Lesson Plan
The Power of Your Mark
The student will explore self-expression through non-verbal art-making to identify and represent their current emotional state in a safe and supportive environment.
This lesson is important because it provides students with a valuable tool for understanding and expressing their emotions in a healthy, non-verbal way. It helps foster emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
Audience
8th Grade
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Students will use art to express emotions.
Materials
- The Power of Your Mark Slide Deck, - Drawing Feelings Guide, and - Various art supplies (paper, pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils) as outlined in the Art Supply Kit
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
10 minutes
- Gather a variety of art supplies for each student (paper, pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils).
- Review the The Power of Your Mark Slide Deck and the Drawing Feelings Guide to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
- Ensure a safe and supportive classroom environment is established for emotional sharing.
Step 1
Welcome & Check-in
5 minutes
- Begin with a brief, lighthearted check-in question unrelated to emotions to ease students into the session (e.g., "What's one thing you're looking forward to this week?").
- Transition by introducing the idea of art as a way to express feelings without words. Use Slide 1 and Slide 2 to introduce the topic.
Step 2
Introduce the Expressive Modality
5 minutes
- Explain that today's activity is about using non-verbal art to explore emotions. Emphasize that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to create art in this context. Use Slide 3 and Slide 4 to guide this discussion.
- Distribute the Drawing Feelings Guide and quickly review the prompts. Clarify that students should focus on their current emotional state.
Step 3
Create & Express
10 minutes
- Distribute art supplies as described in the Art Supply Kit.
- Instruct students to find a comfortable space and begin creating their artwork, using the Drawing Feelings Guide as a reference. Encourage them to focus on colors, lines, and shapes that represent their feelings. Play calm background music if appropriate. Use Slide 5 and Slide 6 to facilitate creation.
Step 4
Reflect & Close
5 minutes
- After 10 minutes, ask students to gently bring their focus back. They do not need to share their artwork unless they feel comfortable.
- Lead a brief discussion (using Slide 7 and Slide 8) with prompts such as:
- "How did it feel to express yourself through art?"
- "What did you notice about the colors or shapes you chose?"
- Remind students that art can always be a safe space for their emotions.
- Collect the Drawing Feelings Guide and artwork if desired, or allow students to keep them.
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Slide Deck
Welcome! 👋
What's one thing you're looking forward to this week?
Welcome students and start with a light icebreaker question.
Art: Your Secret Language 🎨
How can you share what's inside without saying a word?
Introduce the idea of expressing feelings through art without words.
Your Mark, Your Feelings 🖌️
Today, we're exploring emotions through colors, lines, and shapes. There's no right or wrong!
Explain the concept of non-verbal self-expression through art.
Drawing Feelings Guide
This guide will help you focus on your current emotional state. What does it look like?
Briefly introduce the 'Drawing Feelings Guide' and what it's for.
Time to Create! ✨
Choose your materials, find a comfortable spot, and let your feelings flow onto the page.
Instruct students to begin their artwork, emphasizing personal expression.
Colors, Lines, Shapes
What colors represent your emotion? Are your lines sharp or soft? What shapes emerge?
Encourage students to use different elements to represent their feelings.
Reflect & Connect 💭
How did it feel to express yourself this way? What did you notice?
Begin the reflection phase. Students do not need to share unless they want to.
Art: Your Emotional Outlet
Remember, art is always there for you to explore and understand your inner world.
Conclude by reiterating art as a safe space for emotions.
Worksheet
Drawing Feelings Guide
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
This guide is to help you explore your current emotional state through art. There are no right or wrong answers, just your unique expression.
Your Current Feeling
- What emotion are you feeling right now? (You don't need to write it down if you don't want to, just acknowledge it.)
Expressing Through Art
As you create, consider the following prompts. Let your intuition guide you.
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Colors: What colors come to mind when you think of this emotion? Are they bright, dark, warm, cool, muted, vibrant?
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Lines & Shapes: If this feeling were a line, what would it look like? (e.g., jagged, wavy, straight, soft, bold, thin) If it were a shape, what shape would it be? (e.g., sharp angles, smooth curves, scattered dots, dense blocks)
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Texture: Does this emotion feel smooth or rough? Soft or hard? How can you show that in your drawing?
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Movement: Does your emotion feel still, or is it moving? If it moves, how does it move? (e.g., swirling, expanding, shrinking, bursting)
Your Art Piece
Use the space below, or a separate sheet of paper, to create your non-verbal self-portrait of your current emotional state. Let your art speak for you. There is no need to show it to anyone unless you choose to.
Activity
Art Supply Kit: Your Tools for Expression
This "kit" provides you with the basic tools to translate your inner feelings into visual art. Remember, the goal is expression, not perfection! Experiment with how each tool can represent different aspects of your emotions.
What You'll Need:
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Paper: A blank canvas for your feelings. Any size is fine!
- Consider: Does the size or type of paper affect how you feel? A large paper might invite expansive feelings, while a smaller one might encourage focus.
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Pencils: For sketching, shading, or sharp, defined lines.
- Consider: Can a light pencil line represent a fleeting feeling? Can a dark, heavy line show intensity?
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Crayons: Offer vibrant colors and a waxy texture. Good for bold blocks of color or layering.
- Consider: How does the pressure you apply change the crayon's mark? Can you create rough or smooth textures?
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Markers: Provide strong, consistent lines and intense colors. Great for outlines or filling in areas quickly.
- Consider: Do markers feel more assertive or playful to you? How do their strong colors impact your expression?
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Colored Pencils: Allow for blending, shading, and more controlled color application than crayons.
- Consider: Can you layer colors to show complex emotions? How does shading create depth in your feelings?
How to Use Your Kit for Emotional Expression:
- Choose Intuitively: Don't overthink which material to start with. Grab what feels right in the moment for the emotion you want to explore.
- Experiment with Pressure: Pressing hard or lightly with any tool will change its mark. How does this reflect the intensity of your feelings?
- Mix and Match: Feel free to use multiple tools in one piece. Sometimes, a complex emotion needs a mix of colors, textures, and lines.
- Focus on the Feeling: Remember, the art is a reflection of your internal state. Let go of expectations about what it should look like.
Your art supplies are an extension of your creative self. Use them to bravely explore "The Power of Your Mark"!