Veterans Day and Memorial Day Poppy Craft (***FREEBIE***)

We Remember Poppy Craft Activity

Materials needed:

-Printable -Black ink pad or Black Markers

-Glue Sticks -Scissors to cut tissue paper

-Package of Red Tissue or Crepe Paper (In the past I have used 2 packages of Red Tissue Paper cut in the shape of poppy petals is enough for 50 students to receive 8 petals)

-Paperclips or Snack Bags to put petals in if you want to ensure exact amount to every student

Instructions:

1. Student writes their name.

2. Students use a stamp pad and puts their fingerprint on their own paper to make the center of the poppy. I used students finger prints because they are unique, and students can see and understand that we are all different easily like this. We have the freedom to be individuals because of all the veterans who have served to protect our rights. updated: I have also had them make small black circles in the middle to strengthen their hand muscles and improve fine motor skills. Example picture is with small circles.

3. Students receive 6 pieces of petal shaped red tissue paper. updated: I make a template by printing an extra poppy on cardstock. Then I cut a template out of the petal (like below) on hard card stock and trace on red tissue paper and cut 6 petals at a time. I paperclip them together to make it easier to hand out. I have also placed them in a snack size bag-one for each student.

4. Students use a glue stick and make one circle around the black center of the poppy. Placing glue only in a single circle allows the leaves to be loose and look more like petals.

5. Students place four petals on the paper.

6. Students use a glue stick and carefully make another circle around the black center of the poppy on top of the red tissue paper.

7. Students place only 2 more petals on the paper on top of the first layer of petals but I recommend offsetting them. (updated)

YouTube Video I use in class is The Story Behind John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields” poem https://youtu.be/pAWfiTM2KsA

Other Ideas from those who have done the activity:

-Printed the template out and give red, black, and yellow construction paper. Tear construction paper and glue on to the template,

-Paint a small yellow circle in the middle and then use black paint to make small black circles in the middle. Finish it off by using vibrant red paint to make the petals.

-Tissue paper on pencil technique -Print template on yellow construction paper. Cut red and black tissue paper into small squares about ½”, place glue down on the petal area for red tissue and the black for the center of the flower, put the tissue paper around a pencil and then place down on the paper in the glue, lift the pencil, repeat very close to where the last piece of tissue was placed until the template is filled and you have a beautiful poppy. This one would take quite a bit longer to complete.