Time
3-5 minutes
Level
Primary / Junior / Intermediate
Material
Chime/timer app
Purpose
To help students focus their attention, calm feelings of anxiety, and manage stress
Use a chime to begin the end of day quiet reflection.
Ask students to stand in front of their desk. Say:
- It’s time to organize our desks for tomorrow.
- Take a quiet breath through your nose and slowly let it out.
- Stand up straight and take two more breaths in the same way. (PAUSE)
- Place items that you won’t be bringing home in your desk. (PAUSE)
- Stand behind your chair.
- Stretch your arms to the left as you breathe out. Breathe in as you stretch your fingers toward the sky.
- Breathe out as you stretch your arms to the right. Breathe as you bring your arms back to center.
- Continue breathing gently as you lower your arms to your sides.
Roll your shoulders, stand up straight, and smile.
- The script can be modified to suit your students’ developmental level and the classroom setting.
- This practice can be used as an alternative to the circle in the morning.
- To focus or centre students, read a Scripture passage before beginning the activity.
- Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
- I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1)
- Tie to the Parable of the Prodigal Son as a way to remember and discuss the concept of forgiveness.
- “On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.’ When he saw them he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ And he said to him, ‘Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-18)
- As the students become more familiar with the script, do this activity without reading the script aloud.
- Consider implementing this practice schoolwide.
Students who engage in physical activity and/or breathing exercises during the school day are able to focus, and maintain attention throughout the day, as these tasks stimulate executive functions, and allow students to regulate emotions experienced in the classroom (Diamond & Lee, 2011).
Diamond, A., & Lee, K. (2011). Interventions Shown to Aid Executive Function Development in Children 4 to 12 Years Old. Science, 333(6045), 959-964.
Reading Scripture passages brings us to the word of God, building a deeper connection to His love.
(4d) A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who responds to, manages, and constructively influences change in a discerning manner.
Self-regulation and well-being: to develop their physical and mental health and well-being
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