Quick and Fun Self-Portrait Project for Middle School

Feb 12, 2012
Andrea Meller

Top View of Colored Pencils - Chirnoaga

This easy self-portrait collage project will engage middle school aged students as well as act as an ice-breaker in the classroom.

Art in Middle School

Research shows that art is a great way to engage students of all ages. Fran Smith, a writer for Edutopia, said in her article Why Arts Education is Crucial, and Who's Dong It Best, "Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork." In addition to these many benefits, using art in the middle school classroom can be a way for students to get to know one another better.

Benefits of Self-Portraiture in Middle School

Self-portrait is a great way for students to explore the age-old question, who am I? Middle School is a time when students are trying to figure out who they are and what they want to become. Often, students will struggle with their image and how they want to be seen by others. The change humans experience during this developmental period are not only physical, but also intellectual and emotional as well. Using self-portrait allows for an inner dialogue to take place. The National Gallery of Art, or NGA as they are also known, shared resources on how to make this a classroom activity.

Overview of the Project

Each student will make a portrait they feel represents them using collage materials. Students will make an outline of their head as a frame for the collage. Using their own head will help connect the artwork to them and make it more personal. They can fill the silhouette image with the style of art of their choice whether it be hand drawn or cut outs from a magazine.

Supplies

You will need the following to make the portraits:

Overhead Projector or portable light (something that will create a shadow on the paper)
Paper (10x13)
Permanent Marker to outline the silhouette figure
Paint, markers, crayons, etc.
Magazines
Scissors
Glue

Steps to Make Self-Portraits:

Brainstorm ideas with the students. Ask them guiding questions. For example, Why other artists make self-portraits? or What information do we get from self-portraits?
Ask them to list the ideas of what they want to share with other people.
Give the silhouette paper to each of the students and have them put their name on the back in the middle of the paper.
Using the overhead projector or light, make a silhouette of the student's head/face on the paper with a pencil or chalk.
Give the sheet back to the students and have them outline the shape of the head with the permanent marker or have students cut out the shape.
Direct them to use the various materials to make their facial features and tell us more about them.
Once all students have finished, allow the students to present their work and tell the class more about their selection process. (You could also have students write a reflection for the project)

This activity is something that teachers can use in the beginning of the year or to accent a history or social studies project. It is a great addition to any classroom for Back to School Night. Parents, no matter what age their child always love to see work on display.

Fran Smith, Why Arts Education is Crucial , and Who's Doing It Best, Posted on Edutopia (accessed on February 12, 2012)

http://www.nga.gov/education/classroom/self_portraits/, Posted on the NGA website (accessed on February 12, 2012)

Andrea Meller - Andrea was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and moved to LA in 2004. She graduated from Temple University/Tyler School of Art, with a ...