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All Our Beautiful Colors

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Lesson Plan

All Our Beautiful Colors Lesson Plan

Students will explore and celebrate skin color diversity by creating self-portraits with varied skin-tone crayons and sharing what makes each person special and equal.

This lesson builds empathy, respect, and a foundation for inclusion by helping first graders recognize and honor differences in appearance, fostering a positive classroom community from an early age.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive read-aloud, hands-on art, guided discussion

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Space

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and show one prompt card from the Diversity Discussion Prompt Cards
  • Ask: “What makes you different from your friend?”
  • Encourage students to share simple observations (hair color, favorite things) and feelings
  • Emphasize respect: there are no “right” or “wrong” differences

Step 2

Read-Aloud and Modeling

10 minutes

Step 3

Hands-On Self-Portrait

10 minutes

  • Distribute the All Our Beautiful Colors Worksheet and crayons
  • Ask students to choose the crayon that matches their skin tone and color their self-portrait
  • Invite them to add details (hair, clothes) and think about what makes them special
  • Circulate to offer support and affirm each child’s choices

Step 4

Share and Celebrate

5 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to hold up their portraits and name one thing they love about themselves
  • Use a prompt card to ask peers to share a positive comment about each portrait
  • Reinforce: “We all look different, but we are all equal and special.”
  • Conclude with a class cheer celebrating all our beautiful colors!
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Slide Deck

All Our Beautiful Colors

Let’s learn about our beautiful skin colors!

Welcome students! Today we will talk about our beautiful skin colors. Say hello to everyone and get ready to learn together.

What Makes You Special?

• Name one thing that makes you unique
• Hair color, favorite game, family tradition…

Hold up one prompt card and ask each student: “What makes you different from your friend?” Encourage simple answers like hair color or favorite games. Reinforce there are no right or wrong answers.

Reading Our Story

Let’s read a book about friends with different skin colors.

• Notice each character’s skin tone
• Talk about how each one is special

Show the cover of the Color Diversity Storybook. Read slowly, pause at each character illustration, and ask: “What do you notice about their skin color?”

Skin Tone Crayons

Pick the crayon that matches your skin tone.

• Try different shades
• Find the one that looks most like you

Display the Skin Tone Crayon Set. Demonstrate matching the crayon shade to your own hand. Encourage students to take time choosing the best match.

Draw Your Self-Portrait

• Color your portrait to match your skin tone
• Add details: hair style, favorite clothes, smile

Distribute worksheets and crayons. Circulate and praise each student’s choices. Ask: “What detail did you add to show what you love about yourself?”

Share and Celebrate

• Hold up your portrait
• Name one thing you love about yourself
• Peers give a positive comment

Invite volunteers to show their portraits. Ask each to name one thing they love about themselves. Then ask classmates to share one kind comment.

We Are All Equal!

Different colors, same love.
We are all beautiful!

Lead the class in a cheerful chant: “Different colors, same love—Friends forever!” Encourage children to clap and smile.

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Worksheet

All Our Beautiful Colors Worksheet

Your Name: ________________________________

1. Draw and Color Your Self-Portrait

Draw your face in the box below. Then choose the crayon that matches your skin tone and color it. Add hair, clothes, and any details that show what makes you special!
















2. What Makes You Special?

Write one thing that makes you unique and special. It could be something you like, something you’re good at, or how you look!













3. I Love…

Name one thing you love about yourself. It could be your smile, your hair, your laughter, or anything else!













Great job! We all look different, but we are all beautiful and equal.

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Activity

Diversity Discussion Prompt Cards

Use these cards to spark a simple, friendly conversation about differences and similarities in our classroom.

Cards (print, cut out, and place face down):

• What makes you different from your friend?

• What color is your hair?

• What color are your eyes?

• What is something special about your family?

• What foods do you like to eat?

• What games or activities make you happy?

• What language(s) do you or your family speak?

• What is your favorite hobby?

• What are you really good at?

• Name one thing that makes you unique.

Tip: When a student picks a card, read it aloud, let them answer, then invite classmates to share a similar thought or a difference of their own.

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