|
Materials:
- two clean pillowcases
- scrap materials that can be easily crumpled, such as clean rags, newspaper,
cotton
- string or rope
- markers or paint
- pieces of different colored yarn
- decorative materials
- glue
- two pair of socks or stockings
Objective: Child will learn
to work cooperatively as they create a class mascot.
In Advance: Gather children
together and have a discussion about friendship. Ask: What is a friend?
What can you do with a friend? Explain that together you are going to
make a pretend classroom friend that will be with you for the remainder
of the year.
ACTIVITY
- Introduce the word mascot to the class. Are any children familiar
with this word? Explain what a mascot is and give examples. Children
may have seen mascots at sporting events or on television. Invite the
class to create their own mascot.
- Place the pieces of scrap material in the center of the class circle.
Ask each child to choose a piece of the material, squeeze or crumble
it, and stuff it into one of the pillowcases. As children are filling
the pillowcases, suggest that they compare sizes, textures, and colors
of the materials.
- To make the mascot's head, children can stuff the first pillowcase
halfway full, tie it closed with a piece of rope or string, and use
markers, paint, or decorative materials to make a face. Invite them
to decide together on special characteristics, such as what color yarn
to glue on for hair. Encourage them to work together to create a mascot
that is representative of the whole class.
- Suggest that children problem-solve ways to create a body using the
second pillowcase and remaining scrap materials for the body and the
stockings for the limbs. Work together over several days.
- Help children attach the mascot's body to its head. Ask them to decide
on a name for their mascot. Together, find it a home in your classroom.
Curriculum Connection: Literacy
Invite children to create drawings of a favorite friend or family member.
Ask children to dictate descriptions of the person, and why that person
is special to them. Print children's dictations below their artwork. When
finished, create a "special friends" quilt by taping the completed pictures
on the wall in the shape of a quilt.
RELATED BOOKS
Count on Your Friends
by Becky Daniel
(Good Apple, 1991; $8.95)
Duncan & Dolores
by Barbara Samuels
(BT Bound, 1999; $12.70)
Silly Little Goose*
by Nancy Tafuri
(Scholastic Inc.; $4.95)
|
