Curriculum area:
Reading/Language Arts

Grade level:
3-5

Objectives:
To increase students awareness of each other and themselves.
To perform a language art task on day one without threat

Materials needed:
Paper and pencil
Variation: Take instant photos of each student on the first day

Time estimate to complete:
30-45 minutes

Procedure:
Students write their name vertically down the margin of their paper. Beside each letter the student chooses one positive word that describes them in some way. Absolutely no negatives are allowed. Use of dictionaries and thesauruses
is encouraged. Upon completion and a quick teacher check, students draw a self portrait with colored pencils or crayons.
These papers go on the first writing bulletin board. My kids love this activity and it is real work from day one. (Teacher might choose to use instant snapshots instead of
the self-portraits)