Self-Portrait Planning

Lesson Overview

This lesson aims to engage Reception students in exploring their identities through colour while developing their artistic planning skills. By discussing their favourite colours and what those colours reflect about their personalities, students will prepare for creating vibrant self-portraits in future lessons.

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

30 students

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and articulate their favourite colours.
2. Connect specific colours to personal attributes and feelings.
3. Create a simple plan for their self-portrait, selecting colours that represent their personality.

Curriculum Links

This lesson is aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, focusing on the following Prime Areas:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED): Developing a positive sense of self.
• Communication and Language (CL): Listening, attention, and speaking.

And, specific to the Specific Areas:

• Expressive Arts and Design (EAD): Exploring media and materials.

Resources Needed

• A4 paper (one per student)
• Crayons, coloured pencils, or felt-tip pens
• Pre-prepared colour cards in various shades
• Large paper for group brainstorming
• Sticky notes
• Digital projector (optional, for showcasing examples)

Lesson Steps

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Gather the Class: Have students sit in a circle.
2. Circle Time Discussion:
   • Ask each student to share their favourite colour.
   • Briefly discuss what they think that colour represents about them. Encourage them to think about feelings and characteristics (e.g., "What do you feel when you see this colour?").
   • Record key words or phrases on a large sheet of paper for visual reference.

Activity 1: Colour Cards (15 minutes)

1. Distribute Colour Cards: Hand out pre-prepared colour cards to each student.
2. Exploration Time:
   • Students explore the colour cards and choose their top three favourites.
   • Ask them to think about why they chose these colours and what they mean to them.

Activity 2: Self-Portrait Planning (25 minutes)

1. Introduce Self-Portrait:

   • Show examples of self-portraits (these can be famous artists' works or simple portrayals).
   • Discuss aspects of self-portraits: face shape, hair, clothes, accessories.

2. Planning Phase:

   • Provide each student with an A4 sheet of paper. Ask them to draw a simple outline of their face (circle or oval).
   • Using their chosen colour cards, have them start planning their self-portrait by discussing what colours they will use for different facial features, clothes, and background.
   • Encourage writing (or drawing) on sticky notes, where they can jot down or sketch what each colour represents about their personality.

Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes)

1. Gallery Walk:

   • Students place their drawings on a display board.
   • Allow a few minutes for students to walk around and observe each other’s planned portraits and colour choices.

2. Class Discussion:

   • Gather students back into a circle. Invite students to share their work and explain why they chose specific colours and how they reflect who they are.

Assessment

• Observe students during discussions and planning to gauge understanding and engagement.
• Collect sticky notes to evaluate their ability to connect colours to personal attributes.

Differentiation

• For students who may struggle with verbal expression, provide visual aids or prompts.
• Encourage advanced students to add more details to their plans, such as drawing additional elements that represent their hobbies or interests.

Extension

• As a homework task, ask students to find an object in their home that represents their chosen colours and bring it to the next lesson to facilitate further discussion and connection to their self-portrait.

Closing

Reflect the session by gently reinforcing how colours are tied to emotions and identities, preparing them for the subsequent lesson where they will create their self-portraits.

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This lesson will provide students with the foundational tools to express themselves artistically while aligning with UK educational standards, fostering both creativity and emotional awareness.