You have likely read Elmer by David McKee several times (or more!). If not, you almost certainly would know the patchwork elephant if you saw his picture! What you may not know is that Elmer was first published as long ago as 1968. The stories, which are published in multiple languages, are treasured, and they are as relevant now as they ever were.
These fun dot marker activities that I have been using for a long time are inspired by Elmer’s story and his beautifully colorful appearance. These dot marker activities are a perfect way for younger kids to have so much fun while working on their development of hand-eye coordination.
Supplies for Dot Marker Activities
- set of dot markers (different colors)
- elephant template (farm animals)
- twine, yarn, or piece of paper (for the tail)
- scissors and tape (for the tail)
Directions
- Print the elephant template from my Free Resource Library.
- Use dot markers to decorate the elephant.
- Cut out the elephant if you’d like.
- Make a tail using a twine, yarn, or a strip of paper.
How to Make Dot Marker Elmer
Regular readers will know I am a proud mom of two, and my pre-schooler (seriously, when did she get so big?) would be thrilled to know I’ve shared her effort here. It now has pride of place in her ‘art gallery’ in the playroom. With the use of dot marker activities, there are endless possibilities.
Super Simple Book Report
Doing fun and creative art project is a great way to start, but why not extend the learning activity by adding in my super simple book report for kids? It’s a fun way to use Elmer, provided your students are older kids and are able to write and they find enjoyment in doing so. This can be a fun activity that’s fun for kids of all ages.
There are 21 versions of book reports to use in reading/literacy centers, as guided reading extensions, or to assist in retelling a story. Some also include a space for students to draw their favorite character or moment from the book. The versions are differentiated by difficulty, so you can use the most suitable versions for dot marker activities.
Get the book report here.
