What You Need

• plain, light-colored T-shirt from home for each child
• paints or markers designed for use on clothing
• smocks (enough for each child)

What to Do

1. Discuss with children the fact that many T-shirts have art or writing on them. Some children may be wearing such T-shirts. Encourage these children to stand up and show their T-shirts to the class. Ask other children if they have any similar shirts at home. On the board, list the reasons children like to wear these kinds of T-shirts. If children have difficulty thinking of reasons, you might offer some, for instance, they can show what team you're on, they can show places you've been, they're pretty, they're funny.
2. Tell children that they are each going to design a T-shirt. Explain that the design should tell about something personal. It could include the child's name, and pictures of favorite things to do, of family members, or even of pets.
3. Have children sit in small groups to brainstorm some ideas for their Me-shirts. They can refer to the list on the board for ideas. Once a child has come up with an idea for a design, encourage him or her to sketch it on a piece of paper first. Then review the design with the child to make sure it conveys the message the child wants to express.
4. When children are ready, have them draw or paint their designs on their Me-shirts. Send the shirts home when they are dry and schedule a special Me-shirt party for a day when children can wear their Me-shirts. At the party, children can share with one another what their Me-shirts tell about themselves.

Teaching Options

• You may want to display the Me-shirts as art before sending them home.
• You may want to invite parents or another class to join your Me-shirt party.