The following are ideas for using
My Apron in the classroom.

• Submitted by Suzanne Sloboda

  For one activity that my class did, school staff members looked at home to find any aprons they might bring in to the classroom. We collected tool belts, restaurant aprons, art aprons, and an apron made of Velcro material. In each apron, we added some appropriate materials: tools in the tool belt, a pad of paper, pencil, straw and napkin in the restaurant apron, art supplies in the art apron, and picture symbols of vocabulary from My Apron and other props in the school apron. The staff enjoyed putting this activity together, and the children really enjoyed wearing the aprons, looking in the mirror, and having their picture taken. It was a success for all!

• Submitted by Tricia Brummel

  One approach I had towards the Eric Carle author study was to actively engage the children in presenting Eric Carle stories. Here’s the process I went through:

  First, I buddied up 3 children based on reading ability. Second, they chose an Eric Carle story, (in this scenario, My Apron), and went to the Media Center (with adult supervision), to read the story, and brainstorm a list of follow up activities. Here are the activities they thought of to go with My Apron:

  1. Rewrite the story in your own words.
  2. Make your own apron.
  3. Art activity with plaster- make your own brick, put together a wall.
  4. Make your own plaster.
  5. Do a play about the story.

  Third, the 3 children and myself sat down and went over the list of activities. We collaborated and decided to make aprons. They worked with the volunteer mom to gather and prepare needed supplies. They made patterns for the aprons, cut paper large enough for each of their peers to make an apron, decided which utensils their peers could use to design their apron, cut string... They told me when they were ready to do their lesson. I hope you enjoy reading their lesson plan.

  We read the book My Apron by Eric Carle. We made aprons with paper.
  Step 1. Trace and cut aprons on white paper.
  Step 2. Color the apron with markers, crayons, colored pencils, or watercolor paints.
  Step 3. Make the 4 holes for the string.
  Step 4. Put the precut string through the holes.
  Step 5. Tie the string to fit you.
  Step 6. Wear your apron!!!

  The activity worked very well! They enjoyed being the teachers (but happily returned to 3 fun loving first graders.) This is also rewarding for me as the teacher. I hope if you try this activity you find the same fulfillment.

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