Lesson Plan

Mindfulness Art Lesson Plan

Students will practice mindfulness through guided art exercises and create a personalized art project to express calm and reduce stress. Goals: experience grounding techniques, explore creative expression, and apply art-based mindfulness.

High schoolers face end-of-year pressure; integrating mindfulness with art fosters emotional regulation, reduces anxiety, and builds healthy coping skills.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Objectives

5 minutes

Step 2

Mindfulness Warm-Up

10 minutes

Step 3

Guided Art Activity: Mindful Doodling

20 minutes

Step 4

Reflective Discussion

10 minutes

Step 5

Project Overview & Planning

10 minutes

Step 6

Project Work Time

25 minutes

Step 7

Closing & Next Steps

10 minutes

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Slide Deck

Mindfulness Art: Expressing Calm Creatively

Welcome students and introduce today’s focus: using art as a mindfulness tool to manage stress and cultivate calm. Share that this session combines brief meditation with creative exercises.

Lesson Objectives

Point to each objective and explain why it matters at the end of the school year. Emphasize real-world benefits for stress management.

Key Terms

Define each term briefly, invite quick clarifying questions, and remind students these concepts underpin today’s activities.

Mindfulness Warm-Up

Lead a 3–4 minute breathing exercise. Model counts aloud (“inhale… exhale…”). After, ask a few students to share one word describing how they feel.

Mindful Doodling Activity

Introduce the [Mindful Doodling Guide](#mindful-doodling-guide). Circulate and prompt students: “Synchronize a stroke with each breath,” “When your mind wanders, return to the pen.”

Reflective Discussion

Distribute the [Art Reflection Worksheet](#art-reflection-worksheet). Pair students and give 5 minutes to discuss their observations. Then select volunteers to share highlights.

Calm Creativity Project Overview

Present the [Calm Creativity Project Sheet](#calm-creativity-project-sheet). Review each criterion, emphasizing process over perfection. Encourage students to sketch quick ideas.

Project Work Time

Play soft background music. Remind students every 7–10 minutes to pause, take three deep breaths, and return to their work. Circulate to support and encourage.

Closing & Gallery Walk

Guide a silent gallery walk: students observe without talking. Afterwards, invite each student to share one mindfulness technique they’ll use when feeling stressed next.

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Activity

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Lesson Plan

Mindfulness Art Lesson Plan

Students will practice mindfulness through guided art exercises and create a personalized calming art piece to manage stress and regulate emotions.

High schoolers face end-of-year pressure; combining mindfulness with art promotes emotional regulation, reduces anxiety, and builds healthy coping skills.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Objectives

5 minutes

Step 2

Mindfulness Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 3

Guided Art Activity: Mindful Doodling

15 minutes

Step 4

Reflective Discussion

10 minutes

Step 5

Project Overview & Planning

5 minutes

Step 6

Individual Art Project

15 minutes

Step 7

Closing & Gallery Walk

5 minutes

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Worksheet

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Project Guide

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Mindfulness Art

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