As the Calendar Turns

Why

Keep track of the season, month, day, and date with this colorful, changeable calendar.


Steps

1. Create changeable circles. Fold a large paper into four sections. With a Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencil and a compass, draw four circles large enough to fill each section. Cut out circles with Crayola Scissors.


2. Design the calendar. Fold another large piece of paper to divide it into four sections. To create windows, draw a rectangle in each section near an outer edge. Make three large openings (month, season, and day) and a fourth a little smaller (date). Cut out the openings.


3. Decorate the openings, edges, and sections with Crayola Slick Stix™. Add pictures of your favorite activities or changes in nature for each of the four seasons. These bright, intense colors blend easily with the tip of your finger or a paper towel.


4. Make the wheels. To create moveable wheels, place each circle behind a section so that a small portion sticks out slightly beyond the edge. Hold in place with brass paper fasteners.


5. Write January in one opening. Turn wheel so you can no longer see it and then write February. Continue through the rest of the months. Use this same technique to fill in other three circles with the four seasons, the seven days of the week, and 31 days of the month.


Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

Adaptations

  • Use similar wheels for math, science, and other facts.
  • Find calendars used in other countries. Compare them to the one you use. Why are there so many different calendars?
  • Create monthly calendars.

Related Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans

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Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Crayons
  • Erasable Colored Pencils
  • Pointed Tip Scissors
  • Twistables® Slick Stix™ Crayons
  • Giant Floor Pad
household supplies
  • compass
  • brass paper fasteners
  • straight edge

Overview

grades

  • Grades 1 to 3

subjects

  • Math
  • Science
  • Visual Arts

time

  • 30 to 60 minutes
  • Multiple Sessions

benefits

  • Students learn how the seasons are arranged through the calendar year.

  • Students identify how many days there are in a month.

  • Children demonstrate their knowledge of the seasons, days of the week, months, and dates by creating a changeable calendar.

Cirriculum

Research Canada Standards
Research UK Standards
Research U.S. Standards