Skills Building: The Word Collector (PK-5)

Instructions

1. Students will create two self-portraits to reflect how they have changed both on the inside and outside over the past year. Explain to the students the importance of taking time to reflect on the changes that we have gone through and the growth that we have experienced. 
2. Give a piece of cardstock to each student. 
3. Fold the piece of paper in half. 
4. Label the top left “Before” and the top right “After.”
5. Begin by telling the students that they are going to reflect back on their external changes (e.g., growing taller, longer/shorter hair, lost teeth/new teeth, bigger feet, etc.)
6. On the “Before” side, ask them to draw a self-portrait from the beginning of the school year. Be sure to tell them to fill the entire left side with their drawing. 
7. Spend about 20 minutes drawing the “Before” picture.
8. After 20 minutes, instruct students to put down their supplies and look at the teacher for further instructions.
9. Now, students will reflect on what they look like now and what has changed. In the new picture, the students will highlight the changes that have taken place (e.g., they might draw themselves taller, with a different hair style, in a different outfit or new shoes, etc.) 
10. Spend 20 minutes drawing the “After” picture. Remind them to fill up the entire space.
11. As students finish, ask them to color the picture, leaving little to no white space. This will make for a better display at the end of the year. 
12. Have students clean up and come together with their “Before and After Portraits.” 
13. Break students into smaller groups and allow them to share their portraits. After all students have shared, they can switch groups and continue to share if time permits. 
14. Collect the portraits and gather the students together for reflection time.