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Mindful Moments

Lesson Plan

Mindful Moments Plan

Students will practice mindful breathing, learn to identify and regulate their emotions, and use a self-monitoring checklist to track focus and on-task behavior.

Many 2nd graders struggle with emotional regulation and sustaining attention. This Tier 2 small-group session equips them with mindfulness strategies and self-monitoring tools to build awareness, reduce classroom disruptions, and enhance learning readiness.

Audience

2nd Grade Group

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Combine guided mindfulness with self-monitoring checklists.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Greet students and explain today's goal: noticing feelings and staying focused.
  • Display slide 1 on the Mindfulness & Monitoring Slides.
  • Invite students to share one word about how they feel right now.

Step 2

Guided Breathing Activity

7 minutes

  • Introduce mindful breathing and its benefits.
  • Lead the Guided Breathing Break exercise or play the audio.
  • Encourage students to notice sensations in their body while breathing.
  • Ask volunteers how they feel after the exercise.

Step 3

Mindfulness Modeling & Discussion

8 minutes

  • Use slides 2–4 on the Mindfulness & Monitoring Slides to model identifying emotions.
  • Describe a simple scenario, label the emotion, and ask students to mimic the feeling.
  • Invite students to share real-life examples of when they felt that way.

Step 4

Journaling & Checklist Practice

5 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Closing

5 minutes

  • Ask each student to share one strategy they’ll try today.
  • Remind them to use the checklist whenever they notice their focus drifting.
  • End with a brief breathing reset together.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Mindful Moments

Today we will practice noticing our feelings and staying focused throughout the day.

Welcome the students and introduce today’s Mindful Moments session. Explain that they will learn to notice their feelings and boost their focus using fun tools.

Feeling Check-In

How are you feeling?
• Say one word that describes your emotion right now.

Invite each student to share one word describing how they feel right now. Record responses on a board or chart.

What Is Mindful Breathing?

– We breathe slowly and quietly
– It helps our bodies relax
– It makes our minds feel calm and clear

Explain why mindful breathing helps calm our bodies and minds. Use simple language and examples.

Lead students through the Guided Breathing Break. Play the audio or video from the Guided Breathing Break activity.

Identifying Emotions

Scenario: You lose your favorite pencil. How might you feel?
– Label the emotion (e.g., sad, frustrated).
Now think of another time you felt that way.

Model how to spot and name emotions using simple scenarios. Then invite students to share times they’ve felt the same way.

Journal & Checklist Practice

• Draw and label how you feel in your Mindful Monitoring Journal
• Use the Emotion & Focus Checklist to rate your focus now and later today

Show how to draw and label emotions in the journal and how to use the checklist. Pass out journals and checklists after the slide.

Strategy Share & Closing

• Share one skill you’ll use today
• Remember to check your checklist when you notice your focus drifting
• Let’s finish with one last mindful breath together

Ask each student to share one strategy they’ll try today (e.g., breathing, checking their checklist). Close with a brief breathing reset.

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Activity

Guided Breathing Break

Duration: 2 minutes
Purpose: Help students slow down, focus on their breath, and calm their bodies and minds using simple visual and audio cues.

Materials Needed:

  • Soft background music or bell sound (optional)
  • Visual cue cards (e.g., a square or flower to trace with breath)

Instructions for the Teacher

  1. Set the Scene (15 seconds)
    • Ask students to sit comfortably, feet on the floor, hands in their lap.
    • Dim lights slightly or invite students to soften their gaze.

  2. Introduce the Breath Visual (10 seconds)
    • Show a “breathing square” or “flower” visual.
    • Explain: “When we breathe in, we trace up one side of the square or open a petal. When we breathe out, we trace down or close a petal.”

  3. Begin the Breath Cycle (1 minute 30 seconds)
    • Play a soft chime or say “Let’s begin.”
    • Lead students through 4–5 slow cycles:
    – Inhale (count to 3 slowly): 1…2…3 (trace up/open)
    – Hold for 1 count: 1
    – Exhale (count to 3 slowly): 1…2…3 (trace down/close)
    – Pause for 1 count: 1

    • Use a gentle, calm voice:
    “Breathe in… 1, 2, 3… Hold… 1… Breathe out… 1, 2, 3… Pause… 1.”
    • Encourage students to follow the visual on the board or card as they breathe.

  4. Body Scan & Check-In (15 seconds)
    • After the last exhale, ask: “How does your body feel now? Shoulders relaxed, hands soft, heartbeat calm?”
    • Invite one or two students to share one word (e.g., “calm,” “relaxed”).

  5. Transition Back (10 seconds)
    • Gently guide students back: “When you’re ready, wiggle your fingers and toes, open your eyes, and return your attention to our lesson.”

Tips:

  • Use a visible timer or slow chime to mark each inhale/exhale if helpful.
  • Model the breathing motion with your hand over your heart or belly.
  • Keep language simple and encouraging: “Nice job noticing your breath!”

Use this break whenever students feel restless or need a quick refocus during the day.

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Journal

Mindful Monitoring Journal

Date: _______________

1. My Emotion

Draw and color how you feel right now. Label your drawing with the emotion word below.













Emotion word: _______________

2. What Happened Before?

Describe what you were doing or thinking right before you felt this emotion.






3. My Thoughts

What thoughts came into your mind when you felt this way?






4. Strategy I Used

Which strategy did you try to help yourself (e.g., mindful breathing, taking a break, using your checklist)?



5. How It Helped

How did this strategy help you feel or stay focused?






6. My Plan for Next Time

What will you do the next time you notice this feeling? How will you remember to use your strategy?






Keep this journal with you and use it whenever you notice your feelings changing. Reflect and track your progress!

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Worksheet

Emotion & Focus Checklist

Use this checklist to notice how you feel and how well you’re focusing at two points during the day. Circle the faces and write your answers.

Check-In 1

Time: _______________

  1. How do I feel right now? Circle one:
    🙂 😐 🙁

  2. How focused am I? Circle one:
    🙂 😐 🙁

  3. Strategy I used to help myself (e.g., mindful breathing, taking a break):



  4. Notes: What else did I notice?






Check-In 2

Time: _______________

  1. How do I feel right now? Circle one:
    🙂 😐 🙁

  2. How focused am I? Circle one:
    🙂 😐 🙁

  3. Strategy I used to help myself (e.g., checking my checklist, breathing):



  4. Notes: What else did I notice?






Reflection Plan

What will I do next time to stay calm and focused? Write your plan below:








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Mindful Moments • Lenny Learning