Me Books: Cover and Self-Portrait

This series of activities goes on for two weeks or more and can be carried on during project or free time. Ideally, selections of art work, stories, snapshots, etc. could be added to each child's folder over the entire year. Year-long Me Books require serious commitment on the part of teachers, but the results are a source of pride for kids and treasured by parents.

Objectives

Children ages 5-6 can print name, simple words, and numerals FM III
and they can draw a recognizable person Cog. IV A
Children ages 4-5 can draw picture meaningful to self FM III
ages 3-4 can hold a large crayon (or felt pen) FM III
ages 2 ½-3 can answers correctly, "Are you a girl or boy?" Cog. I
and they can discriminate spatial prepositions. Lang. IA

 

Materials

Folders made from large sheets of construction paper folded in half; felt pens; paper. Note: Folders should be attractive and durable. Use contact paper or other materials to decorate and reinforce the folders. Children should be able to look at their books as often as they wish.

Procedures

1. Gather children at table and allow each child to choose a favorite-colored folder. Explain that they will be able to make a book about themselves. Tell children that the folders will be kept at school and worked on each day until the books are finished.

2. Print ME BOOK on a piece of paper for older children to copy at the top of their folders. For younger children, print the words in pencil or chalk for them to trace. Have children put their names at the bottom of the folders. Give help as needed. (Save space in the center of the front cover for the child's picture).

3. Give each child a piece of paper and ask them to draw a self portrait.

FAMILIES: Pass out pieces of paper and ask children to draw their families. Discuss sizes, ages, pets, etc. Ask each child to identify family members in picture. Label picture as child dictates.

MY ROOM: Ask children to draw their rooms. As children draw, ask questions about their room: "Do you share your room? Does your room have a window? Curtains? Color of room? Color of curtains? Would you say your bed is big or little? Where do you keep your toys? In a toy box, or on shelves, or...?" etc. Encourage children to draw and describe with as much detail as possible.