This year I'm running a contest for the school where I work -- a pumpkin decorating contest. Children's Book Week is in November and in celebration, I invited my students to each bring in a pumpkin decorated as a favorite character from children's literature. So far, the results have been terrific and so creative and I expect a lot of kids will be working on their entry this weekend.
We have a Junie B. Jones pumpkin, the Little Mermaid, the three little pigs, Capt. Underpants, Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Curious George, Chester the Raccoon from The Kissing Hand, Make Way For Ducklings (one of my personal favorites), the Cat in the Hat, Frankenstein, Arthur, the Rainbow Fish (another personal favorite), Cinderella and so on. At first only a handful of kids brought in pumpkins but when the kids saw what others were doing, many of them decided to get in on the fun, too. The rule is that it must be a character from children's literature -- no Sponge Bob Square Pants, Hannah Montana, WWF figures or characters from the Simpsons.
My favorite of favorites, I guiltily admit, is Capt'n Underpants. I know the student, Brianna, and she did her own work. I think it's fabulous. Anyhow, this is one fun way to promote children's books and to get the kids thinking about literature. Maybe in the spring we'll do Easter eggs.
8 comments:
These are wonderful! I can't believe how hard the students must have worked on them--I can easily recognize most of the characters.
Great project!
Thanks, Danette. I said it was all right for the kindergarteners and first graders to have a little help from an older sibling or parent, as long as the student himself did some too. The idea was to get them thinking about books.
Wow, cool! What a great idea!I think Captain Underpants is my favourite too.
Stella, I love these! My son and I vote for Captain Underpants, too! Although, I have to say Arthur is pretty realistic looking--since he doesn't have an Aardvark knows anymore than he does in the book! (Okay, pet peeve showing.)
Great idea, Stella!
Thanks everybody. All together, we had 60 entries. I had the student council help me choose the winners. We had so many creative entries. I hope we can do it again next year.
I love the three blind mice! Adorable contest, what a great idea!
Those are so great! What a fabulous idea Stella. The kids must have had a great time creating those pumpkins.
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