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Artful Emotions

Lesson Plan

Artful Emotions Lesson Plan

Students will learn to recognize and express various emotions through artistic activities to boost emotional intelligence.

Exploring and communicating emotions through art encourages self-awareness and improves social-emotional learning.

Audience

Elementary School Students (ages 5-10)

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Guide creative art expression to discuss feelings.

Materials

Basic Art Supplies, and Artful Emotions Script

Prep

Preparation

5 minutes (outside class)

  • Review the Artful Emotions Lesson Plan for flow and timing.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Artful Emotions Script for clear instruction.
  • Prepare and organize basic art supplies (paper, crayons, markers, collage materials like magazine cutouts, glue, and scissors) for each student.

Step 1

Introduction and Emotion Discussion

4 minutes

  • Greet the students and introduce the concept of emotions.
  • Ask students to name a few emotions they know.
  • Briefly explain how art helps us express what we feel.

Step 2

Art Activity - Express Your Feelings

8 minutes

  • Distribute paper and drawing supplies to each student.
  • Ask the students to draw or color an image representing how they feel today.
  • Play gentle background music to create a calming atmosphere.
  • Circulate around the room to encourage and support each student.

Step 3

Art Activity - Collage of Emotions

8 minutes

  • Provide additional collage materials such as magazine cutouts, stickers, glue, and scissors.
  • Instruct students to create a collage that represents a range of emotions or a specific emotion they want to explore further.
  • Encourage creativity by suggesting they combine different textures and colors to express feelings.

Step 4

Closure and Sharing

5 minutes

  • Invite a few students to share their artwork and describe the emotions they expressed in both their drawing and collage.
  • Reinforce that every emotion is valid and valuable.
  • Summarize the lesson and thank students for sharing their creative expressions.

Step 5

Reflection Activity

5 minutes

  • Guide students in a brief reflection discussion about the art they created and how it made them feel.
  • Ask prompting questions such as, 'What did you learn about your emotions today?' or 'How do you feel when you see different colors in your artwork?'
  • Encourage them to think about how expressing feelings can help us understand ourselves and others better.
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Script

Artful Emotions Script

Introduction (5 minutes)

"Hello, everyone! I’m so excited to see you today. Today, we’re going to talk about our feelings—like happy, sad, excited, or even sometimes a little bit nervous. Can anyone tell me one feeling you know?"

Pause to listen to student responses.

"Great! You all have amazing ideas about how we feel. Sometimes our feelings might be hard to say with words, but art helps us show our feelings in a special way. Today, we’re going to use art to show what we feel inside."




Art Activity – Express Your Feelings (15 minutes)

"Now, I’m going to give each of you some paper and crayons/markers. I want you to draw or color a picture that shows how you feel today. It could be a bright sunny picture if you feel happy, or maybe something a little stormy if you’re feeling a bit sad. There is no right or wrong way to do this—just let your heart lead you!"

"As you work, I’ll walk around to see your wonderful ideas. If you need any help or have something to share about your picture, just raise your hand, and I’ll come by."

Optional background music may play gently to create a calm atmosphere.







Closure and Sharing (5 minutes)

"Now that we’ve finished our beautiful artwork, I’d love to see some of your pictures. Would anyone like to come up and show us what they created, and tell us a little bit about the feeling in their drawing?"

Allow a few students to share their artwork and explain their feelings.

"Thank you for sharing your amazing artwork and your feelings with the class. Remember, every emotion you feel is important. Whether you’re happy, sad, excited, or even a little bit worried, it is all part of who you are. Art can be a wonderful way to show these feelings and help us understand each other better.

Before we wrap up, does anyone have a feeling they would like to talk about a bit more, or any questions about using art to express emotions?"

Pause for responses and provide reassurance and encouragement as needed.

"Great job today, everyone! Keep using your creativity to show your feelings, and always remember that every emotion is important. I’m very proud of you all!"

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