Stress Resilience Through Art

Lori Maxwell

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Stress Resilience Through Art

Express and process stress through art

This lesson guides students in a creative art activity focused on expressing and processing stress. Students will use colors, patterns, and textures to symbolize their stress and resilience, offering a cathartic way to articulate and transform their emotions onto paper. This lesson is important as it provides students with a creative outlet to manage stress, enhancing their emotional well-being and resilience.

Audience

Grades 9-12

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Express and process stress through art

Materials

Paper, Colored pencils, markers, or paints, and Discussion questions

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Briefly introduce the concept of stress and resilience.
Explain how art can be a tool to express and manage emotions.
Set the intention for the activity: to explore personal stress and resilience through art.

Step 2

Art Activity

20 minutes

Distribute paper and art supplies to each student.
Instruct students to think about a recent stressful experience and how they overcame it.
Encourage them to use colors, patterns, and textures to represent their stress and resilience on paper.
Remind students that there is no right or wrong way to express their feelings.

Step 3

Reflection and Discussion

5 minutes

Invite students to share their artwork with a partner or the group, if comfortable.
Facilitate a discussion using the provided questions to reflect on the experience and the role of art in managing stress.

Discussion

Reflection Discussion

A discussion to reflect on the art activity and explore the role of art in managing stress.

How did it feel to express your stress through art?

Encourage students to share their emotional experience and any relief they felt.

What colors or patterns did you use to represent stress and resilience? Why?

Guide students to think about the symbolism of their choices.

How can art be a tool for managing stress in your daily life?

Discuss practical ways students can incorporate art into their stress management routines.