This year, I searched high and low for a fun back to school activity we could do on our first day of school. I took an idea I saw on the web and asked my kids to use mirrors and draw a self portrait of themselves on their first day of school. We took a step further and I had the kids write about themselves using their self portrait. I created a FREE printable pack {free download at the end of this post} that can be downloaded and used in the classroom or at home.
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Before sending them to draw their self portraits, I modeled what I did and didn’t want to see in their drawings. I wanted to see details like teeth, eyelashes, and freckles, not just a smiley face looking at me.
To draw their self portrait, each of my kiddos {my 4 year old, 5 year old, and almost 9 year old} took their lap desk and spread out around the house to find a mirror. They looked in the mirror to draw what they saw. Then, they took crayons and colored in their drawings to match what they saw in the mirror. {I love how my third grader included his the band aid he had on his neck.}
The next day, I gave each a thought bubble and asked them to write things they wanted to fill their brains with this year. In other words, they were to write down things they are interested in learning this school year. {This image above is what my Kindergartner wrote.} Because this was an independent writing activity, with all three kids writing at the same time, I encouraged them to write how words sounded. If
I know full well that if you teach in the classroom, targeting every child’s interests in your lessons for the school year isn’t possible. BUT, this writing activity can help you learn more about your students and what their interests are. Integrating their interests into your lesson plans at times is a great way to connect with your students and motivate them to learn.
On the printable pack, I have included two options. The first option is the one-page activity you see above. We chose the second option.
My kids picked a piece of construction paper, cut out their drawings and thought bubbles, and glued them down to the paper. Then, they shared them with each other. I was amazed that all of them mentioned learning about the planets. It’s a good thing we will be going through Apologia’s Astronomy Science Text this year!
End of the Year Writing Activity
Also included in the printable pack is the same activity that kids can do at the end of school. They can draw themselves again. And instead of asking them what they want to learn about, they can write down the favorite things they filled their brains with that past school year. This is what we plan on doing. I also plan on keeping their first day self portrait writing so they can see how much they’ve grown in their art and writing abilities! 🙂
Download this FREE printable pack HERE.
~Becky
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