Artful Emotions Lesson Plan Exploring Emotions Through Art
Teacher Lesson Plan • 1st Grade
40 mins
Objective
Students will identify and express emotions using storytelling and creative art techniques.
Materials
Storybook about emotions
Art supplies (crayons, markers)
Discussion Cards
Expression Worksheet
Why it Matters
Developing empathy and emotional intelligence at a young age helps students understand themselves and recognize the feelings of others, fostering a supportive and inclusive classroom.
Instructional Steps
5m
Introduction
Begin with a brief discussion about emotions. Ask students what emotions they know and how they feel when they experience them. Introduce the storybook and explain it will help them learn about feelings.
10m
Storytelling
Read the storybook aloud. Pause at key moments to ask: "How do you think the characters are feeling? Why?" Encouraging students to share personal connections.
10m
Emotion Discussion
Use the Emotion Discussion Cards to guide a conversation. Focus on the importance of expressing feelings and how students show their emotions at home and school.
10m
Art Activity
Hand out the Emotion Expression Worksheet . Instruct students to draw pictures representing different feelings using specific colors and shapes to show their inner world.
5m
Closure
Invite students to share their artwork. Summarize by highlighting that all emotions are valid and recognizing them is a superpower!
Emotion Discussion Cards Emotion Discussion Cards
Guided prompts for storytelling and group reflection.
Story Connection
What emotions did the characters feel?
Encourage students to identify specific emotions and relate them to the story's events. Look for clues in the character's facial expressions or actions.
Ask: "How could you tell they felt that way?"
Personal Link
Can you think of a time you felt that way?
Help students connect their personal experiences to the emotions discussed in the story. This builds empathy and self-awareness.
Encourage: "I felt like that when..."
Reflection
Why is it important to express emotions?
Discuss the benefits of expressing emotions, such as better communication, getting help when needed, and feeling understood by others.
Discuss: "How does it feel when we share?"
Facilitation Tips
Normalize: Remind students that all feelings—even "big" ones—are okay to have.Wait Time: Give students 5-10 seconds to think before they respond.Body Clues: Ask students how their bodies felt (e.g., butterflies, hot face).
Cut along the lines to create individual cards
Emotion Expression Worksheet Color My World
Expressing feelings through art!
NAME:
DATE:
Draw a picture in each frame to show a time you felt that emotion. Use different colors and shapes to show how you felt!
I felt HAPPY
I felt SAD
I felt EXCITED
My Artist Note
Choose one of your drawings. What colors did you use and why?
Artful Emotions Slides Artful Emotions
Exploring our feelings through creativity
What are Emotions?
Emotions are the feelings we have inside.
We might feel them in our hearts , our tummies , or even our faces !
Happy
Sad
Excited
Scared
Story Time!
Let's read our story together.
Keep a look out for how the characters are feeling!
Let's Discuss
1
What emotions did the characters feel in the story?
2
Have you ever felt the same way as a character?
3
Why is it good to share our feelings with others?
Your Turn to Create!
Think of a time you felt Happy , Sad , or Excited .
Use colors and shapes that match your feeling.
Draw your memory in the frames provided.
Artist Tip:
"Colors have feelings, too!"
Blue might be calm...
Gallery Walk
Show your artwork to a partner.
Remember: Every feeling you have is okay!
