Our culminating project for the mindful, social and emotional tools we learned this year in Third Grade is called Q.U.I.V.E.R. Normally, we associate tools with things like hammers, nails, wrenches, etc. However, these tools are more subtle and refined but no less powerful. So rather than a tool box, students created a quiver to hold these lifelong tools and practices. Each arrow represents a certain skill or concept that can be pulled from one’s quiver depending on what type of support they need. In fact, knowing which tool will be most beneficial for various situations, is in fact a skill in and of itself. The acronym means:

Quieting- the mind through breath work and awareness training

Understanding- our emotions as interior weather, information and guidance rather than something to be pushed down and worked against

Inquiry- What else might be true? Making space in our hearts to lead with curiosity rather than fear…learning how to practice active listening.

Visualization- bringing awareness to the body/mind and envisioning as a way to regulate the nervous system

Embodiment- truly inhabiting our body to find presence in the here and now

Recover- when there are the inevitable setbacks, certain tools help us to reflect and course correct. Journaling, drawing, and using our hands to create are some powerful ways to do so.

Students had fun creating their quivers and having a representation for all the tools they learned this year!