Canvas of Connection

Jeremy Jennings

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Canvas of Connection Plan

Students will collaboratively design and paint a mural that reflects their individual stories and group bonds, fostering self-expression and peer connection in a single 60-minute session.

This lesson encourages teens to express their identities, develop communication skills, and strengthen peer bonds through collaborative art, supporting social-emotional growth and an inclusive classroom community.

Audience

Middle School Students (13–15 Years Old)

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Guided collaborative painting with structured sharing and reflection.

Materials

Large Blank Canvas, - Assorted Acrylic Paints, - Assorted Paint Brushes, - Paint Palettes, - Cups of Water, - Paper Towels or Rags, - Disposable Aprons, and - Washable Markers for Sketching

Prep

Prepare Workspace and Materials

10 minutes

Lay out the [Large Blank Canvas] on a table or against a wall where all students can reach.
Arrange paint palettes, brushes, and cups of water within easy reach of the group.
Distribute disposable aprons and paper towels at the work area.
Lay out washable markers for preliminary sketching.
Ensure all paints are open and ready for use.

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

Invite students to gather around the canvas and take an apron.
Briefly introduce the session’s goal: collaborative storytelling through art.
Lead a quick icebreaker: each student names one favorite color and one emotion it represents.

Step 2

Story Sharing

10 minutes

Ask each student to share a personal symbol or image that represents something meaningful to them (e.g., hobby, memory, value).
Encourage active listening: peers nod or give thumbs-up to show support.
As teacher, note common themes to highlight connection.

Step 3

Design Planning

10 minutes

Hand out washable markers for sketching.
In small groups (3–4), students discuss where to place their symbols on the canvas.
Groups sketch light outlines collaboratively, ensuring balanced composition.
Teacher circulates to guide composition and encourage integration of designs.

Step 4

Mural Painting

25 minutes

Transition to acrylic paints and brushes.
Students fill in their sketched symbols, layering colors and textures.
Encourage cooperative painting: students help one another blend edges and share brushes.
Teacher prompts reflection on how areas connect visually and thematically.

Step 5

Clean-Up

5 minutes

Students rinse brushes in cups of water and place them on paper towels.
Wipe palettes and table surfaces with paper towels.
Fold and discard aprons appropriately.
Ensure the mural dries in a safe spot.

Step 6

Reflection & Discussion

5 minutes

Gather around the finished mural and guide a group discussion:
- What story does our mural tell together?
- How did collaborating change your connection to peers?
Encourage each student to share one word that describes their feeling about the final piece.

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Slide Deck

Canvas of Connection

A 60-minute collaborative art session for 13–15 year-olds to create a shared mural reflecting personal stories and group bonds.

Welcome teachers to the session. This slide introduces the Canvas of Connection project. Highlight the goals: self-expression, peer bonding, and communication skills.

Session Goals & Details

• Objectives: Students will collaboratively design and paint a mural that reflects their individual stories and group bonds.
• Audience: 13–15 year olds
• Duration: 60 minutes

For full details, see Canvas of Connection Plan.

Point educators to the objectives in the lesson plan and emphasize Tier 1 universal design.

Agenda

• Warm-Up (5 min)
• Story Sharing (10 min)
• Design Planning (10 min)
• Mural Painting (25 min)
• Clean-Up (5 min)
• Reflection & Discussion (5 min)

Use a visible timer or countdown to keep the session on track.

Materials & Prep

• Large Blank Canvas
• Assorted Acrylic Paints & Brushes
• Paint Palettes, Water Cups, Paper Towels
• Disposable Aprons
• Washable Markers for Sketching
• Prep Time: 10 minutes

See Canvas of Connection Plan for workspace setup.

Prepare materials beforehand; arrange the space for accessibility and easy reach.

Warm-Up (5 min)

• Gather around the canvas; distribute aprons
• Introduce goal: collaborative storytelling through art
• Icebreaker: each student names a favorite color and the emotion it represents

Keep the tone light. Encourage each student to share briefly.

Story Sharing (10 min)

• Each student shares a personal symbol or image (hobby, memory, value)
• Peers show support with nods or thumbs-up
• Teacher notes common themes to highlight connection

Circulate and validate each student’s contribution.

Design Planning (10 min)

• Hand out washable markers; form groups of 3–4
• Discuss where to place each symbol on the canvas
• Sketch light outlines collaboratively for balanced composition
• Teacher circulates to guide integration of designs

Ensure all voices are heard; encourage compromise in group decisions.

Mural Painting (25 min)

• Transition to acrylic paints and brushes
• Fill in sketched symbols, layering colors and textures
• Encourage students to help one another blend edges and share brushes
• Prompt reflection on how areas connect visually and thematically

Offer tips on color mixing; facilitate peer support and cooperative blending.

Clean-Up & Reflection (10 min)

Clean-Up:
• Rinse brushes; place on paper towels
• Wipe palettes and tables; discard aprons

Reflection & Discussion:
• What story does our mural tell together?
• How did collaborating change your connection with peers?
• Each student shares one word that describes their feeling about the final piece

Model clean-up steps quickly; use open-ended questions to deepen reflection.

Teacher Tips & Inclusion

• Support IEP/504 needs (visual prompts, extended time)
• Use bilingual labels or peer buddy translations
• Offer alternative roles (designer, painter, documenter)
• Encourage positive feedback and affirmation throughout

Differentiate roles and provide scaffolds for diverse learners.

Activity

Symbol Sketch Warm-Up Activity

Objective: Students will quickly sketch a personal symbol to represent themselves, warming up creative expression and preparing to share their stories.

Time: 5 minutes

Materials:

Blank paper or sketchbook pages
Pencils or washable markers

Instructions:

Distribute Materials (1 min)
- Hand each student a sheet of paper and a drawing tool (pencil or marker).
Sketch Your Symbol (2–3 min)
- Ask students to think of a symbol that represents something meaningful to them (e.g., a hobby, memory, or value).
- Give them time to sketch it on their paper.
Pair Share (1–2 min)
- Students pair up and take turns explaining their symbol’s meaning.
- Partners listen actively and show support with a thumbs-up or nod.
Group Reflection (1 min)
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their symbol and story with the whole class.
- Highlight any common themes or surprising connections.

This warm-up primes creative thinking and helps students feel comfortable sharing before the collaborative mural planning begins.

Cool Down

Connection Reflection (Exit Ticket)

Please take a few minutes to reflect on today’s mural project. Write your responses below.

What part of today’s mural-making helped you feel more connected to your peers? Explain briefly.
Choose one word that describes how you feel after collaborating on the mural:

One new thing I learned about a classmate today is:

A personal takeaway from this project is:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!