CLASSROOM Grades 1 - 3 | Week Seven | The Panda Bear
Or, Jump To:
Week One - The Owl Week Two - The Guard Dog Week Three - The Hippo Week Four - The Monkey Week Five - The Elephant Week Six - The Dolphin Week Eight - The Pig
Subject: Gratitude - The Panda Bear
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 - The Panda Bear
As with last week, it is recommended that the children start this week’s lesson with the activity of making their own “Panda Bear” 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
Art for Kids Hub - Art Lessons - How to Draw for Kids
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 Panda Bear 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: Discuss Last Week’s Mindful Job
Discuss with students their success and challenges with last week’s Mindful Job
Last Week’s Mindful Job: Practice sending wishes for health, happiness, peace, love…to someone special and notice how this feels in the mind and body.
The following questions may help you prompt the discussion:
Did anyone remember to send Loving Kindness to someone special last week?
Would anyone like to share who they sent their kind wishes to?
Did you notice anything in your body when you sent Loving Kindness to a special someone?
How did your mind feel when you sent these kind wishes?
Do you think that sending Loving Kindness could be helpful if you are feeling sad, mad or lonely?
Step Four: Play The Panda Bear Lesson & Meditation - 6 minutes
Now that the Sound Check is complete, you will play the Lesson below. Listen and learn with your students!
Step Five: Meditation Reflection - 5+ minutes
Here are some questions to drive follow up discussion. There are no wrong answers!
Does anyone want to share what they said thank you for with their thinking mind during today’s meditation?
How did your body feel when you practiced being thankful?
Was there a spot in your body where you could notice more feelings/sensations when you practiced being thankful (for example, triggered a smile on face, tingling in the chest)?
Step Six: Mindful Job
Remind students of this week’s Mindful Job: Each morning choose two small things you are thankful for and then close your eyes and picture those things close to you in your mind as you lie in your bed. Say thank you for these special things with your thinking mind and notice how your body, mind and heart feel.
Step Seven: Daily Meditation - 5 minutes - 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 Panda Bear 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 Eight - Additional Activities (Optional)
JOURNAL
Ask students to draw a picture of 3 things they are thankful for.