Self Portrait Paper Collage Lesson Plan

Day One:

1. Talk about different things the students like to do.
2. Discuss color and special relationships.
3. Reserve the black or dark colored paper for use as your collage base.
4. Using the variety of papers, cut or tear out the body, legs, arms and head of your self-portrait.
5.  Position the pieces of the self-portrait on the dark background paper.
   • Arrange the figure in an action pose.
6. Once the student is satisfied with his/her “figure”, use the glue and firmly secure the figure onto the paper. 

Day Two:

1. Add background objects – house, ground, trees, pets, toys, etc.
2. Add stars, dots and other small shapes for extra detail.
3. Using the black marker, add details to the face.
4. Add finishing touches. Make sure that pictures are complete.  Student’s name should be printed on the front away from the paper edge.  Make sure to record the student name, grade/teacher and school, in pencil, on the back of the artwork.

Special thanks to Tim Cherry, Art Educator @ Wake Forest, NC for this lesson plan!