Mindful Choices: Elementary School

Learn ways you and your students can become calmer and more focused

Course Description

Mindful awareness is paying careful attention to what is happening now, and noticing when your attention drifts away. Mindful awareness practices help people of all ages develop habits that make us better decision makers. Strategies for developing mindfulness include breathing exercises and awareness activities.

Included in the Mindful Choices Program:

Mindful breathing exercises (in audio recordings and written scripts) to incorporate into the daily classroom routine
Plans for mini-lessons that support deeper understanding of mindfulness-related concepts: attention to detail, strengthening self- control, and maintaining focus
Ideas for integrating mindful awareness practices into your classroom throughout the year

Research Has Shown:

Higher levels of emotional control, optimism and empathy than students who were not instructed in mindfulness (“Mindfulness Exercises Improve Kids’ Math Scores” –Time, Jan. 26, 2015).
Reduced behavior problems and aggression among students (“San Francisco Schools Transformed by the Power of Meditation” – NBC Nightly News, Dec. 29, 2014).
Improvement with metacognition and their ability to maintain attention. These students also showed improvements in memory, planning, and organization (The Mindful Child by Susan Kaiser Greenland).
Increased impulse control (Sitting Still Like a Frog by Eline Snel).

Testimonials:

“Utilizing mindfulness breathing activities has been helpful during our after lunch transition. It gives the students a chance to re-set and calm themselves as we come back into the classroom.” -- Elementary school teacher, Hardy Williams Academy
“My students enjoyed all of the activities. I see a noticeable improvement in the tone of the room. I hope to continue the program next year. Thank you for all of your hard work with us.” -- Elementary school teacher, Vare-Washington School

Head Instructor

Alliance for Decision Education

How I Decide is an educational nonprofit 501(c)(3) that equips youth with skills to be better decision makers throughout their lives. Rather than telling youth what to decide, we teach them how to make more sensible decisions. We create innovative programs and instructional content to develop students’ critical thinking, social, and emotional skills. In addition, we support research to develop new products, interventions, and instructional methods.

Course curriculum

1

Welcome!
- Instructions
- Implementing Mindful Choices
- Sample Mindful Choices Calendar
2

Mindful Breathing Basics
- Mindful Breathing Basics
3

Guided Breathing Recordings
- Mindful Bodies - 0:27
- Shoulder Rolls - 1:15
- Arm Raises - 1:32
- Matching Breaths - 2:38
- Matching Breaths with Retention - 1:56
- Matching Breaths with Retention - 2:41
- Lazy 8 - 2:12
- Chair Sun Salutations - 2:26
- "Yes" Breaths - 1:16
- Body Scan - 2:51
- Kindness Meditation - 7:05
4

Mini-Lessons
- Intro Video
- Mini-Lesson 1: Introduction to Mindfulness
- Mini-Lesson 2: Mindfulness Jar
- Mini-Lesson 3: Mindful Listening
- Mini-Lesson 4: Zentangle
- Mini-Lesson 5: Reduce Multi-tasking
- Mini-Lesson 6: In Plain Sight
- Mini-Lesson 7: Memory Game #1
- Mini-Lesson 8: Memory Game #2
- Mini-Lesson 9: Mindful Eating
- Mini-Lesson 10: Walkabout
- Mini-Lesson 11: Mindful Walking
- Mini-Lesson 12: Cloud Watching
- Mini-Lesson 13: Simon Says
- Mini-Lesson 14: Gratitude Log
- Mini-Lesson 15: Staring Contest
- Mini-Lesson 16: Mindfulness Visualized
5

Additional Materials
- Additional Activities
- Written Reflection Worksheet
- Teacher Post Survey
6

Program Booklet
- Elementary School Guide

Enroll Free