The people and things that we love tell a great deal about ourselves. This activity is a chance for students to reflect on themselves and their likes, but also on the most important things to them. While many students will certainly choose family or favorite things, as I did, students will undoubtedly come to recognize people or things that have immense personal value. This is a beneficial brainstorming activity to solicit ideas for personal narratives, authority/expert writing, poetry topics, and more!
A spider map template works very well with this activity because there is less emphasis on ordering than there is in a list. The Frayer Model template works similarly well, but you are limited to exactly four items.
What does my storyboard tell you (or your students) about me? What new things did your students learn about each other after this activity? Let me know on Twitter! @AnnaMYWarfield
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Encourage students to present their spider maps in a supportive group setting. Foster respectful listening by guiding classmates to ask thoughtful questions and share positive feedback. This builds empathy and helps students learn more about each other.
Start by creating and displaying your own spider map with personal favorites and values. Explain your choices, and use it to demonstrate how to reflect on what matters most. This sets a supportive tone and encourages students to open up.
Prompt students to think deeper about the people, experiences, or values that are important to them—not just objects or family. Ask open-ended questions to spark ideas and challenge students to reflect on unique passions.
Organize a gallery walk or small group sharing where students give compliments or ask questions about each other's maps. This builds classroom community and helps students appreciate diversity in interests and backgrounds.
Show students how their ideas can inspire personal narratives, poems, or expert writing. Refer back to the maps throughout the year when brainstorming topics, making the activity a valuable classroom resource.
The 'Things I Love' activity encourages students to reflect on their favorite people, items, or experiences by creating visual maps or lists. It's a simple way for students to share their interests and learn more about themselves and each other.
Use the 'Things I Love' activity as a brainstorming tool by having students list or illustrate their favorite things. These choices can inspire engaging topics for personal narratives, poetry, or expert writing assignments.
A spider map template works well for this activity, letting students freely organize their ideas. Alternatively, the Frayer Model template limits students to four items, providing structured focus.
Reflecting on personal interests helps students build self-awareness, develop empathy, and connect with peers. It also makes writing assignments more meaningful and engaging.
The 'Things I Love' activity is suitable for all K-12 grade levels, as it can be easily adapted for different ages and abilities.