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My Book and Me

My Book and Me

What do self-portraits reveal about the painter? What do books reveal about a reader?

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    Organize students into small groups. Provide each group with self-portraits of famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo, daVinci, Frieda Kahlo, Mary Cassatt, etc. Ask students to discuss the qualities they observe highlighted about each artist.

  • Step 2

    Have students shift the focus of their conversation to the books we read. What do reading choices tell about the reader? Ask student groups to make a list of their contributions and be prepared to share these with the entire class.

  • Step 3

    Students groups share their ideas about what books tell about their readers.

  • Step 4

    Invite students to shift the focus of their conversations to the books we read. What do reading choices tell about the reader? Ask groups to make a list of their contributions and be prepared to share these with the entire class.

  • Step 5

    Provide students with several pieces of construction paper, Crayola Washable Markers, Glue Sticks, and Scissors. Have them create self-portraits, including body and appendages. Remind them how famous artists depicted themselves in self-portraits. Glue all body parts together.

  • Step 6

    Students create a cover for one of their favorite books. Included on the cover are the title and names of author and illustrator. A glue stick can be used to attach the covers to their self-portraits.

  • Step 7

    Groups share their ideas about what books tell about their readers.

Standards

LA: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

LA: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade level topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

VA: Use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories.

VA: Use visual structures of art to communicate ideas.

Adaptations

Students work in pairs to create portraits of partners and identify the partner's favorite read. Post artwork in the classroom for viewing and further discussion.