A lightbulb went off in my head, though, when I realized we could try them in our sketchbooks. We have "free draw" at last twice a week, and on those days, the children can finish work they've done before or start something new. I've realized that if I am trying to give a specific prompt, I need to have the children find a specific page in their books using a visual cue (like the circles last year). So, to go along with the verbal prompt of "draw a picture of you", I had drawn a large black rectangle on a page in each child's book. And everyone did draw a picture of themselves. I suppose I had envisioned the rectangle acting as a frame, but (as always) the children put their own spin on it.
I could not stop smiling when I saw the ones that used the rectangle as the body.
I think that when I present the prompt of making a self portrait again, we will be able to use a separate piece of paper, but maybe we won't bother. The sketchbooks are a way to see the progression of children's work; and it is their own creative space. Perhaps we need larger sketchbooks - I have always made them this size, and I'm not sure why!
Regardless of where we make them, I see the value in this work year after year.
Oh my goodness, those made me smile too! There is something about drawings of people made by young children. It's funny that you mention the 'putting it off' dilemma. I have done the same this year. I have an identity board in the classroom with a photo of each child, their words about a prompt, and a piece of their artwork. Usually around late November - early December I replace the photo with a self-portrait drawing. But this year I just keep putting it off...we finished half this week but are not done. I think for me it is partially time, also in part not feeling like there are enough adults as we sit with children in pairs to observe and help them use a mirror to sketch themselves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Allie, I am so very glad that I found your little space :) I think I have read EVERY post. I LOVE it. It is just what I have been looking for for what seems like the longest time. I adore these self portraits. My little guy has just started to draw intentional drawings and they truly are the sweetest things.
ReplyDeleteI love how the children taught you what the rectangle was for. I always find that it helps to have mirrors, since we really don't get much of a chance to truly look at our own selves. Plus, just having the mirror makes a whole new exploration-just like the square, new reasons for the mirrors always emerge.
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