Mindful Clue Stations Activity Guide

Overview

Students work in small groups (3–4) to rotate through eight outdoor stations. At each station, they follow a nature clue and complete a mindfulness prompt, recording observations on their clipboards. This guide explains station setup, student roles, rotation procedures, and reflection.

Materials Needed

• Clipboards (one per student)
• Pencils (one per student)
• Cones or flags (8)
• Station cards with clues and prompts (8)
• Timers or a phone with timer app
• Observation Skills Checklist Rubric

Station Setup

1. Number each cone/flag from 1 to 8 and place them at pre-planned outdoor locations (under a tree, by a garden bed, near the playground).
2. Attach the corresponding station card to each cone using a clip or stand.
3. Place one Observation Skills Checklist Rubric and pencil at each station on a small laminated board or tray (optional).
4. Test walk the route to confirm groups can move smoothly between stations without crossing paths.

Student Roles (per Group)

• Timekeeper: Watches the timer and alerts the group when 30 seconds remain.
• Reader: Reads the nature clue and mindfulness prompt aloud.
• Recorder: Writes or draws observations on the checklist.
• Mindfulness Monitor: Gently reminds peers to stay present and quiet during prompts.

Rotate roles at Station 5 so each student practices different responsibilities.

Rotation Procedure

1. Groups begin at their assigned starting station.
2. Set a timer for 4 minutes per station.
3. When the timer beeps, groups quietly pack up and move clockwise to the next numbered station.
4. The teacher or assistant signals each rotation with a bell or whistle. Allow 30 seconds for transitions.
5. Continue until every group has visited all eight stations (approximately 32 minutes of stations + transitions).

Station Prompts

1. Leaf Shades
   Nature Clue: Find a leaf with at least three different shades of green.
   Mindfulness Prompt: Close your eyes and feel the breeze for 30 seconds. Then open your eyes and draw the leaf, noting its shades.

2. Smooth Stone
   Nature Clue: Locate a smooth stone on the ground.
   Mindfulness Prompt: Hold the stone in both hands. Notice its temperature and texture, then write three words describing how it feels.

3. Bird Sounds
   Nature Clue: Listen for two different bird calls nearby.
   Mindfulness Prompt: Close your eyes for 20 seconds to tune into each sound. Draw a simple shape or wave representing each call.

4. Flower Observation
   Nature Clue: Spot a flower with a bright color (yellow, red, etc.).
   Mindfulness Prompt: Gently bring the flower close and inhale its scent for 10 seconds. Note how the scent makes you feel in one sentence.

5. Unique Stick
   Nature Clue: Find a stick with an interesting shape or curve.
   Mindfulness Prompt: Trace its outline slowly with your finger. Sketch the stick and label one feeling it evokes.

6. Cloud Watching
   Nature Clue: Look up at the sky and find one cloud formation.
   Mindfulness Prompt: Watch the cloud for 30 seconds. Share quietly with your partner what shape you see and how it makes you feel.

7. Tall Grass
   Nature Clue: Locate a blade of grass taller than your index finger.
   Mindfulness Prompt: Hold the grass between two fingers and feel its texture. Note in your journal how touching it affects your mood.

8. Insect Spotting
   Nature Clue: Find a small insect (ant, beetle, butterfly, etc.).
   Mindfulness Prompt: Observe its movements for 20 seconds without disturbing it. Describe three things you noticed about its behavior.

Reflection & Sharing (10 minutes)

• Reconvene in a circle.
• Invite volunteers to share:
  1. One interesting observation they recorded.
  2. How a mindfulness prompt helped them focus.
• Discuss: “Which prompt was most helpful for calming your mind? Why?”
• Emphasize how mindful observation in nature supports emotional awareness and concentration.

Encourage students to use one mindfulness strategy from today’s hunt at home or in future lessons. Collect clipboards and checklists, then praise each group’s effort.

Observation Skills Checklist

Below is how we will check our observation skills at each station. Put a check (✔) in the column that best describes what you did.