More Than a Self-Portrait

Walk into Mrs. Ivey and Mrs. Anderson’s second grade classrooms, and you’ll find something special looking back at you from the walls: a collection of colorful student self-portraits, each as unique as the young artist who created it.

While the finished paintings make for beautiful classroom displays, the experience behind them was about much more than creating artwork. For Advent’s second graders, the self-portrait project became an opportunity to explore individuality while learning important lessons about patience, attention to detail, trust, and perseverance.

For Mrs. Emily Ivey, the project has grown into one of her favorite traditions of the school year.

“They aren’t just self-portraits,” Mrs. Ivey shared. “They are a tangible reminder to my students that they are capable of creating something beautiful when they slow down, pay attention, trust themselves, take a few risks, and stick with something even when they aren’t sure how it will turn out.”

Learning to See What Makes Us Unique

The project began with a directed drawing activity, a new experience for many of the students. Rather than freely drawing from their imaginations, students carefully followed directions while paying close attention to the details that make each face unique.

As they observed their own features, students considered everything from the shape of their faces to the placement of their eyes and whether their hairstyles covered their ears. The activity encouraged them to slow down, observe, and recognize that no two portraits, or people, would look exactly alike.

The project also connected naturally with classroom conversations about identity and individuality. Books such as I Like Myself!, The World Needs More Purple People, All Are Welcome, and The Best Part of Me helped students move beyond the question, “What do I look like?” and begin thinking about bigger questions: What makes me special? What do I bring to my classroom community?

These conversations reinforce an important message for young learners: the qualities that make each person different can also be a source of strength.

Trusting the Process

After completing their pencil sketches, students brought their portraits to life with tempera paint and watercolor backgrounds. Along the way, they learned that creating something meaningful does not always happen instantly.

The project required students to wait for their artwork to dry, work carefully with shared materials, and continue trusting the process, even when their paintings looked different midway through than they had imagined.

These moments are some of the most valuable parts of the experience. Students are encouraged to take risks and build confidence in their own abilities, discovering that perseverance can lead to results they may not have thought possible when they first began.

“Look What I Made!”

Perhaps the most memorable moment comes at the end of the project, when students see their finished portraits ready to be displayed. For many children, it is one of the first opportunities of the school year to look back at something challenging and recognize how much they accomplished. The uncertainty of beginning a new task gives way to surprise and pride as students see the results of their patience and hard work.

The finished portraits now serve as colorful decorations throughout the second grade classrooms, but they also represent something much more meaningful. Every day, students can look up and see a reminder of their individuality, creativity, and ability to take on new challenges.

At Advent, learning often extends beyond a single lesson or finished assignment. Through experiences like the second grade self-portrait project, students are encouraged to explore who they are, celebrate what makes them unique, and discover the confidence that comes from trying something new.