12:11:20 All right, thank you so much Gary and thank you everyone for joining us today. So great to see such a great turnout.
12:11:27 And to see some familiar faces and to those claim, and not met before it's lovely to meet you. I'm excited to share my work with you all. So, just start by sharing here, my screen.
12:11:43 Alright so this is engaging learners and nature based mindfulness.
12:11:47 I did want to start by Atlanta acknowledgement and instead of a formal and acknowledgement. I thought it might be more meaningful to engage in, and to hear for some actual indigenous voices and so I was recently introduced to this great video by Selena
12:12:03 mills and Sarah Brock at some gorgeous illustrations by Chief Lady Bird. And I thought that what Sarah rock was saying, definitely related to our topic at hand today.
12:12:15 And so, as we as we watched this video I encourage you to think about how Sarah rocks words would relate to practicing mindfulness in nature and being mindful when exploring different natural settings so please just let me know if there's any issues with
12:12:31 the audio.
12:12:39 I need blue.
12:12:42 Sarah rock condition because shipping nodding and don't Docker Rondo and day.
12:12:48 Taco Rondo a mohawk bird.
12:12:51 The place in the water where the trees are standing, the place where the fish where's our my dog and I spend a lot of time walking. It's my favorite way to move through this city.
12:13:02 For me it's the meditative action that isn't about negotiating bike lanes or public transit.
12:13:07 But it's time to slow down and really try to see the world around me.
12:13:12 concrete sidewalks parking lots.
12:13:16 Now covering the rivers and trails that one's float freely.
12:13:28 The tune here on one dot the hunter show need the image now back then at the Mississauga is all made their homes here, and many other nations expanding beyond these groups traveled through for commerce the trade for thousands and thousands and thousands
12:13:36 of years.
12:13:38 I think if the other First Peoples languages and the names they had for this place.
12:13:43 I think of the ancient trails covered by the pressures of settlement,
12:13:48 the waterways and the moderate climate of the Great Lakes made it a perfect place to fish. Hunt, grow food. Gather medicines and seeds for horticultural development.
12:14:01 rich fertile and abundant turtle islands Mesopotamia.
12:14:11 Many First Peoples in their goods traveled from here all the way to the Mississippi and back
12:14:17 whenever I travel somewhere new I try to find out who's on I'm on. And I asked for the original occupants here.
12:14:25 So for indigenous peoples land acknowledgments are not only to assert our sovereignty and treaty rights of today, but it's also a way for all peoples to feel more connected to a place.
12:14:35 Davenport might be a street now when I walk down regularly in my neighborhood.
12:14:40 But it's not just another thoroughfare.
12:14:43 For me it's an ancient porch trail that holds indigenous knowledge.
12:14:48 They stay the animals made the first trails that lead them to water and the people followed.
12:14:54 I imagined the deer and the moose once made this trail, followed by the people carrying their birch bark canoes carrying their goods to trade and bring these stories to tell.
12:15:04 Nations from all of her Turtle Island met and travel through this land, many languages are spoken
12:15:12 alliances and decisions were made.
12:15:15 People from different nations met and intermarried.
12:15:19 The dish with one spoon TV was made.
12:15:22 Toronto was a meeting place and land made up of sophisticated and cosmopolitan peoples and cultures that I see reflected in the city today. I wonder if it's something in the land and the water, land acknowledgments might seem like a small and simple gesture.
12:15:37 But like many of our ways they are intended to have more impact and hold more meaning than the words alone.
12:15:43 If we pride ourselves on diversity and equality shouldn't our story include indigenous peoples.
12:15:49 In this era of reconciliation we need to share the truth first
12:15:59 and reimagine the narrative of this land, and this city together.
12:16:09 Already.
12:16:12 So thank you for catching was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about how, what we just heard might relate to practicing mindfulness in nature, or anything that stood out to you any words or phrases
12:16:33 share a bit about my reflection on this, I definitely heard, sir rock talking about how she spends a lot of time in the city, exploring with her dog, seeing the world around her.
12:16:46 Engaging mindfully with her surroundings and thinking about the history.
12:16:51 So you got to see some great things in the chat taking time to slow down, see beyond the urban landscapes. Yeah, Jessica did you want to share.
12:17:01 I yeah, yesterday I did a presentation for my classes, and I was talking about for Jay.
12:17:07 And I brought up some mock. And I said to my class like Do you know what Sue Marquez like have you ever seen it. some people didn't see have never seen before.
12:17:16 And I said it's literally everywhere in the city. If we take a second to look around us instead of, you know, just walking straight to a destination, we can sit soon walk is everywhere.
12:17:42 And I know that a lot of additional Bay nation used to mock, as well as a lot of people in the world used to walk in there cooking. So I said to my class like be mindful of where you are and just taking your surroundings because there's so much that we're missing. Because what I got from point A to point B, right now.
12:17:48 A to point B, right now. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely, I totally agree and I really enjoyed how the video shared some of the flora.
12:17:56 From this land.
12:17:59 Thank you for sharing.
12:18:01 So yeah, Sarah talked a lot about how she spends time in nature in the city of recognizing and honoring the rivers and trails that were covered by Sandler expansion.
12:18:10 Exactly. So I think, reflecting on whose land we're on and what has happened on this plan for thousands of years, is absolutely a part of nature based mindfulness and being mindful of your surroundings.
12:18:25 So thank you. I will share again and jump into this,
12:18:36 let me hide this. Alright, so
12:18:41 there you go so little introduction. So again, who am I, as Eric mentioned, I'm a teacher candidate Oh easy. I'm graduating this year so I should be wrapping up in April.
12:18:55 And I've always loved spending time outdoors. As much as I can. I've really felt the most at peace. And the most well when I was spending time outside.
12:19:08 And this is a picture of me in a kayak birdwatching with binoculars in hand.
12:19:14 I recently taken up bird watching as a little bit of a hobby and this is really connected me with the natural environment around me. Even being in the middle of the city.
12:19:25 And so this has inspired me to look into nature based mindfulness and so the background behind this project is that I prepared a nature based mindfulness kit for the course CTL 1122, which is played by Hillary Inwood, which is here it was absolutely phenomenal
12:19:43 course where I gained so much and was able to think about my practice for the future and how I want to incorporate outdoor learning.
12:19:52 And I had the chance to, to work on this so I highly recommend if anyone has any elective space left for the spring to try and take see to 1122 I'm not sure if it's being offered again but I hope, I hope it is I think the title of the course is environmental
12:20:07 and sustainability education.
12:20:10 But it was, it was great and so I'll be sharing that with you today.
12:20:14 And also just to preface this.
12:20:18 I'm absolutely still a learner I'm by no means an expert in mindfulness, or meditation.
12:20:24 And I know a lot of you have wonderful experiences with this material as well so I encourage us all to just be a community of learners today. This afternoon, and I would like to really hear from you all.
12:20:38 And see some comments in the chat. Thank you.
12:20:43 Alright so that being said here's a little bit what we're going to be doing today.
12:20:48 So I'll start by introducing what nature based mindfulness is what it can look like.
12:20:54 We will review the, the resource kit that I prepared for that. For the CTO 1122, and how it could be used in the classroom.
12:21:05 We're going to be engaged in some practice so the water meditation and visualization that I prepared.
12:21:11 So I'm excited to share that with you all.
12:21:13 And then lastly we'll have some time for final reflections questions, and a discussion
12:21:21 and Hillary mentioned it is being offered again in the spring. Amazing.
12:21:25 Yes, I will be sharing the link to the, to the kit. As I introduce it.
12:21:31 Alright so nature based mindfulness in the classroom. What is it, Morgan at all, define it as lessons and programs that help individually individuals mindfully discover and develop a closer connection to the natural environment.
12:21:48 So, in practice, what this could look like is mindfulness exercises that a incorporate natural elements, such as a water visualization or walk in a forest visualization activity, or these exercises that are actually completed outdoors.
12:22:07 And these exercises can look like meditation, deep breathing body scans visualizations, bringing awareness to our senses, etc. And we'll go through some of those examples today.
12:22:19 There is a lot of research already about nature based mindfulness it hasn't been extensively studied with children but with adults.
12:22:28 One meta analysis conducted in 2019 found that overall nature based mindfulness had a positive effect on psychological, physical and social conditions of participants.
12:22:40 I think that looked at over, 25 studies that incorporated nature based mindfulness.
12:22:48 And it was even found to be superior to mindfulness conducted in non natural settings. This was again with adult participants or, I believe, over, participants over 12.
12:23:01 And then specifically one of those studies found that nature based mindfulness training helped individuals get gaining greater awareness of their surroundings stronger connectedness with nature and less negative effect.
12:23:14 And this was compared to outdoor walkers that weren't engaging in mindfulness instruction so having the mindfulness mindfulness in place can definitely help individuals sweep, some benefits.
12:23:29 So, some benefits of nature based mindfulness specifically for students. This is taken from the study Morgan it's all conducted in 2020, and it was a review of over 40 lessons and programs that included nature based mindfulness elements and discuss some
12:23:48 of the benefits so the first one helping students cultivate a mindful way of being.
12:23:54 So as students spend time outside and reflect on nature they become more attentive and more attention, thinking and looking at their surroundings relating to the video that we mentioned, we watched at the beginning.
12:24:09 Nature based mindfulness can help individuals, and students develop their ecological self, so that is their relationship with the natural environment.
12:24:20 And as they engage in different practices they can start to see the natural world and see themselves as an important part of it,
12:24:30 and other benefits listed in the study was helping students cope with climate change anxiety.
12:24:37 And so, in engaging in this material.
12:24:42 These exercises can help students cope with feelings of anxiety.
12:24:47 Overall enhance their well being. Offer them hope, help them think about the resilience of nature, and hopefully that can inspire them to be active, to promote social activism in their actions and what they do.
12:25:05 We can encourage this by firstly introducing nature based mindfulness.
12:25:10 And then last, the nature based mindfulness can help enable a holistic way of thinking so as students engage with the material that can come to understand the interconnectedness of nature.
12:25:22 So why are the trees important to us why do we need water, etc. And we'll go through some examples of that.
12:25:31 And this is just one quote that stood out to me from an article on nature based mindfulness. Being mindful and nature can help children see the strength and beauty of nature through trees, when clouds and the sun, when practicing mindfulness, children
12:25:46 can feel strong like the tree flowing like the wind, and warm like the sun.
12:25:55 And so moving on to the resource kit itself.
12:25:58 This is sort of an overview of how I outlined the kit.
12:26:02 So I prepared, three short videos there five to six minute long mindfulness videos for children, they're mostly designed for probably the primary Junior grades, but they could definitely be used on the upper grades as well.
12:26:22 And so I've connected these videos to Ontario curriculum expectations.
12:26:28 Specifically with the science trans there's a lot of connections that can be made, but also with health and physical activity, mindfulness can definitely be incorporated and link to the curriculum.
12:26:38 I believe there's a strand specifically on stress management coping and mindfulness can definitely be introduced as toy to help foster that.
12:26:49 And so these videos could be used as an introduction to units, could be used halfway in a unit or as a brain break so however way you would like to use them.
12:27:03 And so in addition to the videos I've also prepared written two scripts that can be read to students outside.
12:27:11 In particular settings. So, these of course encouraged of the learning and help students develop their ecological stuff.
12:27:19 And lastly, I've compiled a list of additional resources for educators so other videos and scripts that already exists that educators can use freely that promote nature based mindfulness.
12:27:33 So with that, let's take a look at the document.
12:27:38 I will share the PDF here I'll also put the link in the chat for you all. So you can follow along. If you'd like to be on a Google Drive available all the resources are available on Google Drive.
12:27:59 Okay so that should be available for all of you.
12:28:02 And then I'm going to share.
12:28:07 Over here. Alright, so this is the document.
12:28:13 There's a little, there's a table of content. A little introduction, a lot of pages talked about.
12:28:22 and moving into the first video.
12:28:26 This is the one that we're going to complete altogether.
12:28:29 So I'll leave that for after.
12:28:34 And thanks for all the comments in the chat.
12:28:38 So here's the second video is a wishing tree visualization for calmness and letting go. And so this video encourages students to picture natural setting and think about a specific tree that they see, which is actually a wishing tree.
12:28:54 And so students visualize themselves going up to it, touching the tree and letting go, or thinking of a wish that they may have.
12:29:04 And then help to consider how time will help change, and
12:29:12 students reflect on on that so you can access any of the videos by clicking on the links there.
12:29:21 And there's also transcriptions the videos by clicking over here.
12:29:25 And then I've included some reflection questions that could be used after showing this to students. So, how did the exercise make you feel, I didn't make you feel this way, and students can share the wish that they made if they'd like, share the natural
12:29:41 environment that they imagined etc.
12:29:46 There's also some further exploration ideas so you might be interested in researching the actual wishing trees or wish trees that exist across numerous cultures, we consider this as they exist around the world.
12:30:01 I've been, I've included a link of information about indigenous Ways of Knowing trees and the importance of trees and indigenous worldview so this is just a starting point.
12:30:14 And then I've also included the curriculum connections that I've seen that could be specifically related with this video and so as we can see, for most of the grades here, it can be related to the science curriculum, and then with the social studies curriculum
12:30:29 curriculum the global communities, if we were to research more about wishing trees around the world.
12:30:35 So that's that video there, this video here is a written meditation for deep breathing and a body scan and so I find the brain really really soothing.
12:30:45 So I wanted to incorporate that in this video. And this video students, you can.
12:30:52 I listening to the, the sounds of the rain practice some deep breathing some belly breathing. Some belly breathing, and students picture the rain falling on different parts of their body so starting with their head all the way down to their toes.
12:31:11 And so through this body scan.
12:31:14 Children can reflect on the points of rain.
12:31:35 So same it here we have some reflection questions, you can ask the students further exploration example the benefits the rain has on the environment and why it is important.
12:31:32 Investigating rain in the water cycle.
12:31:35 We have a new curriculum connections as well here.
12:31:40 Moving on to this first script. So I've included the script here but it can also be accessed on the Google Doc right here. The script is meant for if you were to take your students outside on a bright sunny day.
12:31:53 We could really feel the warmth of the sun,
12:31:58 and it focuses. It's very similar to the last one in that it incorporates a body scan where students think about how the sun is hitting them different parts of their body and help students reflect on the importance of the sun, and all that it gives us
12:32:15 how we need it, and how we don't often that grateful for it. So, that script is there.
12:32:24 We have the reflection questions.
12:32:29 How did that exercise make you feel are used to being mindful of the sun and how does it feel in your body.
12:32:36 Why else is the sun important could we live without the sun.
12:32:40 And then some further exploration ideas as well.
12:32:45 Thanks for all the comments in the chat.
12:32:50 And then here we have the second script which is focused around trees and so it would be ideally used in the presence of one or more trees, wherever you have access to those.
12:33:02 So taking students outside and reading this to them, and it focuses on thinking about how generous trees are themselves, providing us with oxygen, taking in our carbon dioxide.
12:33:18 And yesterday, through this hopefully students will have to feel this feeling of interconnectedness with the world around them.
12:33:33 And then I'll move on over here so after that we have some more.
12:33:38 Some additional nature based mindfulness resources so these are other videos and scripts as well as articles and books that I found. And I've also included a short annotation of how this could be this could be beneficial and helpful in the classroom.
12:33:54 And I think all of these links are still working Besides this, this butterfly bodies can didn't seem to be working when I checked last time but everything else should still be up just to inspire you to use a materials like this in your classroom.
12:34:12 There's already a lot of great videos out there.
12:34:15 And for the scripts as well. There's so many scripts that can be used that relate to mindfulness in nature based settings.
12:34:24 I did want to share a few of them here.
12:34:29 Where's my Chrome.
12:34:33 There we go.
12:34:41 on this website here in your health studio has really a lot of great scripts that could be used to incorporate feature based mindfulness the forest visualization floating on a cloud peaceful meadow and so these are all already written up and you can modify
12:35:01 them as you as you would like. There's another great resource. This one is specifically with children in mind. And a lot of them relate to the natural world, and then chanted fall forest, peaceful retreat spring renewal beach relaxation so a lot there
12:35:20 for you to discover as well. So those are just two of the websites, so this is on the green child magazine website.
12:35:29 And then going back to here I think that's almost it so then there's just more resources on books and articles that might be of interest on some of the research as well.
12:35:39 But nature based mindfulness.
12:35:43 Right.
12:35:44 So with that, I thought it would be great to engage in some of the material ourselves as a community of learners. So, I will share the water meditation and visualization exercise that I prepared.
12:36:01 And I encourage you to engage with it as you would like. So feel free to keep your cameras are on if you'd like.
12:36:13 And here we go.
12:36:23 Hi there, my name is James.
12:36:27 Welcome to this water meditation and visualization exercise.
12:36:34 Begin by sitting up straight, closing your eyes if you'd like.
12:36:39 And start to pay attention to your breathing.
12:36:46 Let's practice some deep breathing together, where you will breathe in through your nose for the count of four.
12:36:54 Hold for another four and breathe out through your mouth for the count of six. Let's try it.
12:37:16 Breathe in, 234, hold, 234, and breathe out, 234561 more time for you then 234 hold 234 and breathes out. 23456, what parts of your body to feel when you prefer
12:37:41 to feel your tummy growing larger.
12:37:45 Maybe your chest, or your shoulders.
12:37:49 Did you know that over half of your body is made out of water, try to visualize where water is flowing, and stored in your body. As you continue to breathe deeply.
12:38:13 How wonderful it is to be made out of water, and to have been nourished by water since the day we were born.
12:38:22 I'd like you to think about all of the ways you've used water today already visualize these moments in your head for a moment.
12:38:44 Water is so important in our everyday lives. And it is undeniably true that water is a life.
12:38:55 Many indigenous cultures around the world would also add that water is alive.
12:39:03 It has its own spirit.
12:39:06 It must be deeply respected, because it wholeheartedly supports all life on Earth.
12:39:16 I would now like you to visualize a body of water that is important to you.
12:39:24 This could be a lake or river, a waterfall, an ocean.
12:39:31 Even a small pond.
12:39:34 Think about when you've experienced this body of water before. and what exists in its surroundings.
12:39:58 Now that you have your body of water.
12:40:01 What living beings depend on this water source.
12:40:06 Are their plants, trees, winged creatures.
12:40:16 Insects animals.
12:40:16 Picture these beings living together harmoniously thanks to the generosity of water.
12:40:37 Consider Tao, how you relate to the water as well.
12:40:42 And how we are all connected. Because of the water.
12:40:59 Now, I would like you to visualize yourself dipping your toes in the body of water that you have imagined.
12:41:09 Or perhaps you would prefer to place your hand and the water.
12:41:14 How does the water feel on your body.
12:41:19 Can you feel the current or small waves or is the water still
12:41:33 listen closely to the water. As you continue to breathe deeply.
12:41:43 What is the water saying to you.
12:42:01 Now, when you're ready. slowly bring your attention back to your surroundings.
12:42:10 I hope this water meditation and visualization has helped bring you peace, and has allowed you to think deeply about your connection with water.
12:42:34 Right. Thank you everyone.
12:42:38 JOHN back on here.
12:42:42 Few minutes left so I thought that maybe we can engage in some reflection questions. As an example,
12:42:55 so feel free to share and his hand or unmute reading the chat, how did that exercise make you feel.
12:43:03 Were any aspects difficult to visualize and might want to share what ways have you used clutter today all of it.
12:43:10 But body of water to imagine what is your connection with that body of water. How does it support life.
12:43:18 So any thoughts or actions. Thanks for your comments everyone.
12:43:27 Ron I have not piloted this yet so this was just something I prepared in the context of the class that I was taking but it'd be amazing if this could be used with classroom, students.
12:43:50 I can share.
12:43:52 Yeah, thank you.
12:43:53 Yeah, thank you. I'm on the West Coast so this is how I'm starting my day. And I feel ready to tackle all of my classes today.
12:44:01 I feel like very grounded and
12:44:06 you just have such a calming voice, it was so lovely.
12:44:09 And I'm lucky enough that my, my school is right by the Pacific Ocean so picturing the Pacific Ocean and fact that it's right there and all of the rain that we've had this season and the rain flowing down the mountain and it was, it was great, so much.
12:44:29 I'm so glad that it helped you in that way to visualize the Pacific Ocean.
12:44:36 that it was a construct your day.
12:44:39 Just because imagine sitting by the port union water front in Scarborough.
12:44:50 The bodies of water
12:44:58 that I ever feel like they have a tie with us of course Lake Ontario and spending time at Colonel Samuel Smith Park. And so the typical I think that's the body of water that I would choose
12:45:08 and Stephen visualize Georgian Bay.
12:45:15 Mason.
12:45:15 Mason.
12:45:17 Yeah, so, talking about the cross curricular and cultural links.
12:45:22 I mentioned meditation about indigenous Ways of Knowing but I think that that would definitely have to be expanded upon. And so there's a lot of great picture books that explore indigenous ways of living water, maybe water song we are water protectors,
12:45:36 the water Walker. So these are all linked in the document as well.
12:45:43 And some other further exploration exploration of how the human body uses and is made of water.
12:45:52 Having students complete this exercise, if they have access to a real body of water would be really interesting.
12:46:00 Thanks for your reflections.
12:46:07 Of course throughout the grades water can be related to different aspects to the science and technology curriculum.
12:46:17 Right, so
12:46:23 That's lovely. Thank you.
12:46:26 All right, it is 1246.
12:46:34 So yeah, I want to open this up to anyone has any questions or comments or thoughts about how they could use his new classroom.
12:46:44 The sounds and balloons. Yeah.
12:46:47 I have a question.
12:46:51 And we.
12:46:52 Oh, nevermind silly question for lunch.
12:47:00 I did want to mention, if you go to the document the PDF file.
12:47:06 The very bottom if you scroll down, you can click the link here and this is a folder on a Google Drive that has all of the resources that I created.
12:47:18 So the scripts, and the third video is so easily accessible if you want to shape, save that onto your drive for future use.
12:47:29 And James I can share this as well with the group who registered I know there are a number of people who registered and did send me a message saying they couldn't come and was hoping that we had the recording available.
12:47:43 So I'll, I'll also send it to the registration group. And if you're open I can even put it on our Boise wellness website, but I.
12:48:05 If you're comfortable with that. Absolutely, absolutely.
12:47:57 that'd be great tablet shared.
12:48:03 These practicing this outside during winter, especially with the call that we've been getting.
12:48:22 But I think, on a, on a particularly sunny day it'd be, it'd be really interesting to reflect on this the sun script and thinking about how some energizes us, inviting the children to listen to this meditation independently and are quiet corner.
12:48:26 We're inviting the whole class to participate in this month was exercise during group time. Absolutely.
12:48:39 While there's a little pause in our discussion I just want to thank you so much James for this presentation. It was unbelievable is great. And thank you for sharing your resources.
12:48:52 Absolutely. I'm so happy to be here. I'm glad that resonates with a lot of people and I hope that it gets used in classrooms, can bring me a lot of choice so thank you so much for joining.
12:49:10 No other comments or questions, we can wrap up, I guess, Maha.
12:49:22 Amazing.
12:49:22 Nutrition is adding to exercise made me think of how much I appreciate water. How much wonderful how many wonderful memories I brought back. And, Thank you.
12:49:39 Thank you.
12:49:46 Amazing. Well I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of your day