ALEX Learning Activity

I Like Myself Self-Portrait and Writing Activity

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Leann Bryan
System:Calhoun County
School:Calhoun County Board Of Education
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 2214
Title:
I Like Myself Self-Portrait and Writing Activity
Digital Tool/Resource:
I Like Myself Self-Portrait and Writing Worksheet
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

Students will demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing when they write a paragraph about themselves. Students will practice self-respect by identifying characteristics they like about themselves.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.
  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
Character Education
CE (1995)
Grade: K-12
9 ) Self-respect
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 1
32. Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

a. Identify the required features of a sentence, including capitalization of the first word and end punctuation.

b. Transcribe spoken words to demonstrate that print represents oral language.

c. Compose a simple sentence, including a subject and a predicate, that expresses a complete thought.

d. With prompting and support, identify the role or purpose of a noun, verb, and adjective within a sentence and describe the type of the information it conveys.

e. Write the correct number of words, with proper spacing, for a spoken phrase or sentence.

f. Begin each sentence with a capital letter.

g. Capitalize the pronoun I and names of individuals.

h. Use commas in dates and words in a series.

i. With prompting and support, recognize, name, and correctly use end punctuation, utilizing appropriate academic vocabulary.

Example: period for declarative sentences, question mark for interrogative sentences, exclamation mark for exclamatory sentences
Learning Objectives:

Students will use personal pronouns, frequently occurring adjectives and conjunctions in their writing.

Students will practice self-respect by listing things they like about themselves. 
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
During/Explore/Explain
Activity:

During: Students will color their own self-portrait on the worksheet provided below. After coloring their self-portrait, they will write a paragraph about themselves using the sentence starter: “I like myself because ________.” Students should elaborate on all the reasons they like themselves using first-person pronouns, adjectives, and conjunctions. It is important that students write in the first-person point of view. 

 

"I Like Myself" worksheet: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/120OATtj0BLf-6G1RHfNuAsLcnXeMdLsR7XYI29xBxb8/edit?usp=sharing
Assessment Strategies:

The teacher will evaluate the students' writings to ensure they reflect an understanding of the common conventions of Standard English grammar specifically related to their usage of personal pronouns, adjectives, and conjunctions. The teacher will also evaluate the self-portrait and the content of the students' writing to ensure they reflect a practice of self-respect.  
Advanced Preparation:

Students must be familiar with the children’s book “I Like Myself” by Karen Beaumont. If you do not have access to "I Like Myself," here is a read-aloud available on Youtube. (less than 5 minutes). https://youtu.be/J6liHdYi-3U

The teacher should review personal pronouns, adjectives, and conjunctions.
Variation Tips (optional):

Depending on the ability of your learners, you could add requirements for writing a particular amount of sentences. You could differentiate your grammar requirements based on the ability of your learners.
Notes or Recommendations (optional):

There is an "After" activity to accompany this "During" activity available on ALEX.  
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: adjectives, conjunctions, personal pronouns, selfrespect, writing