Take a quiet moment to reflect on your unique identity and the personal qualities that define you. What are your core strengths, talents, or positive attributes that you bring to the world? Think beyond obvious skills to include aspects of your personality, resilience, or character.

On your paper, briefly jot down or sketch a symbol for one significant strength or positive quality you possess. Be prepared for a brief, voluntary share.

My Affirmation Art Piece: A Visual Representation of Self-Worth

Objective: To create a personalized art piece that visually embodies a chosen affirmation or significant strength, serving as a powerful, tangible reminder of your inherent value and authentic qualities.

Materials: Thick cardstock shapes, a diverse range of mixed media art supplies (e.g., acrylic paints, pastels, collage materials, inspiring images/words from magazines, found objects), colorful beads, string/yarn, small decorative elements (sequins, glitter, small fabric scraps), markers or paint pens, strong adhesive glue, scissors.

Instructions:
1. Select Your Core Affirmation: Deliberate on a profound, positive statement about your authentic self, your capabilities, or a quality you aspire to cultivate. This statement should resonate deeply with your personal identity. Examples: "I am resilient and capable," "My voice creates change," "I embrace my unique journey," or "I am a compassionate leader." This chosen affirmation will be the central theme of your art piece.

2. Conceptualize Your Design: Your pre-cut wooden disc or cardstock shape is your artistic canvas. Consider how you can abstractly or symbolically represent your chosen affirmation. Think about colors, shapes, textures, and imagery that evoke its meaning.

3. Create Your Personal Totem: Utilize the provided mixed media supplies to decorate your art piece. You might incorporate your affirmation directly through calligraphy, or convey it through abstract patterns, meaningful symbols, or a collage of images. Focus on creating a piece that genuinely reflects your inner beauty and strength. Feel free to layer materials and experiment with different artistic techniques.

4. Integrate a Display Method: Once your art piece is fully decorated and dry, use the string or yarn to create a loop or attachment. You can thread meaningful beads onto the string before securing the loop. This will allow your art piece to be displayed in a significant place, tied to a personal item, or worn as a personal reminder.

5. Cherish Your Creation: Your finished art piece is a unique, visual declaration of your amazing self and your powerful affirmation. Keep it in a prominent location to reinforce your self-worth daily!

Sharing Our Sparkle: A Group Reflection on Self-Expression

Having created your "Affirmation Art Piece," let's engage in a thoughtful discussion about the powerful insights and strengths you've visually articulated. This is an opportunity to celebrate personal authenticity and recognize the diverse strengths within our community.

Discussion Prompts:

1. Who would like to share their art piece with the group and briefly describe its central affirmation or strength?

2. Beyond the literal, how did you use artistic elements (e.g., color symbolism, abstract shapes, textures, collage imagery) to represent the deeper meaning of your chosen strength or affirmation?

3. What was the most challenging or most rewarding aspect of translating an internal quality into a visual art piece?

4. (Optional for observers) What is something you appreciate or find inspiring in a client's art piece or their shared reflection?

5. How can recognizing and celebrating our individual strengths contribute to a more positive and supportive school community, and how might this impact your sense of self in daily life?

Reflecting My Radiance: An Independent Journal Reflection

Take some dedicated time to reflect on the creation of your "Affirmation Art Piece" and the strengths you explored today. Engaging in thoughtful written reflection can significantly deepen your self-awareness and reinforce a positive self-image.

1. Considering your completed art piece, what is the most profound message it communicates to you about your authentic self and intrinsic value?










2. Before this activity, were you fully conscious of all the strengths or affirmations you chose to highlight? Which aspect of your self-discovery during this process was most surprising or illuminating?










3. Beyond simply looking at it, how can you actively utilize your "Affirmation Art Piece" as a personal tool to strengthen your self-esteem and resilience, especially when facing moments of self-doubt or external pressure?










4. Think about an admired role model, either personal or public. What strengths do they exemplify that you also recognize, or aspire to cultivate, within yourself? How does your art piece connect to these aspirations?










5. Based on the strengths and affirmations you focused on today, what is one new personal goal, academic pursuit, or future dream that you now feel more confident in pursuing or exploring? Explain why.

My Confident Closure: Reflective Exit Ticket

As we conclude today's session, take a moment for clients to thoughtfully reflect on their key takeaway or a personal affirmation they are committed to carrying forward.

One significant insight I gained or one powerful affirmation I am embracing about myself today is: