February 2007 Craft of the Month--US Postal Carrier

With Valentine's Day coming up, why not study this community helper--The US Postal Carrier.  HE is the one who will be delivering those mailed Valentines.  The children can become their very own Postal Delivery Person by creating this hat and mail pouch.
  


Material Needed:

2 large sheets of construction paper (12"x 18")
Scissors
Hole punch
Glue/staples/tape
Markers or crayons
Stickers or old Valentines
2-3 feet of yarn or ribbon for each mail bag

Directions for Hat:

1.  Draw a line and cut a 4" wide strip the length of one piece of construction paper for the hat band. 
2.  Draw and Cut a 6" semi-circle with a small insert area for the band of the hat.
3.  Using glue or tape connect the brim of the hat to the band by gluing the insert area under the hat band.
4.  Decorate the hat as desired with markers, crayons, stickers or old Valentines.
5.  Fit hatband around the child's head and then secure band with glue, tape or staples to fit head size.


Directions for Postal Carrier Bag:

1.  Take the second sheet of construction paper and fold 2/3 of the way up (the length).  Secure the sides with staples, glue or tape to form the mail pouch.
2.  Fold down the top third of the construction paper to form the bag's flap.
3.  Using the hole punch, punch a hole at the top of the pouch on each side just where the flap hangs over the pouch.
4.  Thread the yarn or ribbon through the holes and tie in a knot or bow to secure the "shoulder strap".
5.  Decorate the "Mail Bag" with the stickers, old Valentines or marker designs.
6.  Put the child's Valentines in their bag to "deliver" to the other students by taking the Valentine's from their bag and placing them onto the student's table area.  Each child goes home with the Valentines addressed to them in their own Mail bag (now empty from delivering their mail)!

These craft activities address scissors skills in the making of the hat, and folding skills in the making of the mailbag.  Tying or knotting skills are addressed in the mailbag, and graphic skills practice is utilized on both craft items. For PreK, you are also addressing name printing and recognition.

* See the Sequence Pictures of the Month for Sequencing this activity in photos.