Selfies!

Grade 3:  Self-Portraits in Chalk 

This was one of my favourite experiences in the classroom this year.  They are such a delightful group of children, right from the moment I walk into the classroom.  True to form, even though they may not always have the skill level, they approached the lesson with enthusiasm and a willingness to try.  Awesome!  I realized as I was introducing it, that they were just doing selfies.  When I mentioned that word, the lights went on and they were all over it.  Don’t have a camera?  No problem.

We gave each student a small hand mirror and a large piece of paper.  We talked about observing the particulars of their faces – the shape of their head, the colour and shape of their eyes and mouth, even the colour of their skin. This was to be a ‘head shot’, with only the shoulders in the picture frame.  We started with a line drawing in pencil, and then they could go over those lines in  – you got it – Sharpie marker.

I showed them how to mix the colours of chalk right on the page, starting with themselves, and then finishing with background.

I love the individuality of each drawing, and the personalities that result!   This was a great project with a very special class.

Winter 2014 / Ferndale Elementary School