The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has identified three key opportunities within every class to intentionally embed SEL. The following strategies adopt the CASEL signature practices through the lens of mindfulness. All of the activities listed throughout the pages of this website can be strategically placed into any one of these three categories.
This ritual is designed to build community and connect to the work ahead. It is an opportunity for learners to settle into their space and prepare their minds and bodies for learning.
Grounding (Self awareness, self management)
Grounding strategies are designed to help learners anchor in to their environment and prepare for learning. It can provide space to let go of whatever it is they might have carried with them into the classroom. Having a daily practice sets the tone for a predictable schedule that learners can rely on when entering the classroom.
5-4-3-2-1
Invite learners to look around the room and find FIVE things they can see.
Have them label each thing in their mind with as much details as possible.
Give them time to move through each of the five items.
Next have them find FOUR things they can hear. Again, labeling each sound in detail. Invite them to notice
THREE things they can feel in their physical body. (Examples might include the feeling of the air against their skin, the weight of their body on the chair, their feet making contact with the ground...)
TWO things you can smell.
ONE thing they can taste.
Pause before providing a warm transition.
Alternatives to this might include finding all the blue things in the room, or all the squares.
Setting an intention
(Sankalpa/Sanskrit)
Give space and prompting for students to settle into their space. Allow them to become aware of their breath and of the sensations they feel in their physical body. Once they have "grounded," encourage them to set an intention for today's class. It might be that they stay focused, or that they ask questions, work with someone new, approach the material with a beginner's mind...the options are limitless. (You can also provide a suggested intention for them).
Throughout class, revisit this intention a few times, allowing them to remember and refocus on it.
Singing bowls/Tingshas
Bringing mindful awareness through listening engages the senses and provides a sense of calmness to the nervous system.
Try playing sounds as a signal to quiet the voices and refocus the mind.
Perhaps ask learners to focus on how long they can hear a specific sound, raising their hand when the sound disappears.
Teaching Tips:
Never underestimate the power one deep cleansing breath before and after starting any activity. Create a calming environment for the activity by allowing for space between your words. Notice your tone of voice. Join in on the activity with your students. Remembering to take a deep breath helps you stay centered and focused as well.
See also The Breath
This activity is designed to anchor the learning that is taking place. It gives learners an opportunity to connect with the material and relate it to something relevant.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
PMR allows a person to recognize tension in their body and then let go of it in a controlled manner. Evidence shows that PMR can alter the nervous system, activate production of happy hormones, and promote optimal immune function. Simply put, PMR is an easy and effective way to promote a relaxed state, even in the most stressful situations.
Invite students to find a place where they can sit comfortably.
Have them bring their right arm out to their side and make a fist with their hand. Inhale deeply. Squeeeeeze the hand into a tight fist, using all the energy and tension that they have in their body.
Encourage students to Keep squeezing, feeling the tension in their fist, their arm, maybe even up to their shoulder, feeling every drop of stress, anger, frustration, or tension gathering in their fist. Encourage them to keep squeezing....and then...all at once, let their arm relax, gently falling to their side. Invite them to feel their body let go of all of it as they exhale.
Now try it on the other side. asking them to Inhale deeply....and then exhale.
Next, invite them to squeeze their shoulders up toward their ears, focusing all of thier tension and strength in the shoulders and neck. Encourage them to continue squeezing (5-10 seconds is all you need)....and then drop the shoulders, feeling them relax and let go.
Do this with all the muscles in the face. The cheeks, The forehead, lips, eyelids... Now relax. Invite them to Let their face feel the softness of being relaxed and letting go. h muscle group. Chances are, you won't be awake to reach the top of your head. Pause before providing a warm transition.
Want to learn more? Here's a great resource: Progressive muscle relaxation | ScienceDirect Topics. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/progressive-muscle-relaxation
Get moving and stretching! Increase oxygen to the brain for greater focus and attention. Click below for sample classes.
This activity concludes the class time together. It provides an opportunity to reflect on what was learned during class. It highlights the learner's individual and shared understanding of the importance of the work. It creates space to feel a sense of accomplishment, support forward thinking. It provides students a transition to the next part of their day feeling grounded, balanced, safe, and ready to keep learning.
One Word Reflections
Students gather in a circle. Each one takes a turn giving one word that reflects something they have learned or something they are feeling. This is meant to be a quick share out and with practice will go faster.
Guided Visualization
This can be as quick or lengthy as you want it to be. Invite the students to come to a comfortable seat. Through your words, you can take them through a journey that allows them to process any thoughts that might be running through their mind about the work they just did. Your imagination can be limitless with this. You can take them through reflections on key concepts or simply provide space for them to process.
Pre-recorded guided visualizations
Express your gratitude for your class
Connect with your students through gratitude. This builds relationships and models a mindset of gratitude. Be authentic in your gratitude. Here are a few phrases to get your started:
Student lead closure
At the end of class, invite one student to close the class with any words they like, sharing their own thoughts and words in the spur of the moment and speaking from the heart. This can be a thought of gratitude, words of affirmation, or a connection they made to the material studied. They may even choose to lead the class in a round of breath.
Establish a space that is comfortable for learners to be authentic.
Let learners know that it is always okay to pass.
They are encouraged to verbally say "pass" or "please come back to me" if that is their choose today.
Copyright © 2022 Peace4Schools - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.