Mindfulness
The beginning of class is the perfect time to stop, look inward and focus our attention on being present in a new learning environment. The goal of mindfulness in our class is to provide that space or time in our busy schedules in order to consider, as well as get ready to be present in the moment. Mindfulness in our classroom will help to clear our minds of the past (what happened before we arrived in class) and the future (what will happen after we leave the class) so we can better identify what is important now. We will work towards achieving this goal in a number of ways:
Mindful Attendance: During Mindful Attendance students will have an opportunity to explore topics, discuss themes or create a plan for getting ready for the class. Students might watch short videos, and read short messages or snippets of information in order to focus on a particular idea or goal that will be relevant to the class. We might do breathing exercises, short guided meditations, and other activities which aim to focus our attention on being present in the moment. We might also color mindfully while we listen to a set of instructions or goals for the class.
Brain Breaks: Our clock is marked at every 15-minute interval to remind us to stop, at least once during the course of the block period; these short, two-minute stops will allow us to engage in completely different tasks with the goal of giving our minds a break. These breaks work well to refocus attention on the tasks at hand and they also provide fun opportunities to engage in games that test our right/left brain dominance, coordination, memory, creativity, etc. We might flip pens, play clapping and repetition games, Simon says, try out short choreographic routines, etc.
Calm Schools Initiative: We will use calm.com's wonderful features to bring mindfulness into our class. If you are looking for an app to help you reduce stress, and anxiety or to help you sleep more soundly, give this one a try!
Students are not obliged to participate in the mindfulness activities; should they choose to refrain from the practice, they are expected to be supportive and avoid interrupting others during our mindfulness activities.