Mindfulness and Somatic Grounding Exercises

The 5-4-3-2-1 Classroom Desk Edition is the ultimate resource for teachers to help their students relieve anxiety, manage the stress of testing, and develop better focus in class.

Do you need an evidence-based, effective method to help students, manage anxiety, combat test stress, and improve focus on work? Use the Mindfulness and Somatic Grounding Classroom Desk Edition. This no-fuss curriculum helps teachers help their students through the unique challenges of middle school. In a traditional middle school, there are limited opportunities for students to use mindfulness in a private manner that does not draw attention to themselves.

The Mindfulness and Somatic Grounding Classroom Desk Edition is a trauma-sensitive, neurobiologically accurate best practice that provides students with a method to use at their desks that will not call attention to them or make them feel conspicuous. The framework is based on the well-known 5-4-3-2-1 sensory method. By providing instructions for using the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory method at their desks, you will create a space for your students that can serve as an anchor of calmness and safety.

The toolkit is a perfect fit for school counselors, homeroom teachers, and any teacher interested in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Everything you need to know to successfully teach this practice to your students is included in the toolkit!

Here is a breakdown of the 43-page document:

Part 1: Educator's Guide and Methodology: We go deep into an adolescent’s brain and how anxiety and their brain function. This will identify the reasons that this method works so that you have the professional knowledge to effectively teach it to students. The report contains case studies and the correct method of implementation.

Part 2: 10-Worksheet Student Workbook: The student workbook is practical, interesting and beautifully produced to help guide all students through mastering the technique of Sensory Mapping. The worksheets are progressive in approach to build upon each of the skills necessary to master the technique (for example, from basic sensory mapping to “stealth” self-regulation in social situations and adapting the method of self-regulation for different environments—e.g., the library, science laboratory or assemblies).

Part 3: Visuals and Educator Resources:

a. Professional visuals—printable diagrams and mind maps that will allow you to visually represent Sensory Mapping to your students (ideal for use as classroom posters or in interactive notebooks);

b. Scripts for Educators to teach the new technique to students in the classroom, both to the entire class and to individuals;

c. Troubleshooting Guide (advice on what to do when students resist or have challenges with this approach);

d. Section-by-section answer keys and educator notes to make it easy for you to assess and assist your students with each of the student worksheets.

Assist your students in transitioning from the “fight or flight” response to the “rest and learn” mode by providing them with a self-regulation tool that they can use throughout their lives .

Keywords: Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Mindfulness for Kids, Somatic Grounding, 5-4-3-2-1 Technique, Anxiety Management, Classroom Management, Middle School, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, Test Anxiety, Focus, Self-Regulation, Trauma-Informed, Calm Down Corner, School Counselors, Printable Workbook, Digital Resource.

Why School Systems and Parents Appreciate It:

Low-Key and Without Stigma: This program lets students secretly control their anxiety with no attention drawn to themselves at their desks. Thus there is no social stigma attached to using an obvious 'calm down' tool or leaving the class to manage anxiety, which many adolescents are concerned about.

Empowers Students: By learning how to ‘hack’ their own nervous system instead of relying on an adult to help them stop escalating to an explosive state, students are developing a coping strategy that gives them a tangible skill as well as a sense of control over their emotional state.

Based on Evidence and Academics: The approach is based on established research from neurobiology and somatic psychology (the study of the amygdala hijack); therefore, both educators and students view the program in an academically serious manner because of the sophistication of the content but the simplicity of delivery.

Comprehensive and Easy to Implement: This program is a comprehensive, use-ready package that includes a thorough description of the concepts, required materials, instructions for the teacher, illustrations, and complete answer keys. A busy educator could implement this program successfully with no problems at all.

Addresses a Significant Need: With the increasing number of students suffering from anxiety in school, this program will help educators to address a significant need by providing a practical, efficient, and non-intrusive method to help students be present and able to learn.

Target Audience:

Content for Primary Target: The content of this resource is specifically targeting the primary target audience with specific and thorough data supporting it.

Primary Target: Students in 6th-8th Grade (Middle School). The PDF provides information about this group consistently within the context of their neurological and social challenges they face (e.g. Synaptic Pruning, Social Camouflage, Peer Evaluation). The attached case studies/examples of two students, Julian and Maya, who are in the 8th and 6th grades, respectively and consistent with this audience. The worksheet difficulties are completely appropriate for this age group.

Secondary Target: Students in 9th-10th Grade: Older readers with test anxiety or social anxiety will find this resource extremely useful.

School Counselors, Psychologists and Therapists: This resource is an excellent Tier 1 (whole-class) and Tier 2 (individual/small group) intervention for school employed mental health providers.

Special Education Teachers: This resource will provide an excellent tool to assist students who need a structured, concrete, sensory approach to learning self-regulation.

Copyright Notice/Terms of Use

By Syed Hammad Rizvi

The author of this resource has given permission for it to be used as an individual and personal resource in an identified one room class. No part of this resource may be altered, given to anyone else in any form, and sold. In other words, this cannot appear on the Internet in any way for all to find and download.

If you want to share this resource with any other colleagues, you must purchase other licenses (Teachsimple).

Thank you for honouring this Terms of Use.

This resource was provided to you in a spirit of enthusiasm by Syed Hammad Rizvi.