Using The Imagine Project in Classrooms, Youth Programs, with Individuals, or Groups
My Imagine Journal™ is an interactive 7-step expressive writing activity that gives kids, teens, and even adults the opportunity to reflect on old stories that may be holding them back, let them go, and imagine a new story in its place. This powerful tool increases self-awareness, builds resilience, helps manage stress, and gives kids a positive direction in life—supporting emotional and mental health—all while getting them excited about writing!
How to use The Imagine Project
Below is all the information you need, including lesson plans, videos, and music suggestions for the writing process. The Imagine Project can be incorporated into various subjects such as literacy, wellness, mindfulness, multicultural units, autobiography, or anywhere it best supports students’ emotional wellness through writing. It can be used once, but we encourage using it over and over again whenever there is a need for emotional expression with a student, group, or classroom. This project equips children with a lifelong tool to support their emotional health. If you feel you need more instruction you can watch a webinar we have created.
Journals Available:
There are four journals:
- Kinde (K-1st grade)
- Kids (2nd-5th grade)
- Teens (6th-12th grade)
- Adult version
All journals are available to download for FREE in English and Spanish, and they can be typed on digitally, or printed.
K-2: Kinde Journal, (the Kinde journal follows the book, Bryon the Caterpillar who Loved to Imagine).
- Click here for a video taped version of a teacher reading Byron in English. Click here for Spanish.
- Watch Lauren Zuiker teaching her 2nd graders how to write their Imagine story using the book “Corduroy” as an example.
- Lesson plan
- Ideas for infusing The Imagine Project into your classroom.
- Download a powerpoint created by Todd Daubert
- Feelings Wheel (Created by Bret Stein)
- The Imagine Project is a perfect way to begin the school year. Here is a letter you can send home to parents so they can participate and learn about The Imagine Project. Then when there are any emotional bumps in the road for students or in the classroom, students are already familiar with the Imagine writing process and can write another Imagine story in their Imagine spirals! Attaching the Feelings Wheel to the back of the spiral is very helpful in writing about emotions.
Grades 3-5: Kids Journal
- Lesson plan
- Download a powerpoint created by Todd Daubert
- Feelings Wheel (Created by Bret Stein)
- Ideas for infusing The Imagine Project into your classroom
- The Imagine Project is a perfect way to begin the school year. Here is a letter you can send home to parents so they can participate and learn about The Imagine Project. Then when there are any emotional bumps in the road for students or in the classroom, students are already familiar with the Imagine writing process and can write another Imagine story in their Imagine spirals! Attaching the Feelings Wheel to the back of the spiral is very helpful in writing about emotions.
- Here are more videos of kids telling their Imagine story and talking about the project:
- Chloe’s Imagine story (5th grade)
- Paige’s Imagine story (5th grade)
- Hayden’s Imagine story (5th grade)
- Kyra’s Imagine story (5th grade)
- Hope’s Imagine story (2nd grade)
Grades 6-12: Journal
- Lesson plan
- Ideas for infusing The Imagine Project into your classroom
- Download a powerpoint created by Todd Daubert (was created for K-5, you may have to adapt it for your classroom/grade).
- The Imagine Project is a perfect way to begin the school year. Here is a letter you can send home to parents so they can participate and learn about The Imagine Project. Then when there are any emotional bumps in the road for students or in the classroom, students are already familiar with the Imagine writing process and can write another Imagine story in their Imagine spirals! Attaching the Feelings Wheel to the back of the spiral is very helpful in writing about emotions.
- Videos for teens (some are intense and may not work for younger teens, watch them first):
- The Imagine Project Teen Video
- Kamia’s Imagine story (teen)
- Jay’s story about challenges at home with his mom and boyfriend.
- Emily’s story is also about abuse at home.
- Jason Landers talks about being bullying in school and the military.
- Paige Butkus tells her story of divorce and being sexually assaulted at 16 years old.
More Helpful Tools:
Download a Parent Letter you can use to send to parents before doing the project (if you’d like).
Accommodations and Scaffold Ideas for kids with varying strengths.
Videos: Here are various videos you can use throughout your lesson planning, while working with the students doing The Imagine Project, or for a greater understanding of The Imagine Project:
- Click here to watch a short video on how The Imagine Project works.
- Watch this video of teachers and counselors talking about how they’ve used The Imagine Project with their students.
- Dr. Jerry Yager, Clinical Psychologist/ChildTrauma Expert talking about The Imagine Project.
- Listen to Todd Daubert, a 31 year teaching veteran talks about using The Imagine Project weekly.
- Click here to have your child/student watch the video of Dianne leading teens through the writing process. For Middle and High School age teens.
- Use this video as an introduction to the project: Imagine Project Intro video
An inspiring video that will help the kids when they are getting ready to write about new possibilities in their lives: Greatness Within ft Motivational Video with Les Brown.
Here is an awesome Beyonce video that I sometimes use at the end to inspire the kids to make a mark on the world: I was here.
Music Suggestions for Each Step:
- Step 1: “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera
- Step 2: “Story of My Life” by One Direction
- Step 3: “Into Dust” by Mazzy Star, “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
- Step 4: “Just Imagine It” by MKTO
- Step 5: “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
- Step 6: “Fight Song” by Outfit Studios
- Other songs: “Roar” by Katy Perry, “Imagine” by John Lennon
Do’s and Don’ts:
Do:
- Encourage students to share their stories if they feel comfortable.
- Applaud their courage and compassion.
- Teach compassion and respect as others share their stories.
- Have students choose a positive word that aligns with their story to boost confidence.
Don’t:
- Force students to share if they’re not comfortable.
- Send them home emotionally raw after writing intense stories without support.
- Try to “fix” their emotions—be a compassionate listener.
For more guidance, refer to The Imagine Project: Empowering Kids to Rise Above Drama, Trauma, and Stress by Dianne Maroney, RN, MSN for a more comprehensive understanding of the process.
Enjoy! Email me with any questions, Dianne dianne@theimagineproject.com
Click here to download our Journals (also available in Spanish).
Kindergarten Journal
My Imagine Journal™
for kindergarteners
Kids Journal
My Imagine Journal™
for ages 6-12
Teen Journal
My Imagine Journal™
for ages 13-17
Adult Journal
My Imagine Journal™
for ages 18+
