Teaching Idea - Worry Dolls

A book I love to read, especially at the beginning or very end of the year when many students have worries, is Silly Billy by Anthony Browne.

We always read the information page at the back about Worry Dolls. After reading everyone wants to make their own worry dolls. 

You need:

 

Masking tape, scissors, match sticks 

AND

 

Wool or embroidery thread. 

You can use 4 match sticks per doll or 5 match sticks per doll depending on how thick you want them to be. I find the thicker 5 match stick dolls are easier for little (and big) fingers. 

Assemble the match sticks like this

  Stick the sticks together with masking tape. ( you need to cut the ‘head’ stick a little to make it the right size) 

With a little bit of masking tape stick the thread to the body and wrap it around...

  ...until you have made pants, a skirt or a dress. 

Then stick a new piece of tread onto the body and make a shirt.

 Cut some stripes and fold and glue in the centre to make long hair or cut a long piece and scrunch it up for short hair. 

I recommend gluing the hair down, it's probably the trickiest part!

 Some students add details like a belt or a bracelet or ‘striped’ pants or ribbons. 

Everyone ends up with their own set of worry dolls. 

MR