A Few of My Favorite Things

A picture is worth a thousand words, and sometimes, so is an object! Focus on the grounding energy and personalstorytelling that comes from objects in your students’ lives.

First, have your class think of an object in their life that means something special to them—a gift from a friend, a homemade toy or a charm that lives in their backpack. Ask them to bring their objects into class for a show-and-tell!

At the show-and-tell, ask each student why they picked their object, what meaning it has to them and a memory that they associate with it.

Afterwards, invite students to take time to draw a picture or write a story about their object—complete with vibrant color and whimsy.

When they’ve finished, hang all of the class’s drawings up together on the wall to create a mural that tells the stories of your classroom’s most favorite things. Tell your students that their mural can be a source of inspiration for them throughout the year, reminding them of the things that bring them joy!

To support this unit, use the The Hopeful Firebird Activity.