Lesson Plan
Cooperative Creations Guide
Students will collaborate to design and paint a group mural, practicing turn-taking, sharing, and positive communication through art and reflection.
Building cooperation and communication skills in first graders helps foster empathy, self‐regulation, and positive peer relationships. A shared art project provides a concrete, engaging context for practicing turn-taking and encouragement.
Audience
1st Grade Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on collaborative art followed by guided discussion.
Materials
- Large Mural Paper or Butcher Paper, * Tempera or Washable Paints and Paintbrushes, * Water Cups and Paper Towels, * Crayons or Markers, * Optional Picture Prompt Cards, * Working Together Visuals, * Group Mural Challenge, * Share the Load Talk, and * Teamwork Reflection
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
- Familiarize yourself with the Cooperative Creations Guide lesson plan
- Review the Working Together Visuals slide deck and note key turn-taking illustrations
- Read through the Group Mural Challenge instructions and gather supplies
- Preview discussion prompts in the Share the Load Talk
- Skim reflection prompts in the Teamwork Reflection journal
Step 1
Warm-Up and Rules
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle and introduce today’s goal: teamwork through art
- Display the Working Together Visuals and review key behaviors: sharing, turn-taking, encouraging peers, listening
- Establish ground rules: use kind words, take turns, listen when others speak
- Ask students to repeat one rule each to check understanding
Step 2
Group Mural Challenge
15 minutes
- Lay out the mural paper and arrange paints, brushes, markers, and prompt cards
- Explain the Group Mural Challenge: each student sketches then paints an element in turn
- Encourage students to discuss color choices and offer help (e.g., “Can I mix these colors for you?”)
- Circulate to model turn-taking and support students needing extra guidance with picture prompts or peer buddies
Step 3
Share the Load Talk
5 minutes
- Invite students to sit and reflect on the activity
- Use prompts from the Share the Load Talk:
• What was your favorite part of working together?
• When did you wait your turn and how did you feel?
• How did you help someone or how were you helped? - Encourage active listening and positive feedback among peers
Step 4
Teamwork Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute journals and introduce the Teamwork Reflection prompts
- Ask students to draw or write one thing they learned about cooperating
- Invite volunteers to share their reflections with the group
- Praise efforts and highlight examples of good teamwork observed today
Slide Deck
Working Together Visuals
Let’s learn how to cooperate, share, and help our friends!
Welcome everyone! Today we're going to learn how to work together as a team. Get ready to see some pictures that will help us remember our teamwork rules.
Sharing
• Taking turns with materials
• Letting friends use crayons or paint
• Saying “Your turn next!”
Point to each child sharing crayons. Say: “Sharing means taking turns with supplies so everyone gets a turn.”
Turn-Taking
• Waiting patiently
• Passing supplies when done
• Counting to three for your turn
Show the image of children waiting in line. Say: “Turn-taking helps us be fair. We wait our turn and then it’s our chance.”
Encouraging
• Saying “Great job!” or “You can do it!”
• Smiling and cheering
• Helping friends if they need it
Point at the child giving a thumbs up. Say: “Encouraging means using kind words to make teammates feel good.”
Listening
• Eyes on the speaker
• Quiet mouth
• Nodding or smiling to show you care
Show the image of a child listening with hands in lap. Say: “Listening means looking at the speaker and being quiet while they talk.”
Our Teamwork Rules
- Share materials
- Take turns
- Encourage friends
- Listen carefully
Review all four behaviors. Ask students to show you their favorite teamwork rule with a thumbs up.
Activity
Group Mural Challenge Activity Instructions
Objective:
Students will work together to plan, sketch, and paint a large mural—practicing turn-taking, sharing, and positive communication with defined roles and supportive prompts.
Materials (per group):
- One large sheet of butcher or mural paper
- Tempera or washable paints (at least 4 colors)
- Paintbrushes (various sizes)
- Water cups, paper towels
- Crayons or markers for sketching
- Optional picture prompt cards (shapes, scenes)
Setup (2 minutes)
- Spread mural paper so all students can reach it.
- Arrange paints, brushes, markers, and prompt cards nearby.
- Explain today’s team roles—rotate every phase so everyone leads and supports:
• Sketch Artist: Draws the next element
• Color Mixer: Chooses and mixes paint colors
• Brush Helper: Rinses brushes and hands out supplies
• Encourager: Offers kind words and checks in on teammates
Steps
1. Brainstorm & Role Assignment (2 minutes)
- Invite ideas for a mural theme (e.g., garden, ocean, sky full of friends).
- Teacher lists 2–3 favorites and students vote by show of hands.
- Assign roles in order: Sketch Artist → Color Mixer → Brush Helper → Encourager.
2. Sketch Phase (5 minutes)
- Sketch Artist draws a simple shape or scene element with a marker.
- Encourager asks: “What colors might bring this to life?”
- Rotate roles clockwise so each child gets a turn as Sketch Artist.
3. Paint Phase (8 minutes)
- Return to the first Sketch Artist’s element.
- Color Mixer selects and mixes paints, naming two colors used.
- Brush Helper hands brushes and rinses when asked.
- Each student paints their element in turn, with Encourager giving positive feedback (e.g., “I love that blue!”).
4. Collaboration Prompts
- “Can I mix these two colors for you?”
- “Would you like help rinsing your brush?”
- “That shape looks great—what should we add next?”
5. Finishing Touches & Role Reflection (3 minutes)
- Let each student add small details (dots, highlights).
- Ask: “Which role did you enjoy most? Why?”
6. Clean-Up (1 minute)
- Brush Helper leads rinsing and drying brushes.
- All students share water cups and wipe the table.
- Teacher praises specific teamwork (“I saw great sharing when…!”).
Differentiation & Support:
- Picture Prompts: Students who need ideas draw a card.
- Peer Buddy: Pair students who benefit from extra guidance.
Next Steps: Transition to the Share the Load Talk and record insights in the Teamwork Reflection.
Discussion
Share the Load Talk
Time: 5 minutes
Purpose: Help students reflect on cooperation, turn-taking, and kindness during our mural project.
Guidelines
- Raise your hand to speak
- Listen quietly while others share
- Use kind words and positive feedback
Discussion Prompts
- What was your favorite part of working together?
Sentence Stem: “My favorite part was ___ because ___.”
Teacher Tip: Encourage each student to name one thing and explain why—it builds speaking confidence. - When did you have to wait your turn, and how did you feel?
Sentence Stem: “I waited when ___, and I felt ___.”
Teacher Tip: Acknowledge both patience and frustration. Model deep breathing if a student shares feeling impatient. - How did you help a friend today?
Sentence Stem: “I helped by ___, and my friend felt ___.”
Teacher Tip: Point out specific moments you observed (“I saw Alex help Mia rinse her brush—that was kind!”). - What should we do if someone forgets to share or take turns?
Sentence Stem: “If someone forgets, we can ___, and it helps by ___.”
Teacher Tip: Guide students toward solutions like gentle reminders, asking “Your turn next?”, or offering a helping hand.
Closing
Teacher: “Great sharing, everyone! Remember, teamwork is all about sharing, waiting, and helping. Let’s keep practicing these skills every day.”
Journal
Teamwork Reflection Journal
1. Draw About Teamwork
Draw a picture of you and your friends working together on our mural.
2. How I Helped
Write one way you helped a friend today and why it was important.
3. How I Felt
Describe how you felt when you waited for your turn during the activity.
4. My Next Teamwork Goal
What teamwork rule will you practice next time? Why is that rule important?
Great job reflecting on your teamwork! Keep practicing sharing, taking turns, encouraging friends, and listening.