Stress Busters: Creative Expression

Bobby Riley

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Stress Busters: Creative Expression

Enhance self-awareness and coping skills

This lesson guides students through artistic activities like drawing, journaling, and music to express their feelings. It aims to provide creative outlets for stress and emotional expression, thereby enhancing self-awareness and coping skills. This lesson is important as it helps students develop healthy ways to manage stress and emotions, fostering a supportive environment for personal growth.

Audience

Students in Grade 7-12

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Enhance self-awareness and coping skills

Materials

Paper, Colored pencils or markers, Journals or notebooks, Music player, Discussion questions, and Worksheet for reflection

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Welcome students and introduce the topic of stress and emotional expression.
Explain the importance of finding healthy outlets for stress.
Briefly outline the activities for the session: drawing, journaling, and music.

Step 2

Drawing Activity

10 minutes

Distribute paper and colored pencils or markers to each student.
Instruct students to draw something that represents their current feelings or a recent stressful experience.
Encourage creativity and assure them that there is no right or wrong way to express themselves.

Step 3

Journaling Activity

10 minutes

Provide each student with a journal or notebook.
Ask them to write about their drawing, explaining what it represents and how it relates to their feelings.
Encourage them to reflect on how expressing their feelings through art made them feel.

Step 4

Music and Reflection

10 minutes

Play a calming piece of music for the class.
Ask students to close their eyes and focus on how the music makes them feel.
After the music, have students write a few sentences in their journals about the experience.

Step 5

Group Discussion

5 minutes

Facilitate a discussion using prepared questions to help students share their experiences and thoughts.
Encourage students to talk about how these activities might help them manage stress in the future.

Step 6

Closure

5 minutes

Summarize the key points of the lesson.
Encourage students to continue using creative expression as a tool for managing stress.
Thank students for their participation and openness.

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Discussion

Discussion Questions

Facilitate a group discussion to help students share their experiences and thoughts on using creative expression to manage stress.

How did drawing help you express your feelings?

Encourage students to share specific aspects of their drawings and how it relates to their emotions.

What did you notice about your feelings while listening to the music?

Guide students to reflect on any changes in their mood or thoughts during the music activity.

How can creative activities like these help you manage stress in the future?

Discuss the potential benefits of using art and music as regular stress management tools.

Worksheet

Reflection Worksheet

This worksheet helps students reflect on their experiences during the lesson and consider how they can apply these techniques in their daily lives.

Describe your drawing and what it represents about your feelings.

Think about the colors, shapes, and images you used.

How did writing about your drawing make you feel?

Consider whether it helped you understand your emotions better.

What emotions did the music evoke in you?

Reflect on any changes in your mood or thoughts.

How might you use creative expression to manage stress in the future?

Consider specific activities you could incorporate into your routine.