1
Introduction: Where Does Your Mind Go?
(~8 minutes)
Engage:
Silently, think back on the last 7 days. What stands out most from your week? Write down three things you remember. We’ll revisit these later.
2
Partner Activity: Compliments vs. Criticism
(~15 minutes)
Introduce: Today we will be exploring how our attention and memory work by remembering what people said to us this past week.
Setup: Pair students and give each pair their two labeled cups and small objects.
Instructions:
1.
Partner A shares 5-7 things people said to them or how they treated them this past week (friends, teachers, family, or anyone else). These can be positive, negative, or neutral.
2.
As Partner A shares, Partner B listens carefully and drops one object into the Positive cup for encouraging or kind comments and into the Negative cup for discouraging or critical comments.
3.
If something seems neutral, Partner B asks: “How did that make you feel?” If truly neutral, no object is added.
4.
Switch roles after about 5 minutes.
5.
Each pair observes and counts objects in the cups.
💡 Teacher Mindfulness Cue: As you observe, reflect on which types of feedback tend to “stick” longer in your own memory. Notice without judgment.
3
Discovery & Definition: What’s Going On Here?
(~10 minutes)
Discuss:
What do you notice about the cups? Which one is fuller?
Which memories came to mind first - the positive ones or the negative ones? Think back to the three things you initially wrote down too.
Why do you think this is?
Refer to Negativity Bias:
Many people find that they tend to more easily remember the negative experiences than the positive ones. This is called Negativity Bias (refer to the “Challenges to Mindfulness” video).
Write on board: Negativity Bias - the tendency of the brain to notice and remember negative experiences more strongly than positive ones.
This bias developed to help humans stay safe by noticing potential danger first. It’s not a flaw - it’s protection.
Think about your own experience in this activity: Did you notice Negativity Bias?
Why do you think your brain held onto those particular memories?
Mindfulness Framing:
Negative emotions and moments are important - they help us learn and stay safe. But when negativity bias takes over, it can make one moment feel like the whole story. Mindfulness helps us balance that - by seeing the full picture.
4
Reframing Practice: Becoming a Perspective Detective
(~15 minutes)
Explain:
We can’t stop negativity bias, but we can balance it by asking questions - like a Perspective Detective. We ask: ‘What else is true?’
Part A:
Display or read 4–5 short examples, such as:
“You missed the winning shot in the game.”
“You got into an argument with your sibling.”
“Your computer crashed and you lost your assignment.”
“Your friend didn’t text you back.”
“It rained during recess.”
Ask:
What else is true in this story? What’s still okay, neutral, or even positive?
Have students share responses in pairs, small groups, or as a class.
Example responses if students need prompting:
You missed the winning shot in the game. → The other team, who hadn’t won any games yet, finally got to win that one
You got into an argument with your sibling. → You got to hear what was bothering them that you hadn’t realized before.
Your computer crashed and you lost your assignment. → Since you had to redo it, you remembered to add something you’d forgotten the first time.
Your friend didn’t text you back. → They might have been busy, and you still got time to relax or do something else.
It rained during recess. → You got to hang out inside and talk with friends you don’t usually spend time with.
Discuss:
How did it feel to find another truth in the same story? Did it change how you felt - even a little?
Part B: Take a Mental Snapshot
Explain: Since positive moments are harder to remember, we have to consciously help them stick by taking a mental snapshot. We do this through 4 steps:
1.
Choose: Pick one small positive moment from today (a good conversation, a smile from a friend, the taste of a snack).
2.
Feel: Close your eyes and relive it. Where do you feel the positive sensation in your body (calm, lightness, warmth)?
3.
Hold: Hold the feeling for 10-20 seconds. Take a mental picture and savor the details.
4.
Say: Tell yourself: "I am choosing to make this moment stick.”
💡 Teacher Mindfulness Cue: Take a breath and notice your own perspective. What small positive things can you savor today?
5
Wrap-Up & Reflection
(~5 minutes)
Final Takeaway:
Negativity bias lives in all of us - teachers, students, parents, everyone. Awareness helps us keep balance. When you notice your brain holding onto something negative, ask yourself: “What else is true?”
Optional Reflection Prompt (students journal or share aloud):
What’s one small positive thing from today that you can focus on remembering?
💡 Teacher Reflection: Before ending, take one mindful breath and ask yourself:
“Where is my attention right now - on the negative, the positive, or somewhere balanced?”
1. Introduction: Where Does Your Mind Go?
2. Partner Activity: Compliments vs. Criticism
3. Discovery & Definition: What’s Going On Here?
4. Reframing Practice: Becoming a Perspective Detective
5. Wrap-Up & Reflection