Patchwork People Inspired by Elmer

David McKee’s Elmer is one of those children’s books that makes me instantly happy. From the colorful illustrations to the inclusive message this is one of my favorite books to read to preschoolers. A perfect selection for the Preschool Book Club Series! I decided to focus on Elmer’s famous colorful body and create Patchwork People Inspired by Elmer.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO CREATE PATCHWORK PEOPLE INSPIRED BY ELMER

roll of white butcher paper
colored construction paper
scissors
glue
markers or oil pastels
Click Here to Purchase Elmer via Amazon

AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT ENHANCED BY CREATING PATCHWORK PEOPLE

literacy development
artistic expression
creativity
fine motor development

TIME TO MAKE PATCHWORK PEOPLE!

Prior to introducing the project cut a variety of colored construction paper squares. Make the squares fairly big approximately 5 inches x 5 inches or larger.

This is such a fun project! After reading Elmer the children will have the opportunity to make Life-Size Patchwork People! Begin by tracing each child’s body on white butcher paper.

Now comes the really fun part! Give each child the colored squares and a bottle of glue. Have them fill the inside of their traced bodies with the colored squares. Keep in mind that this takes some time and patience. This project can be completed over a number of days.

Keep working until the whole body is covered.

Once the glue dries cut the body out. The children can add a face with oil pastels, markers or crayons. We hung our Patchwork People on the wall with a name tag next to each of the people. How fun would a classroom of these be?

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