Lesson 3: Our Inner Hero, The Autonomic Nervous System

Summary

This lesson introduces two branches of our autonomic nervous system, student leadership, a simple movement practice and a guided relaxation. It also includes a real life example of sympathetic nervous system activation and how it protects us.

Time

14-20 mins

Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to identify the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system
• Students will be able to explain the autonomic nervous system as something the body does without conscious thought and give at least one example
• Students will be able to distinguish between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and give an example of each
• Exploration of this system in the body through movement

Key Vocabulary

The Autonomic Nervous System: Controls the body’s organs, breathing, and other bodily functions that we don’t need to think about (heart beating, etc.)

Sympathetic Nervous System: Activates our body. Survival impulse (fight or flight)

Parasympathetic Nervous System: Tells our bodies to rest and digest

Materials

• Video projection system with internet access and speakers
• Videos:
  • Calming Chime & Hoberman Breathing sphere
  • Our Inner Hero: The Autonomic Nervous System (BS) science video
  • Our Inner Hero (FAV). A follow-along classroom movement/physical activity video and mindfulness/relaxation process
• Discussion questions
• Handouts
  • Sorting Activities
  • Reflection & Drawing Activities
  • Draw Strong Picture (grades K-2), including diagrams of elements in brain science
  • Strong Voice Reflection Activity (grades 3+)
• Questions and prompts for further exploration

Directions

1. 1. Student(s) lead Calming Chime and/or Hoberman Sphere breathing exercise (2 mins)
   2. After #1, student leader chooses two to three classmates to give compliments (1 min)
   3. Play health science video Our Inner Hero: The Autonomic Nervous System (BS) (4 mins)
   4. Teacher leads Mountain Test activity with students (optional – 3 mins)
   5. Class practice with follow-along video Our Inner Hero (FAV) followed by Strong Voice Relaxation process (4 mins) 
   6. Class completes handouts & engages in discussion (optional –10 mins)
   7. Class play the Activate/Relax Walk game (watch how its taught) to explore the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in the body (Optional – 10 mins)
   8. Lesson extension (all grades): Have students create their own movement sequences from poses in the Move Mindfully card deck (Optional – 10 mins)
   9. Lesson extension (all grades): Have students create their own relaxation journey similar to those in the  Mindful Moments card deck (Optional – 10 mins)

Skills Developed & Other Benefits

• Continued development and improvement of skills:
  • Mindful listening
  • Sensory/self-awareness
  • Patience
  • Leadership skills
  • Nervous system regulation
  • Self-control
  • Leadership skills
  • Teamwork skills