Back to School: All About Me Activities for Kids

At the beginning of the school year, classrooms are brimming with "All About Me" activities. Younger children enjoy sharing photographs and favorite treasures. "All About Me" activities provide opportunities for teachers to get to know their students and they allow students to get to know one another as a new school year begins. "All About Me" projects help establish a sense of "family" within a classroom which helps set the mood for a closely knit body of students eager to spend their year in a safe, loving, productive learning environment.

Materials Needed:

Milk carton

Something to fill the carton such as rocks, dried rice or beans

newspaper

glue

tape

paper mache paste (directions below)

scissors

paints and brushes

white paper

a photo of the child

Obtain a milk carton and cut off the top. A taller milk carton works better because you will have enough room to form a box with flaps. Measure the bottom of the carton to determine the width in inches. Then measure up the milk carton and make a mark. With scissors, cut slits down the corners of the carton until you reach the mark, resulting in flaps that can be folded down to create a square box. Fill the box with something heavy such as rocks, sand, dried rice or beans. Fold down the flaps and tape them shut so that you have a heavy little sealed box. If you wish to create taller book ends, there is no need to measure the bottom or create a perfectly square box. Simply cut down the corners until you can fold them over to seal the box closed.

Tear strips of newspapers, about one inch in width. Dip the strips into the paper mache mixture (directions below) and cover the box with two layers of strips. Allow the project to dry completely.

After the project dries, apply a second layer using white paper. You can use another layer of newspaper if you wish, but white paper requires less paint to complete the project. (Another suggestion is to use brown grocery bags to create the look of pottery.) After the second layer dries, paint the project. Any color will do and you can use more than one if desired. Allow the paint to dry. Then, apply a clear coat of varnish or similar clear coat to protect the project.

After the paint dries, glue on a photograph of the child to one side of the box. Then apply another coat of clear coat to seal the project. After it is completely dry, allow the children to tie a ribbon around it or decorate the top with colored macaroni or whatever you choose.

It is a good idea for the classroom teacher to make a set featuring a class photograph to display in the classroom.

Give each child a large sheet of poster paper, any size will do but the thicker the better for durability. Supply them with a variety of magazines. Instruct the children to cut out images that represent themselves and paste them onto the poster. Children will likely cut out images of their favorite clothing items, toys, animals, movie or television characters, out door activities, favorite automobiles and sporting events. The list goes on and on. Provide them with a variety of types of magazines so that they are able to use a variety of images. Allow the children to present their posters to the class and explain why their chosen images represents something about them. Display the collages in the classroom.

Another option is to allow the children to collect items from outside or bring items from home. Be sure to instruct the children not to bring items that are "precious possessions" as they may be lost before the poster collage is sent home.

Three options:

If you are using a good thick white glue, prepare a mixture of one part glue and one part water. You can also use one part flour and one part water and mix thoroughly.

For a more cost efficient method, prepare a mixture of one part flour and five parts water and boil for approximately three minutes and allow to cool before using.

Another suggestion is to use liquid starch instead of preparing your own paste.

This project may take a little time. Create "All About Me" books. Design a cover page which might include the child's name, age, and a photograph. Include a page which details a little personal information about the child such as the child's height, hair color, eye color, and birthday. Another page might include a list of favorite things or activities. Include a page where the child can describe his home and family and friends. Allow as many pages as desired, or as few. Allow the children to illustrate each page. Provide an opportunity for each child to share and read his "All About Me" book to the rest of the class. If older children in third or fourth grades, for example, might consider allowing a Kindergarten teacher to display their "All About Me" books in her classroom for younger children to enjoy.

Personal note: When my daughter entered fourth grade, she began making little books and sending them down to a Kindergarten teachers classroom. Her teacher allowed the children to read her books which helped them develop a love for books and reading. Sometimes my daughter was allowed to share her books in a Circle Time setting. The younger children loved being able to spend time with an older student who had written and illustrated a book for them to enjoy.

If you teach a grade level or class that considers the "All About Me" theme too "childish", consider such an activity as a Language Arts Project to be shared with younger students in the school.