Third Grade Classroom Fall and Thanksgiving Party Crafts

Artistic projects build interest and excitement for students.

Students enjoy working on fall or Thanksgiving crafts. Educators should be creative when choosing appropriate and exciting projects. Ask for parent support if additional supplies are needed that cannot be covered by a school budget. Enlist parents' help on the day the crafts will be made. Students will appreciate being able to use their artistic abilities to study this season.

Bulletin Board Tree

Transform a dull bulletin board into a colorful piece of art.

Have students create a "Thankfulness Tree." Begin by passing out construction paper, such as red, brown, yellow and orange. Have students trace their two hands and cut them out. Instruct students to write a complete sentence on each hand, describing what they are thankful for. Make a tree trunk by twisting brown paper and attaching it to a bulletin board with a stapler. Guide students as they add their hand cutouts to form the leaves. Add an eye-catching title, such as "Our Class Thankfulness Tree."

Leaf Bookmarks

Students will learn about trees while creating bookmarks.

Discuss with students how leaves change color. Explain how each tree has leaves with unique shapes. Display several types of leaves and tell students the names of the trees that the leaves fell from. Take all of the children outside and have them choose a leaf. If possible, identify which tree the leaf fell from. Show students how to press the leaves by using a large book. After a week laminate each leaf chosen by the children to create a unique bookmark.

Leaf Rubbing

Colored pencils will work well when tracing the leaves.

Instruct students to bring in a leaf from home for this project. Distribute plain white computer paper. Have students lay the paper on top of the leaf and color over it, using a colored pencil. Encourage students to write poetry to go with their leaves or write a story related to fall. Students really enjoy this activity, and educators will appreciate the simplicity of this project.

Turkey Project

Students enjoy comparing their artwork with friends.

Instruct students to trace their hands on red, yellow, or orange construction paper. Instruct each student to cut out six copies of her hand, using various colors. Then have students make one foot outline out of brown construction paper. Explain that the heel of the foot will be the turkey's head. Have students draw eyes and a smile on the turkey. Demonstrate how the turkey's feathers will be created from the students' hand cutouts. Help students attach the turkey's feathers, using glue or tape. Have students write their name and age on the back to create a nice keepsake.

References

• Enchanted Learning: Thankful Tree