Mindful Minds: Introduction to Mental Well-being

Devon Moore

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Mindful Minds: Introduction to Mental Well-being

Understand mental well-being and mindfulness

This lesson introduces 4th grade students to the basic concepts of mental well-being and mindfulness. The primary focus is on a guided breathing exercise to help students manage stress effectively. This lesson is important as it equips young learners with crucial tools to maintain their mental health, laying a foundation for lifelong well-being.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

20 mins

Approach

Understand mental well-being and mindfulness

Materials

Whiteboard and markers, and Discussion questions

Step 1

Introduction

3 mins

Greet the students and briefly explain what mental well-being and mindfulness are.
Use simple language to introduce the concepts, e.g., 'Mental well-being means feeling good about yourself and your life. Mindfulness means paying full attention to what you are doing right now.'

Step 2

Breathing Exercise

12 mins

Guide the students through a simple breathing exercise.
Instruct them to sit comfortably, close their eyes, and take deep breaths in and out.
Count to four as they breathe in, hold for four counts, then breathe out for four counts and hold again for four counts.
Repeat the cycle for a few minutes.
Discuss how they felt before and after the exercise.

Step 3

Brief Discussion

5 mins

Lead a brief class discussion using prepared questions about the breathing exercise and mental well-being.
Encourage students to share their thoughts and experiences.

Step 4

Closure

1 min

Summarize the key points of the lesson.
Ask students to share one thing they learned about mental well-being and mindfulness.
Thank the students for their participation.

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Discussion

Mindfulness and Mental Well-being Discussion

This discussion will help students reflect on the breathing exercise and concepts of mental well-being. It will encourage them to share their experiences and thoughts.

What does mental well-being mean to you?

Encourage students to think about what makes them feel good or happy.
Ask them to share specific examples.

How did you feel after doing the breathing exercise?

Ask students to describe their feelings before and after the exercise.
Discuss the effects of deep breathing on relaxation.

Worksheet

Mindfulness Worksheet

This worksheet includes a brief activity that helps students reflect on their breathing exercise.

Describe how you felt before the breathing exercise.

Were you nervous, excited, calm, or something else?

Describe how you felt after the breathing exercise.

Did your feelings change? How so?