Emotion Commotion Guide Emotion Commotion
Teacher Lesson Framework
7th GRADE | 60 MINUTES
Learning Objective
Students will identify and express a range of emotions through guided art stations and peer-sharing, enhancing emotional literacy and self-awareness.
The "Why"
Understanding and articulating emotions builds self-awareness, empathy, and socialβemotional skills essential for academic success and healthy relationships.
Materials Needed
Feeling Faces Gallery Slides
Painting Station Setup Guide
Gallery Walk Guidelines
Emotion Exit Poll Form
Art Supplies (Paints, Brushes, Paper)
Teacher Prep (15 Minutes)
Review the Emotions in Motion Framework for lesson flow and objectives.
Ensure digital access to the Feeling Faces Gallery slides.
Set up four art stations with paints, brushes, and prompts.
Print or project the Gallery Walk Share Guidelines .
Share the Emotion Exit Poll Form via link or QR code.
Instructional Sequence
5 min
Warm-Up
Emotional Check-In
Project the Feeling Faces Gallery slides.
Ask students to silently choose a face that matches how they feel right now.
Invite 2β3 volunteers to share why they chose that emotion.
Key Point: Emphasize that all feelings are valid and normal.
10 min
Intro
Framework Overview
Define emotional literacy : the ability to identify, understand, and express feelings.
Explain how art can serve as a bridge to share feelings that are hard to put into words.
Prompt: "Why might art make it easier to share emotions?" (Quick 2-3 student share).
30 min
Main
Emotion Painting Stations
Divide students into 4 groups. Assign each to an emotion station (Joy, Frustration, Calm, Excitement).
Rotation: 7 minutes per station. Students create an abstract representation of that emotion.
Focus on colors, shapes, and textures rather than realistic drawing.
Circulate and ask: "How does this color make you feel?" or "What texture shows this feeling?"
10 min
Debrief
Gallery Walk Share
Arrange paintings around the room. Give students sticky notes.
Follow Gallery Walk Share Guidelines : move quietly, leave empathetic comments.
Reconvene and invite volunteers to share meaningful feedback they received.
5 min
Cool-Down
Emotion Exit Poll
Distribute or link to the Emotion Exit Poll Form .
Students anonymously reflect on their primary emotion during the lesson.
Collect responses to gauge engagement and understanding.
Feeling Faces Gallery Slides Feeling Faces Gallery
Look at each face as it appears. Silently choose the one that matches your current feeling.
π Reflect
π€ Choose
π£οΈ Share
Teacher Notes: Introduce the activity. Explain that these faces represent different emotions. Ask students to select the face that best matches how they feel right now.
π
Happiness
Feeling joy, pleasure, or contentment.
Teacher Notes: Point to the face and read the definition. Invite students to mentally note if this matches their feeling.
π’
Sadness
Feeling down, unhappy, or disappointed.
Teacher Notes: Highlight that sadness is a natural emotion. Encourage students to reflect if theyβve felt this today.
π
Anger
Feeling mad, frustrated, or irritated.
Teacher Notes: Explain that anger is an emotion that can be strong but valid. Ask students to think if theyβve experienced it recently.
π
Calm
Feeling peaceful, relaxed, or at ease.
Teacher Notes: Describe calm and ask students if they feel relaxed or at ease today.
π€©
Excitement
Feeling thrilled, enthusiastic, or energetic.
Teacher Notes: Discuss excitement and have students remember a recent moment when they felt energized.
Share Your Voice
Why did you choose that face?
Be ready to share your reason in 2β3 sentences.
Teacher Notes: Transition to sharing. Encourage thoughtful responses.
Station Rotation
07:00
7 Minutes per Station
Watch the Timer
Prepare to Rotate
Teacher Notes: Use this slide when rotating between art stations to keep time.
Painting Stations Setup Guide Painting Stations Setup Guide
Emotion Commotion | Teacher Resource
Activity Overview
Students rotate through four stations (7 minutes each) painting an abstract representation of a specific emotion. The focus is on color choice, shapes, and textures rather than literal drawings to deepen emotional literacy and self-awareness.
Time Budget
Setup: 15m
Painting: 28m
Cleanup: 5m
Station Materials
Large art paper (12Γ18 in)
Acrylic or tempera paints
Variety of brushes and sponges
Water cups and paper towels
Station labels & prompt sheets
Station Prompts
JOY:
"Use bright, warm colors and flowing shapes to show joy."
FRUSTRATION:
"Use bold, irregular strokes and darker hues to convey frustration."
CALM:
"Use soft pastels and gentle lines to evoke calm."
EXCITEMENT:
"Use energetic marks and vibrant colors to depict excitement."
Step 1: Prep & Setup
Label four distinct areas or tables with emotion posters.
Print/write each station's prompt on laminated sheets.
Arrange paints, brushes, and paper neatly at each station.
Assign student groups (4β5 per group) and post rotation chart.
Prepare the visible timer (Slide 8 of Gallery deck).
Step 2: Running the Activity
Start the timer for 7 minutes. Groups move to first station.
At 7 minutes, signal rotation; move groups clockwise.
Circulate and ask: "How does this color make you feel?" or "What shapes represent that emotion?"
Encourage quick 10-15 second transitions.
Rapid Cleanup (5 Minutes)
Brushes Return to rinse bins immediately.
Surfaces Wipe palettes and stack clean paper.
Gallery Organize wet sheets around the room.
Gallery Walk Share Guidelines Gallery Walk Share
Empathetic Feedback & Reflection
Interactive Session
Purpose
Engage with peersβ artwork, practice empathetic feedback, and deepen your understanding of how emotions can be expressed visually through color, shape, and texture.
Steps for the Walk
Circulate quietly around the room for 5 minutes.
At each artwork, read the station label (Joy, Frustration, Calm, or Excitement).
Leave one positive comment and one thoughtful question on a sticky note.
Aim to visit at least 8β10 artworks during the walk.
Feedback Guidelines
Be Specific
Refer to the actual colors, shapes, or textures you notice. (e.g., "The jagged red lines show the anger well.")
Be Respectful
Focus on what you appreciate or wonder about. Validate your peers' artistic choices.
Be Curious
Ask open-ended questions. (e.g., "What inspired these bold strokes?")
Whole-Class Share
What surprised you about someone elseβs expression of an emotion?
Which comment on your own painting felt most meaningful, and why?
Individual Reflection
1. What patterns or similarities did you observe across different paintings for the same emotion?
2. How did reading peersβ thoughts change how you think about expressing emotions through art?
"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home." β Twyla Tharp
Remember: Every feeling has a place on the canvas.
Emotion Exit Poll Form Emotion Exit Poll
Emotion Commotion Lesson Wrap-Up
Name:
Date:
Thank you for your openness and creativity today. Please take a moment to reflect on your experience before you head out. Your responses are valued and help us understand how this lesson impacted you.
1 Which emotion did you feel most strongly during todayβs lesson?
π Happiness
π’ Sadness
π Anger
π Calm
π€© Excitement
2 Why did you choose this emotion? Write one sentence below.
3 What helped you most in expressing your emotions today?
You're all set!
"Feelings are much like waves, we can't stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf."
π¨