Watch this... Students should be reminded to sit in their assigned spots. Instruct the kids to "watch with their eyes and listen with their ears...their bodies and mouths are quiet and still."
Movement Break Students should remain in their assigned carpet spots during this break.
Have the students sit back down and take a deep breath in and then let it out. Repeat this 3 to 4 times until students bodies are calm and quiet.
Turn, Talk, and Reflect Turn and Talk should only last for about 2 minutes. Use the Timer as a guide. Students will share their answers by raising their hands and waiting to be called on.
The Grinch's Small Heart...
Teacher: "Everyone, close your eyes for a second. Imagine the Grinch at the very beginning of the story. He’s up in his cave, his eyebrows are pinched together, and the book says his heart was 'two sizes too small.'
Turn and Talk: When we are angry or lonely, where do we feel it in our bodies? Do your shoulders get tight? Does your tummy feel like a knot?
Reflect: If the Grinch’s 'small heart' made a sound, would it be a beautiful melody or a short, sharp, 'clink' sound? (Students should raise their hands and wait to be called on before answering. Younger students (K-2) can be invited to share the sound they thing his heart would make.)
Sounds from Whoville...
Teacher: "Now, remember when the Grinch stole everything? He stood on the mountain waiting to hear the Whos crying. But they didn't cry. They sang.
Turn and Talk: The Who's lost their toys, their trees, and even their roast beast. Why do you think they sang anyway?
Reflect: They used their voices to connect to each other. Even though they had nothing in their hands, they had a song in their hearts. When you sing together in this room, you are building a bridge to the person sitting next to you. Reach out and give a "high five" to 3 people sitting closest to you.
Growth...
Teacher: "When the Grinch heard that music, something happened. His heart grew three sizes!
Turn and Talk: Think about a time you were really upset, and then something—maybe a song, a hug, or a kind word—made you feel 'larger' and lighter.
Reflect: Let’s try a Grinch breath. Put your hands over your heart. We’re going to breathe in deep and imagine our hearts getting 'three sizes bigger' with kindness. Then, we’re going to exhale a long, beautiful musical note on 'Oooh' to let that kindness out into the room."
The Grinch thought he was small and alone, but the music of the Who's reminded him that he was part of a community. Music is a superpower—it can change how our bodies feel and help our hearts grow.