Celebration with Popcorn and French Fries
Preschool Art Curriculum Plan: Celebration with Popcorn and French Fries
Duration: 30-40 minutes
Learning Objectives:
Understand year-end and New Year holidays and the significance of celebratory foods.
Develop fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, and rolling activities.
Strengthen shape recognition and basic crafting techniques (shaping, adhering, rolling, and cutting).
Encourage creativity and imaginative thinking through sensory experiences (e.g., imagining popcorn popping).
Introduction (5–10 Minutes)
Discussion About Celebrations
Ask: “In November, we celebrated Thanksgiving. What holidays occur in December and January? How do people celebrate?”
Explain: “In the fall, we celebrate Thanksgiving with delicious foods like turkey and pumpkin pie. In December, we celebrate Christmas with treats like cookies and hot cocoa. In January, we welcome the New Year—a time of joy and cheer!”
Highlight: “Foods like popcorn and fries are part of many celebrations. Today, we’ll use art materials to make our own ‘popcorn’ and ‘fries,’ sharing the fun of celebrating with food!”
Overview of Popcorn and Fries
Popcorn: “Popcorn is made from corn kernels. When heated, they make a popping sound and turn into the fluffy snack we love. Can you imagine the ‘pop!’ sound when the kernels burst?”
Fries: “French fries are made from potatoes. They’re cut into long strips and fried to make them crispy and tasty. Today, we’ll make our own fries using paper!”
Connection: Popcorn and fries are friends who celebrate holidays hand in hand. Today, we’ll work in two groups: one will make popcorn, and the other will make fries.
Materials:
Black background paper
Pre-cut trapezoid paper (for popcorn and fries containers)
Pre-cut white strips (for popcorn container stripes)
Quartered thin napkins (for rolling into popcorn pieces)
Yellow paper (for cutting into fry strips)
Oval food name logos
Scissors
White glue
Glue sticks
Decorative background shape stickers
Orange watercolor markers (for popcorn seasoning details)
Orange crayons (for shading details on fries)
Optional Music:
Activity Instructions (20–25 Minutes)
Teacher Guidance: Alternate between groups, assisting step by step.
Group 1: Popcorn Making
Observe the popcorn container with white stripes. Have children glue the white strips onto the trapezoid paper, trimming any excess to complete the container’s “base.” Attach the base to the black background paper.
Once the base is ready, the teacher adds white glue to the trapezoid. Demonstrate how to roll napkins into small balls to create “popcorn pieces” and stick them onto the glue.
Encourage children to imagine the “pop!” sound as they roll the napkins. Use orange watercolor markers to add a seasoning touch to the popcorn.
Attach the oval popcorn logo to the center of the container. Let children decorate the black background with their favorite stickers for a festive feel.
Optional Sensory Activity: Play a popcorn song to keep children engaged and spark their imagination while they work.
Group 2: French Fries Making
Observe a picture of fries. Recall their shape and cut long rectangles from the yellow paper to make fries.
Use glue sticks to attach fries to the back of the trapezoid base. Attach the finished base to the black background paper.
Use orange crayons to shade one side of each fry, adding a 3D effect.
Attach the oval fries logo to the center of the container. Decorate the black background with stickers to enhance the celebratory vibe.
Closing (5–10 Minutes)
Show and Tell
Invite children to share their popcorn and French fries' creations with the class.
Ask questions:
“What shapes did you use to make popcorn?”
“How did you make the fries? What colors did you use?”
“What sound do you imagine when popcorn pops?”
Reflection on Celebratory Foods
Remind children: “Popcorn and fries are fun to make and are foods we enjoy during celebrations. Think about how fun it is to share these foods with family and friends.”
Discuss: “As we celebrate holidays, let’s remember how food brings us together. What are your favorite holiday treats?”
Evaluation:
Observe whether children follow instructions to create popcorn and French fries.
Assess their fine motor skills, such as cutting, gluing, and rolling.
Evaluate their imaginative thinking, especially during the popcorn and French fries' activities.
Extensions:
Storytime: Read a fun story about popcorn and fries.
Classroom Display: Create a “Celebration Food” bulletin board showcasing the children’s creations.
Taste Testing: If possible, provide real popcorn or fries for a taste test to connect the art project with real-life food experiences.
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