Spark Your Creativity

Lisa Diamond

Tier 2

Lesson Plan

Spark Your Creativity Plan

Students will create an original drawing inspired by a prompt and collaboratively build a five-sentence story, demonstrating imaginative thinking and teamwork.

This lesson fosters creativity, collaboration, and confidence by giving 2nd graders hands-on drawing and storytelling practice, enriching their expressive and social skills.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on drawing and group storytelling

Materials

Drawing Paper, Colored Pencils, Erasers, Imagination Prompt Cards, and Story-Building Templates

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Gather physical supplies: drawing paper, colored pencils, erasers.
Print or display Imagination Prompt Cards for warm-up.
Print enough copies of Story-Building Templates for student pairs.
Arrange seating in small-group clusters to encourage collaboration.

Step 1

Warm-Up Brainstorm

5 minutes

Invite students to sit in a circle and introduce the concept of creativity.
Show one of the Imagination Prompt Cards.
Read the prompt aloud (e.g., “Draw a new creature that lives in the clouds”).
Ask students to shout out quick ideas; record a few keywords on the board.
Explain they will use these ideas to draw and then build a story.

Step 2

Guided Drawing

10 minutes

Distribute drawing paper, colored pencils, and erasers.
Ask each student to choose one prompt card or use their own idea inspired by the warm-up.
Encourage students to sketch and color a creative scene or character.
Circulate, offer positive feedback, and ask guiding questions (e.g., “What makes your creature special?”).

Step 3

Story-Building Activity

10 minutes

Pair students and give each pair a Story-Building Template.
Instruct pairs to look at their drawings and write a story of at least five sentences.
Prompt them with story structure: Who, What, Where, When, Why.
Circulate, helping with spelling, sentence length, and imaginative details.

Step 4

Reflection and Share

5 minutes

Invite each pair to share their drawing and read their story to the group.
Offer specific praise for creativity and teamwork.
Ask a reflection question: “What idea from your partner surprised you?”
Encourage students to clap for each group’s effort and creativity.

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Slide Deck

Spark Your Creativity

Objective: Students will create an original drawing inspired by a prompt and collaboratively build a five-sentence story, demonstrating imaginative thinking and teamwork.

Welcome everyone! Today we’re going to “Spark Your Creativity” by drawing fun pictures and building stories together. Explain that creativity means using our imagination to make new ideas. Let’s get started!

Warm-Up Brainstorm

Seat students in a small circle.
Display one Imagination Prompt Card.
Read: “Draw a new creature that lives in the clouds.”
Ask students to shout out quick ideas; write 3–4 keywords on the board.
Explain these ideas will guide our drawing and story.

Gather students in a circle. Show them how brainstorming works. Encourage every voice—there are no wrong ideas!

Sample Drawing Prompts

A castle floating on rainbow balloons
An underwater city of glowing fish
A talking tree with colorful leaves
A pet dragon that breathes bubbles

Refer students to the prompt samples if they need inspiration. Remind them they can mix and match ideas!

Guided Drawing

Give each student drawing paper, colored pencils, eraser.
Choose one prompt card or use a new idea.
Sketch shapes lightly, then add color and details.
Think about: What makes your creature or place unique?
Teacher circulates, offers positive feedback.

Distribute materials. Walk around and ask questions like “What makes your creature special?” Offer praise for effort.

Story-Building Activity

Pair students and hand out Story-Building Templates.
Look at your drawing and write a five-sentence story.
Use prompts: Who is in your scene? What are they doing? Where and when?
Add a reason (Why) to make the story interesting.
Teacher helps with spelling and sentence structure.

Show an example filled-in template if needed. Guide pairs to label Who, What, Where, When, Why.

Reflection & Share

Invite each pair to present their drawing and read their story.
Give specific praise: “I love how you described...”
Ask: “What idea from your partner surprised you?”
Applaud each group’s creativity and teamwork.

Encourage pairs to speak clearly and loudly. While one reads, the other holds up the drawing.

Keep Creating!

Thank you for your amazing ideas today!

Take home your drawing and story to share with family.
Look for inspiration in books, nature, and friends.
Stay curious and keep imagining new stories every day!

Congratulate students on their creativity. Suggest ways they can continue at home or in class.

Worksheet

Imagination Prompt Cards

Cut out the cards below. Shuffle them and let each student pick one to spark their drawing and storytelling!

Draw a creature that lives in the clouds.

Design a hidden underwater city.

Imagine a magical tree that glows at night.

Create a pet dragon that breathes bubbles.

Build a floating castle made of candies.

Draw a friendly alien visiting Earth.

Sketch a secret garden where flowers can talk.

Invent a superhero fruit or vegetable.

Illustrate a mountain that sings songs.

Picture a rainbow train traveling through space.

Worksheet

Story-Building Templates

Work with your partner. Look at your drawing and use the prompts below to plan a five-sentence story.

1. Who is in your story?

2. What is happening?

3. Where does the story take place?

4. When does the story happen?

5. Why is the event happening?

Write Your Five-Sentence Story

Use your answers above to fill in each sentence. Write neatly!

Sentence 1:
Sentence 2:
Sentence 3:
Sentence 4:
Sentence 5:

When you’re finished, practice reading your story with your partner before sharing with the class!