*Remember, it’s the process and not the product. Children will be using problem-solving and small motor skills as they do these projects.
Pop Up Scene
Skills: comprehension, setting
Materials: construction paper, crayons, markers, scissors, glue, scrap box
Directions: Prepare pop-ups ahead of time by folding the construction paper in half. Cut two slits from the fold 3 ½” from each side and 2 ½” down as shown. Bend the tab in so when you open there will be a 3-dimensional tab. Have children close their eyes and make a picture from a book you have read in their brain. Have them draw the setting of the scene on the inside of the pop-up. Finally, have them draw the main character and glue it to the pop-up.
*Pop ups are perfect for habitat studies or scenes from history.
Triarama
Skills: comprehension, setting, habitats
Materials: paper, scissors, crayons, markers, stapler
Directions: Cut the paper into a square by making a diagonal fold and cutting off the bottom. Children draw a scene on the top half of the square as shown. Cut in half-way on the diagonal crease, fold under, and staple to make a stand up scene.
Skills: comprehension, setting, habitats
Materials: paper, scissors, crayons, markers, stapler
Directions: Cut the paper into a square by making a diagonal fold and cutting off the bottom. Children draw a scene on the top half of the square as shown. Cut in half-way on the diagonal crease, fold under, and staple to make a stand up scene.
Pipe Cleaner People
Skills: book characters, famous people, retelling a story
Materials: pipe cleaners, scrap box, cloth, scissors, glue
Directions: Demonstrate how to make a stick person from two pipe cleaners. Children can then add a face, clothing, and other details. Let them retell a story with their pipe cleaner people.
