Lincoln students stimulating their brains at Rise and Roar morning assemblies

The morning Rise and Roar assemblies at Lincoln Elementary have changed due to some important data teachers learned during their professional development day with Dr. Barbara Sorrels.

Dr. Sorrels suggested having students learn rhythms and brain activities to stay engaged throughout the day.

Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. at Lincoln, so some students spend as much as 35 minutes waiting for the morning assembly to start at 7:55 a.m. Each grade level is now actively involved in activities or games to keep them engaged while they are waiting.

Students work on the same activity for one week, then they get to learn something new. Activities include hand games, problem solving games, cup rhythms, jacks, war with cards, hot potato, Limbo, and Simon Says to name a few. Students are all very involved and are enjoying learning something new each week.

Dr. Sorrels is a child development specialist, educator and consultant with a heart for children from hard places. As founder of Connected Kids, she provides educators, parents, and advocates with compassionate, evidence-based strategies for guiding children through trauma and other challenges. Her approach is based on the belief that when children feel connected to themselves, their families and the world around them, they can overcome even the darkest of circumstances and reach their fullest potential.

Prior to founding Connected Kids, Dr. Sorrels spent more than 20 years in education as a classroom teacher, a founder/director of early childhood centers, and a professor of graduate and undergraduate students in the Early Childhood Education program at Oklahoma State University.