To begin the school year, every student Pre-K thru 5th grade (and even some teachers) did a 5.5"x 8.5" self-portrait using Sharpie and colored pencils.  I cut them all out and put them together on a bulletin board asking "What makes you unique?"

I never want to take this down.  It has brought so much joy to students, teachers and parents.  I love coming out in the hall and seeing people of all ages adoring all of the different self-portraits.  I just LOVE it!

WHO AM I???

5th grade students looked at and discussed many images of self-portraits by other artists.  As we went through the images, I really pushed students to think about how this represents WHO the artist is.  I asked them to try to look past the obvious such as hair color and gender, but rather to question what the different elements of the portrait might symbolize.  

Students talked about colors used, background, symbolism of jewelry, painting style,  facial expression and more.  Their ideas were insightful and complex.  This discussion about self-portraits made me very proud of the 5th grade students.

After this discussion, students made lists about themselves to prepare for creation of their own self-portrait.  They wrote things like favorite colors, meaningful places or experiences, hobbies, and such.
Using this list for inspiration, students did at least three thumbnail sketches (small sketches) to come up with multiple ideas.  

Next students had to create their final self-portrait showing WHO they are.  They did this on large poster board paper beginning with a pencil drawing, moving onto acrylic paint and then finally adding details with oil pastels.

The results are super fun, very creative and expressive!

Some of the finished products: