The following are some ideas to select from:

• My face - a self portrait (can make into a mural with captions). Extend into a magic face, a mask etc. Help them plan their work. Look, think, before drawing.
• Me holding something - a bunch of flowers, my pet, a toy, my doll. Plan out first, then colour in.
• Me eating something - (waist up), pizza, hamburger, icecream, fish and chips, milk shake
• Me at Gala Day/circus/beach - what would you be wearing/holding in background.
• Magic bird - study bird picture/stuffed birds. Invent your own bird. Jungle background - study, draw pot plants. Plan out picture first.
• Imaginary fish - research fish in picture. Invent own fish. Study seaweed, coral, crabs - use for background. Could be a pile of fish!
• Magic Jungle - study animal pictures. Select one for main focus. Study bush, vines, pot plants for background. Plan first.
• Magic butterflies, insects, spiders - as above.
• Bush Painting - Sketch in bush. Collect visual shapes. Paintings could range from real to fantastic. Could have head and shoulders of a person as a focus, or a big tree.
• An old person we love - or an interesting adult they know. Plan clothing/any action/background.
• A person from history or another part of the world/folk costume - research picture, clothing, background. Action. This might well relate to current S/S topic.
• Imaginary space or exploring a new planet or dream composition. A chance to develop fantasy and use weird colours.
• Space - space person in suit, stars, nebulae, comets, earth (do research).
• Dream - anything goes - floating in space. Odd images (see Chagall Journal Cover).
• Paintings based on emotions (just a portrait of a face) - fear, terror, real happiness, sadness, surprise, worry. A language theme? Select colours to suit mood.
• Sport theme - focus on action ,e.g. breaking tape/jumping hurdle. Focus on action. Think of a background. Research sports photos.
• Interpreting a myth/legend/literature theme. Focus on action. Research clothing, background. Select important part.
• Maori theme - could be a legend as above. Could be using Maori symbols, patterns. Teach koru, taniko, spirals, carving shapes etc. During Maori Language Week?
• Environmental theme - based on tree shapes, shell design, rocks, river and trees, flowers, grasses/weeds. Research. Draw. Arrange into a design. Talk about patterns, textures. Still life of flowers in a vase and table with pattern.
• My favourite meal - big plate, draw food. Any spare space make into a patterned cloth with knife, fork. etc. Could include face and hands. ‘Me eating a hamburger/icecream/pizza…..’
• Impression of Mt Taranaki/Egmont - draw mountain. Important to have interesting foreground. Think of moods, storm/clouds.
• Personal theme painting - select from personal books. This has the greatest potential for inspiration of all! And the greatest range of topics. This will give the most diverse paintings of all. Need focus/background/action. Holiday fun theme. Look at list of personal language themes for ideas.
• Drawing of house (school house). Pick an interesting view. Focus. Draw part of house/school. Pick interesting area. Draw all details.
• Me and a machine - bike, car, wood working, kitchen whizz, lawnmower.
• Helping Mum/Dad at home - cooking, in Dad’s shed.
• Dance throughout the world.
• The circus clowns.
• The feast, the party, the celebration, the wedding - focus.
• An accident, an embarrassing moment, gang adventure, I remember when.