lenny

The Farewell Canvas

user image

Lesson Plan

The Farewell Canvas

To provide 12th-grade students with a safe space to process the emotional experience of impending endings (high school, friendships, familiar routines) and the natural anxieties and excitement of new beginnings. Students will acknowledge grief, celebrate accomplishments, and develop emotional tools for navigating significant life transitions through creative expression and guided reflection.

Navigating the transition from high school to what comes next can be a complex emotional journey. This lesson provides a crucial opportunity for students to process these feelings, develop coping strategies, and build resilience for future life changes. It validates their experiences and equips them with tools for emotional well-being.

Audience

12th Grade Students

Time

60-75 minutes

Approach

Through a combination of discussion, creative art, and reflective writing, students will explore their emotions.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, The Farewell Canvas Slide Deck, Farewell Canvas Activity Sheet, Reflection Journal Prompt, and Art supplies (markers, colored pencils, paper)

Prep

Preparation Checklist

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up: Acknowledging the Shifting Tides

10 minutes

  • Begin with a welcoming statement and introduce the topic of transitions, endings, and new beginnings.
    - Use The Farewell Canvas Slide Deck to guide the discussion.
    - Pose questions to the class: "What does 'ending' feel like? What does 'beginning' feel like?"
    - Facilitate a brief open discussion, encouraging students to share initial thoughts and feelings.

Step 2

Exploring Emotions: The Farewell Canvas Activity

25 minutes

  • Introduce the Farewell Canvas Activity Sheet.
    - Explain that students will create a 'farewell canvas' (drawing/collage) that visually represents their feelings about high school ending and new beginnings.
    - Guide them to think about symbols, colors, and images that represent memories, friendships, challenges, growth, hopes, and anxieties.
    - Provide art supplies and allow students quiet time to create their canvases.
    - Circulate and offer support or gentle prompts as needed.

Step 3

Sharing & Connecting: Gallery Walk & Discussion

15 minutes

  • Once canvases are complete, have students arrange them on their desks for a 'gallery walk.'
    - Encourage students to walk around, observe their peers' creations, and reflect silently.
    - Facilitate a class Discussion using prompts from The Farewell Canvas Slide Deck and the Farewell Canvas Discussion material to discuss common themes, surprising insights, and shared emotions. "What was challenging about creating your canvas? What did you notice in others' canvases?"
    - Emphasize that it's okay to feel a mix of emotions.

Step 4

Reflection & Moving Forward: Journaling for Growth

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Reflection Journal Prompt.
    - Explain that journaling is a powerful tool for processing complex emotions.
    - Give students quiet time to write their reflections based on the provided prompts.
    - Reiterate that their journals are personal and do not need to be shared.
    - Briefly discuss how these emotional tools can be applied to future transitions.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

The Farewell Canvas: Processing Endings & New Beginnings

A space to honor our journey and embrace what's next for 12th graders.

Welcome students and set a calm, reflective tone. Introduce the lesson's purpose: to process feelings about endings and new beginnings. Explain that it's a safe space for all emotions. Ask students to consider what 'ending' feels like to them.

Shifting Tides: What does 'ending' feel like?

High school, friendships, familiar routines... what emotions come to mind?

And what about 'beginning'? What does that bring up?

Open the floor for a brief discussion. Encourage students to share feelings or words associated with 'ending.' Acknowledge the validity of all responses. Transition to asking about 'beginning.'

Your Farewell Canvas: A Visual Journey

We'll create a visual representation of your feelings about leaving high school and stepping into new experiences. Think about:

  • Memories
  • Friendships
  • Challenges & Growth
  • Hopes & Anxieties
  • Symbols & Colors

Introduce the Farewell Canvas Activity. Explain that this is a creative way to explore their inner landscape regarding this transition. Emphasize that it's about personal expression, not artistic skill.

Sharing Our Stories: Gallery Walk & Discussion

Walk around and observe your classmates' canvases. What common themes do you notice?

Then, we'll discuss our experiences and insights together.

Explain the Gallery Walk. Encourage respectful observation and silent reflection. After the walk, initiate the group discussion using the prompts provided in the Farewell Canvas Discussion material.

Reflecting Forward: Your Journal for Growth

Use the Reflection Journal Prompt to deepen your understanding of your journey. This is a personal space for your thoughts and feelings.

How can these emotional tools help us in life?

Introduce journaling as a tool. Explain that personal reflection is key for processing emotions. Reassure students their journals are private. Briefly connect this skill to navigating future life transitions.

lenny

Activity

Farewell Canvas Activity

Introduction

As we stand at the threshold of new beginnings, it's natural to feel a mix of emotions. This activity invites you to visually explore and express your feelings about the endings you're experiencing (like high school) and the exciting, yet sometimes daunting, new beginnings ahead. Your canvas is a personal space for your unique journey.

Instructions

  1. Gather Your Tools: Take a piece of paper and your chosen art supplies (markers, colored pencils, crayons).

  2. Divide Your Canvas (Mentally or Physically): You might choose to:

    • Divide your paper in half: one side for "Endings" and one side for "New Beginnings."
    • Create a central image that blends both ideas.
    • Use different sections to represent various aspects (e.g., friends, teachers, memories, future dreams, anxieties).

  3. Reflect on Endings: Spend some quiet time thinking about the endings you're facing:

    • What memories from high school stand out? (Good, bad, funny, challenging)
    • Who are the people you're saying goodbye to in a daily sense? (Friends, teachers, staff)
    • What routines or familiar comforts are coming to an end?
    • What emotions do these endings bring up? (Sadness, nostalgia, relief, grief)

    Represent these thoughts and feelings visually on your canvas. Use colors, symbols, words, or images that speak to you.

  4. Envision New Beginnings: Now, shift your focus to what lies ahead:

    • What are you excited about for the future?
    • What are some hopes or dreams you have?
    • What are you nervous or anxious about?
    • What new experiences or challenges do you anticipate?

    Represent these future thoughts and feelings on your canvas. Think about growth, opportunity, unknowns, and strength.

  5. Let Your Creativity Flow: There is no right or wrong way to do this. Focus on expressing your emotions and experiences. Your canvas is a reflection of you.

  6. Prepare for the Gallery Walk: Once you are finished, place your canvas on your desk. We will have a quiet gallery walk to observe each other's work before a class discussion.

lenny
lenny

Journal

Reflection Journal Prompt: My Journey Forward

Introduction

Journaling is a powerful way to process thoughts and emotions, especially during times of big change. Use these prompts to reflect more deeply on your 'Farewell Canvas' and the journey ahead. Your thoughts here are personal and for your own reflection.

Journal Prompts

  1. Reflecting on Your Canvas: Describe the images, colors, or symbols you chose for your Farewell Canvas. What do they represent about your high school experience and the feelings associated with its ending?










  2. Emotions of Endings: What specific feelings arise when you think about saying goodbye to high school, current friendships, or familiar routines? Is there a particular memory that evokes a strong emotion?










  3. Anticipating New Beginnings: What aspects of your future are you most excited about? What are some new opportunities or experiences you hope to have?










  4. Navigating the Unknown: What anxieties or worries do you have about the unknown aspects of your future? How do you plan to face these challenges?










  5. Tools for Transition: What strategies or emotional tools do you already possess that might help you navigate this significant transition? (e.g., talking to friends, seeking advice, journaling, creative expression, setting small goals)











  6. A Message to Your Future Self: If you could write a short message to yourself one year from now, what advice, encouragement, or questions would you include about this transition period?











lenny
lenny

Discussion

Farewell Canvas Discussion

Introduction

Now that we've had a chance to create our personal Farewell Canvases and experience the Gallery Walk, let's come together to share our insights and feelings. Remember, this is a space for respectful listening and sharing.

Discussion Prompts

  1. Observing the Gallery: What were some common themes, symbols, or emotions you observed in your classmates' Farewell Canvases during the gallery walk? Were there any that surprised you?




  2. The Creative Process: What was challenging or rewarding about creating your own Farewell Canvas? Did the process itself help you understand your feelings better?




  3. A Mix of Emotions: Many of us feel a mix of excitement, sadness, relief, and anxiety during major life transitions. Can anyone share how they are experiencing this mix of emotions right now?




  4. Celebrating Accomplishments: Looking back at your time in high school, what is one accomplishment or personal growth moment you are most proud of? How might you carry that strength forward?




  5. Looking Ahead: What is one specific hope or one specific concern you have about your new beginnings? How might we support each other as we navigate these changes?




  6. Building Resilience: Beyond today's activity, what are some practical things we can do to manage our emotions and build resilience during times of change and uncertainty?

lenny
lenny