Colours of Happiness

Learning Area

Other - Focus on mental health, happiness, and emotional well-being
NZ Curriculum: Health and Physical Education
Level: Level 3 (Years 5-6)

Lesson Objective

Students will:

• Understand the concept of mental health and happiness.
• Identify things that make them happy and how colours can affect their mood.
• Engage in a creative activity that promotes relaxation and mental well-being.

Materials Needed

• Colouring sheets with different themes (nature, animals, mandalas)
• Coloured pencils, markers, or crayons
• Happiness worksheet (a simple sheet where students list things that make them happy)

Lesson Duration

10 minutes

Lesson Outline

Introduction (2 minutes)

1. Greeting and Context:
   "Kia ora, everyone! Today we are going to have a fun activity about happiness and how colours can make us feel better. Let's get started!"

2. Discussion:
   Start with a quick question: "What makes you feel happy?" Allow 2-3 students to quickly share their ideas.

Main Activity (5 minutes)

Colouring and Happiness Worksheet:

1. Instructions:

   • Hand out the colouring sheets and happiness worksheets.
   • Explain that they can choose any colours they like to fill in their colouring sheets.
   • On the happiness worksheet, they should write down or draw three things that make them happy.

2. Activity Time:

   • Students work on their colouring sheets and happiness worksheet.
   • Ensure that colouring sheets are varied (e.g., nature, animals, mandalas) to cater to different interests.
   • Walk around the class, providing encouragement and support as needed.

Closing Activity (3 minutes)

1. Sharing:
   Allow a few students to share their colouring and happiness worksheets with the class. Encourage them to talk about how the colours they chose make them feel.

2. Recap and Positive Affirmation:
   Reinforce the idea of taking time to do things that make them happy and to use creative activities like colouring to relax and feel good.

Fast Finishers

Provide additional worksheets around other subjects like maths puzzles, word searches, or fun facts to keep them engaged while others finish.

Assessment

• Formative: Observe student participation and engagement during the activity. Ask informal questions to gauge understanding.
• Summative: Collect and review the happiness worksheets to see if students can identify and articulate things that make them happy.

Additional Notes

• Mental Health Focus: Emphasize that everyone has things that make them happy, and it's important to do those things regularly.
• Creative Freedom: Encourage students to use any colours they feel drawn to, reinforcing the idea that there's no right or wrong way to create art.

Reflection for Teachers

• Were students engaged and did they enjoy the activity?
• Did the activity help students articulate and understand their sources of happiness?
• How can this lesson be expanded in the future to further enhance students' awareness and understanding of mental health?

This lesson plan aims to bring a fresh and engaging approach to teaching about mental health and happiness through creativity and colour, aligning with New Zealand's curriculum standards.