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Pop Art Therapy

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Lesson Plan

Pop Art Therapy Lesson Plan

Students will explore and express their emotions by creating pop art–inspired artworks using pop culture references, fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, and peer connection.

Art therapy combined with familiar pop culture imagery helps 7th graders unlock emotional expression in a safe, engaging way, building coping skills and strengthening group support.

Audience

7th Grade (Middle School) Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided art exploration and peer sharing

Materials

Pop Art Inspiration Slides, Emotion Vocabulary Chart, Pop Culture Emotion Cards, Art Paper, Colored Markers, Magazines for Collage, and Scissors and Glue Sticks

Prep

Gather and Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome & Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Greet students and introduce the session’s goal: using pop art to express feelings.
  • Display the Pop Art Inspiration Slides showcasing vibrant, emotion-driven pop art examples.
  • Briefly discuss how pop artists use bold colors and familiar images to convey mood.

Step 2

Emotion Identification

5 minutes

Step 3

Creative Pop Art Activity

15 minutes

  • Ask students to select one emotion they want to explore.
  • Provide art paper, colored markers, magazines, scissors, and glue.
  • Instruct students to create a pop art collage or drawing that represents their chosen emotion, using:
    • Bold, contrasting colors
    • Cut-out imagery from magazines or drawn pop culture icons
    • Repetition of shapes or words if desired
  • Circulate to offer encouragement and assist with technical or emotional questions.

Step 4

Reflection & Group Share

5 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to show their artwork and describe:
    • The emotion they chose
    • Why specific colors or images represent that feeling
    • How creating the art made them feel
  • Reinforce that sharing is optional and affirm each contribution to promote peer support.
  • Close with a brief mindfulness exercise: 3 deep breaths noticing how their body feels after art-making.
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Slide Deck

Pop Art Inspiration

Pop art combines bright colors, graphic lines, and familiar imagery from mass culture to create eye-catching artworks that speak to everyday experiences.

Welcome students! Introduce pop art as an art movement that emerged in the 1950s–60s, drawing on everyday images from comics, advertising, and popular media. Explain that today they’ll see how bold colors, repetition, and familiar icons convey emotion and meaning.

Roy Lichtenstein: Comic Book Style

• Famous for comic-style paintings like “Whaam!”
• Large Ben-Day dots create shading and texture
• Bold outlines and primary colors emphasize drama
• Speech bubbles turn words into visual art

Show the actual image of Lichtenstein’s work if possible. Point out the use of Ben-Day dots, thick black outlines, and speech bubbles to mimic comic strips.

Andy Warhol: Celebrity & Repetition

• Repeated images of Campbell’s soup cans or Marilyn Monroe
• Bright, contrasting color variations in each iteration
• Challenges ideas of uniqueness and consumer culture
• Repetition turns simple icons into powerful statements

If available, display Warhol’s soup cans or celebrity portraits. Explain how repetition and color shifts change our perception of everyday objects and icons.

Pop Culture Today

• Comics and manga characters (e.g., Spider-Man, Naruto)
• Movie posters and music album covers
• Memes, emojis, and viral digital graphics
• Brands and logos seen every day

Connect these historical examples to modern pop culture. Encourage students to think about their own favorite icons—superheroes, influencers, game characters—and how those could drive emotion in art.

Techniques & Materials

• Bold, flat blocks of saturated color
• Thick black outlines and graphic shapes
• Collage elements: magazine cutouts, logos, text
• Repetition of shapes, words, or images
• Tools: markers, acrylic paints, scissors, glue

Review practical tips and materials. Emphasize experimentation: mixing collage with marker work, layering colors and text. Remind students there’s no right or wrong way—expression is the goal.

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Worksheet

Emotion Vocabulary Chart

Use this chart to help identify and describe your feelings during today’s activity.

EmotionDefinitionExample
HappinessFeeling of joy or contentment.Laughing at a funny movie.
SadnessFeeling of unhappiness or sorrow.Frowning when you miss a friend.
AngerFeeling of irritation or frustration.Clenching fists when someone cuts in line.
FearFeeling of worry or being scared.Heart racing before a big test.
SurpriseFeeling startled or amazed.Eyes widening at unexpected news.
DisgustFeeling repulsed or grossed out.Making a face at a bad smell.






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Activity

Pop Culture Emotion Cards

Use these cards in pairs or small groups to spark discussion about emotions through familiar pop culture icons. Shuffle and distribute cards randomly. For each card, identify the emotion prompt, discuss why you connect that feeling with the icon, and share a personal example.

IconDescriptionEmotion Prompt
Spider-ManA superhero known for responsibility.What emotion do you feel when you think of taking on big tasks?
BeyoncéA music icon known for empowerment.Recall a moment you felt powerful like Beyoncé on stage.
PikachuA joyful Pokémon companion.Describe a time you felt pure happiness like Pikachu’s smile.
Joker (Comic Character)A villain known for chaos.What feeling arises when things feel out of control?
Instagram LogoA social media platform for images.When have you felt left out comparing yourself to others online?
BatmanA hero working alone in the dark.Share a moment you felt determined or focused like Batman.
Netflix LogoA streaming service for relaxation.How do you unwind and relax after a stressful day?
❤️ EmojiA universal symbol for love.Who or what brings you a sense of love or comfort?






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