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Mindfulness Through Art

Lesson Plan

Mindfulness Through Art Lesson Plan

Guide students to explore mindfulness through art, using techniques like zentangle and mindful sketching to promote focus and calmness.

This lesson helps students manage stress and build emotional well-being by blending creative expression with mindfulness practices.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

60 Minutes

Approach

Interactive activities blended with reflective art exercises.

Materials

Mindfulness Through Art Lesson Plan, Zentangle Guide, and Mindful Sketching Activity Sheet

Prep

Preparation and Setup

15 Minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion

10 Minutes

  • Introduce the concept of mindfulness and its benefits.
  • Engage students in a conversation about art as a form of stress relief.
  • Briefly explain zentangle and mindful sketching as techniques to focus the mind.

Step 2

Guided Zentangle Practice

20 Minutes

  • Distribute the Zentangle Guide to each student.
  • Demonstrate basic patterns and encourage students to create their own designs.
  • Walk around the classroom to provide support and feedback.

Step 3

Mindful Sketching Activity

15 Minutes

  • Hand out the Mindful Sketching Activity Sheet to students.
  • Instruct students to take a few deep breaths and then begin sketching from their observations or imagination.
  • Encourage them to experiment freely without worrying about the final result.

Step 4

Sharing and Reflection

10 Minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share their artwork and discuss their feelings during the activity.
  • Facilitate a reflective discussion about how art helped them feel more relaxed.
  • Conclude with tips for incorporating mindfulness into daily routines.
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Slide Deck

Mindfulness Through Art: Discovering Creative Calm

Welcome to our journey of creative calm where art meets mindfulness. Today, we will explore zentangle and mindful sketching to help reduce stress and boost focus.

Introduce the lesson deck by sharing the goals of today's class on blending art with mindfulness. Remind students that the focus is on creative calm and stress relief. This slide serves as a branding slide.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is about being present and aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Art, like sketching or drawing patterns, can help us relax and focus.

Explain the concept of mindfulness clearly and why integrating art can be an effective medium. Use simple language for middle school students.

Exploring Zentangle

Zentangle is a method of creating images by drawing structured patterns. Let's practice some basic patterns and experiment with our own designs.

Introduce the zentangle technique. Encourage students to let go of perfection and embrace creativity. Remind them to refer to the Zentangle Guide for visual examples.

Mindful Sketching

Take a few deep breaths and begin sketching anything that comes to mind. Remember, this is about expressing yourself without worrying about the final result.

Guide students through the mindfulness sketching activity. Emphasize the idea of letting their mind wander and emotions flow onto the paper.

Sharing and Reflection

Let's share our works in progress and discuss how today's activities helped you feel more relaxed and present. What did you notice about your creative process?

Facilitate a class discussion for sharing artwork and reflecting on the experience. Ask for volunteers to share their creation and thoughts on how art made them feel.

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Activity

Mindful Sketching Activity

In this activity, we will practice mindful sketching to help you relax and focus. The goal is to let your creativity flow, while also paying attention to your breathing and thoughts. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to express yourself through art. Allow the process to be spontaneous and reflective.

Instructions:

  1. Settle In: Take a moment to find a comfortable seated position. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and try to let go of any tension you may be feeling.

  2. Focus on Your Breathing: With each breath, feel the air moving in and out of your body. Let this rhythm help you settle your mind.

  3. Begin Sketching: Open your eyes and take a blank piece of paper. Start by drawing simple lines or shapes that come to you naturally. They might form a doodle, a pattern, or even an abstract design. There’s no need to plan – just let your hand move freely.

  4. Reflect As You Draw: As you continue, notice any thoughts, feelings, or sensations that arise. Focus on the sensation of your pencil on the paper. If your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to your breathing and the movement of your hand.

  5. Keep Going: Continue sketching for about 10-15 minutes. There is no pressure to finish or to create something perfect – this is a journey of personal expression.

  6. Final Touch: Once you feel finished, take a few moments to simply look at your artwork. Reflect on how the process made you feel.




Teacher’s Tip: Encourage students to share their observations and feelings about the process if they feel comfortable. This discussion can help reinforce the benefits of mindfulness and creative expression.


Reflective Questions:

  • How did focusing on your breath impact your drawing process?
  • Were there any distractions? How did you manage them?
  • What did you notice about your emotions and thoughts as you sketched?







Take your time, breathe deeply, and most importantly, enjoy the creative process!

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