Title – Memorial Day Poppies

By – Betty Yerger

Primary Subject – Art

Grade Level – 2-4

Materials:

• 3-inch red construction paper circle with center dot
  
• 6-inch green pipe cleaner
  
• 1/2 X 6-inch strip light yellow paper
  
• scissors
  
• pencil
  
• glue stick or white glue
  
• completed project example

Introduction:

Discuss what it means to be a veteran, general history of Memorial Day and why poppies are associated with remembering soldiers who died for America. (Information easy to find online.) I explain that veterans sell red poppies to raise money to help keep up cemeteries and to help disabled veterans. By making these pencil toppers we are reminded of their sacrifices that have made America free and safe.

Related Poem:

In Flanders Fields In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders Fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields. John McCrae, 1915

Directions:

Draw line from center dot to edge of red circle and cut a slit. Overlap cut edges about an inch to create a shallow cone and glue; press for a silent count of 50 and set side to dry. Fold yellow paper in half; write Memorial Day on one side and Monday, May 29 (or appropriate date) on the other; set aside. Twist one end of green pipe cleaner around pencil point to create a small “knot”. Keep rest of pipe cleaner straight. Poke small hole in center of poppy cone using pencil point and insert straight end of pipe cleaner, pull through until “knot” is in base of cone and forms green center. Place glue on inside of yellow paper and overlap onto green “stem” right under the poppy; press together and make sure securely glued. Poppy can be wrapped around pencil to form a pencil topper or used in other ways.

NOTE:

Very popular project; many students wanted to make extras for family members, so have extra supplies available if possible.

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Betty Yerger

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