An afterschool club that focuses on providing calming and stress relieving activities that also help them build healthy coping mechanisms to stress at a young age

Miller, Alec

Osmundson, Katherine

English

The Relax and Recharge after school club was intended to help students wind down and recover from the stresses of the school day. We led a variety of crafts, exercises, and activities for this purpose. We also intended to provide the students with tools to take back into the school and home for stress management. Our goal was for the students to learn how to be more present, self-aware, and able to manage stress in a healthy way

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Honors Expanded Learning Clubs Honors Program Fall 2020 Relax and Recharge Club Alec Miller University of Nebraska - Lincoln Katherine Osmundson University of Nebraska-Lincoln Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorshelc  Part of the Higher Education Commons Miller, Alec and Osmundson, Katherine, "Relax and Recharge Club" (2020). Honors Expanded Learning Clubs. 56. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorshelc/56 This Portfolio is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Expanded Learning Clubs by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Nebraska Honors Program CLC Expanded Learning Opportunity Clubs Information Sheet   Name of Club:  Relax and Recharge club Age/Grade Level:  K-5th Number of Attendees: (ideal number) 9 at a time, rotate in groups Goal of the Club: (learning objectives/outcomes)  To create a mindful environment that allows for students to cope with stress and emotions in a healthy way Resources: (Information for club provided by)  UNL CAPS website on mental wellness, online yoga for kids poses, breathing and relaxation tips; an assortment of craft websites Content Areas: (check all that apply) ☒ Arts (Visual, Music, Theater & Performance) ☐ Literacy ☐ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering &Math) ☐ Social Studies ☒ Wellness (Physical Education, Health, Nutrition & Character Education) Outputs or final products: (Does the club have a final product/project to showcase to community?)  While we won’t be showcasing anything to the community due to COVID, we hope to give students the ability to express their emotions and cope with potential stress created from school, friends and family, or the world. Introducing your Club/Activities:  This club will rotate between full yoga/stretching activities to activities featured around stress relief, such as stress balls, energy releasing games, focused breathing, and journaling.  General Directions:  Students will start by taking a short break to relieve energy, and then have a discussion about possible stressors they are experiencing. We want this club to act as a release for these students, where they are able learn healthy release methods.  Tips/Tricks:  Don’t be afraid to switch up the plans if the kids have more/less energy than expected! Go with the flow.           Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Breathing with Bubbles Length of Activity: 30 minutes Supplies: Individual bubble mixes, outdoor space Directions: In this activity, we are focusing on breathing, and controlling our breathing in stressful situations. To do this, we are using bubbles to visualize our breaths, and to practice calm down strategies. Have the kids spread out in a circle and give each student their own bubble mixture. Then ask the students if they know why taking deep breaths is helpful, explaining that the calming effect can help when we try to relax and calm down. Spend some time walking the students through how to inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and blow bubbles for 8 seconds, and then discuss when we would use this and how it made us feel. Conclusion of the activity: Have the students give times from their lives when they felt like the bubble breathing would have been helpful. Ask if they plan on using it in the future. Parts of activity that worked: The kids loved the bubbles! And the deep breathing was something easy for them to work on. Parts of activity that did not work: Make sure you have outdoor space away from other students, as everyone seems to want bubbles!   Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Slime-time Length of Activity: 30-45 minutes (this will take up most of club) Supplies: Saline solution, glue, baking soda, Ziploc bags, food coloring (optional) Directions: Have each student take a Ziploc bag, pour 8 oz of glue into it, then mix in baking soda and saline solution as needed. (This will be an activity that requires a lot Conclusion of the activity:  Each student had a bag of slime to play with and then take home. Parts of activity that worked:  The students were focused and cared about each step of the process. Parts of activity that did not work:  If the slime didn’t turn out how they wanted, or they  did  the recipe wrong, some became unhappy and displeased with the activity.   Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Painting on Pumpkins Length of Activity:  40 minutes Supplies:  sharpies Directions:  Have the students choose a small  pumpkin and an assortment of sharpie markers to decorate their pumpkin. Conclusion of the activity:  The students each had a colored pumpkin  to take home and place in their home or porch as a halloween decoration Parts of activity that worked:  We split the students into two groups. Each group had their own table and set of markers. This organizational aspect worked out well. Parts of activity that did not work:  We did not have every color for every student, so some students were fighting over particular markers.     Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Calm Down Jars Length of Activity:  40 mins Supplies:  Small plastic jar, glitter paint, warm water Directions:  Pour warm water into your jar. Then, squirt some glittery paint into the water.  You  can put a few different colors in if you’d like. Next, close the jar and shake it. The result will be a snow-globe like effect with the glitter floating through the warm water. Conclusion of the activity:  Each student was able to slow down  and  get creative  with their Calm Down Jars. It was a fun process and each student was able to take home their jar. Parts of activity that worked:  The students each completed their Calm Down Jar without making too much of a mess. They enjoyed the artistic liberty of choosing whichever amounts and colors  they preferred for  their jar. Parts of activity that did not work:  The students argued over a few colors and left some supplies out on the pavement after the activity.    Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Orbeez Stress Balls Length of Activity:  40 minutes Supplies:  Orbeez, balloons Directions:  Place orbeez into a balloon one at a time so as to not spill. After the balloon is half full of orbeez, tie it. Then you may squeeze the balloon of orbeez to serve as a stress ball. Conclusion of the activity:  Each student made a few orbeez stress balls they used to wind down after school, and could take home to use as a de-stresser. Parts of activity that worked:  There were enough supplies for everyone to make a  few. The students were able to get fresh air and wind down after a long day of school. Parts of activity that did not work:  Many students got too excited and dropped many orbeez during the process. So, we ran out of orbeez eventually. However, most students walked away with a few orbeez stress balls.   Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Paint and Chat Length of Activity:  45-50 minutes  Supplies: Paint, paintbrushes, paper plates, wooden coasters, water cups, plastic tablecloth  Directions: Have all of the students circle around the tablecloth and work on painting their wooden coasters. While doing this, talk with the students about how their school year is going, as this will hopefully be done around the time quarter one ends. Explain to them how finding activities, such as painting, can be a helpful coping mechanism to stress, and talk through some other coping mechanisms such as exercising, listening to music, reading, talking to an adult. Conclusion of the activity:  We cleaned up the area together, and then placed our painted ornaments/coasters out to dry. We then summarized what we learned and talked about.  Parts of activity that worked:  The painting provided for a great time to talk to the students with them listening. Parts of activity that did not work:  It was messy!! Make sure to leave time for cleanup.    Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Create your own Yoga Length of Activity:  30 minutes Supplies:  nothing! Directions:  We have been working on yoga poses for the club (as our warm up activity), but now it is time for the students to make up their own poses. Have each student take turns leading a “mini yoga class” and lead everyone in a few poses.  Conclusion of the activity:  Have the students finish the “class” with some deep breathing and stretching.  Parts of activity that worked:  The students loved being leaders and coming up with their own poses.  Parts of activity that did not work:  Some of the more shy students didn’t want to lead, sometimes they need a teacher to go with them!   Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: My own Journal Length of Activity:  30-45 minutes Supplies:  Stapler, paper, construction paper, stickers, markers, crayons, pencils Directions:  Create booklets of 10-15 sheets of paper wrapped in construction paper. Have the students decorate the cover and practice writing their feelings and reflections in the journal.  Conclusion of the activity:  Explain that journaling is a great way to calm down and relieve stress. Ask the students to try to write in their journals once a day for 1 week. Then check back the next week to see how it is going.  Parts of activity that worked:  The students loved having something to take home! And making the journal their own was fun! Parts of activity that did not work:  Making sure the students don’t just color all over the pages, and leave room for writing.    Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Cloud Dough Length of Activity:  30-45 minutes Supplies:  Corn starch, lotion Directions:  Mix ½ a cup lotion with 1 cup cornstarch to make a fun squishy dough Conclusion of the activity:  Explain how similar to the stress ball, making fun crafts can be a fun way to relieve stress.  Parts of activity that worked:  The kids loved having something to take home and said that making the dough was relaxing. Parts of activity that did not work:  Don’t use food coloring, it will make a mess and stain clothing.    Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Birds of a Feather Length of Activity:  15-20 mins Supplies:  Art supplies, paper feathers, tape, sharpie Directions:  After warm up activity, have students separate into groups of four around tables with their art supplies. Hand each student a paper feather and tell them to draw how they are feeling on the paper, then let each kid present their feather after they finished decorating it.  Conclusion of the activity: Students were able to feel grounded after a long day of school and check in on how they were feeling.  Parts of activity that worked:  The students enjoyed drawing and presenting. They were excited to take their feathers home! Parts of activity that did not work:  Some students were distracted and weren’t able to relax and check in on themselves  after their long day; so,  they didn’t take the exercise seriously.    

Relax and Recharge Club

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Honors Expanded Learning Clubs Honors Program 
Fall 2020 
Relax and Recharge Club 
Katherine Osmundson 
Alec Miller 
University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorshelc 
 Part of the Higher Education Commons 
Osmundson, Katherine and Miller, Alec, "Relax and Recharge Club" (2020). Honors Expanded Learning 
Clubs. 62. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorshelc/62 
This Portfolio is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at DigitalCommons@University of 
Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Expanded Learning Clubs by an authorized 
administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 
Nebraska Honors Program 
CLC Expanded Learning Opportunity Clubs 
Information Sheet 
  
Name of Club:  Relax and Recharge club 
Age/Grade Level:  K-5th 
Number of Attendees: (ideal number) 9 at a time, rotate in groups 
Goal of the Club: (learning objectives/outcomes) 
 To create a mindful environment that allows for students to cope with stress and emotions in a 
healthy way 
Resources: (Information for club provided by) 
 UNL CAPS website on mental wellness, online yoga for kids poses, breathing and relaxation 
tips; an assortment of craft websites 
Content Areas: (check all that apply) 
☒ Arts (Visual, Music, Theater & Performance) 
☐ Literacy 
☐ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering &Math) 
☐ Social Studies 
☒ Wellness (Physical Education, Health, Nutrition & Character Education) 
Outputs or final products: (Does the club have a final product/project to showcase to community?) 
 While we won’t be showcasing anything to the community due to COVID, we hope to give 
students the ability to express their emotions and cope with potential stress created from 
school, friends and family, or the world. 
Introducing your Club/Activities: 
 This club will rotate between full yoga/stretching activities to activities featured around stress 
relief, such as stress balls, energy releasing games, focused breathing, and journaling.  
General Directions: 
 Students will start by taking a short break to relieve energy, and then have a discussion about 
possible stressors they are experiencing. We want this club to act as a release for these 
students, where they are able learn healthy release methods.  
Tips/Tricks: 
 Don’t be afraid to switch up the plans if the kids have more/less energy than expected! Go 
with the flow. 
     
  
 
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Breathing with Bubbles 
Length of Activity: 30 minutes 
Supplies: Individual bubble mixes, outdoor space 
Directions: In this activity, we are focusing on breathing, and controlling our breathing 
in stressful situations. To do this, we are using bubbles to visualize our breaths, and to 
practice calm down strategies. 
Have the kids spread out in a circle and give each student their own bubble mixture. Then 
ask the students if they know why taking deep breaths is helpful, explaining that the calming 
effect can help when we try to relax and calm down. Spend some time walking the students 
through how to inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and blow bubbles for 8 seconds, 
and then discuss when we would use this and how it made us feel. 
Conclusion of the activity: 
Have the students give times from their lives when they felt like the bubble breathing would 
have been helpful. Ask if they plan on using it in the future. 
Parts of activity that worked: 
The kids loved the bubbles! And the deep breathing was something easy for them to work 
on. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
Make sure you have outdoor space away from other students, as everyone seems to want 
bubbles! 
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Slime-time 
Length of Activity: 30-45 minutes (this will take up most of club) 
Supplies: Saline solution, glue, baking soda, Ziploc bags, food coloring 
(optional) 
Directions: 
Have each student take a Ziploc bag, pour 8 oz of glue into it, then mix in baking soda and 
saline solution as needed. (This will be an activity that requires a lot 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Each student had a bag of slime to play with and then take home. 
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The students were focused and cared about each step of the process. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 If the slime didn’t turn out how they wanted, or they  did  the recipe wrong, some became 
unhappy and displeased with the activity. 
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Painting on Pumpkins 
Length of Activity:  40 minutes 
Supplies:  sharpies 
Directions: 
 Have the students choose a small  pumpkin and an assortment of sharpie markers to 
decorate their pumpkin. 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 The students each had a colored pumpkin  to take home and place in their home or porch as 
a halloween decoration 
Parts of activity that worked: 
 We split the students into two groups. Each group had their own table and set of markers. 
This organizational aspect worked out well. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 We did not have every color for every student, so some students were fighting over 
particular markers.   
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Calm Down Jars 
Length of Activity:  40 mins 
Supplies:  Small plastic jar, glitter paint, warm water 
Directions: 
 Pour warm water into your jar. Then, squirt some glittery paint into the water.  You  can put 
a few different colors in if you’d like. Next, close the jar and shake it. The result will be a 
snow-globe like effect with the glitter floating through the warm water. 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Each student was able to slow down  and  get creative  with their Calm Down Jars. It was a 
fun process and each student was able to take home their jar. 
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The students each completed their Calm Down Jar without making too much of a mess. 
They enjoyed the artistic liberty of choosing whichever amounts and colors  they preferred 
for  their jar. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 The students argued over a few colors and left some supplies out on the pavement after the 
activity.  
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Orbeez Stress Balls 
Length of Activity:  40 minutes 
Supplies:  Orbeez, balloons 
Directions: 
 Place orbeez into a balloon one at a time so as to not spill. After the balloon is half full of 
orbeez, tie it. Then you may squeeze the balloon of orbeez to serve as a stress ball. 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Each student made a few orbeez stress balls they used to wind down after school, and could 
take home to use as a de-stresser. 
Parts of activity that worked: 
 There were enough supplies for everyone to make a  few. The students were able to get 
fresh air and wind down after a long day of school. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 Many students got too excited and dropped many orbeez during the process. So, we ran out 
of orbeez eventually. However, most students walked away with a few orbeez stress balls. 
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Paint and Chat 
Length of Activity:  45-50 minutes  
Supplies: Paint, paintbrushes, paper plates, wooden coasters, water cups, 
plastic tablecloth  
Directions: 
Have all of the students circle around the tablecloth and work on painting their wooden 
coasters. While doing this, talk with the students about how their school year is going, as 
this will hopefully be done around the time quarter one ends. Explain to them how finding 
activities, such as painting, can be a helpful coping mechanism to stress, and talk through 
some other coping mechanisms such as exercising, listening to music, reading, talking to 
an adult. 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 We cleaned up the area together, and then placed our painted ornaments/coasters out to dry. 
We then summarized what we learned and talked about.  
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The painting provided for a great time to talk to the students with them listening. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 It was messy!! Make sure to leave time for cleanup.  
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Create your own Yoga 
Length of Activity:  30 minutes 
Supplies:  nothing! 
Directions: 
 We have been working on yoga poses for the club (as our warm up activity), but now it is 
time for the students to make up their own poses. Have each student take turns leading a 
“mini yoga class” and lead everyone in a few poses.  
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Have the students finish the “class” with some deep breathing and stretching.  
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The students loved being leaders and coming up with their own poses.  
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 Some of the more shy students didn’t want to lead, sometimes they need a teacher to 
go with them! 
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: My own Journal 
Length of Activity:  30-45 minutes 
Supplies:  Stapler, paper, construction paper, stickers, markers, crayons, 
pencils 
Directions: 
 Create booklets of 10-15 sheets of paper wrapped in construction paper. Have the students 
decorate the cover and practice writing their feelings and reflections in the journal.  
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Explain that journaling is a great way to calm down and relieve stress. Ask the students to 
try to write in their journals once a day for 1 week. Then check back the next week to see 
how it is going.  
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The students loved having something to take home! And making the journal their own was 
fun! 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 Making sure the students don’t just color all over the pages, and leave room for 
writing.  
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Cloud Dough 
Length of Activity:  30-45 minutes 
Supplies:  Corn starch, lotion 
Directions: 
 Mix ½ a cup lotion with 1 cup cornstarch to make a fun squishy dough 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Explain how similar to the stress ball, making fun crafts can be a fun way to relieve stress.  
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The kids loved having something to take home and said that making the dough was 
relaxing. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 Don’t use food coloring, it will make a mess and stain clothing.  
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Birds of a Feather 
Length of Activity:  15-20 mins 
Supplies:  Art supplies, paper feathers, tape, sharpie 
Directions: 
 After warm up activity, have students separate into groups of four around tables with their 
art supplies. Hand each student a paper feather and tell them to draw how they are feeling on 
the paper, then let each kid present their feather after they finished decorating it.  
Conclusion of the activity: 
Students were able to feel grounded after a long day of school and check in on how they 
were feeling.  
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The students enjoyed drawing and presenting. They were excited to take their feathers 
home! 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 Some students were distracted and weren’t able to relax and check in on themselves  after 
their long day; so,  they didn’t take the exercise seriously. 
  
 


University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Honors Expanded Learning Clubs Honors Program Fall 2020 Relax and Recharge Club Katherine Osmundson Alec Miller University of Nebraska - Lincoln Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorshelc  Part of the Higher Education Commons Osmundson, Katherine and Miller, Alec, "Relax and Recharge Club" (2020). Honors Expanded Learning Clubs. 62. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorshelc/62 This Portfolio is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Expanded Learning Clubs by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Nebraska Honors Program CLC Expanded Learning Opportunity Clubs Information Sheet   Name of Club:  Relax and Recharge club Age/Grade Level:  K-5th Number of Attendees: (ideal number) 9 at a time, rotate in groups Goal of the Club: (learning objectives/outcomes)  To create a mindful environment that allows for students to cope with stress and emotions in a healthy way Resources: (Information for club provided by)  UNL CAPS website on mental wellness, online yoga for kids poses, breathing and relaxation tips; an assortment of craft websites Content Areas: (check all that apply) ☒ Arts (Visual, Music, Theater & Performance) ☐ Literacy ☐ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering &Math) ☐ Social Studies ☒ Wellness (Physical Education, Health, Nutrition & Character Education) Outputs or final products: (Does the club have a final product/project to showcase to community?)  While we won’t be showcasing anything to the community due to COVID, we hope to give students the ability to express their emotions and cope with potential stress created from school, friends and family, or the world. Introducing your Club/Activities:  This club will rotate between full yoga/stretching activities to activities featured around stress relief, such as stress balls, energy releasing games, focused breathing, and journaling.  General Directions:  Students will start by taking a short break to relieve energy, and then have a discussion about possible stressors they are experiencing. We want this club to act as a release for these students, where they are able learn healthy release methods.  Tips/Tricks:  Don’t be afraid to switch up the plans if the kids have more/less energy than expected! Go with the flow.           Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Breathing with Bubbles Length of Activity: 30 minutes Supplies: Individual bubble mixes, outdoor space Directions: In this activity, we are focusing on breathing, and controlling our breathing in stressful situations. To do this, we are using bubbles to visualize our breaths, and to practice calm down strategies. Have the kids spread out in a circle and give each student their own bubble mixture. Then ask the students if they know why taking deep breaths is helpful, explaining that the calming effect can help when we try to relax and calm down. Spend some time walking the students through how to inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and blow bubbles for 8 seconds, and then discuss when we would use this and how it made us feel. Conclusion of the activity: Have the students give times from their lives when they felt like the bubble breathing would have been helpful. Ask if they plan on using it in the future. Parts of activity that worked: The kids loved the bubbles! And the deep breathing was something easy for them to work on. Parts of activity that did not work: Make sure you have outdoor space away from other students, as everyone seems to want bubbles!   Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Slime-time Length of Activity: 30-45 minutes (this will take up most of club) Supplies: Saline solution, glue, baking soda, Ziploc bags, food coloring (optional) Directions: Have each student take a Ziploc bag, pour 8 oz of glue into it, then mix in baking soda and saline solution as needed. (This will be an activity that requires a lot Conclusion of the activity:  Each student had a bag of slime to play with and then take home. Parts of activity that worked:  The students were focused and cared about each step of the process. Parts of activity that did not work:  If the slime didn’t turn out how they wanted, or they  did  the recipe wrong, some became unhappy and displeased with the activity.   Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Painting on Pumpkins Length of Activity:  40 minutes Supplies:  sharpies Directions:  Have the students choose a small  pumpkin and an assortment of sharpie markers to decorate their pumpkin. Conclusion of the activity:  The students each had a colored pumpkin  to take home and place in their home or porch as a halloween decoration Parts of activity that worked:  We split the students into two groups. Each group had their own table and set of markers. This organizational aspect worked out well. Parts of activity that did not work:  We did not have every color for every student, so some students were fighting over particular markers.     Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Calm Down Jars Length of Activity:  40 mins Supplies:  Small plastic jar, glitter paint, warm water Directions:  Pour warm water into your jar. Then, squirt some glittery paint into the water.  You  can put a few different colors in if you’d like. Next, close the jar and shake it. The result will be a snow-globe like effect with the glitter floating through the warm water. Conclusion of the activity:  Each student was able to slow down  and  get creative  with their Calm Down Jars. It was a fun process and each student was able to take home their jar. Parts of activity that worked:  The students each completed their Calm Down Jar without making too much of a mess. They enjoyed the artistic liberty of choosing whichever amounts and colors  they preferred for  their jar. Parts of activity that did not work:  The students argued over a few colors and left some supplies out on the pavement after the activity.    Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Orbeez Stress Balls Length of Activity:  40 minutes Supplies:  Orbeez, balloons Directions:  Place orbeez into a balloon one at a time so as to not spill. After the balloon is half full of orbeez, tie it. Then you may squeeze the balloon of orbeez to serve as a stress ball. Conclusion of the activity:  Each student made a few orbeez stress balls they used to wind down after school, and could take home to use as a de-stresser. Parts of activity that worked:  There were enough supplies for everyone to make a  few. The students were able to get fresh air and wind down after a long day of school. Parts of activity that did not work:  Many students got too excited and dropped many orbeez during the process. So, we ran out of orbeez eventually. However, most students walked away with a few orbeez stress balls.   Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Paint and Chat Length of Activity:  45-50 minutes  Supplies: Paint, paintbrushes, paper plates, wooden coasters, water cups, plastic tablecloth  Directions: Have all of the students circle around the tablecloth and work on painting their wooden coasters. While doing this, talk with the students about how their school year is going, as this will hopefully be done around the time quarter one ends. Explain to them how finding activities, such as painting, can be a helpful coping mechanism to stress, and talk through some other coping mechanisms such as exercising, listening to music, reading, talking to an adult. Conclusion of the activity:  We cleaned up the area together, and then placed our painted ornaments/coasters out to dry. We then summarized what we learned and talked about.  Parts of activity that worked:  The painting provided for a great time to talk to the students with them listening. Parts of activity that did not work:  It was messy!! Make sure to leave time for cleanup.    Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Create your own Yoga Length of Activity:  30 minutes Supplies:  nothing! Directions:  We have been working on yoga poses for the club (as our warm up activity), but now it is time for the students to make up their own poses. Have each student take turns leading a “mini yoga class” and lead everyone in a few poses.  Conclusion of the activity:  Have the students finish the “class” with some deep breathing and stretching.  Parts of activity that worked:  The students loved being leaders and coming up with their own poses.  Parts of activity that did not work:  Some of the more shy students didn’t want to lead, sometimes they need a teacher to go with them!   Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: My own Journal Length of Activity:  30-45 minutes Supplies:  Stapler, paper, construction paper, stickers, markers, crayons, pencils Directions:  Create booklets of 10-15 sheets of paper wrapped in construction paper. Have the students decorate the cover and practice writing their feelings and reflections in the journal.  Conclusion of the activity:  Explain that journaling is a great way to calm down and relieve stress. Ask the students to try to write in their journals once a day for 1 week. Then check back the next week to see how it is going.  Parts of activity that worked:  The students loved having something to take home! And making the journal their own was fun! Parts of activity that did not work:  Making sure the students don’t just color all over the pages, and leave room for writing.    Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Cloud Dough Length of Activity:  30-45 minutes Supplies:  Corn starch, lotion Directions:  Mix ½ a cup lotion with 1 cup cornstarch to make a fun squishy dough Conclusion of the activity:  Explain how similar to the stress ball, making fun crafts can be a fun way to relieve stress.  Parts of activity that worked:  The kids loved having something to take home and said that making the dough was relaxing. Parts of activity that did not work:  Don’t use food coloring, it will make a mess and stain clothing.    Lesson Plan Worksheet (copy table as needed)     Lesson Activity Name: Birds of a Feather Length of Activity:  15-20 mins Supplies:  Art supplies, paper feathers, tape, sharpie Directions:  After warm up activity, have students separate into groups of four around tables with their art supplies. Hand each student a paper feather and tell them to draw how they are feeling on the paper, then let each kid present their feather after they finished decorating it.  Conclusion of the activity: Students were able to feel grounded after a long day of school and check in on how they were feeling.  Parts of activity that worked:  The students enjoyed drawing and presenting. They were excited to take their feathers home! Parts of activity that did not work:  Some students were distracted and weren’t able to relax and check in on themselves  after their long day; so,  they didn’t take the exercise seriously.    

University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Honors Expanded Learning Clubs Honors Program 
Fall 2020 
Relax and Recharge Club 
Alec Miller 
University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Katherine Osmundson 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorshelc 
 Part of the Higher Education Commons 
Miller, Alec and Osmundson, Katherine, "Relax and Recharge Club" (2020). Honors Expanded Learning 
Clubs. 56. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorshelc/56 
This Portfolio is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at DigitalCommons@University of 
Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Expanded Learning Clubs by an authorized 
administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 
Nebraska Honors Program 
CLC Expanded Learning Opportunity Clubs 
Information Sheet 
  
Name of Club:  Relax and Recharge club 
Age/Grade Level:  K-5th 
Number of Attendees: (ideal number) 9 at a time, rotate in groups 
Goal of the Club: (learning objectives/outcomes) 
 To create a mindful environment that allows for students to cope with stress and emotions in a 
healthy way 
Resources: (Information for club provided by) 
 UNL CAPS website on mental wellness, online yoga for kids poses, breathing and relaxation 
tips; an assortment of craft websites 
Content Areas: (check all that apply) 
☒ Arts (Visual, Music, Theater & Performance) 
☐ Literacy 
☐ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering &Math) 
☐ Social Studies 
☒ Wellness (Physical Education, Health, Nutrition & Character Education) 
Outputs or final products: (Does the club have a final product/project to showcase to community?) 
 While we won’t be showcasing anything to the community due to COVID, we hope to give 
students the ability to express their emotions and cope with potential stress created from 
school, friends and family, or the world. 
Introducing your Club/Activities: 
 This club will rotate between full yoga/stretching activities to activities featured around stress 
relief, such as stress balls, energy releasing games, focused breathing, and journaling.  
General Directions: 
 Students will start by taking a short break to relieve energy, and then have a discussion about 
possible stressors they are experiencing. We want this club to act as a release for these 
students, where they are able learn healthy release methods.  
Tips/Tricks: 
 Don’t be afraid to switch up the plans if the kids have more/less energy than expected! Go 
with the flow. 
     
  
 
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Breathing with Bubbles 
Length of Activity: 30 minutes 
Supplies: Individual bubble mixes, outdoor space 
Directions: In this activity, we are focusing on breathing, and controlling our breathing 
in stressful situations. To do this, we are using bubbles to visualize our breaths, and to 
practice calm down strategies. 
Have the kids spread out in a circle and give each student their own bubble mixture. Then 
ask the students if they know why taking deep breaths is helpful, explaining that the calming 
effect can help when we try to relax and calm down. Spend some time walking the students 
through how to inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and blow bubbles for 8 seconds, 
and then discuss when we would use this and how it made us feel. 
Conclusion of the activity: 
Have the students give times from their lives when they felt like the bubble breathing would 
have been helpful. Ask if they plan on using it in the future. 
Parts of activity that worked: 
The kids loved the bubbles! And the deep breathing was something easy for them to work 
on. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
Make sure you have outdoor space away from other students, as everyone seems to want 
bubbles! 
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Slime-time 
Length of Activity: 30-45 minutes (this will take up most of club) 
Supplies: Saline solution, glue, baking soda, Ziploc bags, food coloring 
(optional) 
Directions: 
Have each student take a Ziploc bag, pour 8 oz of glue into it, then mix in baking soda and 
saline solution as needed. (This will be an activity that requires a lot 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Each student had a bag of slime to play with and then take home. 
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The students were focused and cared about each step of the process. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 If the slime didn’t turn out how they wanted, or they  did  the recipe wrong, some became 
unhappy and displeased with the activity. 
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Painting on Pumpkins 
Length of Activity:  40 minutes 
Supplies:  sharpies 
Directions: 
 Have the students choose a small  pumpkin and an assortment of sharpie markers to 
decorate their pumpkin. 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 The students each had a colored pumpkin  to take home and place in their home or porch as 
a halloween decoration 
Parts of activity that worked: 
 We split the students into two groups. Each group had their own table and set of markers. 
This organizational aspect worked out well. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 We did not have every color for every student, so some students were fighting over 
particular markers.   
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Calm Down Jars 
Length of Activity:  40 mins 
Supplies:  Small plastic jar, glitter paint, warm water 
Directions: 
 Pour warm water into your jar. Then, squirt some glittery paint into the water.  You  can put 
a few different colors in if you’d like. Next, close the jar and shake it. The result will be a 
snow-globe like effect with the glitter floating through the warm water. 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Each student was able to slow down  and  get creative  with their Calm Down Jars. It was a 
fun process and each student was able to take home their jar. 
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The students each completed their Calm Down Jar without making too much of a mess. 
They enjoyed the artistic liberty of choosing whichever amounts and colors  they preferred 
for  their jar. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 The students argued over a few colors and left some supplies out on the pavement after the 
activity.  
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Orbeez Stress Balls 
Length of Activity:  40 minutes 
Supplies:  Orbeez, balloons 
Directions: 
 Place orbeez into a balloon one at a time so as to not spill. After the balloon is half full of 
orbeez, tie it. Then you may squeeze the balloon of orbeez to serve as a stress ball. 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Each student made a few orbeez stress balls they used to wind down after school, and could 
take home to use as a de-stresser. 
Parts of activity that worked: 
 There were enough supplies for everyone to make a  few. The students were able to get 
fresh air and wind down after a long day of school. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 Many students got too excited and dropped many orbeez during the process. So, we ran out 
of orbeez eventually. However, most students walked away with a few orbeez stress balls. 
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Paint and Chat 
Length of Activity:  45-50 minutes  
Supplies: Paint, paintbrushes, paper plates, wooden coasters, water cups, 
plastic tablecloth  
Directions: 
Have all of the students circle around the tablecloth and work on painting their wooden 
coasters. While doing this, talk with the students about how their school year is going, as 
this will hopefully be done around the time quarter one ends. Explain to them how finding 
activities, such as painting, can be a helpful coping mechanism to stress, and talk through 
some other coping mechanisms such as exercising, listening to music, reading, talking to 
an adult. 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 We cleaned up the area together, and then placed our painted ornaments/coasters out to dry. 
We then summarized what we learned and talked about.  
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The painting provided for a great time to talk to the students with them listening. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 It was messy!! Make sure to leave time for cleanup.  
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Create your own Yoga 
Length of Activity:  30 minutes 
Supplies:  nothing! 
Directions: 
 We have been working on yoga poses for the club (as our warm up activity), but now it is 
time for the students to make up their own poses. Have each student take turns leading a 
“mini yoga class” and lead everyone in a few poses.  
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Have the students finish the “class” with some deep breathing and stretching.  
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The students loved being leaders and coming up with their own poses.  
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 Some of the more shy students didn’t want to lead, sometimes they need a teacher to 
go with them! 
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: My own Journal 
Length of Activity:  30-45 minutes 
Supplies:  Stapler, paper, construction paper, stickers, markers, crayons, 
pencils 
Directions: 
 Create booklets of 10-15 sheets of paper wrapped in construction paper. Have the students 
decorate the cover and practice writing their feelings and reflections in the journal.  
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Explain that journaling is a great way to calm down and relieve stress. Ask the students to 
try to write in their journals once a day for 1 week. Then check back the next week to see 
how it is going.  
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The students loved having something to take home! And making the journal their own was 
fun! 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 Making sure the students don’t just color all over the pages, and leave room for 
writing.  
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Cloud Dough 
Length of Activity:  30-45 minutes 
Supplies:  Corn starch, lotion 
Directions: 
 Mix ½ a cup lotion with 1 cup cornstarch to make a fun squishy dough 
Conclusion of the activity: 
 Explain how similar to the stress ball, making fun crafts can be a fun way to relieve stress.  
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The kids loved having something to take home and said that making the dough was 
relaxing. 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 Don’t use food coloring, it will make a mess and stain clothing.  
  
Lesson Plan Worksheet 
(copy table as needed) 
  
  
Lesson Activity Name: Birds of a Feather 
Length of Activity:  15-20 mins 
Supplies:  Art supplies, paper feathers, tape, sharpie 
Directions: 
 After warm up activity, have students separate into groups of four around tables with their 
art supplies. Hand each student a paper feather and tell them to draw how they are feeling on 
the paper, then let each kid present their feather after they finished decorating it.  
Conclusion of the activity: 
Students were able to feel grounded after a long day of school and check in on how they 
were feeling.  
Parts of activity that worked: 
 The students enjoyed drawing and presenting. They were excited to take their feathers 
home! 
Parts of activity that did not work: 
 Some students were distracted and weren’t able to relax and check in on themselves  after 
their long day; so,  they didn’t take the exercise seriously. 
  
 


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Relax and Recharge Club

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