Inspired by Shannon Olsen’s story, Our Class is a Family, this resource sets the perfect tone for a heart-warming beginning to the school year. It fosters creativity and a strong sense of belonging amongst students right from the outset.

We recommend beginning this activity by reading the Our Class is a Family book to your students. The book includes many ways that a classroom is like a type of family.

This resource includes two formats for students to draw their very own self-portrait: a worksheet and a school-shaped cut-out, both available in full colour or black and white options. Students will personalise their school by drawing a self-portrait and writing their name on top. These worksheets can create the perfect display in the classroom. If choosing the school-shaped cut-out version, these can be hung together with string around your classroom as personalised bunting, celebrating the diverse identities and unity with the classroom.