lenny

Mindfulness Moments

user image

Lesson Plan

Mindful Me Workshop

Students will learn and practice simple mindfulness techniques to improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance emotional regulation.

Learning mindfulness helps students develop valuable self-regulation skills, enabling them to navigate daily challenges with greater calm and focus, both in and out of the classroom.

Audience

3rd Grade Small Group

Time

35 minutes

Approach

Through guided practice and interactive discussion.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Your Inner Calm Spot, Guided Breathing Exercises, and Mindful Moment Exit Ticket

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is Mindfulness?

5 minutes

  • Use Your Inner Calm Spot (Slide 1-2) to introduce mindfulness.
  • Ask students what they think 'mindfulness' means. Record their responses.
  • Explain that mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment without judgment.

Step 2

Mindful Breathing Practice

10 minutes

  • Transition to a guided breathing exercise using Your Inner Calm Spot (Slide 3) and the Guided Breathing Exercises.
  • Lead students through a simple breathing technique (e.g., belly breathing, 3-count breath).
  • Encourage students to notice sensations and thoughts without getting carried away by them.

Step 3

Mindful Observation Activity

10 minutes

  • Use Your Inner Calm Spot (Slide 4).
  • Instruct students to pick an object in the room and observe it mindfully for one minute.
  • Ask them to notice details they haven't before, using all their senses (e.g., color, texture, shape, smell if applicable).

Step 4

Group Discussion & Sharing

5 minutes

  • Facilitate a brief discussion using Your Inner Calm Spot (Slide 5).
  • Ask students to share their experiences during the mindful breathing and observation.
  • Discuss how mindfulness can help them in different situations (e.g., when feeling stressed, angry, or unfocused).

Step 5

Conclusion & Exit Ticket

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Mindful Moment Exit Ticket.
  • Instruct students to complete the exit ticket to reflect on what they learned and how they might use mindfulness.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Welcome to Mindfulness Moments!

Finding Your Inner Calm Spot

Today, we'll learn simple ways to feel calm and focused, like finding a secret calm spot inside ourselves!

Welcome students and introduce the concept of 'Mindfulness Moments.' Ask them to quietly settle into their seats.

What is Mindfulness?

šŸŒŸ Paying attention to the present moment
šŸŒŸ Noticing what you see, hear, smell, and feel
šŸŒŸ Doing it without judging if it's good or bad

What do YOU think mindfulness is?

Ask students what they think mindfulness means. Write down their ideas on the whiteboard. Explain that it's about paying attention to the now without judging. Emphasize that it's okay for thoughts to come and go.

Breathe In, Breathe Out: Calm Your Body

Let's try some mindful breathing!

ā˜ļø Find a comfortable position.
ā˜ļø Gently close your eyes or soften your gaze.
ā˜ļø Focus on your breath moving in and out.
ā˜ļø Notice how your belly rises and falls.

Guide students through a simple breathing exercise using the script Guided Breathing Exercises. Encourage them to close their eyes if comfortable, or focus on a spot. Remind them gently to return their attention to their breath if their mind wanders.

Mindful Observation: See with New Eyes

Choose an object near you.

šŸ‘ļø Look closely: What colors, shapes, and patterns do you see?
āœ‹ Touch it: How does it feel? Is it smooth, rough, warm, cool?
šŸ‘ƒ Smell it: Does it have a scent?

Notice every tiny detail!

Instruct students to choose an object nearby and observe it for one minute. Encourage them to use all their senses (sight, touch, even smell if appropriate) to notice details they usually miss. After the minute, ask what new things they noticed.

Share Your Mindful Moments

How did that feel?

šŸ’” What did you notice during mindful breathing?
šŸ’” What new things did you see when you observed an object?
šŸ’” How might mindfulness help you in school or at home?

Facilitate a discussion. Ask students to share their experiences during the breathing and observation. Connect how these practices can help them manage emotions, focus in class, or deal with stress. Reinforce that practice makes it easier.

lenny

Script

Guided Breathing Exercises

Teacher: "Alright everyone, let's find a comfortable position in your chairs. You can sit up tall with your feet flat on the floor, or if you prefer, you can gently close your eyes or soften your gaze downwards. Whatever feels most comfortable for you right now."

Teacher: "We're going to practice something called belly breathing. It's a way to help our bodies and minds feel calm and peaceful. Place one hand gently on your belly, right below your ribs."

Teacher: "Now, take a slow, gentle breath in through your nose. Imagine you're filling a balloon in your belly with air. Feel your hand rise as your belly gets a little bigger."

Teacher: "Hold that breath for just a moment... and now, slowly let the air out through your mouth, like you're gently sighing. Feel your hand go down as your belly gets smaller. Let all the air out."

Teacher: "Let's do that again. Breathe in slowly through your nose, feeling your belly rise... Hold it... And breathe out slowly through your mouth, feeling your belly fall. Good job."

Teacher: "As you breathe, notice how your body feels. You don't need to change anything, just notice. If your mind starts to wander, that's okay. Just gently bring your attention back to your breath, flowing in and out like gentle waves."

Teacher: "We'll take a few more quiet breaths like this, just noticing your breath and the feeling of your hand on your belly. In and out. Calm and steady."

Teacher: "Okay, when you're ready, you can slowly open your eyes if they were closed, and gently wiggle your fingers and toes. How does your body feel now? A little more calm, perhaps?"

lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Mindful Moment Exit Ticket

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Reflect on Your Mindfulness Journey

  1. In your own words, what is mindfulness?





  2. What was one new thing you noticed when we did our mindful breathing or mindful observation activity?





  3. When might you use a mindful breathing technique in your day?





  4. How do you feel after practicing mindfulness today? (Circle one)

    • Calm
    • Focused
    • Relaxed
    • A little sleepy
    • The same as before
    • Other: _____________________________
lenny
lenny
Mindfulness Moments ā€¢ Lenny Learning