CLASSROOM Grades 1 - 3 | Week One | The Owl
Or, Jump To:
Week Two - The Dog Week Three - The Hippo Week Four - The Monkey Week Five - The Elephant Week Six - The Dolphin Week Seven - The Panda Bear Week Eight - The Pig
Subject: Our Brain’s Wise Leader - The Prefrontal Cortex - The Owl
Requirements: You will need internet access and a laptop, tablet or smartphone for accessing this content. You will need a wired or Bluetooth connection to a speaker to amplify the audio into the classroom. You DO NOT need a screen or projector as each lesson is audio only from your device and requires students to close their eyes and/or focus on their Belly Buddy.
Step One: The DIY Belly Buddy Crafting Project
A Belly Buddy is an animal craft that corresponds with this week’s brain science lesson and will serve as an object of focus for in school mediation practice. We recommend that the children start this week’s lesson with the activity of making their own “Owl” Belly Buddy. For the Classroom version of this program it is recommended that students draw their belly buddy animal on a sheet of paper. The finished drawing can be placed on the student’s desk and used as a focal point during the meditation. Teachers may choose to tie this drawing activity to Art Education Curriculum Expectations. Drawings can be placed in a duo tang and stored in students’ desks. A favourite tool to assist students with their artwork is Art For Kids Hub
How to Draw an Owl - Pre-School
As an alternative to drawing a picture, teachers may choose to have students create the toilet paper roll animal that is used during the bedtime version of the program. Click here for toilet paper animal template.
Step Two: Soundcheck - 30 seconds
Before beginning The Owl Lesson and Meditation, play the Sound Check file below to ensure your speakers are working correctly and that all students can hear the audio effectively.
Step Three: Play the Owl Lesson & Meditation - 6 minutes
Now that the Sound Check is complete, you will play the Lesson below. Listen and learn with your students!
Step Four: Meditation Reflection - 5+ minutes
Prompt student discussion with the following questions. There are no wrong answers!
What sounds did you hear when you practiced Mindful Listening?
How did your body/mind feel when you practiced Mindful Listening?
Did you find it difficult to listen Mindfully?
Did you find that you became distracted (by your own thinking or other students), and if so, were you able to bring your attention back to listening?
Step Five: Mindful Job
Remind students of this week’s Mindful Job: Practice Mindful Listening when you are lying in your bed in the morning and at night.
Step Six: Daily Meditations - 4 minutes - Practice Various Times During the Week
With the audio lesson complete, you are encouraged to take time during the balance of the week to practice with students the guided meditation/s below (the Owl Belly Buddy craft is not required for these practices). The ‘Daily Meditations’ are in support of each week’s lesson, but you can come back to them as often as you like. Typically they are 3 - 6 minutes each.
These meditations are a useful tool to help settle students after a recess, lunch break, or physical activity.
Step Seven - Additional Activities (Optional)
JOURNAL
Have the students draw a picture of themselves surrounded by all the sounds they could hear when they practiced Mindful Listening in class or at home.