MindUP in the Classroom
Implementing MindUP in the classroom involves adopting the philosophy and Core Practice into the daily routines of the classroom. In addition to the valuable information learned from the 15 independent lessons and extension activities, MindUP is useful for check-in times at the beginning and ending of the day, as well as for transitions.
In the first unit, comprised of three lessons, children are introduced to the physiology of their brain and the concept of mindful attention. They are then taught the Core Practice - deep belly breathing and focused awareness.
The second unit of 6 lessons helps to sharpen their senses. Students experience the relationship between their senses, their moving bodies, and the way they think. The lessons focus on mindful listening, mindful seeing, mindful smelling, mindful tasting and mindful movement. There are many opportunities for cross-curricular content in the lessons.
In the third unit of three lessons, students learn about attitude and mind-set and how it affects how we learn and progress. These lessons cover perspective taking, choosing optimism and appreciating happy experiences.
The final unit also has three lessons. It focuses on learning to apply mindful behaviours to interactions with the community and the world. The topics of expressing gratitude, performing acts of kindness and taking mindful action in the world help children to expand their knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
Each MindUP lesson is structured in the same way. There is an introduction, links to brain research, clarifying suggestions (for making the brain research information accessible to the students), learning goals and materials list, warm up activities, step-by-step approach for the main lesson, and cross curricular connections (to expand the lesson and offer alternative approaches to content).
Implementing MindUP in the classroom involves adopting the philosophy and Core Practice into the daily routines of the classroom. In addition to the valuable information learned from the 15 independent lessons and extension activities, MindUP is useful for check-in times at the beginning and ending of the day, as well as for transitions.
In the first unit, comprised of three lessons, children are introduced to the physiology of their brain and the concept of mindful attention. They are then taught the Core Practice - deep belly breathing and focused awareness.
The second unit of 6 lessons helps to sharpen their senses. Students experience the relationship between their senses, their moving bodies, and the way they think. The lessons focus on mindful listening, mindful seeing, mindful smelling, mindful tasting and mindful movement. There are many opportunities for cross-curricular content in the lessons.
In the third unit of three lessons, students learn about attitude and mind-set and how it affects how we learn and progress. These lessons cover perspective taking, choosing optimism and appreciating happy experiences.
The final unit also has three lessons. It focuses on learning to apply mindful behaviours to interactions with the community and the world. The topics of expressing gratitude, performing acts of kindness and taking mindful action in the world help children to expand their knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
Each MindUP lesson is structured in the same way. There is an introduction, links to brain research, clarifying suggestions (for making the brain research information accessible to the students), learning goals and materials list, warm up activities, step-by-step approach for the main lesson, and cross curricular connections (to expand the lesson and offer alternative approaches to content).
an example of the lesson plans
this is unit I lesson 1
Unit I Lesson 1 | |
File Size: | 417 kb |
File Type: |
While the structure of the program consists of only 4 units and a total of 15 lessons, the Core Practice is intended to be integrated into regular activities, every day throughout the year. MindUP is written and published in three age groupings… Pre K-Grade 2, Grade 3-Grade 5, and Grade 6-Grade 8. We have only looked at the Pre K-Grade 2 book but we believe that they are all similarly structured. As presented, the lessons can be easily simplified for the younger students and extended for more mature students.