Lesson Plan
Expressing Emotions Through Art and Journaling
Identify and articulate emotions
This 6-week program helps 2nd-grade girls identify and articulate their emotions through art, journaling, and interactive activities. By engaging in creative expression, students will learn to express their feelings constructively, enhancing their emotional development, self-awareness, and empathy towards others. The program aligns with ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors, focusing on developing a positive attitude toward self and others, self-management skills, and social skills.
Audience
2nd Grade Girls
Time
6 weeks
Approach
Identify and articulate emotions
Materials
Art supplies (paper, crayons, markers), Journals or notebooks, Discussion questions, Worksheet: Emotion Art and Journaling, Magazines for collages, Gratitude jar materials, Storybooks, Comfort box items, Baking soda and vinegar for experiment, Music for dance party, Parent letters, Pre-test, Post-test, Clay for sculpting, Watercolors, and Craft materials (glue, scissors, colored paper)
Step 1
Week 1: Introduction to Emotions
1 hour
- Begin with a brief discussion about emotions and why it's important to express them.
- Play Emotion Charades to act out and guess different emotions.
- Create an Emotion Wheel to discuss various emotions.
- Art activity: Draw something that represents how they feel today.
- Additional Art Activity: Use clay to sculpt an emotion face.
- Group sharing circle to discuss their drawings and sculptures.
- Book: Read "The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings" by Anna Llenas.
Parent Letter:
- Summary of activities: Discussed basic emotions, played charades, and created an emotion wheel.
- Tips for parents: Encourage your child to talk about their feelings at home. Use books or movies to discuss characters' emotions.
- Video: Emotions for Kids (Happiness, Sadness, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Surprise)
Step 2
Week 2: Exploring Happiness
1 hour
- Discuss what makes us happy and how to express it.
- Create a Happiness Collage using magazine cutouts.
- Start a Gratitude Jar with notes about things that make them happy.
- Journaling: Write about a happy memory.
- Additional Art Activity: Paint a 'happy place' using watercolors.
- Share and discuss their collages, paintings, and journal entries.
- Book: Read "In My Heart: A Book of Feelings" by Jo Witek.
Parent Letter:
- Summary of activities: Explored happiness through art and journaling.
- Tips for parents: Create a family gratitude jar. Share happy memories during dinner.
- Video: Emotions StoryBots
Step 3
Week 3: Understanding Sadness
1 hour
- Read a story about a character dealing with sadness and discuss.
- Create a Comfort Box with items that bring comfort when feeling sad.
- Art activity: Draw a 'sadness' piece.
- Additional Art Activity: Create a 'tear drop' collage using colored paper.
- Journaling: Write about a time they felt sad.
- Group discussion on coping strategies.
- Book: Read "When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry…" by Molly Bang.
Parent Letter:
- Summary of activities: Discussed sadness and coping strategies.
- Tips for parents: Talk about ways to comfort your child when they are sad. Encourage them to express sadness through drawing or writing.
- Video: Social Emotional Learning For Kids: Benji, the Bad Day, and Me
Step 4
Week 4: Recognizing Anger
1 hour
- Discuss what makes us angry and how to express it appropriately.
- Conduct an Anger Volcano experiment to visualize anger.
- Role-play scenarios where they might feel angry and discuss responses.
- Art activity: Create an 'anger' piece.
- Additional Art Activity: Use red and black paint to create an 'anger storm' on paper.
- Journaling: Write about what makes them angry.
- Book: Read "The Way I Feel" by Janan Cain.
Parent Letter:
- Summary of activities: Explored anger and appropriate expression.
- Tips for parents: Discuss ways to manage anger at home. Practice calming techniques together.
- Video: Butterfly Hug: 6-Minute Self-Soothing Meditation For Children
Step 5
Week 5: Feeling Scared
1 hour
- Discuss what makes us scared and how to overcome it.
- Draw a 'fear monster' and discuss ways to make it less scary.
- Create a Safe Space poster and discuss what makes them feel safe.
- Art activity: Draw something that scares them.
- Additional Art Activity: Craft a 'bravery badge' using craft materials.
- Journaling: Write about a time they were scared.
- Book: Read "A Little Spot of Emotion Box Set" by Diane Alber.
Parent Letter:
- Summary of activities: Talked about fear and safety.
- Tips for parents: Create a safe space at home. Discuss fears and how to overcome them.
- Video: Story: The Frightened Lion
Step 6
Week 6: Celebrating All Emotions
1 hour
- Reflect on the range of emotions and how they contribute to who we are.
- Create an art piece that combines all emotions.
- Emotion Dance Party: Dance to music that represents different emotions.
- Additional Art Activity: Design an 'emotion mask' that shows multiple emotions.
- Create an Emotion Memory Book with pages dedicated to each emotion explored.
- Celebrate with a group activity and share their memory books.
- Book: Read "Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day" by Jamie Lee Curtis.
Parent Letter:
- Summary of activities: Celebrated all emotions and reflected on learning.
- Tips for parents: Encourage your child to express emotions through art and music. Celebrate emotional growth together.
- Video: Social Emotional Learning for Kids: I Am
Step 7
Pre-Test and Post-Test
15 mins each
- Pre-Test: Conducted at the beginning of the program to assess initial understanding of emotions.
- Post-Test: Conducted at the end of the program to evaluate the progress in understanding and articulating emotions.
Discussion
Discussion on Emotional Awareness
A guided discussion to help students articulate their emotions and understand the importance of expressing them.
Why is it important to express our emotions?
Discuss how expressing emotions can help us feel better and communicate with others.
How did drawing or journaling help you understand your emotions today?
Encourage students to reflect on the process of creating art or writing and how it made them feel.
Can you think of other ways to express your emotions?
Explore different methods like talking to someone, playing music, or physical activities.
Worksheet
Emotion Art and Journaling
This worksheet guides students through the process of expressing their emotions through art and journaling.
Draw something that represents how you feel today.
Use colors and shapes that match your emotions.
Write a few sentences about your drawing and the emotions you are experiencing.
Think about what made you feel this way and how expressing it makes you feel.
Quiz
Pre-Test on Emotions
Quiz
Post-Test on Emotions
Reading
Parent Letter Invitation
A letter inviting parents to enroll their children in the 'Expressing Emotions Through Art and Journaling' program, explaining the objectives and benefits.
Dear Parents,
We are excited to invite your child to join our 'Expressing Emotions Through Art and Journaling' program, designed specifically for 2nd-grade girls. Over the course of six weeks, your child will engage in creative activities that help them identify and articulate their emotions. Through art, journaling, and interactive discussions, students will learn to express their feelings constructively, enhancing their emotional development, self-awareness, and empathy towards others.
The program will run weekly sessions, each lasting one hour, where students will explore different emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment where your child can grow emotionally and socially.
We encourage you to support your child's journey by discussing the activities at home and sharing your own experiences with emotions. Together, we can help our children develop the skills they need to navigate their feelings and build strong, healthy relationships.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to enroll your child in the program.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]