Materials:

• large sheets of brown mural paper
• pencils and markers
• camera

Developing Skills:

• creative thinking
• fine-motor
• math
• social awareness

In Advance:

Cut a large sheet of brown mural paper (about 36 inches long) in half, creating two 36-inch long pieces. Fold the paper into three 12-inch-sections. Cut enough pieces so that each child will have a 1 2-inch section to draw on.

ACTIVITY

Explain to children that they will work in groups of three to create a silly drawing of a person. Show them a sheet of paper and explain that each child will draw a section of the body. Some children will draw a head, others will draw what falls between the shoulders and the waist (including arms and hands), while the last group draws the bottom portion of the body. Encourage children to use their imaginations as they work-even silly drawings are acceptable!

Fold the paper together so that only one section is showing at a time. Begin by asking several children to draw the head in the top section of the paper. Let them use pencils at first. Remind children to include a neck that will extend to the end of the page. Markers or crayons can be used later.

Fold over the top section with the head drawing and adjust the paper to reveal only the middle section. Invite the group drawing the midsection to follow the same steps, using pencils before markers or crayons. When finished, repeat the process with the final group, who will complete the lower portion of the body. On the back of the drawings, write the names of the children who drew each section.

Unfold the full body drawings and display in the group area. Ask children if they can identify the section they drew. Photograph each threesome next to their drawing. Engage the group in a discussion about the drawings. Which do they think is the silliest or even the scariest? What makes the drawings funny or interesting? Did they enjoy making the drawing? Display the drawings along with a description of the project and the photos of each group.

Remember: Some children may need visual cues to help them focus on a specific section of the body. Ask children to look in a full-length mirror to identify their section on their own body or use pictures from books or magazines.

TAKE-HOME ACTIVITY

Family Drawing. Send home directions for this activity so that families can do it together. Tell parents they can do the activity on any size paper as long as it is divided into three sections. Encourage them to experiment and have fun.

Curriculum Connection: LITERACY

Silly Story. Invite each group to work together to create a collaborative story about their drawing. Record their words on paper, encouraging all three children to contribute. Include their stones with the display of the drawings.