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September 5, 2024
Get ideas for integrating joy to enhance learning using practical strategies such as Jolts of Joy brain breaks, emotion-sorting activities, and creative projects designed to foster student well-being and engagement, especially for students with autism and disabilities.
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By Patricia Wright, Executive Director
As we gear up for the new school year, the emphasis on joy in the classroom is more important than ever. Joy isn't just a fleeting emotion—it can be a powerful tool to enhance learning, build resilience and create a positive environment for all students, including those with autism and disabilities. At Proof Positive, we believe everyone can learn to cultivate more happiness, and we've teamed up with AFT's Share My Lesson to help you infuse joy into your classroom from Day 1. Here are five ways to do just that.
Jolts of Joy are small, intentional actions that inject positive emotions (like love, gratitude and awe) into our day and help us take control of our well-being in the moment. In fact, research shows that cultivating positive emotions can broaden and build our brain’s mindset and resources as well as ultimately create an upward spiral of positive emotions, which promotes learning, engagement, skill acquisition and creativity.
So, why not use Jolts of Joy as brain breaks? A quick brain break can work wonders for re-energizing your classroom. Whether it’s a short dance party, a stretch session, or a quick mindfulness exercise, these brief pauses help students reset and recharge. Regular brain breaks reduce stress and boost creativity and focus, leading to a more joyful and productive learning environment.
This Positive/Negative Emotions Sorting Deck is a great way to introduce the concept of positive emotions and start to distinguish between positive and negative emotions.
Here’s how the activity works:
Print the deck and cut out the pictures. Then, introduce the concept of positive emotions by having students identify what makes them feel positive emotions (like joy, gratitude, love and awe) versus negative emotions (like stress, anxiety and anger). Have students sort pictures of events, places and experiences into two categories: positive emotions and negative emotions. When sorting, use behavior-specific praise to acknowledge that “YES! ___ makes you feel love/joy/gratitude/awe/inspiration/etc.”
You can incorporate this activity into morning or end-of-day meetings, use it as a brain break to help with transitions, integrate it into small groups, or make it a part of an individual coaching session. Families can use these at home, too!
Start the year with a classroom ritual that puts joy front and center. The Jolts of Joy bulletin board is an interactive way for students to identify and share what brings them joy, including expressions of autistic joy (a concept that highlights the excitement neurodiverse students experience when engaging in their unique interests or sensory experiences).
Here’s how it works:
This activity encourages students to be mindful of what makes them happy and empowers them to create a positive classroom culture. Plus, the bulletin board is a constant reminder that joy is always within reach and that everyone’s unique expressions of joy are valued.
Work with students to create a jar full of notes representing Jolts of Joy (simple activities that bring a quick moment of positivity). Some examples: Watch your favorite video, color a picture, do a TikTok dance, do a two-minute meditation, take a quick walk, read a chapter in your book, play a card game, do 20 jumping jacks, etc.! Encourage students to grab a Jolt of Joy card when they're down or just need a boost. Families can use this at home, too.
Look for ways to weave joy into your daily lessons through creative projects, hands-on activities, or incorporating students' interests into the curriculum. When students are excited about their learning, they’re more likely to feel joy and motivation. For ideas on ways to integrate joy into your curriculum, explore Proof Positive's free Jolts of Joy Unit Study, which includes teaching slides, worksheets, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored for students with autism. For more materials on well-being, check out Proof Positive’s resources on Share My Lesson.
At Proof Positive, we believe joy isn't just an outcome of success—it’s a driving force behind it. By intentionally creating moments of joy in your classroom and celebrating the diverse ways that joy can be expressed, you’re setting the stage for a more positive, resilient and engaged group of learners.
Let’s make this school year one filled with joy, growth and positivity!
Dr. Patricia Wright is the Executive Director of Proof Positive: Autism Wellbeing Alliance. Her commitment to ensuring all individuals with autism have access to effective services and supports has guided her work for more than 30 years, from her earliest responsibilities as a special educator, to state and national-level program management, her advocacy includes the management in the design of a statewide system of support for children with autism for the state of Hawaii, several years as the National Director of Autism Services for Easter Seals, her industry positions leveraging technology, and her current role at Proof Positive spreading the science and skills of happiness.
Get the new school year started off on the right track with more resources on topics such as classroom management, social-emotional learning, family engagement, supporting English-language learners, building successful community schools, and more.
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