Sanctuary Creation Plan Teacher Guide Sanctuary Creation Plan
Facilitator's Guide • Tier 2 Intervention
Duration
45 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will collaboratively plan and design a calming classroom sanctuary by creating mood boards, sketching layouts, and evaluating ideas using a rubric.
Why This Matters
This lesson builds social-emotional skills, teamwork, and creativity in 3rd graders while giving them ownership of a calming classroom space. Empowering students to shape their environment fosters a sense of safety and belonging.
At a Glance
Materials Needed
Design Ideas Slides
Classroom Calm Corner Guide
Mood Board Craft Handouts
Design Rubric
Drawing Paper & Markers
Scissors, Glue, & Texture Scraps
Prep (10 mins)
Queue up Design Ideas Slides on the screen.
Organize "Sanctuary Kits" at group tables.
Review facilitation prompts in the guide.
Teaching Sequence
5 MIN
1. Introduction to Sanctuaries
• Display Design Ideas Slides and define ‘sanctuary’ in the classroom context.
• Discuss why calm, focused zones help everyone learn.
• Show examples from Classroom Calm Corner Guide to spark ideas.
10 MIN
2. Mood Board Creation
• Provide each group with materials for the Mood Board Craft .
• Encourage students to select colors, textures, and images that evoke calmness.
• Glue items onto paper to form a visual mood board representing their ideal sanctuary.
10 MIN
3. Idea Sharing & Consolidation
• Each group presents its mood board and explains choices.
• Class identifies recurring themes, colors, and elements on a shared chart.
• Facilitate discussion to combine the strongest ideas into a unified vision.
10 MIN
4. Sanctuary Sketching
• Hand out drawing paper and markers for layout sketches.
• Groups draw their sanctuary plan, labeling key areas (e.g., reading nook, quiet corner).
• Remind students to incorporate themes from the shared mood boards.
10 MIN
5. Assessment & Reflection
• Distribute Design Rubric and review evaluation criteria.
• Groups assess their own and peers’ sketches against the rubric.
• Reflection: What worked well? Outline next steps for building the space.
Design Ideas Slides Designing Your
Classroom Sanctuary
Create a calm, welcoming space to help us learn and feel safe.
Teacher Note: Welcome everyone! Explain that a sanctuary is our very own calm, cozy spot in class where we can relax and refocus.
What Is a Sanctuary?
1
A special place in our classroom
2
A zone to relax and focus
3
A comforting, safe spot
Our Shared Haven
Discussion: Ask students: “What comes to mind when you hear ‘sanctuary’?”
Why Do We Need One?
Calm Down
Helps our bodies and minds settle when we feel overwhelmed.
Improve Focus
A quiet space makes it easier to do our best thinking.
Spark Creativity
Feeling safe allows our imagination to grow and play.
Build Teamwork
Designing it together makes our classroom stronger.
Prompt: Invite students to share a time they needed a calm moment today.
Inspirations
Get Creative!
Reading Corner
Soft pillows, warm rugs, and quiet books.
Nature Nook
Plants, blue colors, and natural light.
Sensory Space
Soft lighting and calming fidget tools.
Mindfulness Spot
Cushions and peaceful pictures.
Brainstorming Guide
What colors and textures feel calming?
Which items or plants would you add?
What activities will happen in our sanctuary?
How can everyone share the space fairly?
Designers, Begin!
Classroom Calm Corner Guide Classroom Calm Corner Guide
Your Blueprint for a Peaceful Sanctuary
Architect Resource
Use this guide to set up and maintain a cozy, calming sanctuary in your classroom. Organize by these five key areas.
1. Furniture & Layout
• Seating Options: Floor cushions, beanbag chairs, small bench.
• Work Surfaces: Low table or lap desks for drawing and writing.
• Storage: Small shelves or cubbies to hold materials and sensory tools.
• Arrangement: Create an open, inviting shape (circle or semicircle) so students can enter and exit easily.
2. Decor & Ambiance
• Color Palette: Soft pastels (light blues, greens, lavenders) to promote calm.
• Lighting: Fairy lights, salt lamps, or dimmable desk lamps—avoid harsh overhead lights.
• Textures: Soft rugs, plush pillows, weighted blankets.
• Nature Elements: Small potted plants, artificial greenery, or nature posters.
3. Sensory Tools
• Fidget Tools: Stress balls, fidget spinners, textured rings.
• Mindfulness: Breathing cards or guided visualization scripts.
• Creativity: Coloring pages, crayons, markers, simple puzzles.
• Reading: A small basket of picture books or calming storybooks.
4. Rules & Etiquette
1 Time Limit: 5–10 minute max per student, then rotate.
2 Quiet Voices: Whisper or silent reflection—keep noise low.
3 Respect Materials: Use items gently and return to their place.
4 Safe Behavior: Focus on calm and respect. No roughhousing.
5. Roles & Responsibilities
Materials Manager
Checks supplies daily—refills crayons, cleans tools.
Timekeeper
Monitors sessions and gently reminds peers when time is up.
Safety Captain
Ensures the corner stays tidy and follows the rules.
Reflection Reporter
Shares what strategies helped them feel calm that day.
Tip: Rotate roles weekly so every student gains ownership and practices leadership.
Mood Board Craft Activity Mood Board Craft
Design Workshop Phase 1
Name:
Date:
Materials
Magazines & catalogs
Colored paper/cardstock
Fabric or yarn scraps
Ribbons or sandpaper
Scissors & Glue sticks
Colored pencils & markers
Creation Steps
1
Explore & Select (4 mins)
Find pictures, patterns, and colors that make you feel calm . Look for soothing textures too!
2
Arrange Layout (2 mins)
Lay your pieces on the paper. Move them around until you love how they look together. Don't glue yet!
3
Glue & Decorate (8 mins)
Glue everything down. Use markers to add small doodles or notes about why you chose each piece.
Reflection Questions
Which colors or textures did you choose, and how do they make you feel calm?
What image or texture on your board best represents a peaceful moment? Why?
Which items from your board would you include in our sanctuary, and how would they help us focus?
What did you find most challenging about creating your mood board?
Your Masterpiece Space
Use this page to plan your layout or attach your finalized mood board if you are working directly on this sheet.
Design Rubric Eval Tool Design Rubric
Safe Spaces: Sanctuary Design Project
Group Name
Use this rubric to evaluate each group’s sanctuary sketch and planning process. Circle the score that best matches the group’s work for each criterion.
Criterion 4 – Exemplary 3 – Proficient 2 – Developing 1 – Beginning Creativity
| Ideas are highly original and inventive. Design shows exceptional imagination and unique elements. | Design shows clear creative thinking with several original ideas or features. | Some creative elements are evident, but much relies on familiar or predictable ideas. | Ideas lack originality; design closely mimics examples with little new thinking. |
|
Use of Space
| Layout maximizes functionality and flow—zones are clearly delineated and cohesive. | Layout is well organized; most areas are distinct and serve their purpose. | Layout shows some organization but is somewhat cluttered or zones overlap. | Layout is confusing or inefficient; zones are unclear and functionality is poor. |
|
Calm Elements
| Includes a wide variety of thoughtful sensory and visual elements that enhance calm. | Includes several appropriate calming elements that support focus and relaxation. | Includes minimal calming features; some choices may not fully support a calm environment. | Lacks calming elements or includes items that distract or contradict the purpose. |
|
Collaboration
| All members contributed equally—roles were shared and feedback was respectful. | Most members participated actively; roles were balanced and teamwork was positive. | Participation was uneven; some members dominated or withdrew, but basic teamwork occurred. | Few members contributed; roles were ignored or conflicts hindered group progress. |
Feedback & Next Steps
Strengths
Areas to Improve
