I like Myself

Self- Esteem Paper Sculpture

Teacher: Meriel Hall
Grade: 3
rd

50 minutes
Theme: Self-esteem
Lesson Topic: watercolor, paper folding

Materials: watercolor, paper, brushes, sharpie pens, cardboard, scissors, glue sticks.

Learner Characteristics: This class works well together, however, needs encouragement to focus only
on their art project-not their neighbors.

Lesson Rational: Students have been studying self-esteem in their classroom. (6b) This lesson will
encourage students to document how they view themselves in a creative way. For students who may
have low self-esteem, this will encourage kids to appreciate everything about themselves-inside and
out.

Objectives:
1. Students will create a work of art that represents originality, personal expression and craftsmanship.
(1.a)
2. Students will blend watercolors to create a background.(1.b.c.,2a.)
3. Students will use letters and phrases to create a unique design.(1b.c)
4. Students will produce a 3D paper sculpture by folding.(1b.c)
5. Students will critique and discuss their work. (3.b.,5.a,b)


Anticipation of problems: Students may say they dont like anything about themselves. Students may
work ahead and forget a step. Students may not use enough water so their sharpie design will not
show up against the background.

Lesson Body:
Anticipatory set: Read the book I like Myself by Karen Beaumont. Ask a couple of students to
share something they like about themselves. I will share something I like about myself.
Who can tell me what a self portrait is? Do you think your self portrait will look like anyone
else? Why? (assuming they will talk about physical characteristics) Today, we are going to create a self
portrait but we are NOT going to be drawing our eyes, noses and mouths. How do you think we can
represent ourselves without our physical characteristics?

Procedure:
Pass out watercolor supplies and paper. Students will create a background with different
colors. Remind students they should use more water than color. Paint the entire paper. Set
aside to dry. (10 min)
While paper is drying, students brainstorm about different words that would represent them
and what they like to do. Students should also think about Character Counts words that
represent themselves; Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship.
Once the paper is dry, show students how to fold their paper. First- hamburger fold, then two
thumbs from the bottom- fold again. That will create a stand for their portrait. I will draw an
example of a head, shoulder and neck shape. Students will create a similar shape with sharpies.
Within the shape of the head, students will create word patterns. (30 min)
Last, students will cut out their portrait and glue the bottom to a piece of scrap cardboard.
Clean up. (8 min)
The scraps from their watercolor will be saved and used for another project. DO NOT let
students throw those away.
Closure:
Critique. Line up the self portraits and see if the students can guess who they are. Explain to
students that they are more than what people see on the outside.
This would be a fun project to have sitting on their desk for an open house or parent teacher conference.

Evaluation:
1.Teacher observation
2. Teacher observation
3. Teacher observation
4. Teacher observation
5. Teacher-student discussion

Reflection: Students seemed pleased they could create a self portrait without actually drawing facial
features. They were colorful and looked great in a group.