Instructor: Erin Brennan
Community: Grade 3, School Setting, 30 minutes
Plan Creation Date: October 26, 2015
Yoga Calm Principle/Lesson Goal: Community
Academic/Therapeutic/Other Goals: Tie into a lesson on Thanksgiving
Props/Music Resources Required: Chime, cups and napkins (fall colors) for each student, organic baby carrots, organic corn chips, organic raisins, organic chocolate squares, organic apple juice, leaf-shaped placemats (Option: Ask the teacher a few days ahead of time to help students make placemats out of construction paper, which the teacher has laminated.), Anjali CD, CD player. Have the teacher prep the students ahead of time, with hands washed, desks wiped down, their placemats laid on their desks.
Lesson Plan:
Calm
- Chime – Sound a chime once to center the students and prepare them for the lesson. Ask them to give a thumbs-up once they can no longer hear the chime. Turn down the lights and play soothing music.
- Yoga Flow – Begin a calm, slow-moving flow: Mountain pose; volcano breath three times; forward fold; chair; upward mountain; crescent moon; tree pose, tree circle.
- Students take their places at their desks.
- Have student volunteers mindfully pass out cups, napkins and food items to each student, making eye-contact and smiling as they do so. Assist each student in pouring their own juice. Tell the students to be mindful and say “thank you” and “you’re welcome” during the exchange. Once everything is set-up, ask them to be aware of their feelings in the present moment. Ask for comments regarding how to prepare for a special meal, create a calm atmosphere for dining, show others appreciation, etc.
Activate
- Begin with the carrots, followed by the chips, then the raisin and finish with the chocolate square, allowing for once sip of juice between each food item. Lead the students in appreciating each item, from its colors and textures to its nutrients and finally its flavors. Instruct them on how to use fully each of the five senses for each and every food item.
- Once all the food items have been tasted once, allow the students to eat and talk freely, paying attention to their facial expressions, body language and what they talk about. After a few minutes, give compliments based on what you observe. Ask for volunteers to compliment their fellow students, comment on the activity, and share their feelings.
Calm
- Relaxation – students remain seated at their desks with eyes closed. Read Mindful Moment Card on Community: “Picture a time when you shared a wonderful meal with family and friends. What were you eating? Who made the meal?”