
To navigate through a unit, click on the lesson from the unit's landing page, or click on “Continue Learning” to be redirected into the course player. By doing this, you will always continue straight from the last learning activity you have visited.
Once inside a lesson, you will see all of the different learning activities on the left-hand menu, and the content will appear on the right. Use the left and right arrows to navigate.

How do I complete the course?

In order to complete a course, learners must complete all learning activities within the online professional development course (including all videos, articles, reflection activities, assignments, and quizzes) in order to be awarded a certificate of completion. 

What kind of content can I expect to see in this course?

Access multimodal content including voiceover slide presentations, articles, videos, and other supplementary resources within all of the PowerPD lessons!

Can I receive professional development credit for this course?

All of Brain Power Academy's online professional development Brain Bite courses are eligible for 1 Professional Development Hour/Professional Development Point (PDPs). Learners must complete all learning activities within a unit (including all videos, articles, reflection activities, assignments, and quizzes) in order to be awarded a certificate of completion.