Supplies needed: cardstock, watercolors, brushes, and straws... space outside. Students will use the brushes to drop paint on the paper and then will use the straws to blow the paint on the paper (hello, breathing exercise!). Cue students to choose colors that represent the emotions they notice in their bodies now and to notice their sensations as they watch the paint move on the paper. Students can even put these creations in $1 frames to keep as a reminder to pause and notice.

EXIT TICKET: Any students willing to share how the colors represent their emotions could share to their advisory class. Students will be asked to be respectful while actively listening to students sharing.

Give your groups 5 minutes to brainstorm a list of 5 items that are findable, nobody’s personal property, fit inside the provided bags, and accessible within the established boundaries. Once the lists are created, collect them and randomly pass back out to groups. They must find these things in a scavenger hunt.

Announce how much time students have to find all their items and return. The most important thing to stress is that the entire group has to stay together the entire time!

When all the teams are back, have them share any interesting stories about how they acquired their items. While groups might want to declare a winner, minimize that and focus on the teamwork required to find each of the items.

EXIT TICKET: Students will answer the following question in their advisory journal - What proved to be the most challenging part of having to move all together as a team?

. 

EXIT TICKET: Give students the question, use a talking piece to pass around and have students answer aloud - Why are compliments sometimes left undelivered when they cost nothing to give?

Find a Word of the Year brainstorm list.

Have your students reflect for a few minutes on what last year (or the first part of the current school year) was like for them, including their challenges and successes, as well as what they want this new year to be for them. 

Hand out or display a list of several possible words to get the brainstorm juices flowing for selecting their Word of the Year. Let them know they can also pick a different word that’s not on the list!

Tell your students not to rush their selection, but to chew on words until they pick the one that best matches their goals and focus. The only rule is that they have to pick just one! 

Hand out paper and art supplies for students to create a sign of that word (in big font!) to display somewhere they will see it daily—in their locker, on their bathroom wall, or on the ceiling above their bed.

Remember, the word each student picks is special to them and doesn’t need any explanation, but if some want to share their poster and the reasoning behind their chosen word, encourage them! 

EXIT TICKET: Give students the question, use a talking piece to pass around and have students answer aloud - What do you hope will be the outcome when you remind yourself daily of your word?