Elmer the Elephant (elephants are hard to draw!)

Elmer is such an adorable book, and it is always a crowd pleaser with the little ones.  We are going on a zoo field trip in a couple of weeks, so I am trying to squeeze in as many zoo animals as I can before we go!  Today was elephant day in the lovely world of Kindergarten.  

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The kids really wanted to make an Elmer craft, but I didn’t have any time to…
A.  Make the craft
B. Prep the craft
C.  Actually do the craft
So instead, I googled “directed drawing of an elephant” and we went to town on drawing one and writing sentences.  I lead the class, shape by shape, of how to draw an elephant.  Once we finished, they traced their pencil lines with a marker.  Then I asked them to draw vertical and horizontal lines to make the patchwork, to then color in.

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Once they colored Elmer in, they wrote a couple of sentences to accompany their drawing.

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I think this little guy is adorable!  Look how cute he turned out…

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Sometimes kids can get overwhelmed when you ask them to draw something specific (aka, an elephant…) so I took the directed drawing route to practice listening and following directions, AND to make them all feel successful in their drawing ability.  

free Letter tracing activity A-Z upper and lower case

Practice letter formation with these independent, engaging, and zero-prep. printables! Use them for whole group, homework, small group, or for students that need extra practice with writing their letters.

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6 responses to “Elmer the Elephant (elephants are hard to draw!)”

  1. Brittani Black Avatar
    Brittani Black

    Such a cute idea! I am so impressed how great their elephants turned out! 🙂
    http://www.misstinsleysbees.blogspot.com

  2. Miss Trayers Avatar
    Miss Trayers

    Really adorable! You have some creative kiddos there! 🙂

    NotJustChild'sPlay

  3. A Sunny Day in First Grade Avatar
    A Sunny Day in First Grade

    I LOVE ELMER!!!! Your kids' drawing came out great!! I always read it at the beginning of the year. We talk about everyone being different and the kids each make their own Elmer. I still have them up on the wall 🙂 earlier this year I ordered a whole set of Elmer books. If your kids like that one, you should check out the others!!! 🙂

    Sarah
    A Sunny Day in First Grade

  4. Stacy Avatar
    Stacy

    Elmer is one of my all time FAVORITES. I never thought to have the kids draw it themselves, LOVE this idea. PINNNING!!!!!!

    ✰ Stacy

    Simpson Superstars

  5. Becky Avatar
    Becky

    Elmer is one of the best books ever!!!! What a cute activity! Thanks for sharing!

    Becky
    Compassionate Teacher

  6. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    I love this book. Great idea.

    This is my first time to your site…looking for the t-shirt give away. Didn't find it, but I now follow your blog:-)