Interview Your Classmate

Break your students into groups of two. Set a timer for five to 10 minutes and have each student "interview" the other person, asking questions and getting to know her. You could develop a specific set of questions, but this usually works better if a child is given the opportunity to create the dialogue (but have the questions as icebreakers, just in case.) Pair up two opposite personalities or children who may have previously struggled to get along. Have each student present to the class a few things they learned about their classmate when time is up.

The concept of this activity is to show a child he has things in common with another person. It also helps develop and strengthen empathy and communication skills, as the child needs to listen to the other person to present information to the class.

Brochure About Me

Make a tri-fold brochure with colored paper. Each child should decorate the front of the brochure with her name. List categories on the whiteboard such as "one of my talents" or "my biggest accomplishment". Tell the students to fill in the answers to the categories on the inside of the brochure. Reassure the children that although the class will pass the brochure around, nobody will be reading what is written on the inside. Once everyone is finished, provide each child with a sticker to seal his brochure. Then students pass the brochures clockwise around the class. Each child checks the name on the front of the brochure, then writes something positive about that person on the back of the brochure. Continue passing the brochures around until everyone has written a comment about each student. Children keep the brochures for positive reinforcement.

Personal Control

Have a class discussion on Eleanor Roosevelt's statement that, "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." Ask the class to discuss if this is a true statement. Identify what ways people make themselves feel inferior. Instruct students to consider situations when other people have tried to make them feel inferior and how they handled it. Have the class list techniques people might use to prevent low self-esteem.

"About Me" Collage

This activity is a good way to focus a child's attention on those characteristics that make her special. You will need poster board, scissors, glue, photographs and old magazines. Have the child think for a moment about good aspects of her life and personality or hopes and dreams she has. The child should then find words or pictures from magazines or photos to symbolize those things. Glue these to the poster board to make a collage. The child can draw things on the poster or add glitter glue, pipe-cleaners, clip art or anything else available. Anything the child places on the collage should focus solely on her positive traits. When it is finished, have the child explain what each thing on the poster represents and then hang it in a place where it will be seen every day. This will be a positive reminder of all the things that make the child special and unique and the reasons why the child should feel good about herself.