Materials: Small canvases or 8.5x11 sheets of cardstock, markers, glue, individual photos of students if available, additional embellishments optional
Introduce Asset Framing:
Asset Framing is a way to think about ourselves and others that focuses on our strengths before our weaknesses. When we consider ourselves from this perspective first, we are better able to see what resources we can bring to addressing our own challenges. Asset framing starts with identifying our aspirations - the things we are working toward, our hopes and dreams, as well as our contributions - the behaviors, mindsets, skills, and dispositions we bring to our engagement with others and our work. (Learn more about asset framing here.)
Guided Reflection:
Give every student the photo of themselves to look at and ask these questions instructing students to think of the answers in their heads but not say them aloud.
What do you love about the person (YOU!) that you see in this photo?
What do you love to do?
What makes you engaged in school?
What do you wish teachers knew about you?
What do you wish your classmates knew about you?
What comes easily to you? What do you do well?
What do you find difficult?
What do dream of doing and becoming? In other words, what are your aspirations?
How do you help your classmates? How do you help your family?
What do you know you are good at? In other words, what are your contributions?
Creating Portraits:
Give students about 20 minutes to create an image with their photo and the materials on the table on the piece of cardstock or canvas. What they create should include words or visual representations of their aspirations and contributions. Play music while the class works but don't discourage conversation during the making process. It can be good for students to process what they are thinking and making aloud.
After 20 minutes have students clean up but leave their piece at their place and travel around the room to look at what each classmate has created. Make sure as the teacher that you do the same!
Group Reflection:
What did you notice, looking at each others’ work?
What did that make you wonder?