Quick Easy Classroom Thanksgiving Craft: Teepee

If you are short on time, but still want to give your students an opportunity to complete a Thanksgiving craft project, you have come to the right place. This quick and easy Thanksgiving craft take little time to complete, but get kids involved in learning and produces an attractive finished project.

Teepees

Teepees to display in the classroom or as take home crafts are quick and easy and do not require many supplies. Whether you choose to use construction paper, recycled paper bags, foam board or other material, the results please nearly any child.

Make a Model for Display

Begin with a 6-to 12-inch squareof brown or tan fabric or paper. Roll the paper into a cone and glue the edges shut. You may wish to fold one corner upward to create a door flap. Experiment with size until you find the right dimensions for your teepee.

Glue three 2-inch twigs in the top of the teepee so they stick out the top in a crisscross pattern.

Carefully draw Native American symbols on the outside of the teepee in yellows, oranges and reds.

Class Activity

Print off the Native American Symbols sheet and copy enough for each child in the class.

Provide each student with a square of material, markers, stamps, or crayons and a copy of the Native American symbols.

Display your teepee so children can see the finished project.

Instruct students to decorate their square of material by copying the Native American symbols. You may wish to purchase stamps of Native American symbols to simplify this project-or you may wish to prestamp the squares of material and allow kids to color in the symbols.

Demonstrate folding and gluing the cone. Older children can complete this step on their own, but young children require adult assistance at this stage. With a quick fold and a dab of hot glue, you are on your way to a completed project.

Add the twigs and allow the hot glue to cool before returning the teepees to children. Always use caution as hot glue can burn little fingers easily.

Display completed teepees in your classroom this Thanksgiving. Children may enjoy creating a village of teepees and adding other props as you complete the unit. Consider trees, stumps, canoes and Native American tools. Layering an area with moss and sand creates visual appeal, but does not require a lot of time. Lichen from trees can be added to simulate bushes or shrubs.