Deep Breaths. Less Stress. 

10.08.2019 
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Cody Schambow 
Civic Engagement Project 
Phone: 608-732-5268 
Email: ​CSchambow@dbq.edu 
 
 
 

 
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Overview 
Deep Breaths. Less Stress. Is a project focused on working with youth and young adults 
who struggle learning at home or in the classroom because of stress or other mental 
factors. This project will partner with Southwestern School District and a few of the 
programs are already in progress. SWSD has a number of students who struggle to learn in 
a classroom setting and Deep Breaths. Less Stress. Looks to make an impact in those kids 
lives and make learning enjoyable again. 

Who Is Wildcat Country:  

The MISSION of the SWSD is to: 
● Offer all students the opportunity to achieve an excellent education; 
● Prepare students to be life-long learners through cooperation of staff, parents and 
community; 
● Graduate academically and socially well-rounded students to be productive 
members of society; 
● Consider the long-range financial effect on the community. 

Issue 
 
● Students with ADHD and other mental illnesses struggle to learn in normal settings 
○ According to the article Why do children with ADHD continue to struggle in 
school in 2004, 37% of students k-12 with ADHD were receiving services in 
special education. (​Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (2016,
April 3).
● Unknown circumstances in a child’s life may affect school performance  
○ Parents’ education 
○ Family income 
○ The number of parents in the home 
○ Access to books​ and play materials 
○ Stability of home life 
○ Going to preschool 
○ Quality of child care 
○ Stress levels and exposure to stress (in the womb, as an infant, and as a 
child) 
○ How many languages​ are spoken at home (Faculty at SWSD) 
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Solution 
SWSD has already tried to take steps to help their students succeed in the classroom. They 
offer an after school homework club on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. At this 
homework club students have the opportunity to work on their assignments from 3:15 
p.m. till 4:45 p.m. With Deep Breaths Less Stress our goal is to help make that hour and 
thirty minutes more productive for the students by allowing them to destress from their 
long day of class with some yoga. 
● Give students a better environment to learn  
○ Give them routine 
○ A clutter free work space 
○ Visual schedules 
○ Planners 
○ Noise Buffers 
 
● Help students learn tips and tricks to study more effectively 
○ Scaffolding 
■ SHOW AND TELL
■ TAP INTO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
■ GIVE TIME TO TALK 
■ PRE-TEACH VOCABULARY 
■ USE VISUAL AIDS 
■ PAUSE, ASK QUESTIONS, PAUSE, REVIEW 

 
Timeline 
1. Collect Information on the students at Southwestern and learn more about their 

homework club 

a. Date: 10/11 
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b. Resources: Luanne Schambow and Cynthia Lacey 

2. See which students would be interested in the project 

a. Date: 10/11 

b. Resources: Luanne Schambow and Cynthia Lacey 

3. Start working with the students in the homework club 

a. Date: 10/30 

b. Resources: Cynthia Lacey and other homework club volunteers 

4. Reach out to the schools and assess how the students are progressing 

a. Date: 11/7 

b. Resources: Faculty and students 

5. Analyze the progress and draw a Conclusion 

a. Date: 11/28 

b. Resources: Luanne Schambow, and observations during the class time 

Resources  

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (2016, April 3). Retrieved from

https://brainlearning.com/portfolio-items/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/.
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deep breaths. less stress.: Life Indeed!: Teaching mindfulness, Mindfulness meditation,

Meditation practices. (n.d.). Retrieved from  

HOME. (n.d.). Retrieved from ​https://www.swsd.k12.wi.us/​.

(n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.google.com/search?q=scaffolding+in+education&rlz=1C1EJFC_en&sxsrf=ACYB

GNS1E6w4pyc1rr4LeIcSUNZ1zhn3Qg:1572020749534&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=

0ahUKEwic0OvS6bflAhUSMawKHZ6MDzEQ_AUIEygC&biw=1920&bih=920#imgrc=9COgf

tnyAN-McM​.

What are some factors that affect early learning? (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/early-learning/conditioninfo/factors​.