Activity Ideas:
Art
Corn Husk Dolls
To make replica corn husks for your own character, cut the seams of a brown paper lunch bag
with Scissors so it lies flat. Use Markers to cover the bag with long brown, yellow, and orange
lines, all in the same direction, for texture. Cover your work area with newspaper. Blend the
marker colors slightly with a damp Paint Brush. Dry.
Cut the bag into about 12 long and 6 short husks. Trim the ends so they look irregular and
natural. Tightly tie one end of the longer husks together with yarn. Turn the tied end over, and pull
the yarn ends out. Spread the husks around the tied end, then cover it. Tie yarn tightly around the
husks to create your character's head.
Tie the shorter husks near both ends for arms. Spread the husks of the longer piece in two.
Insert the arm section, then tie your character at the waist.
Complete your Corn-Husk Character in a way that is authentic to the time and culture of your
choice. Cut hair from yarn or construction paper. Tie it to the yarn left at the top of the head. Add
clothing, such as an apron, by coloring paper and tying it on. For pants, divide the bottoms of the
husks into two equal parts, then tie at the ankles. Use markers to draw a face.

Harvest Necklace
Materials: Large needle, string or fishing line, popped corn, raisins or dried cranberries,
Optional items can be nuts, pieces of orange peel, dried apple or apricot
Measure the length of line that you need to fit the necklace over the head. Don't forget to leave
enough for tying off. Thread the needle and string the popcorn and other items alternately. When
we were done we all made Native American head bands and wore them both for most of the
day. Afterwards you can hang the necklaces onto a tree or shrub for the local wildlife.  Tip: The
orange peel adds a very pleasant scent.  Put a bit of all natural peanut butter on the necklace
before placing it outside. The oils and protein are great for the birds!

Painting Leaves
Paint paper leaves with autumn colors but instead of using paint brushes use corks instead.

Vegetable Stamping
Children can use various harvest vegetables to stamp with paint onto paper. Green peppers,
carrots and potatoes make excellent stampers.

Garden Stone
What You Need:  1 cup of sand, 1/2 cup of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon powderded alum, 3/4 cup of
hot water, Food coloring of child's choice, Assortment of items child would like to decorate with,
Plastic pastel butterflies, Colored stones
What You Do:  (This recipe only makes one stone) Might want to adjust to the size of your class.  
We do a chart and ask the children what is their mother's favorite color and then go from there in
making the dough. Mix sand, cornstarch, and alum in bowl.  Add hot water, stirring vigorously
until well blended.  Add food coloring and blend.  Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring
constantly.  When cooled, Encourage children to flatten the dough out and make it the shape
they prefer. Encourage them to decorate their stone. We had the letters M and O cookie cutters
on the table and some of the children put the word "mom" on their stone by pushing the cutters in
the dough.  Dry pieces in the sunshine for several days.  Lay out tissue paper, tape and ribbon,
encourage children to wrap their gift for their mom's and if they would like make a card to go with
their gift.

Math
Each fall we ask children to bring in a small pumpkin. We set up a tape measure and scale in
our science area. Each child measures and weighs their pumpkin and we chart it, and leave the
chart out for parents to see.
Harvest DAZE
c. Marcia Arpin
www.alltheDAZE.com
established July, 1,
2002
Words of Wisdom

"A true leader has the confidence to stand
alone, the courage to make tough
decisions, and the compassion to listen to
the needs of others. He does not set out to
be a leader, but becomes one by the
quality of his actions and the integrity of his
intent. "
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