Lesson Plan
Mindful Moments: 8-Week Series
Explore mindfulness and self-care
This 8-week series introduces 3rd-grade students to mindfulness and self-care practices. Each week focuses on a different aspect of emotional well-being, helping students develop skills to manage stress, regulate emotions, and enhance focus and concentration. The series is designed to build a foundation for lifelong emotional health. Aligning with ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors, this series supports students in developing a positive attitude toward self and learning, as well as interpersonal skills.
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Time
8 weeks
Approach
Explore mindfulness and self-care
Materials
Calm music playlist, Yoga mats or comfortable seating, Weekly Worksheets, Discussion Questions, Visualization Scripts, Gratitude Journal, Mindful Movement Guide, Mindful Minutes: Tree Meditation for Children, Ladybug Body Scan: 7 Minute Mindful Meditation for Kids, Butterfly Hug: 6-Minute Self-Soothing Meditation For Children, Self-Regulation Song For Kids, Grounding Techniques For Kids, Parent Letters, Video Follow-ups, Pre-Test, and Post-Test
Step 1
Week 1: Introduction to Mindfulness
30 mins
- Gather students in a circle on yoga mats or comfortable seating.
- Explain the importance of mindfulness and how it helps us feel calm and focused.
- Introduce basic breathing exercises as a tool to manage emotions.
- Use the Breathing Techniques Worksheet for practice.
- Watch Mindful Minutes: Tree Meditation for Children to reinforce the concept.
- Send home a parent letter explaining the week's focus and suggesting breathing exercises to practice at home.
- Provide a video follow-up link for parents to watch with their child.
- Recommend the "Smiling Mind" app for additional mindfulness exercises at home.
Parent Summary: This week, students will be introduced to mindfulness through breathing exercises. Encourage your child to practice these exercises at home to help them feel calm and focused. Additional video: Song: Calm Body Calm Mind.
ASCA Alignment:
- Mindset M 1: Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.
- Behavior B-SMS 7: Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem.
Step 2
Week 2: Body Awareness
30 mins
- Lead students through a body scan exercise to become aware of physical sensations.
- Discuss how different sensations relate to emotions.
- Use a worksheet to draw and label body parts where they feel different emotions.
- Watch Ladybug Body Scan: 7 Minute Mindful Meditation for Kids to guide the exercise.
- Send home a parent letter explaining the week's focus and suggesting body scan practices.
- Provide a video follow-up link for parents to watch with their child.
- Recommend the "Smiling Mind" app for additional mindfulness exercises at home.
Parent Summary: This week, students will explore body awareness through a body scan exercise. Encourage your child to share what they learned about how their body feels different emotions. Additional video: 5 Minute Meditation: Reset.
ASCA Alignment:
- Mindset M 1: Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.
- Behavior B-SMS 7: Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem.
Step 3
Week 3: Visualization Techniques
30 mins
- Guide students through a visualization exercise using a script.
- Encourage students to imagine a peaceful place and describe it.
- Use a worksheet to draw their peaceful place.
- Watch Butterfly Hug: 6-Minute Self-Soothing Meditation For Children to enhance relaxation.
- Send home a parent letter explaining the week's focus and suggesting visualization exercises.
- Provide a video follow-up link for parents to watch with their child.
- Recommend the "Smiling Mind" app for additional mindfulness exercises at home.
Parent Summary: This week, students will practice visualization techniques to create a peaceful mental space. Ask your child to describe or draw their peaceful place at home. Additional video: Neurodiverse Friends - Compulsive Loops.
ASCA Alignment:
- Mindset M 2: Self-confidence in ability to succeed.
- Behavior B-LS 1: Demonstrate critical-thinking skills to make informed decisions.
Step 4
Week 4: Gratitude Practice
30 mins
- Discuss the concept of gratitude and its benefits.
- Start a gratitude journal where students write or draw things they are thankful for.
- Share and discuss entries in a circle.
- Use the Gratitude Journal worksheet for practice.
- Send home a parent letter explaining the week's focus and suggesting gratitude journaling.
- Provide a video follow-up link for parents to watch with their child.
- Recommend the "Smiling Mind" app for additional mindfulness exercises at home.
Parent Summary: This week, students will begin a gratitude journal to reflect on things they are thankful for. Encourage your child to share their gratitude entries with you. Additional video: Wellbeing for Children: Healthy Habits.
ASCA Alignment:
- Mindset M 1: Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.
- Behavior B-SS 2: Create positive and supportive relationships with other students.
Step 5
Week 5: Mindful Listening
30 mins
- Conduct a mindful listening activity using sounds from nature or music.
- Discuss how listening carefully can help us understand others better.
- Use discussion questions to reflect on the experience.
- Watch Self-Regulation Song For Kids to reinforce listening skills.
- Send home a parent letter explaining the week's focus and suggesting mindful listening activities.
- Provide a video follow-up link for parents to watch with their child.
- Recommend the "Smiling Mind" app for additional mindfulness exercises at home.
Parent Summary: This week, students will engage in mindful listening activities to improve their focus and understanding. Try a mindful listening exercise with your child at home. Additional video: The Feelings Song.
ASCA Alignment:
- Mindset M 2: Self-confidence in ability to succeed.
- Behavior B-SS 2: Create positive and supportive relationships with other students.
Step 6
Week 6: Emotional Regulation
30 mins
- Teach students techniques to identify and manage emotions, such as counting to ten or using a stress ball.
- Role-play scenarios to practice these techniques.
- Use a worksheet to match emotions with appropriate regulation strategies.
- Watch Grounding Techniques For Kids to learn grounding techniques.
- Send home a parent letter explaining the week's focus and suggesting emotional regulation strategies.
- Provide a video follow-up link for parents to watch with their child.
- Recommend the "Smiling Mind" app for additional mindfulness exercises at home.
Parent Summary: This week, students will learn emotional regulation techniques to manage their feelings. Discuss with your child how they can use these strategies at home. Additional video: Social Emotional Learning for Kids: I Am.
ASCA Alignment:
- Mindset M 1: Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.
- Behavior B-SMS 7: Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem.
Step 7
Week 7: Mindful Movement
30 mins
- Introduce simple yoga or stretching exercises to connect body and mind.
- Lead a short yoga session with poses suitable for children.
- Use a guide to practice poses at home.
- Send home a parent letter explaining the week's focus and suggesting mindful movement activities.
- Provide a video follow-up link for parents to watch with their child.
- Recommend the "Smiling Mind" app for additional mindfulness exercises at home.
Parent Summary: This week, students will practice mindful movement through yoga and stretching. Encourage your child to show you some of the poses they learned. Additional video: Wellbeing For Children: Confidence And Self-Esteem.
ASCA Alignment:
- Mindset M 1: Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.
- Behavior B-SMS 7: Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem.
Step 8
Week 8: Reflection and Application
30 mins
- Reflect on the techniques learned over the past weeks.
- Discuss how students can apply these techniques in their daily lives.
- Encourage students to set personal goals for mindfulness practice.
- Send home a parent letter summarizing the series and encouraging continued practice.
- Provide a video follow-up link for parents to watch with their child.
- Recommend the "Smiling Mind" app for additional mindfulness exercises at home.
Parent Summary: This week, students will reflect on their mindfulness journey and set goals for future practice. Talk with your child about how they can continue using these techniques. Additional video: Growth Mindset.
ASCA Alignment:
- Mindset M 2: Self-confidence in ability to succeed.
- Behavior B-LS 1: Demonstrate critical-thinking skills to make informed decisions.
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Reading
ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors Alignment
This document outlines how the Mindful Moments series aligns with ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success, supporting students in developing positive attitudes and interpersonal skills.
ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors Alignment
Mindsets
- M 1: Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.
- M 2: Self-confidence in ability to succeed.
Behaviors
- B-LS 1: Demonstrate critical-thinking skills to make informed decisions.
- B-SMS 7: Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem.
- B-SS 2: Create positive and supportive relationships with other students.
The Mindful Moments series supports these mindsets and behaviors by teaching students mindfulness techniques that enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills.
Reading
Parent Summary
This summary provides an overview of the Mindful Moments series, highlighting the key objectives and benefits of the mindfulness practices for children.
Parent Summary
Dear Parents,
We are excited to introduce the "Mindful Moments" 8-week series to your children. This program is designed to help students explore mindfulness and self-care practices, focusing on different aspects of emotional well-being each week. Through engaging activities, your child will learn skills to manage stress, regulate emotions, and enhance focus and concentration.
Key Objectives:
- Develop self-awareness and emotional regulation skills.
- Foster a positive attitude towards self and learning.
- Enhance interpersonal skills through mindfulness practices.
Each week, your child will participate in activities such as breathing exercises, body scans, visualization techniques, gratitude journaling, and mindful movement. We encourage you to support your child's learning by engaging in these practices at home.
To further support your child's mindfulness journey, we recommend the "Smiling Mind" app, which offers a variety of mindfulness exercises suitable for children.
Thank you for your support in fostering your child's emotional health and well-being.
Warm regards,
[Your School's Name]
Reading
Parent Invitation Letter
This letter invites parents to enroll their children in the Mindful Moments series, explaining the benefits and objectives of the program.
Parent Invitation Letter
Dear Parents,
We are thrilled to invite your child to participate in our "Mindful Moments" 8-week series, designed to introduce students to mindfulness and self-care practices. This program aims to enhance emotional well-being by teaching skills to manage stress, regulate emotions, and improve focus and concentration.
Program Highlights:
- Weekly sessions focusing on different mindfulness techniques.
- Activities include breathing exercises, body scans, visualization, and more.
- Supports emotional health and interpersonal skills development.
We believe that these practices will provide your child with valuable tools for lifelong emotional health. We encourage you to support your child's participation and engage with them in these practices at home.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to enroll your child in the program.
Warm regards,
[Your School's Name]
Quiz
Mindful Moments Pre-Test
Quiz
Mindful Moments Post-Test