Students drew their faces with closed eyes, talked about portraits, and read Instructions to the Artist by Billy Collins before crafting their own portrait-inspired poems.
Lesson Note: According to findings by the leading researcher on the power of writing and journaling for healing purposes, James Pennebaker, Ph.D., of the University of Texas at Austin, ‘…expressive writing occurs on multiple levels–cognitive, emotional, social, and biological–making a single explanatory theory unlikely. However, there is little doubt that writing has positive consequences.’
Ms. Fernandez, 5th Grade
Me
by Allison Q.
I want the background
to be as colorful as a
rainbow
Make my eyes as pointy
as a football falling to the
ground
Now make my hair as short
as curtains on a window.
Make the size of the canvas
as big as a window with
shining sun going through it
I want my smile to be as
big as the sun.
Instructions
by Emily B.
Make my face as round and detailed
as a coin, but not so small
The background should be as blue as
the sky on a nice summer day with
Kangaroos on a grassy green hill as
tall as a forest tree
My eyes should be the size of almonds
not so small, not a dime or bottom for
size
Make the size of the canvas as big
and square-ish as a point grid, with
lines as straight as me
Make my expression cheerful and
satisfied smile, as if I had everything
I wanted in my life.
Make my body with no perfection or
matter, just straight or curvy lines.
Make my hair as savvy as an ocean
reaching the sand’s top.
Instructions for the Artist
by Melisa R.
The background should be
as green as a forest with
tropical birds showing
their bright colors.
Make my face as round like
a small carpet with
some detail.
My eyes should be as a
small little rock like
a pebble.
Make me hold a beautiful
birding ain’t food from
my other hand.
My hair should be brown
like the top of an
acorn.
Insstructions
by Alex O.
I want the background
to be as blue as a diamond
glimmering at the beach I wish a house.
My eyes as beautiful as a
shining ruby, my eyes as
big as almonds.
The clothes I’m wearing
should be as graceful as
the American eagle.
Make the size of the
canvas as big as a clock
at school as a square.
Untitled
by Evelyn V.
The background should be es grande y brilliosa como un sol
My eyes should be los ojos sonbermos como un
flor como cuando sale la flor
The school should be muy grande ye iluminosa
y hermosa como las profesoras.
Mr. Macziasz, 5th Grade
In New York
by Amelia G.
My background should be at night in New York.
My eyes should be shaped like an oval.
Make the size of the canvas not a weird size.
Mek my hair up so it’s not blowing.
Make my clothes warm and cozy.
Make my nose a nice shape.
Make my shoes nice and clean.
Show Me How To Do Like You
by Nicole A.
Make the size of the canvas
that of a soccer pitch.
ake my face as round as the moon
on a dark night. The background should
be a beach of water and sand.
My eyes should be blue and an oval size.
Make my smile as a regular smile. My
body should be like a thin toothpick.
Me
by Christopher M.
My background should be green.
My eyes should be brown.
Make the size of the canvas small
Make me tall
Make me have long hair
Make me have glasses
My Portrait
by Mia R.
Make the background a street in the city.
My eyes should be almond shape.
Make the size of the canvas appropriate.
mek my face an almond shape but not
too round.
Make my hair long and healthy.
Make my lips look like I’m smiling.
Make my clothes a city-like outfit.
Try to make the color palette
pastel colors.
and have a dog walking in the
city street in the background.
Jay’s Portrait
by Jaylynn G.
Make my face as round as a
clock
The background should be a park
on a dark night
My eyes should be two almonds
Make the size of the canvas
as big as a window
Make my hair as brown as a coconut
My lips should be the color of a peach
Mrs. Respress, 5th Grade
Myself
by Veronica H.
Make the size of the canvas small.
Make sure my eyes are as
big as the sky
I should wear a banana suit
Oh and finally make sure
my hair is medium size with
bangs
Draw Me
by Caleb Z.
Make the canvas viewable.
May my eyes be red but no blood
Make the background as orange as
lava.
I want to be drawn inside a box with my phone.
My Dream
by Jackie L.
Make my face as round and grey as the
moon on a dark night
The background should be as beautiful
as the blue shimmering ocean
My eyes should be as big as the
moon when sunset happens
Make the size of the canvas as big
as an open window
Make my hair as beautiful as a sunset.
My Picture
by Sophia R.
Make the size of the canvas
As wide as an elephant
The background should be
As beautiful as the beach
Make my face
As round as a soccer ball
as small as an ant
Looks
by Billamor H.
Make my face as round as a
circle
My eyes should be as big as the
full moon
Make the size of the canvas
medium size.
Make my body rectangle like
a box.
My hair will look frissy or
messy
Sign the painting in my head.
Make me have a flower on
my head
