• 1 child-sized long sleeve shirt for each student
• 1 child-sized pair of long pants for each student
• 1 solid colored pillowcase for each student
• newspaper
• string
• markers/paint/yarn/buttons, etc. for making/decorating the face and head
• scissors
• wooden dowels

1. The week before we make scarecrows, I send a letter to the parents explaining the project. I ask each parent to send in one child sized long sleeve shirt, one child sized pair of long pants, one solid colored pillowcase, and one newspaper (each item clearly labeled with the child's name.) I explain that the clothes will not be returned in their original condition. I have them check off if they can't provide a certain item and tell them that it will be provided for their child. I also tend to get parents who send in extras for other children. I've built up a large collection over the last 10 years!
2. In another letter, I ask for parents to come in and volunteer to help us sew the scarecrows together. I give them a choice of 2 days and times. For this project, I never say no to a parent. The more volunteers you get, the quicker the project goes.
3. Day 1) Legs (no parents needed) - I use string to tie the bottoms of the legs of the pants. The children crumple pieces of newspaper into balls and stuff the pants. When finished, it looks like a full pair of pants. I line them up on the windowsill. They stand quite easily.
4. Day 2) Shirts (parents needed)- I use string to tie the end of each sleeve and the bottom of the shirt. The children crumple pieces of newspaper into balls and stuff the shirt making sure to get inside the sleeves. The children bring their stuffed shirt and pants over to a parent and the parent sews them together. ***Remind the parents to sew the front of the shirt to the front of the pants!
5. Day 3) Head (parents needed) - I cut the pillowcase in half. Two children can really use one pillowcase. The children spread the pillowcase onto the floor and place pieces of crumpled newspaper into the center. I ask them to decide how big they want the head to be. When they are ready, I wrap the pillowcase around the newspaper balls and tie it at the bottom. The children bring their sewn shirt and pants over to a parent and the parent sews the head to the body.
6. Day 4) Decorating (no parents needed)- The children use any materials that they would like to decorate their scarecrows. They paint the face, use buttons for the eyes, pom-poms, yarn for hair, felt scraps for decorations, etc. It is totally up to the child to decide how to decorate his/her scarecrow. Many children sit the scarecrow in a chair (like the beauty parlor) and decorate.
7. Day 5) Sticks (no parents needed)- I have wooden dowels, 3 feet long. The child lays the scarecrow on its "belly." I use a scissor to cut a hole through the pants, shirt, and neck. The child pushes a wooden dowel through the holes. I use a hammer and one thumbtack to attach the scarecrow to the dowel (the thumbtack usually goes through the top of the shirt and into the top of the dowel.)
8. Well, that's pretty much it. The most important things to remember are to be PREPARED and FLEXIBLE. Some children decide not to put their scarecrows on sticks. Others do the whole thing in one day. They see how it looks and then begin. Some volunteers who come to sew heads might be helping with shirts and pants.
9. I should also mention that all of the string tying and pillowcase cutting is done before the children come to school. I put their pants, shirts, or pillowcases (depending on the day) in their cubbies, ready to be stuffed.
10. One more suggestion... Take lots of pictures. We put together a scarecrow book which describes the sequence and, of course, shows each child with his/her individual scarecrow.

• 18x24 white newsprint
• orange tempera paint and containers
• largish brushes
• scissors
• glue
• stapler
• orange markers or crayons
• scraps of construction paper

1. After discussion or an appropriate poem or short book about pumpkins, hand out the markers and newsprint. (It is very helpful to write the children's names in permanent marker on front and back of paper ahead of time, to eliminate later confusion.)
2. The children are instructed to draw a great/huge pumpkin upon their paper with marker.
3. Have each child paint the pumpkins. Set them out to dry.
4. You, the teacher, must glue each pumpkin to another piece of newsprint, leaving an opening at the bottom, large enough for a hand to fit through.
5. Next class, have students cut out the pumpkins, reminding them to cut through both sheets of paper at one time. Do not throw away scraps.
6. Decorate the pumpkins with faces cut from construction paper scraps. Scrunch the scrap paper into balls and stuff the pumpkins.
7. The teacher must staple the bottom closed. These can be hung from the ceiling, or placed into a pumpkin patch bulletin board.

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• 9 x 14 drawing paper
• color pencils
• pencils
• scissors
• overhead projector

1. Tape the drawing paper to the chalkboard and slide a desk almost up to the board under the paper.
2. Have each student sit on the desk so that when the overhead shines on him/her, it creates a shadow on the paper behind the student. (The student is creating a silhouette.)
3. Trace, or have another student trace, the outline of the silhouette onto the drawing paper.
4. The owner of the silhouette takes it to his/her desk and divides the silhouette into sections.
5. Instruct the students to illustrate each section in a different way that represents him or her. (Encourage students to make large sections.) Include things like hobbies, favorite food, friends, home, etc. Students who run out of ideas can also fill in some of the sections with patterns like stripes or dots.
6. When the silhouette is completed, cut it out and paste onto a different color of 9 x 14 paper.

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• butcher block paper
• crayons
• t-shirt
• yarn
• mirror

1. Each child lays on the butcher block paper and teacher traces the body. Cut out the shape. Draw facial features.
2. Child looks in the mirror to notice color of eyes, hair and skin. Child colors these body parts on the paper cut out.
3. Each child is able to paint a design on the t-shirt. When dry place on the paper cut out.
4. These cutouts can be placed in the child's seat on open house night for parents to see.

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• 12X18 sheet of white drawing paper
• pencil
• marker (any color, but each student only needs one color)
• ruler
• stencils or cutouts of symbols for various things (optional-you can make them draw everything themselves, but I find it easier to provide them some cut outs to use)

1. Think of 10 symbols that could be used to represent YOU (baseball, music, telephone, reading, car, etc.)
2. Draw the ten symbols on your paper covering as much of the paper as possible.
3. Use a ruler to draw horizontal and vertical lines every two inches on top of your drawing to make a checker board.
4. With the marker, fill in every other space alternating shape, background, shape, background and so on. Switch at the beginning of each row. i.e. checkerboard-like
5. Remember, you need to plan and think ahead. Mistakes in coloring are very difficult to fix.

• none

1. Choose one, or the combination of both of the following ideas, and together with a partner (Duet) create a way to introduce yourselves to the audience. Your skit must be based off of the show(s) and bring out several items about yourselves. AMERICA'S MOST WANTED &/or LIFE STYLES OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS
2. You must bring out your real name so everyone knows who you are. Other areas you may choose information from to bring out within the skit are:
   • Place of Birth
   • Family Members ( Sisters/ Brothers/Pets etc.)
   • Hobbies
   • Talents
   • Favorite Things
   • Things you dislike
   • Places you've been
   • Places you'd like to go
   • Most embarrassing moment, etc.
3. Example: One Student stands off to the side with his head in a frame. The other student sits on a set and pretends to be the host of the show America's Most Wanted In School. He begins to talk about this student who is wanted for various crimes. He's a happy and friendly chap that loves to help teachers. He enjoys participating in the Science Club, Student Council and he also is a member of the Wolverine Band. (Give a physical description), and tell other things about him etc. Finish by saying:"If you should see him, stop him and introduce yourself. He's a great person to know. This has been your host ( and give your real name) of America's Most Wanted In School. Tune in next time for another wanted student.
4. Example: Life Styles of the Rich and Famous. Two students pretend to be rich and famous. One is going to be interviewed by Barbara Walters and is very nervous as this is the first time she has been interviewed on live TV. She goes over to the other student (famous person's) house to get support. They do a practice run of questions that might be asked, actually bringing the information out about each other.
5. Information should be true, not made up. Time element: 3-5 minutes Props: optional Costumes: optional