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Mindful Moments

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Lesson Plan

Mindful Moments

Students will learn and practice mindfulness techniques and express gratitude through journaling to enhance focus and emotional well-being.

Developing mindfulness and gratitude helps students manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and cultivate a more positive outlook on life, leading to better focus and calmer dispositions.

Audience

Small Group (Grades 3-5)

Time

45-50 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided mindfulness practice, and reflective journaling.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Mindful Moments Slide Deck, Gratitude Journal Prompt, Pens/Pencils, and Notebooks/Paper

Prep

Preparation Steps

15 minutes

  • Review the Mindful Moments Slide Deck and discussion points.
    * Print or prepare to display the Gratitude Journal Prompt.
    * Gather notebooks/paper and pens/pencils for each student.
    * Find a quiet space conducive to mindfulness practice. Teacher should review the generated materials as needed.

Step 1

Introduction: What is Mindfulness?

10 minutes

  • Begin with a brief welcome and an engaging question: "Who here has ever felt super busy, like your brain is jumping from one thing to another?"
    * Introduce the concept of mindfulness using the Mindful Moments Slide Deck. Explain it as paying attention to the present moment without judgment.
    * Facilitate a short discussion: What does it mean to be 'present'? Why might it be helpful?

Step 2

Mindful Breathing Practice

15 minutes

  • Guide students through a simple mindful breathing exercise. Use visual cues from the Mindful Moments Slide Deck to aid explanation.
    * Instructions: "Find a comfortable position. Close your eyes if you feel comfortable, or just look down. Place one hand on your belly. Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, feeling your belly rise. Hold for a count of three. Slowly breathe out through your mouth, feeling your belly fall. Repeat this a few times, focusing only on the sensation of your breath. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath."
    * After 3-5 minutes, gently bring students back and discuss their experience. What did they notice? Was it easy or hard to focus?

Step 3

Introduction to Gratitude

5 minutes

  • Transition to gratitude. Ask: "What is something good that happened to you today, no matter how small?"
    * Explain gratitude as appreciating the good things in our lives. Connect it to mindfulness by explaining that being present helps us notice these good things.
    * Use the Mindful Moments Slide Deck to reinforce the connection.

Step 4

Gratitude Journaling

10 minutes

  • Distribute notebooks/paper and pens/pencils. Introduce the Gratitude Journal Prompt.
    * Instruct students to write down 3-5 things they are grateful for and briefly explain why. Encourage them to use descriptive words and reflect on how these things make them feel.
    * Circulate and offer support as needed.

Step 5

Share and Reflect

5 minutes

  • Invite students who feel comfortable to share one thing they wrote in their gratitude journal.
    * Facilitate a final discussion: "How do you feel after practicing mindfulness and thinking about gratitude? How can you use these practices in your daily life?"
    * Conclude by emphasizing that these are tools they can use anytime to feel calmer and more positive.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Mindful Moments!

Feeling Busy?
Do you ever feel like your brain is super busy, jumping from one thought to another?

Welcome students and set a calm tone. Ask a question to engage them and introduce the topic of busy minds. Transition to the definition of mindfulness.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment...
...without judging it.

It's noticing what's happening right now, inside and outside of you.

Define mindfulness in simple terms. Emphasize 'present moment' and 'without judgment.' Encourage students to think about why this might be helpful.

Mindful Breathing: Your Anchor

Let's try a simple mindful breathing exercise!

* Find a comfortable spot.
* Close your eyes gently or look down.
* Place a hand on your belly.
* Breathe in slowly, feel your belly rise.
* Breathe out slowly, feel your belly fall.
* Focus on your breath. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back.

Introduce mindful breathing as a core practice. Explain the steps clearly and encourage a comfortable posture. Guide them through the exercise.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is about noticing and appreciating the good things in your life.

It's being thankful for what you have, big or small!

Transition from mindfulness to gratitude. Ask an open-ended question to get them thinking about positive aspects of their day. Explain gratitude simply.

Mindfulness + Gratitude = 😊

When we are mindful, we are present.
When we are present, we can notice more good things.
Noticing good things helps us feel grateful!

Today, we'll write in our Gratitude Journal Prompt!

Connect mindfulness and gratitude. Explain how being present helps us notice things to be grateful for. Introduce the journaling activity.

Your Mindful Toolkit

You now have tools to help you feel:
* Calmer
* More Focused
* More Positive

How can you use mindfulness and gratitude in your daily life?

Wrap up the session. Ask students to reflect on how they feel and how they can use these tools. Reiterate that these are personal tools for well-being.

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Journal

My Mindful Gratitude Journal

Today, we practiced being present and noticing the good things around us. Now it's your turn to write about what makes you feel grateful!

Instructions:

  1. Think about your day, or even just this moment. What are 3-5 things, big or small, that you are grateful for?
  2. Write each one down. Then, briefly explain why you are grateful for it.
  3. How do these things make you feel?

1. I am grateful for...












2. I am grateful for...












3. I am grateful for...












4. (Optional) I am grateful for...












5. (Optional) I am grateful for...












Reflection:
How did it feel to think about and write down things you are grateful for?






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