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.

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.

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.

1. Take three slow, deep breaths. Notice how your chest rises and falls.

1. Close your eyes and listen quietly for 30 seconds. What sounds do you hear?

1. Place one hand on your heart and feel its beat for ten seconds.

1. Slowly open and close your hands five times, noticing the motion.

1. Gently stretch your arms overhead, then relax and notice any tension releasing.

1. Scan your body from head to toe. Notice any areas of tightness or ease.

1. Visualize a calm place—like a beach or forest—and picture one detail clearly.

1. Find a color in the room that feels calming. Sketch a small swatch of it.

1. Think of one thing you’re grateful for today and write it down.

1. Focus on the tip of your nose as you breathe, noticing each inhale and exhale.

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.

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.

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.

Materials

• Your journal or sketchbook
• Construction paper or paper plate
• Watercolors, markers, colored pencils
• Textured materials (foam, fabric scraps, paper)
• Glue sticks, scissors
• Emotion Color Wheel Chart
• Mindfulness Prompt Cards
• Optional: any additional art supplies you enjoyed using before

Steps

1. Warm-Up (2 minutes)

Begin with our familiar routine: use the CALM Warm-Up to center yourself and choose your starting emotion and color.

2. Plan Your Piece (3 minutes)

In your journal, answer:

• Which technique from Sessions 1–3 will you use? (Circle one or combine)
  • Color & Emotion Painting
  • Texture Collage
  • Mixed Media Mood Mandala
• What emotion or intention do you want to express or invoke?
  Emotion/Intention: ____________
  
  
  
• Sketch a quick layout of your final piece below:
  
  
  
  
  

3. Create Your Calm Art (12 minutes)

• Gather chosen materials in your workspace.
• Refer to the Emotion Color Wheel Chart to select colors that match your intention.
• Apply textures, shapes, and patterns that represent your feeling journey.
• Co-teachers will circulate to offer support and positive feedback.

4. Reflection & Cool-Down (3 minutes)

Use the Reflective Cool-Down routine to wrap up:

Quick Journal Prompts:

1. How do I feel now compared to when I began today?
   Then: ____________ Now: ____________
   
   
   
2. What aspect of my project brings me the most calm?
   Answer: _______________________________
   
   
   
3. 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.