Resilience Through Creative Arts

Michaela Gagne

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Resilience Through Creative Arts Lesson Plan

Empower students to explore and express resilience through creative arts, fostering a growth mindset by engaging in diverse artistic practices.

This lesson builds self-confidence and adaptability by using creative expression as a tool for understanding and developing resilience.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

60 Minutes

Approach

Interactive, hands-on artistic exploration.

Materials

Creative Art Supplies, and Digital Storytelling Tool

Prep

Preparation and Materials Review

15 Minutes

Review the Resilience Through Creative Arts Lesson Plan for detailed structure.
Prepare creative art supplies including drawing paper, paints, and markers.
Set up a digital storytelling tool for recording student narratives.
Ensure all materials are accessible and in working order.

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion

10 Minutes

Start with a group discussion on resilience and growth mindset.
Share personal or historical examples where overcoming challenges led to personal growth.
Encourage students to think about how creative expression can reflect their experiences.

Step 2

Creative Arts Activity

25 Minutes

Divide students into small groups and assign them to either drawing, painting, or storytelling.
Instruct each group to create an artwork or narrative that symbolizes resilience.
Remind them to incorporate elements that showcase challenges and growth.

Step 3

Sharing and Reflection

10 Minutes

Have each group present their artwork or story to the class.
Guide a discussion on the different ways resilience was expressed and the learnings derived from their creations.
Encourage self-reflection on what resilience means to each student.

Step 4

Wrap-up and Evaluation

10 Minutes

Summarize key points from the lesson and review the importance of resilience in personal growth.
Ask students to share one takeaway or personal reflection from the session.
Collect feedback for further improvement of the lesson.

Slide Deck

Resilience Through Creative Arts

Explore creativity as a pathway to understanding resilience and fostering a growth mindset.

Introduce the lesson agenda and set the tone. Welcome the students and briefly explain that today they'll explore resilience through creative arts. Mention that creative expression helps us express challenges and growth.

Lesson Objectives

• Explore and express resilience
• Foster a growth mindset
• Engage in creative practices like drawing, painting, or storytelling

Explain the objectives of the lesson. Emphasize that through artistic expression, we can explore resilience from various perspectives.

Introduction & Discussion

• What is Resilience?
• How can the creative arts reflect our challenges and growth?

Discuss the importance of resilience and invite a brief conversation with the class on personal or historical examples of overcoming obstacles.

Creative Arts Activity

Group Activity:

Choose a medium: Drawing, Painting, or Storytelling
Create an artwork or narrative symbolizing resilience
Include elements of challenge and growth

Explain the main activity clearly. Tell students to form small groups and choose a creative medium. Highlight that each piece should incorporate elements of challenge and growth.

Sharing & Reflection

• Groups present their creative work
• Discuss diverse expressions of resilience
• Reflect on what resilience means personally

Facilitate student sharing and discussion. Ask guiding questions to help students reflect on differing artistic expressions and meanings of resilience.

Wrap-up & Evaluation

• Recap key insights on resilience and growth
• Reflect: What did I learn about resilience today?
• Collect feedback for continuous improvement

Summarize the key learning points. Reinforce why resilience matters in personal growth and invite final reflections from the students.

Lesson Plan

Resilience Through Creative Arts

Empower students to explore and express resilience through creative arts by engaging in drawing, painting, and storytelling, fostering a growth mindset.

Creative expression allows students to visualize challenges and growth, building self-confidence and resilience, while encouraging reflective learning.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

60 Minutes

Approach

Interactive, hands-on artistic exploration.

Materials

Creative Art Supplies, Digital Storytelling Tool, and Resilience Through Creative Arts Slides

Prep

Preparation and Materials Review

15 Minutes

Review the Resilience Through Creative Arts Lesson Plan for complete structure.
Prepare creative art supplies including drawing paper, paints, and markers.
Set up a digital storytelling tool for capturing student narratives.
Ensure all materials are accessible and functional.

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion

10 Minutes

Begin with a group discussion on what resilience means, drawing on personal or historical examples.
Ask students to share how they overcome challenges and grow from them.
Introduce the concept of using creative arts to represent these experiences.

Step 2

Creative Arts Activity

25 Minutes

Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a medium: drawing, painting, or storytelling.
Instruct groups to create an artwork or narrative that symbolizes resilience, incorporating elements of challenge and growth.
Circulate to provide support and encourage diverse creative expressions.

Step 3

Sharing and Reflection

10 Minutes

Invite each group to present their creative work to the class.
Facilitate a discussion on the different artistic expressions of resilience.
Ask students to reflect personally on what resilience means to them.

Step 4

Wrap-up and Evaluation

10 Minutes

Summarize key learning points and discuss the importance of resilience in personal growth.
Encourage students to share one takeaway from the lesson.
Collect feedback to support future improvements.

Activity

Creative Arts Exploration Activity

In this activity, students will get hands-on experience in creatively expressing resilience through drawing, painting, or storytelling. The goal is to encourage collaboration, self-expression, and personal reflection on the challenges they've overcome and the growth they've experienced.

Activity Overview

Objective: To provide students with a platform for creative expression that symbolizes resilience. Students will work in groups to create an artwork or narrative that embodies the challenges they've faced and the strength they've gained from overcoming them.
Materials Needed:
- Creative Art Supplies
- Digital Storytelling Tool (if needed)
Time: Approximately 25-30 minutes, integrated within the overall lesson plan.

Activity Instructions

Group Formation: Divide students into small groups (3-4 members per group). Encourage them to choose a medium: drawing, painting, or storytelling.
Creative Expression: Each group will work together to create a piece that symbolizes resilience. Ask students to consider:
- What personal or historical challenges have taught them something about their strength?
- How can they represent these experiences visually or through narrative?
Guided Prompts: To support their creative process, ask the following questions:
- What does resilience mean to you?
- Describe a moment when you overcame a challenge. How did it change you?
- In your artwork or story, what elements represent both struggle and growth?
Collaboration Time: Allow students to engage in free creative exploration while discussing ideas within their groups. Circulate to provide encouragement and guidance as needed.

Follow-Up and Reflection

After the creative session, instruct each group to briefly share their work with the class. Encourage them to discuss the symbolism and meaning behind their piece.
Facilitate a class discussion using these reflection questions:
- What did you learn about resilience from your group's activity?
- How did working together influence your creative process?
- In what ways can creative expression be a tool for understanding personal growth?
Conclude by asking each student to write down one personal insight about resilience learned from today's activity on a sticky note or in their personal journals.

This activity is designed to empower students by providing a creative outlet to process and visualize their experiences, ultimately fostering a stronger, more resilient mindset.