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Mindful Moments

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Lesson Plan

Mindful Moments Plan

Students will learn foundational mindfulness techniques—body scan, deep breathing, and guided imagery—to reduce stress and improve focus. They will practice each strategy and reflect on their experience using a calm jar activity.

This lesson helps students develop emotional regulation and stress-management skills, supporting their academic focus and overall well-being. Teaching mindfulness in Tier 1 builds a classroom culture of calm and self-awareness.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Interactive guided exercises with visual, auditory, and reflective components.

Materials

Mindfulness Slides, Body Scan Introduction Script, Guided Imagery Journey Audio, Calm Jar Reflection Worksheet, Computer, Projector, and Speakers, and Preassembled Calm Jar (for demonstration)

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Body Scan

3 minutes

  • Ask students to sit comfortably and close their eyes or soften their gaze
  • Read the Body Scan Introduction Script slowly, guiding attention from head to toes
  • Encourage students to notice areas of tension and let them soften as you move through each body part
  • After finishing, invite students to take one deep breath together

Step 2

Breathing Technique

5 minutes

  • Display the relevant slide from Mindfulness Slides on deep belly breathing
  • Teach students to place one hand on their chest and one on their belly
  • Model breathing in slowly through the nose for a count of 4, filling the belly, then exhaling for a count of 4
  • Practice 5 cycles together, inviting students to notice the rise and fall of their hands

Step 3

Main Activity: Guided Imagery

7 minutes

  • Dim the lights and invite students to close their eyes and get comfortable
  • Play the Guided Imagery Journey Audio
  • Encourage students to visualize the scenes described, noticing any feelings of calm or relaxation
  • Remind them there’s no right or wrong way—just observing their experience

Step 4

Cool-Down: Calm Jar Reflection

5 minutes

  • Pass around the preassembled calm jar and ask one volunteer to shake it gently
  • Invite students to watch the glitter settle and notice how they feel
  • Distribute the Calm Jar Reflection Worksheet
  • Ask students to write or draw one way they felt before the jar and one way they feel after, then share briefly if they’d like
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Slide Deck

Mindful Moments

5th Grade | 20 Minutes

Learn body scan, deep breathing, guided imagery, and calm jar reflection to manage stress and boost focus.

Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s session: Mindful Moments. Explain we’ll learn four strategies to help us feel calm and focused.

Session Overview

• Warm-Up: Body Scan
• Breathing Technique: Deep Belly Breathing
• Main Activity: Guided Imagery
• Cool-Down: Calm Jar Reflection

Briefly walk through what we’ll do today. Emphasize that everyone will practice each technique together.

Warm-Up: Body Scan

  1. Sit comfortably, eyes closed or gaze softened.
  2. Notice your head and face – relax your forehead and jaw.
  3. Move attention to neck and shoulders – let them drop.
  4. Continue down arms, chest, belly, legs, and feet, releasing tension.

Read or use Body Scan Introduction Script to guide students from head to toe. Pause between each body part.

Deep Belly Breathing

• Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly.
• Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4 – feel your belly rise.
• Exhale gently for a count of 4 – feel your belly fall.
• Practice 5 cycles together, noticing the rise and fall.

Model deep belly breathing and invite students to follow along. Count aloud slowly.

Main Activity: Guided Imagery

• Dim the lights and get comfortable.
• Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
• Listen to the Guided Imagery Journey Audio.
• Notice images and feelings that arise – just observe.

Before playing the audio, remind students there’s no right or wrong visualization. Encourage curiosity.

Cool-Down: Calm Jar Reflection

• Watch the glitter swirl and settle in the calm jar.
• Think about how you felt before and after.
• On your worksheet, draw or write one feeling from before and one after.
• Share briefly if you’d like.

Show the calm jar and invite a volunteer to shake it. Guide reflection using the worksheet.

Keep Practicing

Use these strategies every day:
• Quick body scan when feeling tense
• Deep belly breaths to refocus
• Guided imagery for a mental break
• Calm jar at home or school

Encourage students to use these tools anytime they feel stressed or distracted. Remind them practice makes these skills stronger.

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Warm Up

Body Scan Introduction Script

“Let’s begin by finding a comfortable seated position. Sit tall with your feet flat on the floor, hands resting gently in your lap. Gently close your eyes or soften your gaze toward the floor.

  1. Bring your attention to the very top of your head. Notice if you feel any tightness there. With your next exhale, imagine any tension melting away.

  2. Move your focus down to your forehead and eyebrows. Allow your brows to unclench. Soften your eyes and let your eyelids feel heavy.

  3. Shift to your cheeks, jaw, and mouth. Relax your jaw—let your lips part slightly if that feels natural. Let go of any tension around your mouth.

  4. Now notice your neck and shoulders. If your shoulders are raised, gently let them drop as you breathe out.

  5. Direct your attention to your arms, from your shoulders down to your hands and fingertips. Feel the weight of your arms as they rest, letting them go limp.

  6. Bring awareness to your chest and your heart area. Notice the rise and fall of each breath—no need to change your breathing, just observe.

  7. Continue down to your belly. Feel it expand on the inhale and soften on the exhale. Release any tightness.

  8. Move your attention through your hips and pelvis. Allow your hips to settle comfortably on your seat.

  9. Scan down your legs—through your thighs, knees, calves, ankles—and all the way to your feet and toes. Let any remaining tension drift away with each exhale.

Take one more slow, deep breath together, feeling your whole body relaxed and grounded. When you’re ready, gently open your eyes.”

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Activity

Guided Imagery Journey Script

Use this narration (live or recorded) to lead students through a 7-minute imagery experience. Speak slowly and pause at the end of each paragraph to allow students to visualize and notice their feelings.

1. Introduction (1 minute)
“Let’s get comfortable in our seats. Sit tall, close your eyes or soften your gaze, and take a deep breath in…and out. With each breath, allow your body to settle and your mind to become quiet. We’re going on a calm journey in our imaginations. There’s no right or wrong—just notice what you see, hear, and feel.”
Pause for 10 seconds.

2. Setting the Scene (2 minutes)
“Imagine you’re standing at the edge of a gentle stream in a peaceful forest. You can feel the soft earth under your feet. Notice the sunlight filtering through the leaves above, creating patterns of light on the ground. Take a breath in—and as you breathe out, let go of any tension in your shoulders.”
Pause for 15 seconds.

3. Engaging the Senses (2 minutes)
“Now, slowly walk forward until you’re beside the stream. Hear the water flowing over smooth stones—a soft, soothing sound. Reach down and touch the water; feel how cool and clear it is on your fingertips. Smell the fresh scent of pine and wildflowers all around you. Notice any feelings of calm or relaxation that come up.”
Pause for 20 seconds.

4. Deepening the Experience (1 minute)
“Find a comfortable spot to sit by the water. As you sit, imagine the gentle breeze brushing your face. With each inhale, draw in serenity; with each exhale, release any remaining worries. Stay here for a few breaths, simply enjoying this peaceful place.”
Pause for 20 seconds.

5. Returning (1 minute)
“When you’re ready, begin to wiggle your fingers and toes, bringing awareness back to your body. Take a final deep breath in…and exhale slowly. Gently open your eyes or lift your gaze. Notice how your body feels now compared to before our journey.”

Teacher Tip: Invite students to share one word that describes how they feel after the imagery, or simply transition quietly into the next activity.

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Cool Down

Calm Jar Reflection Worksheet

Instructions: Reflect on how you felt before and after watching the calm jar. You can write words, draw pictures, or both!

1. Before the Calm Jar

How were you feeling before the calm jar was shaken?





2. After the Calm Jar

How are you feeling now that the glitter has settled?





3. Share (optional):

  • Tell a partner or the class one word that describes how you feel now.
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Mindful Moments • Lenny Learning