Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Paper Plate Shark Craft

Our craft today, started with D (age 8), fringing the edge of a folded paper plate, in triangles.



Then folding them down, to make a shark's jaw.


As he colored the outside gray, he was trying to figure out how to attach google eyes, without making the tooth-filled mouth, look like a crab, or too much like his monster mouth craft.

Finally, he decided it needed a body. So, I cut a simple fish-like outline, from blue construction paper, while he worked on drawing, and cutting out, a small snack for his friend.


E, glued the pieces together for us, and D added a few final touches.


Younger children might enjoy this craft along with Nick Ward's Don't Eat the Teacher...


...or Winifred Morris' What if the Shark Wears Tennis Shoes?


For more story based arts and crafts for children, check out this week's stART (story + ART) link-up, at A Mommy's Adventures.

It's great to be a homeschooler.

37 comments:

Christy Killoran said...

I love this craft! Have you read Never Take a Shark to the Dentist? We like that book!

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Christy - I don't remember that one, I'll check it out!

Our Creative Day said...

I LOVE this!!! My daughter will love doing this.

I am a HUGE fan of your site. Thank You for sharing so many amazing ideas and glimpes into your homeschooling life.

kai said...

This is great. We just went to the aquarium on Saturday and my son (23m) can't stop talking about how big the nurse shark was. Obviously I'll have to do most of the work, but that boy loves tape & glue sticks.

Debbie said...

This is way too cute!

Deborah said...

That is the cutest shark craft I have ever seen!

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

I just love how you manage to accommodate diverse interests of your children! This shark looks awesome.

Anonymous said...

Do you have the shark template??? You are right it is is the cutes shark craft.

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Sorry - I just freehanded the shark - which is why it's such a simple shape. To make it easier, I sat the teeth on top of the paper, and drew around them.

Suzette said...

I saw this craft linked on one of the pages on Facebook, and it is awesome! I am a children's librarian in a beach town, and we will definitely love doing this one! Looking forward to browsing all of your other ideas, and have you bookmarked in my browser now. We have a Homeschool Social group that meets in our library, and I am going to be sure they know about your site too! :) Thanks so much!

Jenny said...

I jotted down this idea for the future. My boys have requested a "sharp-toothed animals" unit that I keep meaning to get to.

rachelle | tinkerlab said...

Oh, this is so funny!! I'm saving this for when my kids get a little older.

Brimful Curiosities said...

Very cool looking shark. My son approves and wants one of his own!

Unknown said...

Bahahaha! I love D's addition of the "fish food"!

phasejumper said...

Love how it turned out! So cute!

LitLass said...

Love the shark. We'll definitely have to do this sometime.

Amanda said...

The teeth look so real...lol! My son will love this!

Ticia said...

That is awesome, I love this idea.

Phyllis said...

I am not sure how I missed this. I love this and I think it is wonderful that D was able to come up with the craft himself. I think he got some of his momma's talent!

Emily said...

Wow, that is too cute. Thanks for the great idea!

Amanda said...

Tis is one of the cutest paper plate crafts ever. Adorable!

Unknown said...

That is adorable! I love it!

I'd love to have you stop by my For the Kids Fridays Link Party and share! Stop by and check it out!

http://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/03/for-kids-friday-4.html

Pat Douglass said...

I'll be doing this with my K class tomorrow - will post about it on my blog... AWESOME idea!

Mr. Halpern said...

Thanks again for the awesome idea - here's my post about it.

http://lookatmyhappyrainbow.blogspot.com/2011/05/shark.html

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Mr. A - I couldn't get the comment feature on your blog to work today, so I'll leave a comment here, and hope you see it. D couldn't be more thrilled to see other children doing his craft - very neat!

Happy Home Fairy said...

I shared this in my Shark Round-Up today at Happy Home Fairy! Would love for you to swim on by and take a bite out of the fun (and pick up a Fairy Button)! Everyone LOVED your idea!

http://happyhomefairy.com/2011/07/22/shark-attack/

Unknown said...

super cute! I definitely want to share with my readers when I do a shark party theme!

hugs! Kim @ Party Frosting!

Amanda said...

Ohhh! Sooo cute!

I run Fun Family Crafts, a library of craft tutorials geared at kids of all ages. I would love it if you'd stop by and submit this to be featured! (I link to you, I don't post your tutorial on the site) Feel free to submit as many kid friendly craft tutorials as you like! http://funfamilycrafts.com/

Anonymous said...

This craft is cute! Big Shark's Valentine Surprise is a good book also that COULD be used with this craft!

Felicia said...

I love this! I am going to have my daoughter do this, but cut the teeth part fringe style and make it a whale, for the story of Jonah.

Thank you for the great idea and inspiration!!

Amanda said...

Just letting you know that this blog http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.com/2012/05/shark-paper-plate-craft.html has copied your entire project and photo to their blog. Our editor was inviting crafters to submit their projects to Fun Family Crafts and did not realize that this was yours and left a comment there. When I went to feature it I realized it was yours and featured your link instead.

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Amanda - Thanks for the heads up. This is one that asked permission, and included a link back, so it's okay. I appreciate your keeping an eye out for me, though :)

Amanda said...

I'm glad to know they asked permission, they probably should have noted that in their post. Regardless, I won't link to someone from Fun Family Crafts unless it's actually THEIR tutorial, so the link will remain to you. And it's a good thing because... :)

Congratulations! Your project was featured in July's Top 5 most popular posts on Fun Family Crafts! Thanks for sharing your creativity, we love it! If you would like a special top 5 button to display, you can grab it at the bottom of the feature post. Thanks! http://funfamilycrafts.com/july-2012-top-posts/

;0)

Unknown said...

this is such a cute idea! My son is having an under the sea party and he loves this idea for his invites! Thank you so much for sharing :) Julie

Hong Kong Shark Foundation said...

I am from Hong Kong Shark Foundation.
Thanks for sharing. We like the idea a lot! Could we use it in our Newsletter?

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Hong Kong Shark Foundation - That would be fine. Thanks!

Amanda said...

thanks for this. i am teaching a story time/craft at an indoor playplace tomorrow. i had picked the Ward book, Don't Eat the Teacher and was looking for an easy shark craft for the kids to do after the story. I found your post and I love the craft! Easy enough for the preschool bunch I'll be teaching - as long as everything is pre-cut for them. thanks again! this is just perfect!