Lesson Plan

The Art of Letting Go

Students will learn to identify, accept, and release difficult emotions through mindfulness and creative expression activities, fostering stress management skills and emotional resilience.

By practicing acceptance and mindful release, students build healthy coping strategies, reduce anxiety, and create space for positive experiences in and out of the classroom.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Grounding

5 minutes

Step 2

Guided Mindful Breathing

10 minutes

Step 3

Emotion Identification

10 minutes

Step 4

Creative Expression for Release

20 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Journaling

10 minutes

Step 6

Closing Circle

5 minutes

lenny

Slide Deck

The Art of Letting Go

Introduce the lesson and set the tone. Use a soft gradient background (#C3B1E1→#B499D2→#AE82C6). Welcome students and explain the objective: learning to accept and release difficult emotions.

Acceptance vs. Release

Define the two core concepts. You might say: “Acceptance means noticing emotions without judgment. Release means letting those feelings flow away.”

Guided Mindful Breathing

Guide students through the breathing exercise. Remind them to notice tension and imagine it softening as they exhale.

Emotion Identification

Distribute the Emotion Wheel Template and colored pencils. Encourage students to pick a real feeling they experienced recently.

Creative Expression for Release

Provide blank paper and markers. Emphasize that the goal is self-expression and release, not “perfect” art.

Reflection & Journaling

Hand out the Reflection Journal Handout. Invite honesty and gratitude for each student’s effort.

Closing Circle

Invite volunteers to share one insight or shift in feeling. Reinforce key takeaways.

lenny

Activity

lenny
lenny

The Art of Letting Go

user image

harlowr

Tier 1
For Districts
lenny-learning-logo

Lenny Learning

Create Lesson

CASEL

Health & Wellness

Behavioral Supports

Counseling & Therapy

Family Engagement

School Climate

Special Education

Academic Integration

Seasonal

Career & Life Skills

Arts & Creativity

My Lessons

My Lessons

Video Library

Video Library

Support

Support

Log In