Students in room 202 are focusing on mindfulness—attending to the here and now in a considerate, nonjudgmental way. Students are monitoring their breathing in a way that helps their brain think more clearly. They notice that when they take some time to focus on their breathing they end up feeling calmer and more ready to learn.

Children have been doing mindful activities where they focus their attention on one sense. Last week the class did a mindful listening activity. They closed their eyes and listened carefully to all of the sounds around them. After 30 seconds they listed everything they heard in their mindful journal. This exercise is one way to help the mind settle down and focus one's attention on the here and now.