Summer Camp: Spirit of the Light Saber - Jedi Mindfulness Training
Learn mindfulness techniques through the rainbow colors of lightsabers: Star Wars characters, guided meditations, discussions, writing, object lessons, demos, costumes, and hands on projects make this a fun way to learn.
Iris Imaginoria (Jessica Gray)
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(482)
What's included
8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
Through training of the mind and body, potential Jedi Knights discover who they want to be as they move through life. Mindfulness exercises help them develop a greater awareness of themselves and others, along with solutions for nonviolent communication, skills in calming down, paying attention, and care for others. But these classes are not merely philosophical discussions. This is hands-on, active mindfulness training for young Jedi Padawans. In "Spirit of the Light Saber: Jedi Mindfulness Training," Master Iris Imaginoria will guide young Padawans through seven sessions based on the rainbow colors of the lightsaber. The sessions are based on: - character philosophy from the nine primary Star Wars movies - some additions from other Star Wars sources and Extended Universe - Object Lessons - Art, Drama, and STEAM activities - Social Emotional learning theory - nonviolent communication strategies - and practical mindfulness techniques Students will use lightsabers at the very beginning of each session for a “movement meditation” set to the music of one of the Skywalker Saga films. Some move around a lot, while some choose to sit still and focused. Either is fine (as long as the padawan doesn't hit anyone or their computer with their lightsaber!). Music is such a powerful part of the Jedi experience, and listening to the music while allowing the Force to flow through their bodies and lightsabers can be a meaningful way to connect mind, body, and spirit. When done properly, padawans eagerly anticipate each day's opening, wondering what the next day's music will bring. Session One: Purple Lightsabers Characters: Mace Windu, Ki-Ad Mundi, Mara Jade, Darth Revan Essential Question: How can we find serenity in the midst of chaos? Activities: Initiation of new padawans. Making Padawan braids. Session Two: Blue Lightsabers Characters: Obi Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Rey, Leia, Finn, Ben Essential Question: How can we seek justice throughout the galaxy? Activities: Planet-building game (a social justice game that puts students in teams sharing resources to create new planets). Social action project. Session Three: Green Lightsabers Characters: Yoda, Qui Gon Jinn, Ahsoka, Luke Essential Question: How do we treat others with kindness and compassion? Activities: Guided meditation. Making Outreach Cards. Session Four: Yellow Lightsabers Characters: Rey, Ahsoka, Ventress, Bastila Shan Essential Question: How can we develop harmony as many parts depend on each other and to create the whole? Activities: Create a Rube Goldberg Machine. Session Five: Orange Lightsabers Characters: Yaddle, Lowbacca, Kal Kestis Essential Question: What is the fear keeping you from being whole? Activities: Cave meditation. Sea glass or smooth stone amulets. Session Six: Red Lightsabers Characters: Darth Revan, Count Dooku, Darth Vader, Darth Sidious, Darth Maul, Kylo Ren Essential Question: Can there be hope at the end of a hard journey? Can there be new choices? Activities: The Hero's Journey. Ethical dilemmas with Forced Choice. Session Seven: The Darksaber Character: Lando Calrissian, Darth Vader, Watto, The Sandpeople, The Neimoidians, Jar Jar Binks, Finn (and John Boyega himself), Rose Tico, and Sabine Wren Essential Question: What can one person do in the face of bias and injustice? Activities: Recognizing Racism pyramid, anti-racism exploration in a Galaxy Far, Far Away, Watching "Black Lives Matter" protest speech video Session Eight: Closing Master Imaginoria will give a demonstration, with help from her child, of some basic stage combat light saber techniques. Then we will make “Force/Chaos” Bottles, a meditation tool padawans can keep with them. This part of our padawans' training is ending. While they may not be ready yet to face their Jedi trials (this is only one of the five aspects of training), the students should be ready to choose the color of their kyber crystals. Master Imaginoria will empower them for their journey before sending them on their way. We close each day with our version of the Jedi Code, which encourages balance. No one side of the Force is better than the other: - Emotions, yet Peace - Ignorance, yet Knowledge - Passion, yet Serenity - Chaos, yet Harmony - Death, yet, the Force Master Imaginoria appears in costume and in character, with full backdrops, appropriate colored lightsaber for each session, and incorporates many aspects from the entire Star Wars saga into the interactive immersive program. Padawans are encouraged to dress in costume and get into the full spirit of the Jedi Academy.
Learning Goals
Students will learn mindfulness through the philosophy of the Jedi. Each session uses different techniques.
Session One: Purple Lightsabers
Theme: Balance
2. Self-Management
The ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations and to set and work toward personal and academic goals.
2A Individual demonstrates the skills to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, impulses and stress in constructive ways.
Session Two: Blue Lightsabers
Theme: Social Justice
3. Social Awareness
The ability to take the perspective of others and empathize with them, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and to understand norms for behavior.
3E Individual contributes productively to one’s school, family, workplace, and community.
Session Three: Green Lightsabers
Theme: Compassion
3. Social Awareness
The ability to take the perspective of others and empathize with them, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and to understand norms for behavior.
3B Individual seeks to understand and demonstrates respect for individuals, including those with diverse backgrounds, cultures, abilities, languages, and identities.
Session Four: Yellow Lightsabers
Theme: Harmony
4. Relationship Skills
The ability to communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressures, and to seek and offer help when needed.
4A Individual uses communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with others, including those with diverse backgrounds, cultures, abilities, languages, and identities.
Session Five: Orange Lightsabers
Theme: Fear
5. Responsible Decision Making
The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms and to evaluate the consequences of actions and to consider the safety and well-being of others.
5A Individual applies problem-solving skills to engage responsibly in a variety of situations.
Session Six: Red Lightsabers
Theme: Hope
2. Self-Management
2D Individual demonstrates a resilient attitude and growth mindset, even in the face of adversity and challenges.
Session Seven: The Darksaber
Theme: Anti-Racism
5. Responsible Decision Making
The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms and to evaluate the consequences of actions and to consider the safety and well-being of others.
5A Individual applies problem-solving skills to engage responsibly in a variety of situations.
Session Eight: Closing
Theme: Endings
2. Self-Management
The ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations and to set and work toward personal and academic goals.
2A Individual demonstrates the skills to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, impulses and stress in constructive ways.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Some of the themes and topics we discuss are deep regarding hopes and fears. The intention of the mindfulness meditations is to give students tools to use to manage their fears, but sometimes just talking about fears does make them rise to the surface. The session on the Darksaber (session seven) brings up many current issues on racism that may be quite personal for students, especially students of color. The goal is to allow students to feel empowered that there are things they can do to change the conversation, even as children.
Supply List
It is a lot more fun for the padawans if they come to class prepared. It is listed on the class page, but I thought I would copy it here for your convenience: Session One: A lightsaber Yarn in three colors (contrasting colors can help) A head band (thin stretchy athletic kind is best) Scotch tape or masking tape a flat surface you can tape something to (it will be removed) like a clipboard Session Two: A lightsaber Building supplies of various types - bring whatever you have - Legos or other blocks Or crafty building supplies - pipe cleaners/chenille stems, construction paper, felt/foam, popsicle sticks, etc. Session Three: A lightsaber Paper and markers and/or colored pencils Session Four: Yellow Lightsabers A lightsaber Any or all of the following (really, you do not need to have all of these - a bunch of clean recyclables are fine): aluminum foil, plastic containers, cardboard, water bottles, toilet paper or paper towel tubes for chutes, cereal or cake mix boxes to use like dominoes, beverage cans, soup cans, or batteries to roll, dominoes, funnels, marbles, golf balls, toy cars, string, buckets, cups or bowls, batteries, magnets Session Five: A lightsaber Supplies: Seaglass or a small, smooth stone. If any of your seaglass can be worn as a pendant, that would add to the object lesson. In that case you should also have a cord on which to wear it. Session Six: A lightsaber Session Seven: A lightsaber A printout of the pdf provided in classroom (or just paper) a writing utensil Session Eight: A lightsaber An empty soda (or juice bottle or other kind of container) with lid, label removed (16 oz or so). It's important that you have the lid because it will be shaken up once we put the water in. Colored sand or coarse glitter (fine-grained glitter will not work) Some small beads, can be different types Water A funnel
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined November, 2019
4.8
482reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master Imaginoria (Jessica Gray) has directed year-long Jedi Academy coming of age programs and week-long in person summer camp programs for all ages. She has also trained in nonviolent communication strategies and mindfulness techniques for more than twenty years. Her organization, The Imaginorium, offers "theatre with a side of STEAMM," programs that bring stories into immersive theatrical learning environments. She loves to dress in costume and teach in character to bring pop culture to life!Reviews
Live Group Class
$77
for 8 classes4x per week, 2 weeks
55 min
Completed by 32 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
3-8 learners per class
