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At the beginning of each school year, I always spend time during the first few weeks going over the rules and expectations of the classroom. I would read as many picture books as I could that fit with the concepts I was teaching. During those weeks, I would also spend time building a community of learners and helping the students get to know one another. I worked hard to boost each child's confidence and help them to feel comfortable in our classroom. We also talked a lot about respecting one another even when we are different. One of the books I read to help with this was I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont.
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In this book, the little girl goes on and on about why she likes herself. I like the message that it sends because it isn't just physical appearance that she talks about...she likes the things she says and does and the "stuff" on the inside.
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The illustrations are fun and engaging. I love that this book teaches students that it is okay to like yourself without it feeling "braggy" or conceited.
After I read the book, I would give my students the head outline shown below. They would have to make the head look like them. Some years I would give them mirrors so they could make sure their portraits were as accurate as possible. I would often give them different colored yarn for their hair. On their shirt they needed to write "I like me because_______" and fill in the blank. We would share these and then I would hang them on clotheslines above each window. It made a great decoration at the beginning of the year. It was also fun for back to school night/open house to have the parents try to find their child's portrait.
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To get your own FREE copy of the self portrait template simply click the link below.
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0upriVHqNTo/U9_EYdRGmSI/AAAAAAAAANk/rd42RuXRh9k/s640-rw/I+like+myself+portrait.jpg)