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Mindful Moment: Science Senses

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Warm Up

Mindful Moment: Sharpen Your Senses

Objective: To practice mindfulness and sharpen observational skills.

Instructions:
1. Find Your Spot (30 seconds): Find a comfortable position in your chair. Sit up straight, but relax your shoulders. Place your feet flat on the floor.
2. Close Your Eyes (or Gaze Down) (30 seconds): Gently close your eyes, or if you prefer, softly gaze at a spot on your desk.
3. Listen (30 seconds): Take a deep breath in through your nose and slowly let it out through your mouth. Now, just listen. What sounds can you hear? Try to identify at least two different sounds. Don't judge them, just notice.
4. Feel (30 seconds): Now, bring your attention to what you can feel. Can you feel your feet on the floor? The chair beneath you? The air on your skin? Wiggle your fingers and toes and notice those sensations.
5. Open Your Eyes (Slowly): When you're ready, slowly open your eyes. Take a moment to look around the room as if you're seeing it for the very first time. Notice colors, shapes, and details you might usually miss.
6. Ready for Science!: Now your senses are sharp and ready to explore!

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Lesson Plan

Mindful Moment: Science Senses

Students will engage in a short mindful activity to improve focus and activate their observational senses, preparing them for scientific inquiry.

Developing mindfulness helps students improve concentration, reduce distractions, and enhance their ability to observe details, all crucial skills for success in science and everyday life.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Mindful breathing and sensory awareness exercises.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Mindful Moment Warm Up, and Mindful Moment: Science Senses Slide Deck

Prep

Preparation Steps

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Hook (1 minute): "Scientists need super-sharp senses to make amazing discoveries! Today, we're going to practice sharpening ours with a quick 'Mindful Moment.'"
  • Introduce Mindfulness (1 minute): Briefly explain that mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment without judgment. "It helps us focus better and notice more, just like a scientist!"
  • Guided Mindful Moment (2 minutes): Lead students through the Mindful Moment Warm Up activity.
  • Debrief (1 minute): Ask students: "What did you notice during our mindful moment? How did it feel to just focus on your senses?"

Step 2

Connecting to Science

5 minutes

  • Discussion (3 minutes): "How can sharpening our senses help us in science? Think about observing experiments, examining specimens, or even just noticing things outside."
  • Examples (2 minutes): Provide a quick example. "If we're studying plants, noticing the tiny veins on a leaf or the subtle scent of a flower requires sharp observation!"

Step 3

Transition to Science Lesson

5 minutes

  • Set the Stage (2 minutes): Briefly introduce the upcoming science lesson. "Now that our senses are super sharp, we're ready to use them for our next science adventure: [Insert Topic of Next Science Lesson Here]!"
  • Anticipate Learning (3 minutes): Encourage students to think about how they can apply their sharpened senses to the new science topic. "Keep those keen observation skills ready!"
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Slide Deck

Sharpen Your Senses, Scientists!

Today, we'll get our brains and senses ready for discovery!

Welcome students and introduce the idea of sharpening senses like a scientist. Emphasize observation.

What is a 'Mindful Moment'?

It's about paying attention to the now.

Helps us:

  • Focus
  • Notice more
  • Think like a scientist!

Explain what mindfulness is in simple terms. It's about paying attention, which is key for science.

Get Ready: Find Your Spot

Sit comfortably in your chair.

Feet flat on the floor.

Shoulders relaxed.

Gently close your eyes or gaze down.

Guide students through the 'Find Your Spot' and 'Close Your Eyes' steps from the warm-up. Remind them to be comfortable and relaxed.

Mindful Moment: Listen

Take a deep breath in... and slowly out.

What sounds can you hear?

Just notice them.

Guide students through the 'Listen' portion of the warm-up. Encourage them to identify sounds without judgment.

Mindful Moment: Feel

What can you feel?

Feet on the floor?

Chair beneath you?

Air on your skin?

Wiggle your fingers and toes!

Guide students through the 'Feel' portion. Prompt them to notice sensations in their body and surroundings.

Slowly Open Your Eyes

Look around the room.

See it as if for the first time.

Notice colors, shapes, details.

Instruct students to slowly open their eyes and observe the room with fresh eyes, noticing details they might usually miss.

Debrief: What Did You Notice?

What did you notice?

How did it feel to just focus on your senses?

Facilitate a short debrief. Ask what they noticed or how they felt after the activity.

Why is this important for Science?

Scientists use sharp senses to:

  • Observe experiments
  • Examine specimens
  • Discover new things!

(Think about looking at a leaf, listening to an animal, feeling a rock!)

Lead a discussion on how sharp senses are important for science. Give examples.

Ready for Science!

Your senses are sharp!

Ready to explore our next science topic.

Keep those keen observation skills ready!

Transition to the upcoming science lesson. Encourage them to carry their sharpened senses into the next activity.

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