Everyone who knows me in my school, knows that I am the photo copy QUEEN. I'm not thrilled with all the trees I most likely killed.. :( but honestly, there are just too many amazing resources out there to not print and do with the kiddos! So when I found out that this year, the new principal created a sort of copying ban - that you could only tell one lady to do your copying and that there was a limit for the number of copies, I just about keeled over. Thankfully I took the year off because of my new baby, and I have some time to adjust to this new rule!
Anyway, that's why I LOVE this post. I did a few crafts with my 3 1/2 year old that could fit in wonderfully for a lower elementary class! The best part - there was absolutely no copying or printing required.
PAPER PLATE SNOWMAN
All you have to do is staple (glue doesn't hold paper plates together really well), three paper plates together. I cut out a little hat, mittens, boots, eyes, and a nose for her out of colored paper. She glued everything on and then I gave her some little scraps to create the buttons. The scarf is made from those thin washi tape pieces! I knew there was a reason I got those rolls! If you are doing this in your classroom, you could cut out a few templates of the snowman materials on cardstock and have your students trace them onto paper and cut out. You could even use Googly eyes instead of making your own.
Winter Sticker Scenes
So this activity actually requires no prep besides ordering it off Oriental Trading. I think these premade winter scenes with stickers are just adorable. It could be the perfect set up for a writing activity. Students design the scene first, and then they can do a narrative story all about what they think is happening in the picture. You can find the sticker scene HERE.
Also, if you are interested in the concept of designing your own scenes and having kids write about them, I have this product here where you can give them the background template and a bunch of pictures that they can cut out and glue how they want. They can use the accompanying writing pages to draft and write their final copies.
Penguin Palooza
Finally, here are ideas for two penguin crafts. You'll need construction paper, a paper plate, random stickers, some googly eyes or eye stickers (you can find them HERE), glue, and scissors. You'll have to do a little prep in advance by either cutting out the pieces students need to use, or just creating templates on card stock and students can trace their own pieces.
The paper plate penguin is super simple. Students cut and glue two wings, two feet, a beak, bow, and eyes. Now, comes the fun part - the painting! Here is a unique idea I found - find an old photo film black canister or something small and round like that. Get some bubble tape and attach it onto the canister with a rubber band. Have students dip the bubble wrap into the paint, (glitter paint is used here and you can take a look at it HERE), but really you can use any paint. Then, students blot the paint onto the paper plate and it gives it a cool and unique effect.
The stand up penguin is a little more intricate in creating the base. I think it'll be best if you create the black construction paper base for the kids so that the penguin will actually stand up. When cut, the black construction paper will look like this:
Afterwards, students glue on a white belly, two feet, two wings, a hat, and a nose. Then they can decorate it with different stickers. To make it stand, place it upright and open the flaps in the back until it is adjusted to stay where it is. You'll have to bend the feet up as well so they don't get in the way.
So there you have it! I really enjoyed seeing my daughter do these crafts and I loved that it didn't take too many supplies either! Hope to see you soon!
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