Funky Chicks

For Easter we got busy making some funky chicks. 

I saw this idea for Thanksgiving Turkey's on Teacher Tom's blog and thought it would be fantastic to try.  ( http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/we-did-craft.html ) I enjoy doing crafts with the children but for me, they have to be the children's own work with minimal adult input.  This was just perfect, with the opportunities it provided  for developing minor motor skills. However in England we don't celebrate thanksgiving.  I did think about taking the children to the farm.  I could then justify providing the activity by linking it to this experience,  However, it occured to me at 5am that is was Easter the following week, doh! We could adapt the idea into funky chicks.  So I dug out the paper plates, made some eyes and beaks, brought a yellow feather boa for 99p and spent the weekend attaching feathers to wooden clothes pegs (Oh I also had to purchase a glue gun, been after an excuse to get one of these!  Found one in Wilkinson for £4.  After being inspired by Teacher Tom to let the children use it, I just need to find an opportunity now.)

We painted our plates yellow, stuck on our eyes and beaks and got to work trying to figure out how to attach those tricky clothes pegs. 

Coordinating the action of opening the clothes peg and positioning it so that it would attach to the edge of the plate proved more difficult for some.  But they all persevered and created some very funky chicks. 

Oh course there was the one featherless chick from the little boy who disliked the feel of the feathers!
Links to EYFS:
CD: Exploring Media and Materials - where children are engaged in conversations about the feel / texture of the feathers.
PD: Using Equipment and Materials - where children are able to attach the clothes pegs to their chick.
KUW: Communities - where there are conversations with children about Easter.
PSED Communities - where there are conversations with children about Easter