Teacher Akma
Our Paper Plate Self-Portrait Gallery — A Little Stage for Big Smiles
Look at these wonderful faces! Our recent Paper Plate Self-Portrait activity turned the classroom into a mini art gallery filled with creativity, effort, and plenty of character. Using just paper plates, yarn, colored paper, and markers, each child created their face — complete with wide red lips, brown yarn hair, and expressive eyes. Some faces had thoughtful details, such as angled eyebrows or rosy cheeks, while others were simple and bold.
Once everyone had finished, we didn’t just stop there. We invited each child to come forward, one by one, and place their portrait on the table for everyone to see — just like setting up an art exhibition. For some of our students, this was already a proud moment. Some smiled quietly, some pointed to their portraits, while others needed gentle prompts to share whose face they made or what part they liked the most.
Even though the room wasn’t loud with chatter, the energy was warm. Friends looked at each other's work, sometimes giggling, sometimes just observing. What made me proud was not just the art they created, but how they showed up to share their piece, standing in front of friends, even if just for a moment. It was a simple craft, but it became a meaningful platform for expression, confidence, and connection — reminding us that every small step matters when children feel seen and celebrated.
