1-2-3 Come Do Some Scarecrow Crafts With Me
I love doing a variety of scarecrow-themed activities in the fall, so I created this cute “Peekin’ Scarecrow” writing prompt craft.
Whenever I toss a bit of creative craftiness in with our writing, my students get all excited to get down to business.
Since completed projects turn out pretty amazing, I also have an easy-peasy bulletin board or hallway display as well; which not only builds self-esteem, but gets us a lot of compliments too.
I find that if one provides students with a variety of interesting, fun and thought-provoking writing prompts, you will have hit a motivating “hot button”.
With that in mind, I spent quite a bit of time thinking up 42 engaging prompts, all with a scarecrow in mind.
For simple & quick printing, the writing prompt pattern provides 6 prompts on a one-page template.
TIP: Whenever I need to pre-cut things for my kiddos as a time saver, I stack at least 3 pages then staple around the edges.
The staples keep the papers in place and with just a few snips across, I've cut out all 7 pages at one time.
After cutting, toss the "prompt cards" into a basket.
Students pick 3, choose their favorite, then toss the other 2 back in the basket.
This prompt is then glued to their completed project.
For extra pizzazz, have students add some color to the "quilt patch" border at the top.
There are 5 different, writing prompt worksheets for students to compose their final draft on.
These can be glued horizontally or vertically to their “Peekiin’ Scarecrow”.
Take this teachable moment to build vocabulary by defining, then showing children a horizontal as well as a vertical sample.
So that I have a pretty even amount, and a nice variety for my display. I assign half my students to glue their writing horizontally and the other half vertically.
For any of our writing assigments, I have students make a first & final draft.
To help them, I've included a writing rubric, which students can use as a checklist, before they complete their final draft.
For some extra 3D pop, you can add a pair of wiggle eyes attached with glue dots.
Look closely & you will see that I've added some deeper shading with crayons, as well as some "stitch marks" to the nose, heart cheek & along the edges of the face & hat.
Another way to add some extra pizzazz, is by putting a few sheets of yellow construction paper into a shredder.
Feed in one at a time (2 sheets did enough for my class of 20).
My kiddos absolutely LOVED adding "hay hair", which is a great fine motor skill that will help strengthen finger muscles, and increase dexterity.
I've also included a hatband and a sunflower as "add on" patterns for the scarecrow's hat.
Fold the petals up for some added dimension.
As you can see by my samples, completed projects turn out so cute!
Your bulletin board or hallway display is sure to get a ton of compliments, while building self-esteem.
I've also included 2 posters to enhance your display.
So that teachers can quickly & easily make an example to share, I've also made templates for 3, of my completed writing prompts.
Sharing an example, not only helps easily explain what you want your students to do, but also gets them excited to make one of their own.
As with all of my packets, there are clear directions, with helpful tips & photographs.
Today's featured FREEBIE is a set of upper and lowercase, scarecrow-themed alphabet cards.
Use them for a variety of games.
Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.
It's started snowing quite heavily this moring here in Michigan.
Since it's only the frist week of November, I am so not ready for the craziness that winter weather creates.
That said, it is quite lovely, and the quiet of the woods, frosted in sparkling white is quite peaceful.
"In teaching others, we teach ourselves." -Proverb
