If you're a teacher, what is your favorite classroom craft to do with the children?

Answer 1

Anything they have to do with their hands! Handprint/footprint crafts are my favourite because they give children the experience of using a body part in a different way, and it also gives the parents something to save to remind them of how small their kids actually were.

Karen

Answer 2

It really depends on which grade you teach. I really enjoy having the kids do a self portrait. Or, I have a craft book that shows how to make different pictures (depending on the season) using wire coat hangers and tissue paper. Or how about a craft that involves the nature in their neighborhood. It is interesting to see what the children have and you could help them identify the different items. Or how about the famous Dioramas. we usually do an Indian theme with this, or I have also taught the students how to make friendship bracelets & beadie buddies (3rd grade & 4th grade class).

Answer 3

Integrating language with other arts: in a high school class, I asked the students to draw their impressions after listening to a recording of the short poem Xanadu by Samuel Tayor Coleridge; he was inspired by a dream after smoking opium. Music was played while they drew. I like to do the same with a 2 yr old; use markers or crayons while listening to music. This craft works for any age!

Answer 4

I don't like to do crafts with my kids period. Who wants to see the same thing made in the same way 25 times? Let children create their own art. Young children are naturally creative. That disappears as they grow older because crafts and other "cookie cutter" art activities are taught too much in today's school environment.

Answer 5

I teach pre-school and my all time fav craft to do with my children it to make bird feeders. Take a pine cone and cover it with peanut butter then roll it or sprinkle it with bird seed. Tie a string to the top of the pine cone to hang it with. Then I let them have a little pb on a spoon and they think that is just the greatest thing.

Answer 6

Depending on age it varies. My favorite with preschool-aged children is using colored shaving cream on a low table. The children just sit at the table and spread the shaving cream all around... It makes a mess but the children love it!

Answer 7

Texture painting is always fun, use glue and sand, or sandpaper, aluminum foil, cotton balls etc.
The children love this and will understand how different things feel.
There are also, sponge painting, string panting , directed drawing, ect.

Answer 8

I love mobiles, they look great in the classroom, and children love to see them. It also gives them a chance to practice cutting skills. I do themed mobiles for different times of the year, I always have them up. My favorite one is the "get to know me" mobile, in which we include pictures of their family, words in their home language, pictures of their fave toys...pets...etc.

Answer 9

I had the children layer colored sand in little jars for Father's Day paper weights, and for Mother's day they spooned pot pourri into vases and then they thread ribbon through crocheted doilies and I tied the bows for those who couldn't tie yet.

Answer 10

cut out a shape like a Christmas tree or butterfly or turkey and make small balls from 2X2 (inch) squares of tissue paper and dip in glue then put on construction paper shape to decorate. takes a lot of time...good for fine motor control...easily adapable to many different shapes...even can do a flag!