From the Heart of April Sommer
My students created "close to life-size" self-portraits on the first day of school. First, they looked at themselves in mirrors and then chose their "shade of brown" skin color. As a first grade teacher, I want my kiddos to recognize how similar and different they are at the same time. "I have black hair" exclaimed Alex with his hands on his hips. "No you don't" said another student, "Your hair is brown!" Alex's face read, "Well maybe I do..." Alex had to prove it. He searched for black yarn and compared his locks to it.
This is why I do it! This is why I teach. So, that young people can understand that who they are is complex and anything but simple.
I found the fabric in the art teacher's room. It's so cute and adds texture. I wonder how often kids actually get to choose their own clothes. So, one of the boys chose a color that another student thought was for girls. I expressed that everyone has the right to choose the colors they want to wear. We get to be our own painters, sculptors, or designers of this thing we call life. ALL IN FIRST GRADE!!!!! WHO KNEW???!!!
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