Nature-Based Self Portraits

October 7, 2014

Nature Play and Learning has been a theme throughout both my Child Growth and Foundations of Early Childhood classes at North Shore Community College. You can imagine my delight when student, Angela Harling, shared this Nature-based Self Portraits activity after class today. Angela teaches Spanish once a week and this lesson was about “Introducing oneself”.  Angela noted that she was planning on having the children simply draw self portraits; however, when she learned the art teacher was doing the same thing–she opted for using natural materials. She shared this lesson with me. Thank Angela!

“Today’s Spanish lesson focused on how to introduce oneself by saying, “me llamo…”.  After singing a few songs, playing a game and reading a story it was time for our art project:  Nature-based self-portraits!  The students had a blast using all different varieties of leaves, twigs, buds and stems to create the pictures you see here!  These self-portraits are a fantastic way to inspire creativity while exploring our natural surroundings.”

“The paste you see in some of the portraits is also homemade using just cornstarch, hot water, vinegar and salt, but if you need them to dry fast a hot glue gun is the way to go.”