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My Family

My Family

Who are some of the important people in your life? Students will create a framed portrait of their family or friends.

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.

  • Craft Sticks
  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Share some images of portrait paintings by famous artists. Examples might include "Family Group" by Joshua Johnson (1800), "The Sisters" by Mary Cassatt (c. 1885), or "Mona Lisa" (1503) by Leonardo da Vinci. Explain that a portrait is an artistic representation of a person in which the face is the predominant image. A portrait might by just a face or it could also include half or even the whole body.

  • Step 2

    Ask children to think of people who are important in their life. This might include their nuclear family, their extended family, or friends and other adults with whom they feel comfortable. Explain that family means forming deep connections and does not mean you have to be related by blood. Have students draw a picture of themselves amid a few of these people.

  • Step 3

    When the drawing is complete have them glue it to a piece of construction paper and decorate the border to create a frame. They might color craft sticks and glue them around the portrait or they might want to decorate the border using crayons or markers or other craft items.

  • Step 4

    Ask children to present their portraits and describe the people in the picture and why they're important in their life.

Standards

SEL: Relationship Skills: Establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. 

Adaptations

Ask students to bring in a photo of a person or people who are special in their life. Have them describe the people in the photo and their relationship to the student.

Read a book such as "Who's In My Family?" by Robie H. Harris and Nadine Bernard Westcott or "The Family Book" by Todd Parr. Have a discussion about the many variety of families there are.