Lesson Plan
Creative Superpower Blueprint
Students will identify and celebrate their unique creative strengths through brainstorming, collaboration on a class mural, personal reflection, and peer-sharing activities.
This lesson empowers 4th graders to discover and value their individual artistic talents, boosting confidence and building a supportive creative community.
Audience
4th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Hands-on art, reflection, and sharing.
Materials
- Unleash Your Superpower Slide Deck, - Superpower Brainstorm Warm-Up, - Team Mural Mash-Up Activity, - My Superpower Reflection Journal, - Gallery Walk Share Cool-Down, and - Large paper rolls, markers, colored pencils, crayons
Prep
Prepare Materials and Review Slides
10 minutes
- Print or gather large paper rolls, markers, colored pencils, and crayons.
- Ensure each student has a copy of the reflection journal: My Superpower Reflection Journal.
- Queue up the slide deck: Unleash Your Superpower Slide Deck.
- Review the Superpower Brainstorm Warm-Up instructions and expected student examples.
Step 1
Superpower Brainstorm Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Introduce the activity using Superpower Brainstorm Warm-Up.
- Ask students to think of three creative activities they enjoy and why.
- Students share one idea aloud to spark peer inspiration.
Step 2
Slide Deck Introduction
10 minutes
- Present Unleash Your Superpower Slide Deck.
- Discuss various creative superpowers (e.g., storytelling, painting, sculpting).
- Invite volunteers to share examples of creativity they admire.
Step 3
Team Mural Mash-Up
20 minutes
- Split students into groups of 4–5.
- Give each group a large paper section and art supplies.
- Each student illustrates or writes about their creative superpower in their section.
- Groups connect sections to form one vibrant mural representing all members.
Step 4
My Superpower Reflection
15 minutes
- Hand out My Superpower Reflection Journal.
- Prompt students to write or draw:
- What is your top creative superpower?
- How does it help you and others?
- Circulate and support students needing prompts or examples.
Step 5
Gallery Walk Share
10 minutes
- Display the completed mural and reflection journals around the room.
- Students walk around, observe peers’ work, and leave positive sticky-note comments.
- Reconvene and ask volunteers to highlight a peer’s superpower that inspired them.
Slide Deck
Unleash Your Creative Superpower!
Welcome to our creative adventure! Today you’ll discover the unique artistic talents that make you a super-creator.
Welcome students! Introduce today’s goal: to discover and unleash each person’s creative superpower. Encourage excitement and participation.
What Is a Creative Superpower?
A creative superpower is a special way you use your imagination to make something amazing. Examples include:
- Storytelling with words or comics
- Painting or drawing pictures
- Making music or rhythms
- Building crafts or sculptures
Define what we mean by “creative superpower.” Use simple language and invite one or two examples from students.
Examples of Creative Superpowers
- Storytelling & Writing
- Painting & Drawing
- Music & Rhythm
- Sculpting & Crafting
- Designing Games & Puzzles
Highlight each example visually (e.g., show a quick sketch or play a short audio clip). Ask: “What other superpowers can you think of?”
Brainstorm Your Superpowers
Activity: Superpower Brainstorm Warm-Up
• Think of three creative activities you enjoy and why.
• Choose one to share aloud with the class.
Transition to the warm-up. Explain that students will first brainstorm their own creative strengths.
Team Mural Mash-Up
Activity: Team Mural Mash-Up Activity
• In groups of 4–5, each student draws or writes about their superpower.
• Connect your pages to form a colorful class mural.
Explain group set-up and materials. Emphasize teamwork and celebrating each person’s contribution.
My Superpower Reflection
Activity: My Superpower Reflection Journal
• What is your top creative superpower?
• How does it help you and others?
Distribute journals. Walk around to support students as they reflect and draw. Offer sentence starters if needed.
Gallery Walk Share
Activity: Gallery Walk Share Cool-Down
• Walk around and view each group’s mural and journals.
• Leave a sticky-note compliment on a peer’s work.
Guide students on how to leave positive feedback. Remind them to look for details that inspire them.
Ready, Set, Create!
You’ve discovered and shared your creative superpowers. Now go forth and create something amazing! 🎨✨
Wrap up by celebrating the class’s creativity. Encourage students to keep using their superpowers every day.
Warm Up
Superpower Brainstorm Warm-Up
Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Scratch paper or sticky notes, pencils
Instructions
- Give each student a piece of paper or sticky note.
- Ask them to quietly think of three creative activities they enjoy (e.g., drawing, storytelling, music, building).
- On their paper, have them list each activity and write one sentence explaining why they love it.
- After 2–3 minutes of brainstorming, invite 2–3 volunteers to share one of their creative activities and reasons with the class.
- Emphasize that every idea is a “superpower” that makes our class more creative!
Activity
Team Mural Mash-Up Activity
Time: 20 minutes
Materials: Large paper roll (one per group), markers, colored pencils, crayons
Instructions
- Divide into groups of 4–5 and choose a workspace with your paper roll section.
- On your section, illustrate or write an image that showcases your unique creative superpower (e.g., a small comic for storytelling, a pattern for design, musical notes for rhythm).
- Add color, symbols, or words to explain why this is your superpower.
- When every group member finishes, connect your sections to form one large mural.
- As a team, add shared elements—lines, patterns, characters—that weave each superpower together.
Reflection Prompts (share aloud in your group)
- Which details in your section best represent your superpower?
- How did seeing everyone’s sections side by side change your perception of the class’s creativity?
- What story or theme emerges from the combined artwork?
Display your mural for our Gallery Walk Share and prepare to leave positive, specific feedback on other groups’ superpowers!
Journal
My Superpower Reflection Journal
Time: 15 minutes
Materials: This journal page, pencils, colored pencils
Use the prompts below to reflect on your unique creative strengths. You can write words, draw pictures, or both!
- What is your top creative superpower? Why do you feel this is a strength for you?
- Describe a time when you used this superpower to solve a problem or help someone. What happened?
- How does using this superpower make you feel? (Happy, proud, excited, etc.) Explain.
- Imagine a new project where you can use your creative superpower. What would you create?
- How can you use your creative superpower to make our classroom or community better? What steps will you take?
- Draw or sketch a symbol, icon, or picture that represents your creative superpower. Use the space below!
Cool Down
Gallery Walk Share Cool-Down
Time: 10 minutes
Materials: Completed murals, reflection journals, sticky notes, pens or pencils
Instructions
- Arrange all group murals and student journals around the room at eye level.
- Give each student 2–3 sticky notes and a pen or pencil.
- Invite students to quietly walk the “gallery,” reading and observing each artwork and journal entry.
- At each display, have students leave a positive, specific comment on a sticky note (e.g., “I love how your dragon drawing shows your storytelling superpower!”).
- After 5 minutes, call students back to their seats.
- Ask for 2–3 volunteers to share a compliment they wrote or received and explain why it stood out.
- Wrap up by celebrating the class’s creativity and kindness—remind students that recognizing others’ strengths helps our community grow stronger together!