Crafting Calm Instructional Guide

This guide provides detailed instructions for the Crafting Calm session on mental health awareness through art. Follow these steps to facilitate the activity and engage your 7th graders effectively.

Suggested Materials

• Art Supplies: paper, markers, crayons, paint, brushes, glue, and any decorative items.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Printed Discussion Prompts: Use these to spark conversation about mental health.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Copies of this Instructional Guide for reference.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Preparation (10 minutes)

• Review the Guide: Familiarize yourself with each section of this instructional guide prior to the session.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Gather Supplies: Ensure that all art supplies are available and arranged for students, so they can easily access them when needed.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Set the Tone: Arrange the classroom in a calm and open manner. Play soft background music if possible to create a soothing environment.

2. Introduction & Discussion (10 minutes)

• Introduction: Briefly introduce the concept of mental health and explain why expressing emotions is important. Emphasize that art serves as a powerful tool for understanding and coping with our feelings.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Discussion Prompts: Utilize the Discussion Prompts material to stimulate conversation. Ask students to share their thoughts about what makes them feel calm or stressed, and how different art forms can express these feelings.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Encourage Participation: Make sure every student feels safe and supported when contributing. Reiterate that all feelings are valid and welcome.

3. Craft Activity (25 minutes)

• Activity Introduction: Explain that the next segment involves creating an art piece that represents their emotions. Encourage creativity and remind students that there is no right or wrong way to express themselves through art.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Activity Execution: Guide students through the process of selecting colors, shapes, and textures. Circulate the classroom, offering individual support and encouraging students to reflect on why they chose certain elements to represent their feelings.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Hints: Suggest that students consider the symbolism of colors (e.g., red for passion, blue for calm), or shapes (e.g., spirals for complexity, straight lines for stability) to help give structure to their creations.
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. Reflection & Sharing (10 minutes)

• Student Reflection: Allow some time for students to look at their artwork and think about the emotions they represented. Ask them to jot down a few notes on why they chose specific colors and symbols, if comfortable doing so.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Class Sharing: Invite students to share their artwork with the class. Use this time to discuss common themes and the importance of coping strategies. Ask guiding questions such as:
  • What emotions did you try to express and why?
  • How did the art-making process make you feel?
  • What did you learn about yourself today?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
• Community Building: Reinforce that each piece contributes to a larger, supportive picture of the classroom community. Validate all creative expressions and highlight the strengths in each student's work.

Tips for Facilitators

• Maintain a Calm Atmosphere: Keep the energy of the room positive and relaxed. Use encouraging language and be patient with students who may need a little more time or support.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Be Observant: Watch for non-verbal cues from students. Some might be anxious or reserved; consider offering one-on-one support if necessary.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Celebrate Diversity: Recognize and celebrate the diversity of expression in the classroom. Emphasize that every emotion and form of expression is unique and valid.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Final Thoughts

Remember, the goal of this activity is to provide a safe and creative outlet for students to articulate their feelings. Encourage them to continue exploring art as a form of self-expression and stress relief even after the lesson.

Happy crafting and remember: Art is a powerful journey to understanding ourselves!

Mental Health Discussion Prompts

These prompts are designed to help open conversations on mental health and explore the role of art as a tool for emotional expression. Use these prompts at the beginning of the session to encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment.

Discussion Guidelines

• Create a respectful, open space where every opinion is valued.
  
  
  
• Remind students that there are no right or wrong answers—only personal experiences and insights.
  
  
  
• Encourage active listening, asking follow-up questions and validating each other's feelings.
  
  
  

Discussion Prompts

1. What does mental health mean to you?

• Ask students to describe what mental health looks like in their lives.
  
  
  

2. How can art be a way to express your emotions?

• Invite students to share times when drawing, painting, or any other creative activity helped them express feelings that were hard to put into words.
  
  
  

3. What are some colors or shapes that make you feel calm or happy? Why?

• Encourage students to think about why they associate certain colors or shapes with positive feelings.
  
  
  

4. Have you ever felt stressed or overwhelmed? How did you cope with those feelings?

• This is an opportunity for students to discuss personal strategies for feeling better and how art might fit into their coping toolkit.
  
  
  

5. In what ways can creating art help build a supportive community in our classroom?

• Prompt students to consider how sharing art can lead to mutual understanding and support among classmates.
  
  
  

Follow-Up Points

• Reflect on Personal Experiences: Ask students to share specific instances where they felt understood or helped through creative expression.
  
  
  
• Expand on Art as Expression: Discuss different art forms (music, dance, poetry) and their potential benefits in expressing feelings.
  
  
  
• Encourage Empathy: Foster a dialogue about how understanding and validating others' feelings can strengthen overall well-being of the classroom community.
  
  
  

These prompts are not only a starting point for discussion but also a way to empower students to harness creativity as a mechanism for managing their mental health. Enjoy the conversation and remember that every student's perspective enriches our collective understanding!