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Creative Calm: Expressing Emotions Through Art

Lesson Plan

Session 1: Introduction to Creative Calm

Introduce students to using art as a tool for calming and emotional expression by discussing feelings and engaging in a creative art activity.

This lesson helps students recognize and manage their emotions by translating them into art, fostering self-awareness and calming strategies in a supportive Tier 3 intervention setting.

Audience

Students needing individualized emotional support

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided art-making with specific techniques, and reflective conversation.

Materials

Session 1: Introduction to Creative Calm, and Art supplies (paper, crayons/markers, paints)

Prep

Preparation for Session 1

10 minutes

  • Review the Session 1: Introduction to Creative Calm lesson plan.
  • Gather art supplies and set up the classroom for a calm, inviting art space.
  • Prepare discussion questions related to emotions and stress, including prompts about art techniques (e.g., color blending, brush strokes, and texture creation) to introduce the session.
  • Ensure a quiet and supportive environment for individual expression.

Step 1

Introduction & Discussion

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and introduce the session's focus on art as a calming tool.
  • Ask open-ended questions about current feelings to spark conversation.
  • Explain how art, including techniques like color blending, varied brush strokes, and creating textures, can help express and manage emotions.

Step 2

Guided Art Activity

15 minutes

  • Instruct students to create a drawing or painting that expresses how they feel in the moment.
  • Encourage the use of specific techniques:
    • Color Blending: Experiment by mixing colors to show transition of emotions.
    • Brush Strokes: Use different strokes to add emotion or movement to the artwork.
    • Texture Creation: Incorporate methods (like layering or cross-hatching) to give depth to their work.
  • Walk around to provide individualized support and gentle guidance.

Step 3

Reflection & Sharing

5 minutes

  • Lead a brief reflection session where students share (if comfortable) how the activity made them feel and discuss the techniques they used.
  • Highlight the importance of recognizing and validating emotions through creative expression.
  • Reiterate that art is a personal and safe outlet for stress relief.
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Project Guide

Creative Calm: Expressing Emotions Through Art

This project is designed to guide students through using art as a calming strategy over three 25-minute sessions. It includes engaging activities that help students explore and express their emotions creatively. This approach is particularly valuable for students who benefit from individualized emotional support as part of Tier 3 interventions.

Lesson Components

Session 1: Introduction to Creative Calm

  • Objective: Introduce students to using art for calming and emotional expression.
  • Activities: Discussion, guided art activity, and a reflection session.
  • Materials: Session 1: Introduction to Creative Calm, Art supplies (paper, crayons/markers, paints)

For a detailed lesson plan, please refer to the Session 1: Introduction to Creative Calm document.




Project: Emotional Expression Art Project

This ongoing project is a personal and reflective endeavor where students create art representing their emotions. The project is designed to be revisited and built upon in each session, allowing students to see their growth in using creative expression as a calming tool.

  • Objective: Create and continually develop an art piece that reflects personal emotions and stress levels.
  • Focus: Students will use colors, shapes, and various art forms to convey their feelings and document their emotional growth over time.

For the project details, see Emotional Expression Art Project.




Teacher Notes

  • Ensure art supplies are accessible and organized prior to each session.
  • Maintain an environment that promotes calmness and individual expression.
  • Encourage students to share only if they feel comfortable, respecting personal boundaries.
  • Each session builds on the project, enabling students to reflect on previous works and incorporate new insights.



Session Breakdown

  1. Session 1: Introduction to using art as an emotional outlet.
  2. Session 2: Expansion and development of creative calming techniques.
  3. Session 3: Reflection, review, and final touches to the emotional art project.



This lesson plan and project are aimed at not only reducing stress but also at promoting self-awareness and emotional regulation through creative expression.

Happy teaching and enjoy the creative process!

lenny
lenny