Breathe & Create! Teacher Script

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

(Teacher opens with Slide 1: "Breathe & Create!")

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going on an exciting journey where we'll discover a superpower we all have, and then we'll use it to create some amazing art!"

(Transition to Slide 2: "Your Breathing Superpower")

"Think about our Mindful Breathing Warm-Up we just did. How did it feel to really pay attention to your breath? Did anyone notice anything different about how their body felt?"

(Allow a few student responses. Acknowledge and affirm their observations.)

"That's right! Your breath is always with you, and it's a bit like a superpower. We breathe all the time without even thinking about it, but when we choose to pay attention to our breath, it can help us in some really cool ways."

Understanding Coping Skills (5 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 3: "What are Coping Skills?")

"Sometimes, we have big feelings, right? Like when we're super excited, really mad, a little sad, or very worried. These feelings are normal, but sometimes they can feel a bit overwhelming."

"That's where coping skills come in! Can anyone guess what a coping skill might be, just from the name?"

(Allow student responses. Guide them to the definition.)

"Exactly! Coping skills are things we do to help us deal with those big feelings. They help us manage our emotions so we can feel calmer and more in control. It's like having a toolkit for your feelings! What are some things you already do when you have big feelings? Maybe you talk to someone, read a book, or play outside?"

(Allow a few student responses.)

Breathing Practice & Transition to Art (10 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 4: "Breathing: Your Go-To Coping Skill")

"Today, we're going to add a new, super accessible tool to our coping skills toolkit: breathing! Your breath is always with you, no matter where you are or what you're doing. Taking a few deep breaths can help you feel calmer, think more clearly, and even get you ready to create something wonderful!"

(Transition to Slide 5: "Let's Practice: Box Breathing")

"Let's try a special breathing exercise called 'Box Breathing.' I want you to imagine drawing a box with your breath. I'll guide you through it. You can close your eyes if you feel comfortable, or just focus on my voice."

"Ready? Let's take a deep breath in through our nose for 4 counts, like we're drawing the top line of the box. Inhale... 1... 2... 3... 4...

"Now, hold that breath for 4 counts, like we're drawing the right side of the box. Hold... 1... 2... 3... 4...

"Exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 counts, letting all that air out, like drawing the bottom line. Exhale... 1... 2... 3... 4...

"And finally, hold your breath out for 4 counts, like drawing the left side. Hold... 1... 2... 3... 4...

"Let's do that a few more times. Inhale... hold... exhale... hold..."

(Repeat 3-4 times, keeping a calm, even pace. Observe students and adjust if needed.)

"How do you feel after that? Hopefully, a little more relaxed and focused."

Art Creation (7 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 6: "Breathe into Your Art!")

"Now that you're feeling calm and focused, it's time to put that peaceful energy into art! I'm going to hand out paper and art supplies. Your task is to create a piece of art that shows how calm feels, or maybe how a big emotion looks, or even what your breathing superpower looks like!"

(Distribute art supplies: paper, crayons, markers, or colored pencils.)

"There's no right or wrong way to do this. Use colors, shapes, and lines to express yourself. As you're drawing, if you start to feel stressed or stuck, remember your breathing superpower. Take a few deep breaths, and let that calm guide your hands."

(Circulate around the room, offering gentle encouragement and reminding students to breathe if they seem frustrated. Play soft, calming music if appropriate.)

Cool-Down & Reflection (3 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 7: "Reflect and Share")

"Alright, artists, let's start to wrap up. Put your art supplies down for a moment. Take one last look at your amazing creation."

"Now, for our Reflection Cool-Down. I'd love for a few of you to share your artwork and tell us: How did taking deep breaths help you with your art today? Did it make a difference in how you felt while creating?"

(Call on a few students to share their art and reflections.)

"Wonderful! Remember that breathing technique we learned today? It's a powerful tool you can use anytime, anywhere, when you need to feel calm, focused, or ready to tackle a challenge. It's your very own breathing superpower! Great job today, everyone!"

Mindful Breathing Warm-Up: Belly Breath Ball

Objective: Students will gently introduce themselves to mindful breathing by noticing their breath and how it affects their bodies.

Instructions:

1. Find Your Space: Ask students to sit comfortably in their chairs. Encourage them to place both feet flat on the floor if possible, and sit up tall but relaxed.
2. Hand on Belly: Instruct students to gently place one hand on their belly, right around their belly button.
3. Imagine a Ball: "Imagine there's a small, soft ball resting inside your belly, right under your hand. When you breathe in, you want to fill your belly with air, making that ball gently push your hand out. When you breathe out, the ball gets smaller, and your hand moves back in."
4. Gentle Breaths: "Take a slow, gentle breath in through your nose, feeling your belly and hand rise.
   
   
   Now, slowly let the air out through your mouth, feeling your belly and hand fall.
   
   
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5. Notice and Repeat: "Just notice how your hand moves with your breath. Is it moving up and down? Does it feel warm? Cold? Don't try to change your breath, just observe it.
   
   
   Let's do this for about 1 minute, quietly, just focusing on your belly breath and your 'belly ball.'"
6. Quick Share (Optional): After a minute, ask students, "What did you notice about your breath or your belly?" (Acknowledge a few responses without deep discussion, as it's a warm-up).
   
   
   

Emotional Art Activity: My Inner Landscape

Objective: Students will visually express a feeling or their calmed state using colors, shapes, and lines, connecting their inner experience to artistic creation.

Materials:

• Paper
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils

Instructions:

1. Reflect and Connect: "Remember how we just practiced our box breathing and how calm that made us feel? Now, I want you to connect with that feeling. Or, if there's another feeling you want to explore – maybe happy, curious, or even a little bit of worry – that's okay too! This art is about your inner landscape."

2. Choose Your Colors: "Think about what colors remind you of that feeling. Is calm a soft blue or a gentle green? Is excitement a bright yellow or a fiery orange? Pick the colors that speak to your chosen feeling or your calm state."
   
   
   

3. Shapes and Lines: "How does that feeling move? Does it have sharp lines, or soft, wavy lines? Is it a big, expanding circle, or a small, contained shape? Use different shapes and lines to show how your feeling looks or moves on your paper. Don't worry about drawing 'things,' just let the colors, shapes, and lines express it."
   
   
   

4. Breathe and Create: "As you work on your art, remember your breathing superpower. If you feel stuck, or if a big feeling pops up, take a few deep breaths. Let your breath help you feel focused and calm as you create."
   
   
   

5. No Right or Wrong: "There's no right or wrong way to do this art. It's your expression, your inner landscape. Just let your creativity flow!"
   
   
   

Guiding Questions (for teacher to circulate and ask):

• "What colors did you choose and why?"
• "What kind of lines or shapes are you using to show your feeling?"
• "How does your breathing help you focus on your art?"

Reflection Cool-Down: My Breathing Superpower Moment

Objective: Students will reflect on their experience using breathing as a coping skill during the art activity and consider future applications.

Instructions:

1. Quiet Reflection: "Let's take a moment to look at your amazing artwork. Think about how you felt when you started, during the breathing exercise, and while you were creating your art. What did you learn about yourself today?"

2. Share Out: "I'd love for a few volunteers to share their artwork with the class. As you share, tell us:

   • What feeling or experience did you try to show in your art? (e.g., 'This blue wave shows how calm I felt after breathing,' or 'The messy lines show how my worry sometimes feels.')
     
     
     
   • How did taking those deep breaths help you with your art, or with your feelings, today? Did it make it easier to focus, or to choose colors, or just feel more relaxed?"
     
     
     

3. Future Superpower: "Now, think about your day-to-day life. When might be a good time to use your breathing superpower outside of art class? Maybe before a test, if you're feeling frustrated with a friend, or when you're about to try something new? Just imagine!"
   
   
   

4. Quick Journal/Think-Pair-Share (Optional): If time permits, have students jot down or share with a partner one time they plan to use their breathing superpower this week.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

"Remember, your breath is always with you, and it's a powerful tool to help you feel your best. Great job everyone!"