Eyes That Talk

Self portraits boost self-awareness as you take a closer look at your strengths and features.

• 1.

  Think about your strengths. What attributes make you a good person? How can you build on these strengths? In what areas would you like to improve yourself?

• 2.

  Write a short description of yourself with Crayola® Colored Pencils. If your eyes could talk, what would they say about you? What traits and talents are you proud of?

• 3.

  Look in a mirror to help you recognize the shapes and placement of your facial features, head and hair, and shoulder posture.

• 4.

  With Crayola Oil Pastels, draw your own portrait with an expression that reveals who you are. If you wish to make a dramatic portrait, use black paper. Exaggerate facial features that you think are the most definitive by enlarging them and making them more colorful. Fill in all areas of the portrait with color. Blend colors with a fingertip. Fill any open spaces with objects associated with your strengths and talents.

Benefits

• Children identify their personal strengths and areas in which they could improve, and write a brief description of their inner selves.
• Students study their facial structure, body language, and coloring.
• Children create a self-portrait which communicates their self-image.

Adaptations

• Make a collage of your interests and skills by cutting out your drawings of them and gluing them on a larger paper.
• Make a classroom bulletin board by tracing your hands on paper. In each hand, use Crayola® Oil Pastels to draw your favorite activity or skill. Cut out the hands for display.
• Work in pairs to write friendly descriptions and draw portraits of each other. What does your partner's portrait reveal about you?