Mindful Connections

Overview

Grade Level: 12th Grade
Subject: Health
Duration: 120 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Curriculum Area: Mental and Emotional Health
Focus: Spirituality and well-being related to personal meaning and sexuality.

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the concept of spirituality as it relates to personal well-being and a sense of meaning.
• Explore the connection between personal spirituality and sexuality in a healthy context.
• Create a personal artifact that reflects their understanding of spirituality and its role in their lives.

Materials

• Journals or plain notebooks
• Art supplies: colored pencils, markers, clay, etc.
• Craft paper and poster board
• Quiet background music (instrumental or nature sounds)
• Soft floor cushions or mats
• Projector and screen for visuals
• A talking stone or stick for group sharing

Lesson Plan

Introduction (15 minutes)

1. Welcome and Settling In

   • Greet students warmly; invite them to find a comfortable seat on the floor cushions or mats arranged in a circle.
   • Begin with a brief mindfulness exercise – guide the students through a 3-minute breathing meditation with eyes closed, focusing on being present in the moment.

2. Overview of the Lesson

   • Briefly introduce the concept of spirituality, emphasizing its distinction from religion. Highlight spirituality as a means of finding personal meaning and enhancing well-being.
   • Explain how today's session will explore the connection between spirituality, personal well-being, and sexuality.

Activity 1: Personal Mandala Creation (30 minutes)

1. Introduction to Mandalas

   • Discuss the concept of mandalas as spiritual and ritual symbols in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe.
   • Explain how mandalas can be used as a tool for introspection and personal growth.

2. Mandala Creation

   • Provide students with paper and art supplies.
   • Encourage them to draw or craft a mandala that represents their personal journey or their conception of spirituality and sexuality.
     • Prompt them to think about colors and symbols that represent their personal values and experiences.
   • Play soft background music to create a focused and peaceful atmosphere.

3. Sharing

   • Invite volunteers to share their mandalas with the group, emphasizing respect and active listening as each person shares.

Activity 2: Heartfelt Journaling and Discussion (30 minutes)

1. Journaling Exercise

   • Distribute journals to each student.
   • Prompt them with reflective questions: “What does spirituality mean to you personally?”, “How does it relate to your sense of purpose and personal well-being?”, and “How do you see spirituality influencing your relationships and perception of sexuality?”
   • Allow 10 minutes for reflective writing.

2. Group Discussion

   • Facilitate a class discussion using a talking stone that students pass around to indicate their turn to speak.
   • Encourage students to share insights from their journaling, focusing on how spirituality informs their sense of purpose and connection with others.

Activity 3: Clay Sculpting – The Vessel of Well-being (30 minutes)

1. Concept Introduction

   • Explain the metaphor of a vessel representing oneself, with spirituality and sexuality as vital components contributing to personal well-being.

2. Hands-on Activity

   • Provide clay and crafting tools.
   • Have students create a small vessel or object representing their sense of well-being and balance between spirituality and sexuality.
   • Encourage creativity and individual expression in their designs.

3. Reflection and Sharing

   • Hold a short reflection period for students to contemplate their sculpting process and results.
   • Invite a few students to share their sculptures and the meaning behind them with the group.

Closing and Reflection (15 minutes)

1. Mindful Reflection

   • Lead a guided meditation focused on gratitude, asking students to reflect on one insight or feeling from the session they are grateful for.

2. Closing Circle

   • Form a circle for a final word or phrase from each student about what they are taking away from the lesson.
   • Thank students for their participation and openness.

3. Assignment

   • Encourage students to continue reflecting on their personal spirituality and its role in their life and relationships as a journal entry to be shared in future sessions.

Assessment

• Observe student participation during discussions and activities.
• Review mandalas and clay sculptures for depth of personal reflection.
• Collect journals for insights and engagement with the reflection prompts.

This lesson plan integrates hands-on creativity and introspective activities to guide students in exploring spirituality as a facet of well-being and its intersection with personal and sexual identity.