5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Game

Objective:
Help students anchor in the present moment by using their five senses to reduce anxiety and sharpen focus.

Materials:

• Classroom objects (no extra supplies required)
• Optional: small clipboards or hard surface for students to write or draw on

Prep (2 minutes):

• Arrange seating or standing space so every student can look around the room.
• Gather a few tactile objects (e.g., a soft cloth, smooth stone, textured paper) if you want to model the “touch” step.

Steps & Timings

1. Introduction (1 minute)

   • Invite students to sit comfortably or stand and settle.
   • Explain: “We’re going to use our five senses—sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste—to bring our attention to right here, right now.”

2. 5 Things You See (2 minutes)

   • Prompt: “Look around quietly and name five things you can see.”
   • Model: “I see a green bookshelf, a red bulletin board…”
   • Invite volunteers to share one item each until you reach five.

3. 4 Things You Can Touch (2 minutes)

   • Prompt: “Find four different things you can touch and name how they feel.”
   • Model: “I feel the smooth desktop; I feel the bumpy carpet.”
   • Encourage students to gently explore textures—wood, fabric, metal.

4. 3 Things You Hear (2 minutes)

   • Prompt: “Close your eyes or soften your gaze. What are three sounds you can hear?”
   • Model: “I hear the clock, a car outside, someone tapping their pencil.”
   • Take a brief moment of silence to listen.

5. 2 Things You Smell (2 minutes)

   • Prompt: “Notice any smells in our environment—or imagine a smell you like.”
   • Example: “I smell fresh air from the window” or “I imagine the scent of cookies.”
   • Students share one at a time.

6. 1 Thing You Taste (2 minutes)

   • Prompt: “Notice any taste in your mouth—or imagine tasting your favorite food.”
   • Model: “I taste mint from my toothpaste” or “I imagine biting into a juicy apple.”
   • Invite one or two students to share.

7. Reflection & Closing (2 minutes)

   • Ask: “How did noticing your senses make you feel?”
   • Reinforce: “You can use this anytime you feel worried or distracted.”
   • Finish with a collective deep breath: inhale… exhale… and smile.

Teacher Facilitation Tips:

• Speak in a calm, steady voice and model each step yourself.
• Allow students to pass on sharing if they feel uncomfortable.
• Offer printed pictorial cards for each sense for visual learners.
• If time runs short, combine steps (e.g., see + touch) or skip to reflection.
• Encourage students to practice this grounding game whenever they need calm.

Mindful Reflection Page

Take a few moments to notice how you feel and capture your thoughts or drawings below.

1. How do I feel right now?
Name your feelings and explain why you think you feel this way.

2. Which activity helped me feel calm today?
(breathing, grounding, or silent sound circle)
Describe what you noticed in your body and mind.

3. When could I use this exercise again?
Write or draw a situation where using this tool might help you stay calm.

4. Draw your calm place:
Use the space below to sketch a place (real or imagined) where you feel peaceful and safe.

Mindfulness Reminders

• Pause and take three slow, deep breaths.
• Notice five things you see around you.
• Remember: you can choose calm, anytime, anywhere.

Silent Sound Circle

Objective:
Provide a calming, auditory mindfulness experience by having each student share a soft, gentle sound in a circle, fostering focused listening and group connection.

Materials:

• No extra supplies required
• Optional: small soft objects (e.g., felt pads, wooden sticks, soft shaker) for varied sounds

Prep (2 minutes):

• Arrange chairs or cushions in a circle so every student faces inward.
• Briefly remind students of the volume expectation: very soft, mindful sounds only.

Steps & Timing (5 minutes total)

1. Introduction & Norms (1 minute)

   • Invite students to sit quietly in the circle.
   • Explain: “We’ll each share one gentle sound in turn. Listen closely to notice how each sound begins, lingers, and fades.”
   • Reinforce norm: soft volume, respectful listening, and the option to pass if they prefer.

2. Model & Demonstration (1 minute)

   • As the teacher, make a very soft sound (e.g., gentle tap or hum).
   • Describe: “Notice how it started quietly, held for a moment, then disappeared.”

3. Student Sound Sharing (2 minutes)

   • Go around the circle once.
   • Each student chooses a sound—tap, hum, whisper, or use a soft object—and makes it for 2–3 seconds.
   • After each sound, pause for 2 seconds of silence before moving on.

4. Collective Deep Breath & Reflection (1 minute)

   • Once everyone has shared, lead the group in one slow, deep breath together: inhale… exhale.
   • Ask: “How did listening to these soft sounds make you feel?”
   • Encourage a few brief shares or simply a silent nod.

Teacher Facilitation Tips

• Maintain a calm, steady tone when explaining and modeling.
• Encourage students to focus on the quality of the sound, not volume.
• Offer the option to pass without drawing attention.
• Remind students they can use this practice anytime they need a moment of calm.
• Keep transitions smooth and quiet to preserve the mindful atmosphere.