The students will find a comfortable space, for example resting their heads on their desks or resting on the floor if there is plenty of space available. The teacher may opt to use lamps or lower the lights in some other way.
Prior to this activity, the teacher will choose one of the two guided visualization stories to read to the students. Read the chosen story aloud to the students. The stories come from childdrama.com and the link is provided as a digital resource.
The teacher will introduce the activity by explaining that even as athletes stretch their muscles to prepare, actors stretch their imaginations. The teacher can further introduce the activity by asking the students to use their imaginations to visualize themselves experiencing and performing all of the details of the story the teacher will read aloud.
Have the students focus on their breath and clear their minds before beginning. Prompt the students to remember the details of the teacher's chosen story for journaling or sharing with their classmates afterwards.
During the reading of the story the students are still and silent. They should be actively imagining the story in their minds.
After the story is complete, again have the students focus on their breathing. Have them sit up and bring the lights back up to their normal brightness.
The teacher can ask the students to think, pair, share with a student near to them or the teacher can have the students journal their experience.
Here are some example questions:
"The Trip"
Where did you go on your trip?
Who did you see while you were there?
What was the problem you helped solve?
"Spring"
What kind of animal were you?
What was the large item you explored with your senses?
Where will you go the next time you leave your burrow?
