How to do make a creativeThanksgiving craft activity in a homeschooling curriculum

Instead of finding someones else's crafts idea for children to follow in a homeschooling curriculum, why not give the kids the basic idea and the materials. then let them create their own turkeys

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Felt pieces in different shapes and sizes
• rectangular pieces of construction paper in smaller and larger sizes
• small round pieces of brown paper
• small triangle pieces of brown paper
• feathers of different colors
• colorful toothpicks
• regular toothpicks
• crafts sticks
• googly eyes

1. Discuss with the children what turkeys look like. Even show them some pictures. Then tell them they will make turkeys based on the materials that are presented.

2. Give them pieces of white or manila tag board.(Tag board is stronger than construction paper and holds glue better)

3. Give each child a glue bottle or small cup with some glue in it.

4. If they choose to use the cup with the glue in it, give them a small brush they can use with the glue.

5. Place all the materials you have prepared before on separate plates.This way the children can see all of the materials before choosing.

6. Tell them that they can make a turkey for Thanksgiving using any of the materials that are on the plates.

7. Tell them that the first step is to choose a body and have them choose from the different materials presented. Try to guide them towards larger pieces of material.

8. After they glue the body on to the paper, tell them they can finish up their turkey any way that they would like.

9. When done have them dictate something to you about Thanksgiving that you can write on the bottom of their picture. If they do not want to don't pressure them.

Tips & Warnings

• Children that are not used to being creative on their own may have a hard time with this activity and will think that there is only one way to do it.
• If you yourself are not used to giving your kids independent art activities try to let go and let them create at their own pace. Common crafts can actually damage kids self esteem. www.homeschoolingcurriculum.blogspot.com
• All ages create differently. Do not expect 3 yr olds to create like the picture displayed. Those were done by 5 yr olds.
• If you are giving this activity to your very young 2 yr old watch them carefully and expect little.

[scoutlifer]

on 11/13/2007 I love seeing what my kids come up with! They're so creative! We have a box that is full of scraps and things and I let them choose the items they want and build the projects that suit them. Creativity is so important!

[showpup]

on 10/29/2007 I love the uniqueness of having the children creating their own masterpiece. This would be a great idea for youth groups, camps and church nursery classes too. :)