All About Me Pencil Craft & Lesson Plan

First Week of School Idea: All About Me Pencil Craft with Read Alouds and Discussion Prompts

The first week of school is all about connection. It’s about helping students feel seen, heard, and excited to be part of the classroom community. Choosing the right activity can set the tone for the entire year. The All About Me Pencil Craft is a simple, low-prep project that works beautifully in both kindergarten and first grade, combining writing, drawing, creativity, and oral language development.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use the craft in both grade levels, how to pair it with meaningful back to school read-alouds, and how to guide discussions so every student feels confident sharing about themselves.

Why the All About Me Pencil Craft Is Perfect for Back to School

This activity:

• Requires minimal prep – just print and copy.
• Can be adapted for different skill levels.
• Combines fine motor skills, early writing, and self-expression.
• Provides opportunities for speaking and listening practice.
• Results in a bright, welcoming first-week display.

Pacing the All About Me Pencil Craft

Kindergarten: 3-Day Plan

Complete two sections per day, spaced apart so students stay focused. Begin each section with its matching read-aloud and discussion before moving into writing or drawing.

• Day 1:
  • Morning Circle: Chrysanthemum → “My Name” section
  • Mid-Morning: When I Was Little → “My Age” section
• Day 2:
  • Morning Circle: Little Green Peas → “My Favorite Color”
  • Mid-Morning: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie → “My Favorite Food”
• Day 3:
  • Morning Circle: Giraffes Can’t Dance → “What I’m Good At”
  • Assemble and share pencils later in the day.

First Grade: 1–2-Day Plan

• One-Day Version: Morning for the first three sections with read-alouds; afternoon for the last two.
• Two-Day Version: Day 1 for three sections; Day 2 for two sections and sharing.

Download your Free All About Me Pencil Craft Lesson Plan!

Click the image below to download your free All About Me Pencil Craft lesson plan!

Back to School Read Alouds to Pair with Each Section of the All About Me Pencil Craft

Section 1: My Name

Read-Aloud: Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Summary: Chrysanthemum adores her long, beautiful name, until she starts school and her classmates tease her for it. Their laughter makes her feel small and unsure of herself. With the support of her loving parents and a kind, confident music teacher, she learns to embrace her unique name and see it as something to be proud of. The story uses gentle humor and relatable emotions to show how names can be an important part of who we are, and how kindness can help someone feel seen and valued.
Why It Works Here: Names are often the first thing children share about themselves. This book sets the tone for self-respect and embracing identity.
Discussion Prompts:

1. What do you like about your name?
2. How do you think Chrysanthemum felt when the other mice laughed at her?
3. What could you say to someone who didn’t like their name?
   After the Story: Students write their name on the first section of the pencil and decorate it in a way that represents them, choosing colors, shapes, or designs that reflect their personality.

Section 2: My Age

Read-Aloud: When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old’s Memoir of Her Youth by Jamie Lee Curtis
Summary: Told through a child’s own voice, this playful “memoir” compares the narrator’s current self to when she was younger, from her baby days to her preschool years. She shares how she’s grown, learned new things, and developed her own personality. The book blends humor with a sweet, reflective tone, encouraging children to think about their own journey of growing up. Bright, cheerful illustrations make the changes over time easy to spot.
Why It Works Here: Students celebrate themselves at the age they are now, focusing on their unique features, personality, and what makes them special in this moment.
Discussion Prompts:

1. How old are you right now?
2. What makes you special at this age?
3. How have you changed since you were a baby?
   After the Story: Students write their age on the pencil, then draw a detailed self-portrait in the space. Encourage them to include their hair style, favorite clothes, and any details that make it look like them. This creates a keepsake snapshot of who they are at this moment in time.

Section 3: My Favorite Color

Read-Aloud: Little Green Peas: A Big Book of Colors by Keith Baker
Summary: A lively bunch of little green peas explore the world of colors in bold, bright, double-page spreads. Each page features a new color word in large, playful text alongside fun illustrations of peas skating, painting, flying, and playing. The simple rhyming text and engaging scenes invite children to predict what’s coming next while building their color vocabulary. The final rainbow spread ties all the colors together in a cheerful celebration.
Why It Works Here: This book introduces color words in a fun, whimsical way and encourages students to observe, explore, and celebrate their personal preferences.
Discussion Prompts:

1. What is your favorite color?
2. What things do you see in the world that are that color?
3. How does that color make you feel?
   After the Story: Students write their favorite color and use that color to decorate this section of the pencil. They might color a background, add shapes, or draw something they love in that color.

Section 4: My Favorite Food

Read-Aloud: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Summary: This humorous circular tale follows what happens when a little mouse is given a cookie, which leads to milk, which leads to a straw, which leads to… more and more requests until the story loops back to cookies again. The repetitive structure and cause-and-effect pattern make it engaging and predictable for young listeners, while Felicia Bond’s illustrations bring warmth and personality to every page.
Why It Works Here: The playful story inspires students to think about their own favorite foods in a light, fun way.
Discussion Prompts:

1. What is your favorite food?
2. If you could eat your favorite food for every meal, what would happen?
3. Who usually makes or serves you your favorite food?
   After the Story: Students write their favorite food and draw a picture of it on the matching pencil section.

Section 5: What I’m Good At

Read-Aloud: Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
Summary: Gerald the giraffe wants to dance more than anything, but his long legs and crooked knees make him feel clumsy. At the jungle dance, the other animals laugh at him until a wise cricket encourages him to find his own music. Once Gerald listens to the sounds that make him happy, he dances beautifully in his own unique way. The story’s lyrical rhymes and vibrant illustrations share a powerful message about confidence, individuality, and celebrating what makes each of us special.
Why It Works Here: This story helps students identify and take pride in their own strengths, academic or personal.
Discussion Prompts:

1. What is something you are proud of being able to do?
2. How did you learn to do it?
3. What advice would you give someone who wants to get better at something?
   After the Story: Students write what they’re good at and draw themselves doing it.

Bulletin Board Ideas for Displaying the All About Me Pencil Craft

Once complete, display the pencils in a way that makes your classroom feel inviting:

• Arrange them in the shape of a giant pencil.
• Line them along the hallway for families to enjoy.
• Use a title such as We’re Sharp!, All Write for a Great Year!, or Our Class Story Begins Here!.

Extension Activities to Enrich Your Back to School All About Me Project

• Class Graphs: Chart favorite colors or foods.
• Oral Language Practice: Have students introduce themselves using their pencil as a prompt.
• Family Connection: Send home a photo of each student holding their pencil.
• Theme Tie-In: Combine with other “All About Me” crafts for a larger first-week display.

First Week of School Teaching Tips for a Smooth Start

• Model each step before students begin.
• Keep materials simple—pencils, crayons, and scissors are enough.
• Allow time for sharing to build community.

Why the All About Me Pencil Craft Helps Build Classroom Community

When paired with meaningful read-alouds, thoughtful pacing, and ready-to-use discussion prompts, this activity becomes much more than an art project. It helps students express themselves, discover common interests, and feel like valued members of the classroom. The finished display also serves as a daily reminder of your class’s unique personalities and talents.

Get the All About Me Pencil Craft & Lesson Plan for Your Classroom

If you’d like the All About Me Pencil Craft to use with your students, you can find it in my stores:

This printable craft is perfect for the first week of school to help students share about themselves, build classroom community, and create a colorful display for your bulletin board.

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