Mindful Moments: Autumn Focus

Alison Andrus

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Mindful Moments: Autumn Focus

Practice mindfulness using autumn senses

In this lesson, students will engage in a guided mindfulness activity centered around the autumn season. They will use sensory experiences to ground themselves and find peace, which helps reduce stress and fosters a calm, focused mind for learning. This lesson is important as it provides students with tools to manage stress and improve their emotional well-being, enhancing their ability to concentrate and learn effectively.

Audience

Students in Grade 6-8

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Practice mindfulness using autumn senses

Materials

Autumn leaves, Small pumpkins or gourds, Cinnamon sticks, Audio recording of autumn sounds, and Discussion questions

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

Briefly explain the concept of mindfulness and its benefits.
Introduce the theme of autumn and how it can be used to practice mindfulness.

Step 2

Guided Sensory Experience

10 minutes

Distribute autumn leaves, small pumpkins or gourds, and cinnamon sticks to each student.
Play an audio recording of autumn sounds (e.g., rustling leaves, wind).
Guide students through a sensory exploration:
- Sight: Observe the colors and shapes of the leaves and pumpkins.
- Touch: Feel the texture of the leaves and pumpkins.
- Smell: Inhale the scent of the cinnamon sticks.
- Sound: Listen to the autumn sounds and focus on each sound individually.
Encourage students to take deep breaths and focus on each sense.

Step 3

Closure

3 minutes

Lead a brief discussion using the provided questions to reflect on the experience.
Encourage students to share how they feel after the activity and how they might use mindfulness in their daily lives.

Discussion

Autumn Mindfulness Discussion

A discussion to reflect on the mindfulness activity and its impact.

How did focusing on your senses during the activity make you feel?

Encourage students to share their feelings and any changes they noticed in their mood or stress levels.

Which sense was the most powerful for you during the activity? Why?

Guide students to think about which sensory experience had the most impact and why it stood out to them.

How can you use mindfulness in your daily life to manage stress?

Discuss practical ways students can incorporate mindfulness into their routines, such as taking a moment to breathe deeply or focusing on their senses when feeling stressed.