We end the year expanding on sensations and how our body feels when we are in different states of alertness. We adapted the How Does your Engine Run Visual and brainstormed words after a variety of movement activities. The children improved distinguishing between a sensation and an emotional feeling. Once the children went through the movements and brainstormed what they noticed in their bodies, each child made a meter to be used later and added it to their notebooks. This lesson followed the Slow Motion Lesson earlier in the week.. But I forgot my camera that day... |
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First we used our eyes to look at objects with a specific purpose- to remember the objects when they were covered back up. We again listed the objects we recalled on the tray and noticed how we used our brains and eyes. Next, we just looked and watched the drippers. We then compared the differences, which was easier, harder, how we felt, etc. All noticed it was easier and more calming to just watch or look at the drippers. We then brainstormed animals that had strong animal eyes. The list included eagles, hawks, lions & cats of all kinds etc. The children were asked to sit with their mindful bodies and only moving their heads look carefully with their animal eyes around the room. They were asked to see if they noticed anything they hadn't noticed before. These items were shared and I asked why they thought they had never noticed these items before. This was difficult at first but soon they understood and started listing unusual items, creases etc they discovered and were quite excited. I then brought out the class rain stick typically used for our class meetings. It is a special stick and the children knew its sound. I asked them to listen to it with their eyes closed followed by listening to it with their animal eyes. They could look for unnoticed items as well. Most tried to do both- listening and looking. We talked about when and where else we could use our 'animal eyes'.
As needed through out the day and after every recess, we transition using a series of slow sequenced movements ending in a large audible exhale. The students follow my movements as we try to do the sequence together. It is common to see my students quietly standing in their semi circle signaling to me that it is time for the 'Ball'. This is often followed by mindfully listening to our singing bowl and sharing what we noticed. It is a wonderful way to transition and as one student likes to say, 'Get ready to think.'
The Emwaves produce a few different tones to indicate your level of calm and integration. A single tone means you have stayed green for 5 seconds, triple tones occur at every minute. The blue ladder lights increase by a single bar as well. This provides the child visual and auditory feedback on how they are doing! The children calmly listen to all the pleasant tones while some peek at their lights. Many shared specific strategies taught in class they used to stay green. One child shared today, ' I can feel the room go calm.' It is a peaceful place indeed. This time is clearly a confidence building time for the children as they learn to self regulate and feel, see & hear their efforts working. Today the older group participated in the body scan lesson. They were eager and I was cameraless ;- ( . The children were able to 'throw' ( boys use such interesting words) their attention to the bottom of their feet and we shared what they noticed. I told them we were going to take a trip, and guided them from head to toe and back as slowly as their attention allowed. They did remarkably well! I asked them to keep their eyes closed and stay in their mindful still bodies. I watched as I guided them and could see visible changes come across their faces, a relaxing of shoulders & facial muscles and many small smiles. I was a bit surprised by their smiles and clear relaxation after this first lesson. The children shared many things from feelings & sensations of warmth, tingles, cold, heavy, very light, tightness etc. Several said they felt like their hands/legs 'wanted to move'. They liked when I asked about their bottoms on the chair and were surprised that they could notice the chair. All consistently said when we got to their eyes that it was different- 'big in there', ' different than any other place on their body' , 'weird' ( but not unpleasant). All said they were very relaxed at the end. Some said they felt like they woke up from a nap but never fell asleep. We talked about how this might help them fall asleep because many have shared they struggle at night settling down. Two liked it better than focussing on the breath for falling asleep at night. After they completed their notebook page we went to the Emwave room. We listed our strategies or 'anchors' we have already learned. They settled in and sat for 8 minutes! Going Green |
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