Lesson Plan
Body Scan Adventure Guide
Students will be able to identify and describe physical sensations in their bodies through a guided body scan, fostering mindful awareness and self-calming abilities.
This lesson helps students connect with their bodies, understand how different emotions can manifest physically, and learn a valuable technique for self-calming and stress reduction.
Audience
2nd Grade Class
Time
35 minutes
Approach
Guided mindful activity and creative expression.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Body Scan Journey Slides, Guided Body Scan Narration, My Body Map Drawing, and Crayons or colored pencils
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Body Scan Adventure Guide and all linked materials: Body Scan Journey Slides, Guided Body Scan Narration, and My Body Map Drawing.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready for the Body Scan Journey Slides.
- Print copies of the My Body Map Drawing (one per student).
- Gather crayons or colored pencils for each student.
Step 1
Introduction: Welcome to the Super-Sensing Adventure!
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the lesson: "Today, we're going on a 'Super-Sensing Body Scan Adventure' to explore what our amazing bodies can tell us!"
- Ask: "Have you ever noticed how your body feels when you're happy? Or maybe when you're a little nervous?" Allow a few brief responses.
- Explain: "Our bodies are super-sensors, always giving us clues about how we're feeling. We're going to learn how to listen to these clues."
Step 2
The Body Scan Journey
15 minutes
- Transition to the main activity: "Now, let's get ready for our body scan journey. Find a comfortable spot, either sitting or lying down, where you won't be disturbed. You can close your eyes gently or keep a soft gaze."
- Use the Body Scan Journey Slides and read the Guided Body Scan Narration aloud, guiding students through each part of their body.
- Remind students to simply notice what they feel without judgment: "Just notice what you feel, like a curious explorer."
Step 3
My Body Map Drawing
10 minutes
- After the body scan, transition to the drawing activity: "Open your eyes slowly when you're ready. What did you notice on your adventure?"
- Distribute the My Body Map Drawing and crayons/colored pencils.
- Instruct students: "On your Body Map, draw or color how different parts of your body felt during our scan. Did your toes feel tingly? Did your shoulders feel tight? You can use colors, shapes, or even words to show what you noticed."
Step 4
Share and Reflect
5 minutes
- Invite students to share their Body Maps and discuss their experiences (voluntary sharing).
- Ask guiding questions: "What was one new thing you noticed about your body today? How might noticing these feelings help you?"
- Conclude: "Remember, your body is always talking to you. Listening to it can help you understand yourself better and even help you feel calm when you need to."
Slide Deck
Welcome, Super-Sensors!
Today we're going on a special adventure!
We'll learn to listen to our bodies and discover what they tell us.
Have you ever noticed how your body feels when...?
- You're excited?
- You're tired?
- You're calm?
Welcome students and introduce the concept of a 'Super-Sensing Body Scan Adventure.' Ask engaging questions to pique their curiosity about how their bodies feel.
Get Ready for Your Journey
Find Your Comfortable Spot
- Sit or lie down quietly.
- Close your eyes gently, or look softly at the floor.
- Take a few slow, gentle breaths.
We are just noticing... like curious explorers!
Explain the purpose of the body scan: to notice sensations without judgment. Emphasize finding a comfortable position.
Starting at Your Toes
Focus on Your Feet and Toes
- How do your toes feel?
- Are they warm or cool?
- Tingly or still?
- Notice the bottoms of your feet, the tops, and your ankles.
Guide students to focus on their feet and toes. Encourage them to describe any sensations they might feel to themselves.
Moving Up Your Legs
Explore Your Lower Legs
- Travel up from your ankles to your calves.
- Notice your knees.
And into Your Thighs
- How do your thighs feel?
- Notice where they touch the chair or floor.
Move the focus up to the legs, from the ankles to the knees, and then to the hips.
Your Tummy and Back
Gently Notice Your Tummy
- Feel your breath move your stomach in and out.
- What sensations are here?
Your Back
- Notice your lower back, middle back, and upper back.
- Are there any points touching the chair or floor?
Shift attention to the stomach and back. Remind them about gentle breathing.
Hands, Arms, and Shoulders
Your Hands and Arms
- How do your fingers feel?
- Your palms, the backs of your hands, your wrists?
- Move up to your arms and elbows.
And Your Shoulders
- Are your shoulders relaxed or a little scrunched up?
- Let them soften down.
Guide students to their hands and arms, then shoulders.
Neck, Face, and Head
Your Neck
- Notice your neck and throat.
Your Face and Head
- Your jaw, cheeks, nose, eyes, forehead.
- Even your hair!
- What do you feel in your head?
Focus on the neck, face, and head, paying attention to subtle sensations.
Your Whole Super-Sensing Body
Bring Your Awareness to Your Whole Body
- Notice all the different parts.
- What does your whole body feel like now?
Slowly, when you are ready, gently open your eyes.
Conclude the scan by bringing awareness to the whole body, then slowly inviting them to open their eyes.
My Body Map Drawing
Time to Draw Your Adventure!
- You will get a Body Map worksheet.
- Draw or color how different parts of your body felt.
- Use colors, shapes, or even words!
- There are no right or wrong answers, just what you noticed.
Explain the Body Map activity. Encourage creative expression and remind them there's no right or wrong way to draw their sensations.
Share Your Discoveries
What did you discover on your body adventure today?
- What was one new thing you noticed about your body?
- How might listening to your body help you feel calm?
Your body is an amazing helper!
Facilitate a short sharing and reflection session. Reinforce the benefit of body awareness for self-calming.
Script
Guided Body Scan Narration
(Teacher): "Welcome, super-sensors! Today we're going on a very special adventure inside our own bodies. We're going to use our minds to gently explore different parts of ourselves, like curious explorers discovering new lands. This is called a body scan. It helps us notice what our bodies are feeling, without judgment."
(Teacher): "To begin our journey, let's find a comfortable spot. You can sit up straight in your chair, or if you prefer and have space, you can lie down. Make sure you feel relaxed and supported."
(Teacher): "Now, if you feel comfortable, gently close your eyes. If closing your eyes doesn't feel good, you can simply soften your gaze and look down at the floor or a spot in front of you. Take a deep breath in through your nose... and slowly let it out through your mouth. Let's do that one more time: breathe in... and breathe out. Feel your body settle a little more with each breath."
Beginning the Scan: Toes and Feet
(Teacher): "Let's start our adventure at the very bottom, in your feet and toes. Imagine a gentle spotlight shining on your toes. Wiggle them a little if you like, and then let them be still. What do you notice? Do they feel warm or cool? Tingly or quiet? Just notice, without trying to change anything."
(Teacher): "Now, bring your attention to the bottoms of your feet. Feel where they touch your shoes or the floor. What sensations are there? And then move to the tops of your feet, and up to your ankles. Can you feel anything there?"
Moving Up: Legs
(Teacher): "Let's gently guide our spotlight up from your ankles, into your lower legs—your calves and shins. What do you feel in this part of your body?"
(Teacher): "Travel a little further up to your knees. Notice any sensations around your kneecaps. Are they bent or straight? Just observe."
(Teacher): "Now, let your attention move into your thighs. These are big, strong muscles. Notice where your thighs are resting on your chair or on the floor. Can you feel the fabric of your clothes against your skin?"
Core: Tummy and Back
(Teacher): "Next, let's bring our curious mind to your tummy, your stomach area. Take a gentle breath and notice how your tummy moves a little with each inhale and exhale. What sensations are here? Maybe a soft rumble, or just a quiet feeling."
(Teacher): "Now, gently shift your attention to your back. Starting from your lower back, move your awareness up to your middle back, and then your upper back. Notice any points where your back touches the chair or the floor. Can you feel the support beneath you?"
Upper Body: Hands, Arms, and Shoulders
(Teacher): "Let's explore your hands. Wiggle your fingers gently and then let them rest. Notice your fingertips, your palms, the backs of your hands, and your wrists. What do your hands feel like right now?"
(Teacher): "Guide your attention up your arms to your elbows. And then further up your arms to your shoulders. These are often places where we hold tension. Can you let your shoulders gently drop down and away from your ears? Feel them soften."
Head and Face
(Teacher): "Now, let's move to your neck and throat. How does this area feel? Is it relaxed?"
(Teacher): "Finally, bring your spotlight to your face and head. Notice your jaw – is it clenched or relaxed? Your cheeks, your nose, your eyes, your forehead. You can even notice the feeling of your hair on your head. Just observe all the tiny sensations in your face."
Whole Body Awareness
(Teacher): "Now, gently bring your awareness to your whole body, from the tips of your toes all the way to the top of your head. Notice all the different parts, all the different sensations, all at once. What does your whole super-sensing body feel like right now?"
(Teacher): "Take one more slow, gentle breath. And when you are ready, very slowly and gently, open your eyes. Wiggle your fingers and toes a little. Stretch if you like."
(Teacher): "Welcome back, super-sensors!"
Activity
My Body Map Drawing
Name: ____________________________
Welcome back from your Super-Sensing Body Scan Adventure! Now it's time to draw what you discovered inside your amazing body.
Instructions:
- Look at the body outline below. This is your very own body map!
- Think about how different parts of your body felt during our body scan.
- Use crayons or colored pencils to draw or color on the body map to show what you noticed.
- Did a part feel tingly? Draw tiny stars or zigzags!
- Did a part feel warm? Use a warm color like red or orange.
- Did a part feel calm and relaxed? Use a cool color like blue or green.
- Did you notice a part felt tight? You could draw squiggly lines or use a darker color.
- You can also write a word or two next to a body part if that helps you remember what you felt.
There are no right or wrong answers! This is your body and your unique adventure. Just draw what you noticed.
My Super-Sensing Body Map
The Body Scan journey will begin with the feet and move up through the body, ending at the head. Remind students to simply observe any sensations without judgment. Speak slowly and calmly, pausing for 10-15 seconds after each body part to allow students to focus.