Drawing with Mr. J is a featured video series from WOSU Classroom that helps kids in grades K–5 learn social and emotional skills through brief and engaging drawing challenges. All you need is something to draw with and something to draw on!
Every video comes complete with a standards-aligned companion guide containing activities and resources for educators and parents. The videos can be worked into a variety of lesson plans, be used as a morning warm-up or a way to check-in with students after lunch or other transition times.
These activities align with Strategy number 7 of Ohio’s Strategic Plan for Education, Each Child, Our Future, which focuses on working to help schools meet the needs of the whole child.
Drawing with Mr. J is funded by the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Broadcast Educational Media Commission.
Parent & Teacher Introduction
Student Introduction
Drawing With Mr. J: Season 4
A new episode of Drawing With Mr. J, along with a companion guide, will be uploaded on the 15th of every month from February – September 2023.
Episode 4.2: Monster Pals
Mr. J invites students to draw along as they identify friendships sometimes involve disagreements and how to work through these times together. He discusses how sharing our emotions and experiences is important.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “Monster Pals” drawing challenge into classroom activities.
Episode 4.1: Magical Friends
Mr. J invites students to draw along as they identify how we experience empathy. He discusses how sharing our emotions and experiences is important and a first step in honoring someone else’s perspective.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “Magical Friends” drawing challenge into classroom activities.
Drawing With Mr. J: Season 3
Episode 3.8: A Walking House
For the season 3 finale, Mr. J invites students to draw along as they identify how problems impact our emotions and the need to consider new solutions to meet our goals. He discusses how sharing our emotions is important and helpful.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “A Walking House” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the ” A Walking House” video.
Episode 3.7: The Cutest Dog Ever
Join Mr. J as he draws the cutest dog ever!! Mr. J invites students to draw along as they discuss how everyone can get distracted sometimes and explores strategies for staying on task. He discusses how sharing our emotions and experiences is important.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “The Cutest Dog Ever” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the ” The Cutest Dog Ever” video.
Episode 3.6: A Lovable Monster
Today’s challenge is “a lovable monster.” Mr. J invites students to draw along as they identify how basic emotions, like feeling overwhelmed, show on our faces and prompt us to need some quiet time. He discusses how sharing our emotions is important.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “A Lovable Monster” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the ” A Lovable Monster” video.
Episode 3.5: A Flying Horse
Practice makes progress! In this month’s drawing challenge, Mr. J draws an amazing flying horse while discussing the importance of grit and perseverance.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “A Flying Horse” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the ” A Flying Horse” video.
Episode 3.4: A Rabbit with a Cool HARE-Do
Join Mr. J as he creates rabbits with some super cool HARE-dos! While he draws, Mr. J talks about how we can give our feedback with our words – and our faces. Giving and receiving feedback can be scary, exciting, and important. We can help our friends by giving them thoughtful, positive feedback to help our friends learn and grow.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “A Rabbit with a Cool HARE-Do” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “A Rabbit with a Cool HARE-Do” video.
Episode 3.3: It’s Raining
In this drawing challenge, Mr. J draws a cloud raining pizza! While drawing, we’ll explore what it’s like to feel overwhelmed with feelings, be they positive or negative, and ways we can cope and carry on.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “It’s Raining” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “It’s Raining” video.
Episode 3.2: Bird with a Fancy Hat
Mr. J invites students to draw along as they explore the emotions associated with being a good communicator and listener. He discusses how sharing our emotions and experiences is important.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “Bird with a Fancy Hat” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “Bird with a Fancy Hat” video.
Episode 3.1: Royal Insect
In the season 3 premiere, Mr. J invites students to draw along as they identify how they experience basic emotions, like pride and recognizing the need to apologize. He discusses how
sharing our emotions is important.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “Royal Insect” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “Royal Insect” video.
Drawing With Mr. J: Season 2
Episode 2.4: Butterfly Turtle
Today’s drawing challenge involves combining two animals to make a completely new animal! Mr. J discusses how sometimes, we can feel 2 different emotions at the same time and how that might look on our faces or make us feel inside. Feeling multiple emotions can be confusing and overwhelming, but is a normal part of life that we can talk about with parents and trusted friends.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “Butterfly Turtle” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “Butterfly Turtle” video.
Episode 2.3: A Well-Dressed Bear
Explore how the expressions on our faces can show how we’re feeling, and how we can identify the feelings of those around us by studying their facial expressions. Mr. J talks about how to be a good friend by asking others how they’re feeling and listening to their feelings.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “A Well Dressed Bear” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “A Well Dressed Bear” video.
Episode 2.2: A Friendly Mountain
Mr. J invites students to draw their own mountain friends, while he explores what it means to look happy and friendly with our facial expressions. He also discusses how sometimes the way we look on the outside doesn’t match how we feel on the inside, such as when we’re masking our grief.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “A Friendly Mountain” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “A Friendly Mountain” video.
Episode 2.1: A Parade of Food
Who doesn’t love a good parade! Join Mr. J to imagine a special food parade, while we discuss the types of foods we like to eat and exciting feelings like joy and happiness.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “A Parade of Food” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “A Parade of Food” video.
Drawing With Mr. J: Season 1
Episode 1.6: A Dragon Breathing Something Other Than Fire
The drawing challenge in episode six is “a dragon breathing something other than fire.” Mr. J briefly explores first impressions and the importance of getting to know someone for yourself. Recognizing that we are all unique can be the spark to start new friendships and lead to understanding.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “A Dragon Breathing Something Other Than Fire” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the A Dragon Breathing Something Other Than Fire video.
Episode 1.5: A Unicorn With Personality
Today’s challenge is “a unicorn with personality.” Though unicorns can have so many different personalities, Mr. J explores what stress may look or feel like. He shares personal strategies for handling stress and the importance of talking about emotions with a trusted adult.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “A Unicorn With Personality” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the A Unicorn With Personality video.
Episode 1.4: A Cat Attacking A City
The drawing challenge in episode four is “a cat attacking a city.” Mr. J invites students to consider why a giant cat would attack a city, as he explores what it means to feel angry. He shares personal safe strategies for recognizing and processing anger.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “A Cat Attacking A City” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “A Cat Attacking A City” video.
Episode 1.3: A Donut Playing Sports
Mr. J invites students to draw A Donut Playing Sports as they explore the feelings associated with disappointment. He shares personal strategies for processing these emotions as well as the importance of sharing our experiences with others.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “Donut Playing Sports” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “Donut Playing Sports” video.
Episode 1.2: A Plant with a Face
Mr. J invites students to draw their own plant with a face, while he explores what it means to feel grumpy and prickly like a cactus. He shares personal strategies for processing this feeling as well as the importance of sharing our emotions with others.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “Plant with a Face” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “Plant with a Face” video.
Episode 1.1: Fruit Dance Party
Mr. J invites students to draw Fruit Dance Party as they identify how basic emotions, like happiness, show on our faces when we are having fun or trying something new. He discusses how sharing our emotions is important.
Video Companion: The video companion will help integrate the “Fruit Dance Party” drawing challenge into classroom activities. Download the video companion for the “Fruit Dance Party” video.
About Mr. J
Jonathan Juravich is an elementary art educator at Liberty Tree Elementary School and the 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year. His personal and professional focus is on the importance of Social and Emotional Learning in our daily lives. This is the topic of his many presentations, including his TED Talk “How Do We Teach Empathy”, and his new limited-series podcast, The Art of SEL, conducted in collaboration with the Art of Education University.
Educators and fans can contact Mr.J at classroom@wosu.org.
