Schools Tree Day - The Nature of Mindfulness - 15 minutes

Schools Tree Day - The Nature of Mindfulness - 15 minutes

Lesson 3 of 4 in this unit

  • Secondary
  • Year 7 - 10
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Geography
  • Business and Economics
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Health
  • Physical Education
  • Social
  • Mental Health
  • Physical Health
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
  • ...

Lesson summary

The aim of these activities is to help students make sense of mindfulness by applying it to life. In the first activity students make a ‘States of Mind’ bottle, which when shaken symbolises the mind in both its messiness and when left to settle symbolises a mind at peace. In the second activity students take a Nature Awareness Walk, and in the third activity students find a Natural Mindful Talisman or Totem to aid them in their mindful practice.

Learning Goals:

  • To create enhanced focus, emotional regulation, empathy and happiness through connection with nature.
  • To cultivate present moment awareness so that calm, considered and conscious choices can begin to replace impulsive, unconscious reactions.
  • To provide hands-on contact with the natural world.

Lesson guides and printables

Lesson Plan
Teacher Content Info

Curriculum links

Select your curriculum from the options below.

Lesson details

Curriculum mapping

Australian Curriculum content descriptions:

Year 7 & 8 Health and Physical Education:

  • Plan and use health practices, behaviours and resources to enhance the health, safety and well being of their communities (ACPPS077).
  • Plan and implement strategies for connecting to natural and built environments to promote the health and well being of their communities (ACPPS078).

Year 9 & 10 Health and Physical Education:

  • Plan and evaluate new and creative interventions that promote their own and others’ connection to community and natural and built environments (ACPPS097).

Syllabus Outcomes: PDHPE4.6, PDHPE4.7, PDHPE4.8, PDHPE4.9, PDHPE4.14, PDHPE5.9, PDHPE5.14.

Time required: 15 minutes for each activity.

Level of teacher scaffolding: High – lead students in mindfulness activities.

Resources required

Materials needed for making States of Mind Bottles:

  • Empty, clean plastic 1–1.5 litre bottles (spring/mineral water/soft drink). Students can work in groups of 3–5; each group will need one bottle.
  • Source a range of soils, sands, mulch from outside.
  • Source funnels to feed materials into bottles, or simply use a sheet of curled paper as a funneling device.

Additional info

Following this lesson is an ideal way for students to participate in Planet Ark’s Schools Tree Day – the largest nature-care event in Australian schools. You and your students will join thousands of amazing teachers in making a difference, fostering a child’s love of nature and creating positive environmental change. So, get growing! It only takes a minute to register for Schools Tree Day.

lesson saved in resources

Save

Download

Share

More from this unit

See all
  • Lesson 1 of 4
  • Free
  • ...

Schools Tree Day - The Nature of Mindfulness - 2 minutes

  • Secondary
  • Year 7 - 10
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Geography
  • Business and Economics
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Health
  • Physical Education
  • Social
  • Mental Health
  • Physical Health
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
  • Lesson 2 of 4
  • Free
  • ...

Schools Tree Day - The Nature of Mindfulness - 5 minutes

  • Secondary
  • Year 7 - 10
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Geography
  • Business and Economics
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Health
  • Physical Education
  • Social
  • Mental Health
  • Physical Health
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
  • Lesson 4 of 4
  • Free
  • ...

Schools Tree Day - The Nature of Mindfulness - 60 minutes

  • Secondary
  • Year 7 - 10
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Geography
  • Business and Economics
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Health
  • Physical Education
  • The Arts
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Design and Technologies
  • Social
  • Mental Health
  • Physical Health
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
See all

Related content

Loading content...
Loading content...
Loading content...
Loading content...