Circles and Mindfulness 

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE 

 

Circles: ​a strategy used to build community and relationships 

 
Types of Circles: 
Community Building: ​used to establish relationships, trust, and structure  
Whole Group:​ all participants in a circle (standing or sitting) 
Family Group:​ small group circles (standing or sitting) 
Sequential:​ circle go-around where everyone speaks with talking piece 
Nonsequential:​ circle go-around where only volunteers speak with talking piece 
Circles Language: 
Opening, Content, Closing:​ ​structure for circles (option to have some or all components) 
Tips​: 
● Review circle rules every time (pre corrections) 
● Develop procedure and establish routine 
● Be consistent with expectations  
● Can be quick and easy: do not feel that it is necessary to move furniture 
● Sentence frames: use to keep participants on time and focused on topic 
● When building community remember to start with low risk topics and questions 
 

Mindfulness: ​moment by moment awareness of our thoughts and feelings 

 
Mindfulness Language: 
Mindful Bodies:​ ​body still and quiet (sitting in chair or floor, standing) 
Mindful Listening:​ intentional listening of sound (voice, chime, music, etc) 
Mindful Breathing​:​ focus of attention on breathing, 3-3-4 count 
Attention Check-in:​ refocusing participants to the present moment 
Mindful Moment (Pause and Reflect):​ ​having participants stop and think with intention  
 
Tips: 
● Participants are ​not​ required to close their eyes 
● It can feel uncomfortable at first-give it time 
● You do not have to use a chime  
● Use mindful language throughout the day (mindful bodies, mindful listening, mindful 
breathing) 
● This can be quick and easy; any single piece of mindfulness exercise will be effective
 

*For more resources, visit our SEL icon in the C&I district tab Created by ISSD MTSS Team, May 2019
 Circle Reference Guide 
 

When using a classroom circle, be sure to open and/or close the circle with a relational 
practice to build community and create connections amongst participants.  
 

Ways to Open a Circle:  

 

1. Quick Icebreaker Go-Around: (relational) 

○ My favorite _____________is _____________. 
○ Rate your feelings today on a scale of 1 – 10. 
○ What animal do you feel like today? 
○ What one quality do you look for in a friend? 
○ Name something you do well. 
○ Say something nice about the person to your right. 
○ If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would it be? 
○ Who is your favorite superhero? 
○ What is bringing joy into your life today? 
○ I feel happy when _____________ . 
○ I can’t wait until _____________ . 
○ I like to collect _____________ . 
 

2. Setting the Purpose: (academic/relational) 

○ “What do you know and what do you wonder about _______.” 
○ “In my opinion I believe _____________ because _____________.” 
○ “I connect with _____________ because _____________.” 
○ “What does it mean to be _____________ (brave, strong, etc.).” 
 

3. Family Handshake: (relational)   

○ Once family groups have created their handshake, use to open circle. 
 

4. Mindful Moment: (academic/relational) 

○ “Sit in mindful bodies, close your eyes if you are comfortable, think about 
_____________. Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your 
mouth. In a moment you will open your eyes and we will begin our discussion 
about__________________.” (fill in blanks with circle topics)  
○ “Sit in mindful bodies. Please check in with your attention. Is it here in the room with 
us? If not, gently bring it back.” 
 
○ “Sit in mindful bodies, close your eyes if you are comfortable. In a moment we are 
going to be in our family groups. With the members of our groups, we will continue to 
*For more resources, visit our SEL icon in the C&I district tab Created by ISSD MTSS Team, May 2019
 talk about the learning today. Take a moment and think about these questions… Now 
in your circle discuss those questions.” 
 

Ways to Close a Circle: 

 

1. Family Handshake: (relational) 

○ Family groups close with their handshake 
 

2. Mindfulness: (academic/relational) 
○ “Take a deep breath in and out. Check in with yourself and bring your attention 
to how you are feeling as we close our circle for today.” 
 

○ “Take a deep breath in and out. Close your eyes if you feel comfortable. I want 
you to think about what you want to accomplish today (wait 5 seconds). Now 
think about how you will do this.” 0 
 

3. Closing Thought: (academic/relational) 

○ “In one word describe your learning today.” 
○ “What evidence can you provide to support your thoughts?” 
○ “In 20 seconds or less describe how you feel about…” 
○ Ticket out the door 
○ Thank family members: “Please thank your family group.” 
○ “Share with your family group one reason why you feel _____________.” 
 

4. Stating Goals: (academic/relational) 

○ “Today I will_____.” 
○ “My goal for today is _____.” 
○ “I am going to _____ (today, this week).” 
 

5. Expressing Gratitude: (relational) 

○ “Today I am grateful for _____.” 
○ “I am grateful for ______ in my family group because _____.” 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

*For more resources, visit our SEL icon in the C&I district tab Created by ISSD MTSS Team, May 2019
 Mindfulness Reference Guide 
 
A goal of practicing mindfulness is to calm the mind and body and prepare for learning ultimately 
increasing attention and awareness. It’s a great tool to use at any time for checking in, training the 
mind, and managing emotions.   
 

Focus/Attention: ​ Use these practices to increase attention and focus 

 

“When it feels comfortable, go ahead and close your eyes (or look down and focus on a spot). Sit 
up tall- Imagine a cord pulling the top of your head gently towards the ceiling. Rest your hands 
in your lap and breathe naturally. Now, take a moment to imagine a butterfly that’s as light as a 
feather. It can be any color you like. Picture the butterfly hovering nearby. We’re going to 
imagine the butterfly pausing to rest on different parts of our body, and when it lands, that part 
of our body feels relaxed and pleasant. Let’s start with our foreheads. Imagine your forehead 
relaxes when the butterfly rests on it. Now picture your butterfly moving towards your 
shoulders. As the butterfly takes a moment to rest on each shoulder, feel complete relaxation. 
Next, the butterfly glides to your knee. Your entire leg feels heavy and settles into the chair as it 
lands. The butterfly glides to your other knee. Now, relax your whole body and rest, feeling the 
rhythm of your breathing. You will now hear me ring a bell, listen to the sound as long as you can, 
when you no longer hear the sound open your eyes and raise your hand.”​ ​-Modified from Mindful Games 
 
“Sit up straight and close your eyes or look down at a spot on the floor. I will now say three 
different items, I want you to imagine each item in your head, picture each item as I say it, then 
let it go. An oak tree by the bank of a river (wait a few seconds), now let it go. A full moon (wait a 
few seconds), now let it go. A red triangle (wait a few seconds), now let it go. I will now ring a bell, 
when you no longer hear the sound, raise your hand and open your eyes.” N ​ ote: you can use any 
items that you wish and do not have to close with the chime. ​Purpose: ​You are not your 
thoughts, you are the narrator of your thoughts. You control your thoughts, don’t let them 
control you.  
 
“Get into mindful bodies and close your eyes. Bring your attention to your breath and notice 
where you feel your breath. Is it in your belly, your chest, or your nose? Breath in and out and 
continue to focus on your breath for the next minute. You may now open your eyes.” ​ ​-Modified version 
from Mindful Schools  
   
 
 
*For more resources, visit our SEL icon in the C&I district tab Created by ISSD MTSS Team, May 2019
  
Relaxation: ​Use these practices when students need a brain break  
 

Body Scan:​ “Begin by bringing your attention into your body. You can close your eyes if that’s 
comfortable for you. Take a few deep breaths. You can notice your feet on the floor, notice the 
sensations of your feet touching the floor. The weight and pressure, vibration, heat. You can 
notice your legs against the chair, pressure, pulsing, heaviness, lightness. Notice your back 
against the chair. Bring your attention into your stomach area. If your stomach is tense or tight, 
let it soften. Take a breath. Notice your hands. Are your hands tense or tight? See if you can 
allow them to soften. Notice your arms. Feel any sensation in your arms. Let your shoulders be 
soft. Notice your neck and throat. Let them be soft. Relax. Soften your jaw. Let your face and 
facial muscles be soft. Then notice your whole body present. Take one more breath. Be aware of 
your whole body as best as you can. Take a breath. And then when you’re ready, you can open 
your eyes.” 
 
 
 

“When it feels comfortable, go ahead and close your eyes (or look down on a spot). Start by 
breathing in and out slowly. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, focusing 
on your breath. Picture yourself outside sitting on a bench watching the birds fly while holding 
balloons in your hand. Take each thought of ​ ​ and place it inside the balloon and let it go. 
Do this with every thought that you have. If your mind wanders, bring it back to the bench and 
watch the birds fly by. Allow the balloons to float, do not rush it or speed it up. Just let your 
feelings and thoughts float. Take a deep breath in and out and when you’re ready, you can open 
your eyes.” 
 
 
 

Testing: ​Use these practices before administering a test to help with anxiety  
 

“Sit comfortably with your hands in your lap. Take three slow, deep breaths...normal, natural, 
calming breaths. Notice how your body feels. If you are anxious, nervous or tense notice where 
you feel that in your body. If you feel anxious, breathe in one deep breath and as you breathe out, 
breathe out the anxiety. If you feel nervous, breathe in one deep breath and as you breathe out, 
breathe out the nervousness. If you feel tension, breathe in one deep breath and as you breathe 
out, breathe out the tension. Take your next breath imagining ease coming into your body. 
Imagine yourself taking your test with ease. Take one last deep breath.”​ ​ -Modified from Mindful Schools 
 

*For more resources, visit our SEL icon in the C&I district tab Created by ISSD MTSS Team, May 2019
 “Place a hand on the test. Take a deep breath in and count to three. One. Two. Three. Blow out 
that anxiety as you count to three again. One. Two. Three. Now, with your hand on the test, say 
to yourself: I​ got this. I got this.” 
 

“Today we are going to bring our mindfulness to taking tests. Now imagine yourself picking up 
your pencil and holding it gently between your fingers. Take three more slow, deep breaths. 
Imagine yourself answering the first two questions. They are easy and you feel good. Now 
imagine that the third question is a little confusing. Instead of getting nervous, you put down 
your pencil and take three more breaths, each time breathing in calm and breathing out the 
confusion.” (Allow 15 seconds of silence) ​ ​www.tolerance.org 
 

 
Transitions:​ Use these practices during any transition to help students regain 
focus and bring their attention to the present moment 
 

“Get into mindful bodies. Close your eyes or look down at a spot on the floor. Let’s take three 
deep breaths in and out. Remember to breathe in through your nose and out through your 
mouth (wait until breaths are complete). Bring your attention to where you are right now and 
prepare your mind and body to learn.” 
 
“Sit in mindful bodies. Close your eyes or look at a spot on the floor. Take a deep breath in and 
out. Allow your body to relax completely letting go of anything that may have happened 
outside of this room. Take one more deep breath, in and out. You may open your eyes.” 
 
 

Mindful Moment (​pause and reflect​): ​Use these practices anytime students 
need “think time” to allow thoughts to flow naturally 
 

“Sit in mindful bodies, close your eyes if you are comfortable, think about _____________. 
Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. In a moment you will 
open your eyes and we will begin our discussion about___________”.* (fill in the blanks with 
whatever you want your circle topic to be)  
 
“Sit in mindful bodies. Please check in with your attention. Is it here in the room with us? If not, 
gently bring it back.” 
 

*For more resources, visit our SEL icon in the C&I district tab Created by ISSD MTSS Team, May 2019
 “Sit in mindful bodies, close your eyes if you are comfortable. In a moment we are going to be in 
our family groups. With the members of our groups, we will continue to talk about the learning 
today. Take a moment and think about these questions… Now in your circle discuss those 
questions.” 
 

“Sit comfortably. Feel your feet firmly grounded on the floor, your back aligned with your neck 
and your hands resting in your lap. Take a deep breath, in and out. In your head, ​THINK ​the 
words ​I AM. ​Take another deep breath. In and out. ​ Think the words... 
○ I am exactly where I need to be... 
○ I will make myself a priority... 
○ I take care of others when I take care of me... 
Now take a deep breath, in and out. When you are ready open your eyes.” 

 
Gratitude/Kindness: ​Use these practices to deepen the awareness 
of empathy and kindness; ​what we practice, grows stronger 
 

“Sit up tall. Close your eyes and look down at a point in front of you. Rest your hands in your lap 
and breathe naturally. Take a moment to center yourself. Now take a deep breath through 
your nose and blow out through your mouth. As I read these sentences about gratefulness, 
repeat each sentence and fill in the blank ​silently​ to yourself...   
○ I am grateful for my family because….. 
○ I am grateful for my friendship with ...because…. 
○ Something silly that I am grateful for is…… 
○ I am grateful for who I am because… 
When you are ready, open your eyes. 
 
“Gratitude means being thankful for what you have in your life. Choose something that you are 
grateful for and write them down in a journal. You might be grateful for big things (like getting a 
good grade or having a great friend), events (like a trip), or the details of small, everyday 
happenings (like the weather or fun time you had with a friend).” 
 
“Kindness can help us develop compassion for all people. Get in your mindful bodies, sit 
comfortably and close your eyes or look at a spot on the floor. Take a deep breath in and out. I’d 
like you to picture a person you enjoy being around and get along with. (your friend, a loved one, 
or a family member) Keep the image of that person in your mind. Repeat after me: May you be 
safe… May you be happy… May you be healthy… May you be at peace. Let’s finish with a shoulder 
*For more resources, visit our SEL icon in the C&I district tab Created by ISSD MTSS Team, May 2019
 roll. Breathe in and bring your shoulders up to your ears. Breathe out and roll your shoulders 
back and down. Take another deep breath in and out and gently open your eyes.” 

*For more resources, visit our SEL icon in the C&I district tab Created by ISSD MTSS Team, May 2019