How can you prepare your brain for learning?
Students will inquire about strategies to regulate their mind and body.
Brain Breaks (DOCX | 273 KB)
Brain Breaks (PDF | 169 KB)
Easy Mantra Meditation for Kids (1:33)
Rainbow Relaxation: Mindfulness for Children (3:46)
Learn to Bring Down Stress: Guided Meditation for Kids (3:27)
Balloon (Peace Out: Guided Meditation) (6:22)
Starfish (Peace Out: Guided Meditation) (5:59)
Download My Three Brain Break Strategies (.docx)
Class discussion:
Read one of the books suggested or show the class a video of the books being read aloud (see Materials/Resources).
As a class, discuss the story (book or video) using these questions:
Engage students in a meditation exercise by using a breathing activity video (see Materials/Resources) or by seating students on the carpet in a comfortable position and guiding them through deep breathing.
As a class, discuss how students feel after the meditation exercise and why meditation is helpful and important.
Brainstorm calming strategies as a class. Ideas might include:
Have students choose their three favourite calming strategies and create a small poster to keep on their desk. Students can create this from scratch or use the My Three Brain Break Strategies template.
Students can illustrate each strategy and use the poster as a reminder of things they can try when they are not focused for learning.
Ask students how they currently feel. Share how you currently feel.
As a class, do a guided meditation, using a resource such as:
Ask students how they feel after meditating. Was this similar to something they’ve done before?
As a class, discuss:
You may choose to use a single-point rubric, a picture-based self-reflection, or another assessment tool.
Download sample single-point rubric and reflection (.docx)
Yoga is like a physical meditation. Ask students:
Do yoga as a class. Ask students:
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