English

Oral Language 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2

Reading/Literature 8.6

MS.1: Self-image

MS.3: Interests, values, and skills of others

My Coat of Arms

This activity encourages students to examine and identify what is of fundamental importance to them.

Steps To Complete the Activity

Give each student a sheet with a blank coat of arms that has six spaces.

Have each student

• Follow the teacher’s directions for what to draw in each space. For example, the first space may have a picture of family; the second space may have a picture of the student’s greatest success; the third space may have a picture of the student’s plan for the future; the fourth space may have a picture of the student’s greatest failure; the fifth space may have a picture of the student’s favorite musical instrument; and the sixth space may have a picture of the student’s greatest influence.
• Exchange his or her coat of arms with another student and talk about what they learn about each other.
• After discussion, choose the one aspect of his or her coat of arms that he or she thinks is most important and present it to the class. The oral presentation could be expanded to a written activity.

Discussion

• What did you learn about yourself through this activity?
• What did you learn about your classmates through this activity?
• Why are symbols useful for understanding people and ideas?
• If your parent/sibling were to do this activity, would the pictures be similar to yours? How would they be different?
• How will your coat of arms be different in ten years?

Materials

Paper, magic markers, pencil, etc.