DLTK's Educational Activities
I'm So Smart! poetry Craft
Kaitlyn (my youngest daughter) did this project when she was 5 (almost 6) and was very proud of her first poem -- it's definitely something I'll be keeping in the treasure box.
This is a great project for building self esteem in a number of different themes:
- learning about poetry
- All About Me
- Joseph's Coat of Many Colors Sunday School theme
Materials:
If doing this with a group, try making some cardboard Templates for the children to trace onto construction paper and cut out on their own -- this is what we did in the photo. The shapes are large and easy to trace and cut.
- printer and paper
- OPTIONAL: thin cardboard for making Templates (old cereal boxes or the backs of paper pads work well)
- OPTIONAL: construction paper (if making cardboard Templates)
- pencil and eraser
- scissors,
- glue
- wool or construction paper in hair colors
Directions - Writing the Poem:
- Kaitlyn's Poem (what you might expect from a 6 year old):
I'm so smart I can type on the computer.
I'm so smart I can run so fast.
I'm so smart I can ride my scooter.
I'm so smart I can play soccer.
- for young children (Kindergarten and Grade 1) I have provided a template (part of template 2) with the words "I am so smart I can" with a blank beside. This is repeated 4 times so the children can fill in their four favorite talents.
- for older children (Grade 2 and up) you can simply provide a blank square
of paper of the appropriate size and let them write out the entire poem on
their own if you prefer.
- You can add in some computer use practice by allowing them to type their poem into the computer. You can use this project to show them how to chose a font type, font size and font color and to show them how to use a spell checker.
- Make sure the children use pencil so they can edit their work if needed.
Optional Alternative Poem:
- Instead of doing the "I'm so Smart" poetry project, younger children can do a "Me!" poem:
I can make an
M
And I can make an
e
They spell a word
And that word is Me!
Directions - Making Cardboard Templates:
- This is optional
- Print out the B&W version of the templates
- Glue the templates onto thin cardboard making sure it's glued well enough that everything will stay in place while you are cutting. If you use a glue stick or a thin layer of glue you don't need to wait for anything to dry. If you use too much glue, let it dry a bit first before the next step.
- Cut out the template pieces (right through the cardboard) so you end up with cardboard template pieces
- Allow the children to trace the templates on construction paper in their choice of colors.
Directions - Making the Craft:
- Cut out the template pieces.
- Assemble the child:
- Cut along the line in the largest piece to make the legs.
- Glue the circle (head) onto the largest piece (body and legs).
- Glue the small rectangles (arms) onto the body.
- Glue the small half ovals (hands) onto the ends of the arms.
- Glue the larger half circles (feel) onto the bottom of the legs.
- Cut some strips of paper or wool to make hair for the child. Provide colors to match all the children's hair colors (if you cannot find brown construction paper, use brown paper bags).
- Have the children draw their face on the head
- Glue the I'm So Smart! poem onto the tummy.
- Sunday School Version: Tie in with a message similar to "This week we learned about Joseph and his coat of many colors from
Genesis 37. We learned that we all have special talents and that its important not to want other's talents; but to be happy with what God
gave especially to us."
- When designing the craft, you can have the children color the body different colors (to make each on an individual coat of many colors). OR
- have the children glue multi colored pieces of construction paper, ribbon, fabric or felt to the body.
Template 1: (body) color or B&W
Template 2: (head, arms, poem) color or B&W