Boom Chi Boom

(rhythmic clapping game, warm up the students’ bodies using hand, feet, hips, etc)

OBJECTIVE: Building trust in the classroom: Students must feel safe to explore physically and emotionally. Focus is on the group, everyone participating together. First lines can be altered to curriculum themes or vocabulary.

PROCEDURE: Ideally, students stand in a circle. Can be done also in rows at desks, if needed. Leader creates a rhythm by clapping steadily with hands, and teaches the chant:

[Monkey Mind Pirates], Boom Chi Boom

[The Island of Calm], Boom Chi Boom

Let’s get the rhythm of the HANDS 1 – 2 – 3

We’ve got the rhythm of the HANDS 1 – 2 – 3

Let’s get the rhythm of the FEET 1 – 2 – 3

We’ve got the rhythm of the FEET 1 – 2 – 3

Let’s get the rhythm of the HIPS a-1 – a-2 – a-3

We’ve got the rhythm of the HIPS a-1 – a-2 –a- 3

Let’s get the rhythm of the WHOOP!  WHOOP

VARIATIONS

1. Speed up faster & faster
2. Slow motion
3. Eyes closed
4. Eyes closed, no vocal

Roll Call / Name Game

OBJECTIVE: Learning each other's names, learning to focus on each other, listening to others, taking risks

PROCEDURE: Ideally, students stand in a circle. Each student gets a turn in the circle to say their name and do an action. The whole group repeats the movement and action back to the student.

VARIATIONS: Pick a sound/action that describes how you are feeling today; pick the sound/action of an animal; etc.

Wave of Calm

OBJECTIVE: Learning a 5-point scale for describing intensity of emotions; learning to identify what each level feels like physically.

PROCEDURE: Show the visual of the Wave of Calm, as you talk through each level (1-5), physically encourage students to show what each level looks like and sounds like in their bodies.

VARIATIONS: Send a wave of Calm around the circle, giving it to each other. Make a Wave of Calm on the wall with tape, and ask students to place a post-it note where they feel they are.

Argh, Mateys!

The first song in the performance of Monkey Mind Pirates, Argh, Mateys asks an important question:

What's it going to be? Will you stand on the deck in the middle of the storm, or sink to the bottom of the sea?

OBJECTIVE: To learn movements to the chorus of Argh Mateys and to choreograph movements to each verse.

PROCEDURE: Follow the directions below

Chorus choreography

• Aargh, Mateys Right fist across body R --> L as right foot stomps
• Aargh, Mateys Left fist across body L --> Ras left foot stomps
• What’s it going to be? Hands out, palms up
• Will you stand on the deck Left hand on hip
• In the middle of the storm Right hand on hip
• Or sink to the bottom of the sea? Left hand above head, right hand pinching nose, bend knees down in a sinking motion

Create choreography for each verse

Verse 1:

• Come young, come old, come shy and bold
• Come sea dogs of all kinds.
• No time to waste, so let’s make haste; 
• ‘Tis treasure for to find!
• If ye be short or ye be tall,
• Ye be just what we need.
• And I won’t fault ye if yer salty: 
• Brine is what we bleed.

Verse 2:

• We’ll scour the sea all fancy-free, 
• Ol’ fate we’ll tempt and taunt.
• From oceans green to lands unseen, 
• For nothing will we want.
• So, join me crew, there’s much to do!
• Your time is nigh today…
• If ye agree to sail with me, 
• Then this is what you’ll say:

Verse 3:

• A trade wind’s near and blowin’ fast, 
• So fly the flag up high.
• Swab the deck and shine the brass
• And kiss your loves good-bye... Go down on one knee, gaze up at the stars
• Sail with me now and this I vow: 
• A trip by boat and mind
• Come tears (cry) or laughter (laugh) …
• ... what I’m after, 
• Dearer won’t you find.

VOCABULARY

Definition: An experienced sailor.

Context: Despite being an old sea dog, Captain Fitz fell overboard.

Definition: Hurry up.

Context: What’s taking so long with the Ice Cream? Make haste in there!

Definition: How sailors say the word "you."

Context: Thank ye very much for the gift, young man.

Definition: Having the flavor of or suggesting the sea or things related to the sea.

Context: Captain Fitz was a salty dog, never feeling comfortable on land.

Definition: Water containing a great deal of salt.

Context: When I swam in the ocean, I accidentally got a mouthful of brine.

Definition: To examine thoroughly and rapidly.

Context: He scoured the ground for clues where his dog might have gone.

Definition: To risk the dangers of . . .

Context: She’s tempting fate by standing on her head.

Definition: To provoke or challenge in a mocking or insulting manner.

Context: He taunted me with his sneering eyes.

Definition: Near in time.

Context: It’s nigh time you went to bed, young lady.

Legend of Calm

Did you know that inside of each of us, there is a hidden island? We call it the Island of Calm. Everyone has one, but each one is different. Have you discovered yours yet? What does it look like? How does it feel on your island? What do you see on your island? 

• waterfalls?
• palm trees?
• kittens?
• cinnamon rolls?

Calm is a place  Left hand over right hand, facing the floor at waist level, push down slowly and spread arms out to side.

Where I'd like to go... Right thumb points to chest

Like a warm embrace, Hug yourself

It comforts me so.

It stills my harried heart, Palm on chest, make a "heart" shape with hands

So tossed about at sea. Make waves with arms on both sides

Calm, I'm sailin' for thee. One hand to forehead to look out to sea

VOCABULARY

Definition: a hug

Context: She embraced her grandmother.

Definition: a feeling of being rushed.

Context: I felt harried when Mom told me to hurry up and get my shoes on.

Definition: you

Context: I will give my X-box to thee.

Monkey Mind Pirate

Ansel

Click here to download Ansel's epub book, written by 2nd Graders at Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School in 2014.

Kindergarteners at Moreland Arts & Health Science Magnet School in 2014

Monkey Mind Pirate

Winston

Click here to download the ebook about Winston created by 2nd graders at Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School in 2014.

Kindergarteners at Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School, 2014

Monkey Mind Pirate

Lady Bronte

Click here to download epub about Lady Bronte written by 2nd Graders at Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School in 2014.

Kindergarteners at Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School in 2014.

The Ferret

Click here to download the epub book about the Ferret written by 2nd Graders at Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School in 2014.

Adventure to Calm

Yoga

OBJECTIVE: To introduce children to basic concepts of yoga and practice of yoga. The goal is to give exposure and encourage positive associations with the practice of yoga, rather than improving technique.

PROCEDURE:

1. Sitting on yoga mats, breathe in & out, raise arms above head and down to sides.
2. Check the weather, see if it's sunny
   • Breathe in, arms out to sides, chest out, head up to the sun.
   • Breathe out, arms to middle, chest in, head down.
3. Raise the sail
   • Sitting, raise one arm high in the air, lean to one side.
   • Raise the other arm, lean to other side.
4. Fan the engines
   • Raise one arm into the air, breathe in.
   • As you breathe out, swing your arm down in a circle and back up.
   • Repeat 3x, then with other arm.
5. Raise the next sail
   • Sit up on knees, breathe in and arms above head.
   • Breathe out, arms down.
   • Breathe in, one arm up and the other down
   • Same side leg goes out to opposite side as the lean.
   • Reverse.
6. Tallest sail
   • Stand up, breathe in.
   • Swivel left, swivel right.
7. Look to the stars
   • Feet apart, hands apart over head.
   • Twinkle fingers.
8. Catch a comet
   • Grab the tail, bend knees, swivel and down.
   • repeat on other side.
9. Rocket Ship
   • Hop feet together and bend knees low, gathering up the energy to launch.
   • Countdown from 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1.
   • Blast off: stand straight, arms together above head, twisting side to side.
   • Into space: begin twisting in slow motion.
   • Splash landing: Hands together over head, begin to trace an arc forward, bending at the waist and "splashing" hands in water.
10. Row boat to shore
    • Sitting down knees up, pick up oars.
    • Breathe in, leaning back.
    • Breathe out, pulling forward.
11. Set down anchor
    • Breathe in arms over head.
    • Breathe out, arms down.
12. Listen to the softest sound the chime makes before disappearing.

Adventure to Calm:

Visualizing the Island

OBJECTIVE: To give students an opportunity to experience a calm and relaxed state of being, while practicing skills of imagination.

PROCEDURE:

1. Students sit or lie in a comfortable position. If lying down, instruct to lie on the backs, arms at their sides, palms facing up. They may close their eyes.
2. Students practice taking deep breaths.
3. Guide them through the following visualization. Go slowly, allowing time for students to create images in their minds. Ringing a chime throughout can help create an intentional space for the visualization.
   • Imagine you are floating on a boat or a raft, in gentle water. Everything is peaceful.
   • Your boat or raft will gently wash up on the shore of an island. This is your Island of Calm. You will find treasures on this island that remind you of Calm. 
   • Imagine that you begin exploring your island. 
     • Look around. What do you see on your Island? What colors do you see? What shapes?
     • What does it feel like on your Island? Is it hot? Cool? Windy? Still? 
     • Listen carefully. What sounds do you hear on your island?
     • Take a deep breath in through your nose. What smells are on your Island that make you feel Calm?
     • What tastes do you find on your Island?
   • Now, you will find a treasure on your Island that you can bring back with you when you return. It could be something you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch, but it is a treasure that reminds you of this calm, peaceful feeling you have on your Island.
   • Hold on to that treasure, and roll over onto your side. Gently bring yourself up to a sitting position and open your eyes.
4. Collecting the treasures/putting them in a safe space for future use. We often use a Treasure Chest to help with this. There are a few ways to do it, depending on time allowed.
   • Fast: I'm going to count to three, and on three, gently toss your treasure in the air and whisper what it is. I will catch it in the treasure chest for the next time we need to find calm.
   • Regular: Who found a treasure that you tasted? Can you tell us what it is, and put it into the treasure chest? Who heard something on their Island? Who saw something that reminded you of Calm?  Go through each sense, pick one person (or, if time allows, several) to tell the class what they found & imagine putting it into the chest.
   • Slow: What did you hear on your Island of Calm? Birds? Can you stand up and show us a statue of what you look like listening to these birds? 3-2-1-FREEZE! Notice how calm her face looks- how her shoulders are relaxed, she looks very peaceful. Continue as time allows, with other senses.

Om, Mateys

The last song in the show Monkey Mind Pirates. Like Captain Fitz, we can turn our "Arghs" into "Oms" when we tame the monkeys that keep us from getting to Calm.

Om, Mateys. Om, Mateys.

Now is where I'll be.

I can stand on the deck in the middle of the storm,

and let waves wash over me.