Mindfulness in Turquesa

Hello Turquesa Folks,

As you know, this year we are having weekly Mindfulness lessons with Ms. Jessica. To give you a glimpse of the kind of work she’s been doing with us, here is her overview of their work in the right now. Here is what she says:

“…We are working on "Nature Meditation" in mindfulness right now.  This will be a series of 4 sessions.  The intention of this practice is to help children identify and connect with elements in nature as a reconnection to self.  For each lesson they will learn the intent and purpose of the element being introduced, and a simple breathing exercise that goes with it.  Last week we learned about our "inner mountain".  We brainstormed what makes a mountain significant and then reflected on when we feel our inner mountain the most.  Students talked about sitting in a tree, reading a book, swimming, or spending time with mom. Next, they selected a stone or shell from my box and drew a picture of a mountain on it.  Next, we practiced the breathing exercise - "Breathing in I see myself as a mountain, breathing out I am solid and calm, nothing can move or distract me."   This week we will learn about our "inner flower" and how it helps us stay fresh, joyful, and beautiful.  Each student received a small colored mesh bag which will hold their nature elements.  The nature meditation bags will remain in the classroom through the end of the year.”

To bring mindfulness into our everyday classroom lives, we are introducing mindfulness tables to the classrooms where students can go to practice mindfulness, make wishes for love or peace, give thanks to the earth, or just quietly reconnect with themselves.  This table sits someplace quiet and free from traffic and distractions.  It is covered with a simple cloth with space to add a basket for the nature mediation bags and other elements of mindfulness, peace, and nature.  Students can use the table in many ways, including "mindfully" selecting items from outdoors to add to the table each week and return the previous items back to nature. 

We are doing our best to stay mindful, present and peaceful in Turquesa. We hope you are having a peaceful week!


Ms. Nicole