Making a Group Poster

Making a Group Poster

Purpose/Skills

• To use writing (shapes, symbols, or letters) to convey meaning
• To practice fine-motor skills

Materials
Large sheet of heavy paper or poster board, crayons

Literature Suggestion
Read A Summery Saturday Morning by Margaret Mahy, or any other book about a group or group project.

Vocabulary
poster
sign
write

Warm-Up
Talk about the group. Ask children to describe some of the things they do together, such as play, learn, read, dress up, draw, and paint.If your group has a name, talk about the name. If the group does not have a name, ask children to think of some good names for it.

Procedure

• After reading, ask children to think about names that would describe the group in the book. (Examples for the group in A Summery Saturday Morning: The Walkers, Beach Walkers, Outdoor Friends.)
• Invite children to work with you to make a poster to celebrate their group. Put a large sheet of paper on the floor and write the name of the group, or the name children choose, across the top of it. Read the name aloud. Invite children to draw themselves and write words, letters, or designs that tell about the group on the poster. Encourage children to dictate things for you to write as well. If you have photographs of the children, add them to the poster. Hang the poster for all to enjoy.
• Teacher Tip: If possible, use heavy paper, so that little knees and shoes won't rip it.

Enrichment
When the poster is finished, ask children to tell about their drawings.

Observation Assessment

• Proficient - Child is comfortable using writing and drawing to convey meaning, and understands that words name things.
• In Process - Child participates and perhaps offers a word or two, but is awkward and uncomfortable drawing and writing.
• Not Yet Ready - Child avoids drawing and writing, and cannot propose names for the group.