Mindfulness Beyond the Classroom

True integration of mindfulness and social-emotional learning happens when the tools, techniques, and tactics learned in one setting can be effectively called upon and utilized in a different space, place, or circumstance. Students from Imagine Bella Academy of Excellence were given the opportunity to utilize their mindfulness practices and social-emotional skills during a recent field trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art. 

The Cleveland Museum of Art offers students a tour titled Social-Emotional Learning through Art. During that tour, our students were encouraged to identify their emotions in relation to the art they viewed. They were also invited to consider a variety of cultures and world-views and think of the ways that they could learn from people who were different from themselves. These lessons, among others, are integrated into the My True SELF curriculum and are familiar to our students, so it was wonderful to see how they engaged in this new, art-focused setting.  

The museum's staff was extremely creative and engaging. They did so much to amplify our experience and integrate in the social-emotional learning opportunities. Ms. B was excited to hear the students engaged in discussions about warrior energy and what it takes to be a warrior. They considered how warriors look, behave, and feel as they viewed statues of warriors in the exhibits. When viewing and sitting amongst a Persian replicated temple mosaic, their tour guide prompted discussion of safety and what makes them feel safe in this “sacred” environment scene. The students also viewed masks on display in the museum. They were then engaged in a hands-on activity, where they were able to make their own masks. 

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The chaperones and teachers also enjoyed taking the students to the self-guided interactive art exhibit which had so much for the children to explore. They had a virtual pottery wheel, an interactive projector screen which allowed the students to create art with their movements, and touch screens for students to draw on and then see what artwork it may have been similar to. There were also ancient dresses on display that a lot of our students loved to see. 

Ms. B observed students using their mind-body tools and techniques to prepare for the event and throughout the day. She also guided the students through breath checks and body scans to promote a more memorable, relaxed experience. What a beautiful, art-filled way to take mindfulness beyond the classroom.