Creative Log Cabin School Projects
Log cabin school projects can teach students about carpentry, construction and building methods. They can also help students to learn about recycling, restoration and natural resources, depending on the project. Building model log cabins can be a craft project to celebrate a holiday, such as Abraham Lincoln's birthday, or simply to learn about history. More advanced projects can get students involved in the community, or in the wildlife that surrounds them everyday. A log cabin project may seem like a simple idea, but the lessons the student can learn are nearly limitless.
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Crayon Log Cabin
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Building a crayon log cabin is a colorful craft for young children. Crayons are glued to the sides of a small cardboard box to form the walls of the cabin, and glued to the top of the box in a stacked pyramid to form the peaked room of the cabin. Children can use a wide variety of crayon colors for their cabin, or choose to use more tradition brown colors. Regular-sized or jumbo-sized crayons can be used for this project, depending on the age of the child. A very colorful log cabin may not look realistic, but building a log cabin out of crayons can teach a young child the basics of how a log cabin is built.
Paper Log Cabin
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Creating a paper log cabin is inexpensive, and a lot of fun for students of all ages. Pieces of newspaper are rolled around a pen or pencil to form the logs. The logs are then painted and glued to a cardboard box. The roof is created using either the paper logs or shingles made from pieces of cardboard. Doors and windows that open and close can also be created using a small square of cardboard and a little tape. Paper log cabins are a good classroom or rainy day project. They can be completed in just one session, and allow for a lot of customization.
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Pretzel Log Cabin
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Pretzel log cabins have a definite advantage over other log cabin crafts: they can be eaten afterward! Pretzel sticks become the logs of the cabin, and can be attached to a cardboard box or milk carton using peanut butter as an adhesive. The roof is made out of crackers, also attached with peanut butter. Other crackers or pretzel shapes can be added to form windows, doors or even a chimney. After the log cabin has been admired, pretzels and crackers can be removed for a snack. Don't eat the cardboard box, however, and be informed of any nut allergies. Cake frosting can be used in place of peanut butter if nut allergies are an issue.
Natural Fiber Log Cabin
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Building a log cabin out of natural fibers is really two crafts in one. Students get to explore the outdoors, collecting twigs, sticks and other natural odds and ends, then have the pleasure of creating their own personalized log cabin out of the resources they find. Twigs and sticks are cut to the desired size, creating miniature logs, and then glued to a cardboard box. Pieces of bark can be used for doors or window shutters. Small stones can be used for additional flair. The options are limited only by available resources and the imagination of the student. Natural fiber log cabins are a good way to teach about wildlife, building and recycling.
Log Cabin Bird House
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Log cabin bird house or bird feeder kits can be purchased, or designs can be printed out and the bird house or bird feeder can be created from scratch. A log cabin bird house or bird feeder is a little more complicated than paper, twig or pretzel log cabins, and is better suited for slightly older students. The project will require more supplies, a larger work space and, most likely, several sessions to complete. Building a log cabin bird house or feeder, however, is an excellent way to teach students about carpentry, as well as about avian habits and habitat.
Log Cabin Restoration
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Joining a log cabin restoration team is an excellent way to get students involved in the community, while at the same time allowing them to learn about history and carpentry. There are log cabins in need of restoration located across the country, although there may or may not be one available in your area. Check with a local historical society for information on restoration projects going on in your community. While a restoration project is not appropriate for young children, high school students can benefit from the experience.
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References
- Photo Credit log cabin image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
