Eko-friendly crafts 3: Making Robots out of old stuff

Last Friday the kids brought all their old stuff from home like buttons, toilet paper rolls, old cereal boxes, old pipes, used plastic lids, old rags. I asked them to create robots but left them free to design their robots their own way. This was their opportunity to set their imagination free. Some of the kids embraced this project with enthusiasm while others ended up crying in frustation because their robot seemed to have a mind of its own.

Year 4- Eco Friendly crafts - The Scarecrow

Last Friday, we worked on our third eco-friendly craft. This time we created the scarecrow which in Maltese we call 'In-Naffar'. Since on Monday we worked on a comprehension in Maltese about 'In-Naffar' I thought it would be a good idea if we continued on the same theme. If you would like to try this craft at home this is what you need:

• 4 old buttons or more
• some straw
• little rags of old cloth
• scissors
• PVA glue
• cotton
• some wool

First, the students were each given a used A4 paper and on the blank side they sketched the 'skeleton' of the scarecrow. Then they stuck some cotton in the circle on top of the scarecrow's sketched head.

Here's Dyshan sticking the cotton onto the scarecrow's head

Next, they placed a piece of cloth over the cotton and drew a circle around the shape of the head. Then, they cut the cloth in the shape of a circle and stuck it over the cotton. They also stuck two buttons for the scarecrow's eyes.

They also pasted some straw for the hands and the legs. The kids started creating patterns for the scarecrow's trousers and T-shirt. They swapped material and helped each other to create different scarecrows. It was lovely watching them work, share and enjoying themselves.

Here's Amberind patiently sticking the little bits of straw

Finally, they added the final touches to the scarecrow like some wool for hair, a little hat, and some more buttons on the scarecrow's tummy.

Leon, in one of his pensive moods

Here's Kelsey cutting the cloth for the scarecrow's head

Dylan and Irvine working on the scarecrow's clothes

Enrico is creating the perfect design

Here's Kyle with his cute scarecrow

The scarecrows

Year 4 - Eco-Friendly crafts

Eco-Friendly Craft - The Box Sailboat

Yesterday, my class, Year 4, continued working on eco-friendly crafts. This time we created boats from used cereal boxes. Making crafts by reusing materials that would normally be recycled or thrown away teaches kids to think before they toss something. Sometimes, things can be used for other purposes – we just need a little ingenuity!


Earth Friendly Tips
Think twice before throwing boxes away, they can be turned into great craft projects like this Box Sailboat craft.

Cutting out the cereal boxes

Designing the boat

Colouring in.