In this 4-session art therapy series, 8th grade students will identify and express emotions through color, texture, and mindfulness. By experimenting with various art mediums and guided prompts, they will develop self-awareness and stress-relief strategies.
Middle schoolers face growing academic and social pressures. This art-based SEL lesson fosters emotional regulation, healthy coping skills, and self-expression, enhancing overall well-being and classroom engagement.
Audience
8th Grade Middle School Students
Time
4 sessions, 20 minutes each
Approach
Self-reflective art projects paired with guided mindfulness.
Materials
Construction Paper, - Watercolor Paint Set, - Paintbrushes, - Smocks or Aprons, - Colored Pencils, - Markers, - Textured Materials (Foam, Fabric Scrap, Paper), - Emotion Color Wheel Chart, - Mindfulness Prompt Cards, and - Journals or Sketchbooks
Coordinate briefly with the art teacher on roles and timing
Prepare a calm, quiet space for cool-down reflection
Step 1
Session 1: Color & Emotion Discovery
20 minutes
Warm-Up (2 min):
• Quick breathing exercise: 3 deep inhales/exhales
• Show students the Emotion Color Wheel Chart
Guided Activity (15 min):
• Ask students to select an emotion they feel today
• Using watercolors on construction paper, paint that emotion with colors and abstract shapes
• Co-teacher circulates to prompt reflection (“How do these colors match your feeling?”)
Cool-Down (3 min):
• Students share one word about their painting with a partner
• Close eyes and take 3 grounding breaths, then journal one sentence about the process
Step 2
Session 2: Texture & Tension Release
20 minutes
Warm-Up (2 min):
• Lead 2-minute mindful listening to quiet instrumental music
Guided Activity (15 min):
• Provide textured materials and glue sticks
• Students create a collage representing tension or stress with rough vs smooth textures
• Ask guiding questions: “What texture feels heavy? What feels light?”
Cool-Down (3 min):
• In journals, draw one smooth shape that brings calm
• Pair-share calm shape and corresponding coping strategy
Step 3
Session 3: Mixed Media Mood Mandalas
20 minutes
Warm-Up (2 min):
• Lead a 1-minute body scan, noticing tension in shoulders or jaw
Guided Activity (15 min):
• Demonstrate mandala basics on paper plate using markers
• Students fill concentric circles with colors and materials that reflect their current mood
• Encourage alternating calm vs intense patterns to represent mood shifts
Cool-Down (3 min):
• One-minute silent observation of mandala
• Write one coping intention at the center of mandala in journal
Step 4
Session 4: Personal Calm Project & Reflection
20 minutes
Warm-Up (2 min):
• Distribute Mindfulness Prompt Cards; students pick one and follow prompt silently
Guided Activity (15 min):
• Students choose favorite technique from previous sessions to create a final personal calm piece
• Co-teachers support individual expression and offer positive feedback
Cool-Down (3 min):
• Gallery walk: students place projects on tables, silently observe
• Closing circle: each student names one takeaway and one coping strategy they’ll use at home
Activity
Emotion Color Wheel Chart
Use this chart to help you pick colors that match how you feel in today’s art activity. Refer back to it when you’re choosing paints, markers, or pencils.
Color
Emotions / Feelings
Red
Anger, Frustration, Energy
Orange
Excitement, Enthusiasm
Yellow
Happiness, Optimism
Green
Calmness, Balance, Growth
Blue
Sadness, Peace, Trust
Purple
Creativity, Mystery
Pink
Love, Kindness
Gray
Uncertainty, Worry
Black
Fear, Overwhelm
White
Clarity, New Beginnings
Students, feel free to add your own color–emotion pair below:
Color: _____________ Emotion(s): _____________
Use this chart as a tool to name and understand your feelings while you create.
Activity
Mindfulness Prompt Cards
Print and cut each section below into individual prompt cards. Use during Warm-Up or Cool-Down to guide a brief mindfulness practice.
Take three slow, deep breaths. Notice how your chest rises and falls.
Close your eyes and listen quietly for 30 seconds. What sounds do you hear?
Place one hand on your heart and feel its beat for ten seconds.
Slowly open and close your hands five times, noticing the motion.
Gently stretch your arms overhead, then relax and notice any tension releasing.
Scan your body from head to toe. Notice any areas of tightness or ease.
Visualize a calm place—like a beach or forest—and picture one detail clearly.
Find a color in the room that feels calming. Sketch a small swatch of it.
Think of one thing you’re grateful for today and write it down.
Focus on the tip of your nose as you breathe, noticing each inhale and exhale.
Warm Up
CALM Warm-Up (2 minutes)
Use this quick routine at the start of each session to center and prepare for creativity.
C: Close & Breathe
Close your eyes. Take 3 slow, deep inhales and exhales.
A: Acknowledge Emotion
Think of one word that describes how you feel right now. Write below:
Word: ____________
L: Look & Choose
Open your eyes slowly. Find a color in the room (or on your art materials) that matches your feeling.
Color: ____________
Why: ___________________________
M: Move & Release
Gently roll your shoulders back 5 times, then shake out your hands.
Notice any tension releasing.
Cool Down
Reflective Cool-Down (3 minutes)
Use this wrap-up routine at the end of each session to consolidate learning and self-awareness.
1. Center with Breath
• Close your eyes. Take three slow, deep inhales and exhales.
2. Quick Journal Prompts
In your journal, respond briefly:
How do I feel now compared to the start of class?
Feeling then: ____________ Feeling now: ____________
One word to describe today’s art piece or process:
Word: ____________
One coping strategy or insight I’ll take with me:
Strategy/Insight: ____________
3. Partner Share
Turn to a classmate. Share one thing you noticed about your feelings or your art and one strategy you’ll use at home.
4. Final Breath
End with three grounding breaths together before you leave the art space.
Project Guide
Personal Calm Project Guide
This guide will help you create a final, personalized art piece that brings you calm. You’ll draw on techniques from Sessions 1–3 and reflect on your process.
How do I feel now compared to when I began today?
Then: ____________ Now: ____________
What aspect of my project brings me the most calm?
Answer: _______________________________
One coping strategy or insight I’ll take with me:
Strategy/Insight: _______________________
Gallery Walk & Sharing:
Place your artwork on the table.
Walk quietly and observe classmates’ pieces.
In our closing circle, share one takeaway and one new strategy you’ll use outside of class.
Congratulations on completing your Personal Calm Project! Carry these creative strategies with you whenever you need a moment of calm.
Slide Deck
Color Your Calm
A 4-Session Art Therapy Series for 8th Grade Students
Co-taught with the art teacher to foster emotional regulation, mindfulness, and self-expression.
Welcome teachers! Introduce the “Color Your Calm” series: a 4-session art therapy unit designed to help 8th graders explore emotions and practice stress relief through creative activities.
Why & Objectives
Why?
• Addresses academic and social stress in middle school
• Builds healthy emotional vocabulary and coping strategies
Objectives:
• Identify and express emotions with color, texture, and pattern
• Practice guided mindfulness
• Develop self-awareness and stress-relief strategies
Walk through why this unit matters: middle schoolers face rising pressures, so we use art + mindfulness to build coping skills.
Activity (15 min):
• Choose today’s emotion, paint abstract shapes/colors
• Prompt reflection: “How do these colors match your feeling?”
Cool-Down (3 min):
• Partner share one word about the painting
• 3 grounding breaths, journal one sentence
Session 1 details: demonstrate the warm-up breathing, introduce the Emotion Color Wheel, then guide painting and partner share.
Session 2: Texture & Tension Release
Warm-Up (2 min):
• Mindful listening to instrumental music
Activity (15 min):
• Use rough vs smooth materials to build a stress collage
• Ask: “What texture feels heavy? What feels light?”
Cool-Down (3 min):
• Draw one smooth, calming shape in journal
• Pair-share shape + coping strategy
Session 2 focuses on tactile exploration to release tension. Model collage techniques and facilitate journaling.
Session 3: Mixed-Media Mood Mandalas
Warm-Up (2 min):
• 1-minute body scan (notice tension)
Activity (15 min):
• Demonstrate mandala basics on a paper plate
• Fill concentric circles with colors/textures matching mood
• Alternate calm vs intense patterns to show shifts
Cool-Down (3 min):
• Silent observation of mandala
• Write one coping intention at center
Session 3 invites students to create mood mandalas. Guide a brief body scan, then demonstrate concentric design.
Activity (15 min):
• Create final calm piece using chosen technique
• Co-teachers offer guidance and positive feedback
Cool-Down (3 min):
• Gallery walk and silent observation
• Closing circle: share one takeaway + coping strategy
Session 4 culminates in a personal project. Use prompt cards and let students choose their favorite technique from Sessions 1–3.
Personal Calm Project Guide
Need extra structure? Use the full Personal Calm Project Guide to support student planning, creation, and reflection in Session 4.
Highlight the optional Personal Calm Project Guide for additional structure. Remind teachers they can hand this guide to students for independent work.
