Soaking in the Good

Introduction

• Place images related to community, isolation, happiness, and loneliness around the room.
• Tell students that there are images around the classroom, and they will be moving through a gallery walk to observe these images. Explain that this means that they will move around in silence to look at the different images. Then, they will write down what they notice about each of the pictures and reflect on how they feel when looking at each image.
• Hand out papers for students to write down their observations, questions, and emotions.
• Give students 3–4 minutes to move around the room in silence.
• Ring a chime, or make a sound/gesture, after four minutes to signal the end of the gallery walk.
• Bring students into a circle, either seated in chairs or on the floor.
• Project each image on the board in front of the room, and ask the class to share their observations, questions, and how the images make them feel.
• Ask students to describe where they notice the various feelings in their body.
• Ask if any of the pictures stand out for them, and if so, ask them why.
• Ask students the following questions, one at a time: "How does disconnection feel? Where do you notice that in your body? How does being a part of a community feel, or feeling a sense of belonging? Where do you feel this in your body?"
• Explain to the class that sometimes negative experiences or images can stick in our brains.
• Ask students to raise their hands if the negative images stood out most to them.
• Explain to them that scientists who study the brain (neuroscientists) have found that every person's brain is wired in this way and that this is called "negativity bias."
• Write "negativity bias" on the board.