Teaching Tips & Activity Context:
Yogapalooza with Bari Koral is a fantastic resource for promoting movement, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning in K-8 classrooms. This video compilation features over 30 minutes of engaging yoga songs for kids that focus on friendship and kindness. It provides an opportunity for students to engage in yoga movements and stretches while also learning important values. This video is perfect for brain breaks, indoor recess, or as a warm-up activity. It can be easily integrated into both virtual and in-person learning environments.
Skills Focus:
- Flexibility: Students will engage in various yoga poses and stretches that promote flexibility and improve range of motion.
- Balance: Students will practice balancing poses, which help develop core strength and stability.
- Mindfulness: Through the yoga movements and relaxation exercises, students will build their ability to focus, be present, and cultivate self-awareness.
- Social-Emotional Learning: The songs and themes in this video emphasize friendship and kindness, promoting empathy, compassion, and positive relationships.
Instructional Suggestions:
- Before starting the video, create a calm and inviting space in the classroom. Dim the lights, play some soft instrumental music, and encourage students to find a comfortable spot.
- Provide a brief introduction to the video, explaining that it promotes movement, mindfulness, and positive values.
- Encourage students to participate at their own pace and modify movements as needed. Remind them to listen to their bodies and only do what feels comfortable.
- Throughout the video, provide verbal cues and reminders to breathe deeply and relax. Emphasize the importance of maintaining proper form and alignment during the yoga poses.
- For students who may have difficulty following along with the video, provide visual supports such as posters or cards with pictures of the yoga poses. This will help them visualize the movements and participate more actively.
- After completing the video, facilitate a brief discussion about the themes of friendship and kindness. Ask students to reflect on how they can apply these values in their everyday lives and within the classroom community.
Extension Ideas (optional):
- Encourage students to create their own yoga poses based on different characters or themes. They can then teach their poses to their classmates and lead a mini-yoga session.
- Have students illustrate or write about a time when they showed kindness to a friend or someone else. Display their work in the classroom as a reminder of the importance of friendship and compassion.
- Integrate this video into a larger unit on social-emotional learning. Discuss other aspects of emotional well-being, such as gratitude, self-care, and empathy, and explore how yoga and movement can support these areas.
- Connect the themes of friendship and kindness to literature by reading and discussing books that highlight these values. For younger students, "How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids" by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer is a great choice. For older students, "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio or "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt can lead to meaningful conversations.
