Last year the first grade students and I had the best time doing this project.We asked their teacher to leave the room while we made animal masks and practiced a song to sing (or recite) to her. The kids got so excited about doing something to surprise their teacher. We had a total of six different animals, so more than one student made the same animal. While I was searching for other possible animals to draw for the project I ran across the site, “Masketeers,” that features masks. With the download you get both a colored version of the animal and a black and white version. There are a total of 50 different animals. You download from their site and the price is great considering how many different ways you could use the masks. You can even check on the size and looks of the masks by downloading three free masks. I think the animals (you can resize them to fit your needs) would even make an interesting bulletin board.
Since I believe in using available aids to keep my classes within the one hour limit, I have chosen to use the Masketeermasks for this project.
Supplies:
- White cardstock
- Masks from Masketeers
- Crayons or colored markers
- Scissors
- Paint sticks
- Masking tape
- “Animal Song and Dance”
Directions:
- Copy the black and white version of the animal masks from Masketeers to the white cardstock.
- Make a large copy of the song (so you can tape it to the blackboard) so the kids can practice singing or reciting it while they work on the mask. On the board write the name of each of the animals and number them.
- Color the mask with crayons or colored markers.
- Carefully cut out the mask, staying on the outside of the black line.
- Tape the paint stick to the back of the mask.
- Words to the song:
All sing or recite:
If you should see a (an)__________, on a summer day.
What would you do? What would you say?”
I’d say, “Hello, Mr. (Mrs.) _______,” how are you today?
Please show us how to dance your way.
- The teacher is invited back into the classroom. As the students sing or recite the song and insert the name of the animal, that student stands and dances however he or she wishes, and then all the rest of the students stand up and follow their lead. Then the animal that is #2 on the list stands, all sing the song and then the animal does his or her dance.
- At the very end, after all the students have done their animal dance, they all sing putting in the teachers name. Like “If you should see Mrs. Miller, On a summer day say?” Then the teacher does a dance and the kids all follow her lead.
The students loved this project. (The children in the photos are of my grandchildren and their friends)
Halloween Projects Gallery:
