ACTIVITIES

Wave High Five

Stand in a circle. Hands out/palms up to your sides. The leader sends a high five wave through the group by arcing their left hand up and over to slap (gently) the left hand of the student on their right. That person sends the high five to the person on their right until it gets back to the leader who sends the wave the other direction.

Pass the Squeeze

Stand in a circle holding hands. The leader will gently squeeze the hand to their left or right. That person will continue to pass it along. Try to go around the circle at least once before the teacher can say switch to change direction. An alternative: There is one leader and one switcher chosen secretly by the teacher (have students close their eyes. Teacher taps the leader once and the switcher twice). The leader starts the squeeze the switch can either continue the squeeze or change direction by squeeze the same hand that squeezed them. After a few minutes the group sits in their circle and kids can take guesses about who the leader was and who the switcher was.

Appreciation Chain

variation #1: Have students share something they appreciate about a classmate. When they share, they link arms with that person. Teacher may need to facilitate a bit, so that eventually a whole class chain circle is formed. You may want to have students write appreciations about every classmate before the activity begins.

variation #2: Have students and teacher stand in a circle with linked arms. The teacher will start by sharing an appreciation to either the student on the right or left. That student then keeps the appreciations going around the circle. Writing appreciations before starting the game is helpful.

Pink Bubble

Sit in a circle with backs straight, hands resting on knees. Students can sit criss cross or with knees bent, feet under their bottoms. Encourage students to close their eyes, think about a disappointment or a feeling that is bothering them. Instruct students to imagine putting that thought into the pink bubble. With eyes still closed, watch the bubble float away saying a silent wish as it disappears.

Friendly wishes for difficult people

Sit in a circle. Encourage participants to close their eyes. Have students think of a person they find difficult to be around, but would like to wish well. Use guided visualization: "imagine that you feel happy. Imagine that you're smiling, laughing, and having fun. Don't worry if you don't feel happy right now. Just picture yourself laughing, hanging out with friends, or doing something that you love to do. Then in your own words, silently say something like this: I want to be happy. I want to be healthy and strong. I want to be safe. I want to feel lots of love. I want to feel content and peaceful. Bring back the image of the person you find difficult, but whom you'd like to wish well. remember, you don't need to change your feelings toward them. In your own words, silently say something like this: I want you to be healthy and content. I hope that you're safe and feel peaceful. Choose words and good wishes that you're comfortable saying and repeat them silently." Process: How did you feel before this activity? How did you feel after?

Wishes for the World

Students write on a slip of paper one thing they would like to do to make the (school or the world) a better place. Have students crumple their paper and throw it into the middle of the circle. Then student grab an random slip of paper. Go around the circle and read loud and proud how the classroom would like to change the (school or world).