doing our part for the kindergarten economy

So, as part of their math unit on money, tomorrow the kindergartners are having a class "store," where they'll be given "money," allowed to spend it on various things (donated by parents), & then track their purchases in a "ledger." 

I decided to make clothespin doll kits, because I think that just about anything is more fun in a kit, also I had a big bag of clothespins sitting around.

I started by using acrylic paint to "stain" some of my clothespins brown.  I like those triangular makeup sponges for this:  wet the sponge, dip it in some brown paint, rub it on the clothespin, & then wipe off the extra.  You can also do this with a pretty wet paintbrush (brush on) & a paper towel (wipe off), but the sponges make it quick & easy.

Next, I drilled a 1/16" hole across the "shoulders" of the pin (perpendicular to the leg opening) for the pipecleaner arms to go through.  In the past, I've just used a regular old drill to do this, but this time I got out the new Dremel drill press that I haven't touched since my parents gave it to me at Christmas, & it worked like an extremely speedy charm.  (Yeah, I asked for it to help with various resin tasks, but instead I'm using it for yet more school projects.  Story of my life right now.)

The kits contain a clothespin, a 3" length of pipecleaner (bent around into a "hand" at one end), two scraps of fabric, a tuft of wool for hair, & a bead bracelet.  All stuff I had around, super easy to put together.  The only really time consuming part of this project came from my decision to make an illustrated set of directions (click here for a pdf version!)*.

These are going to be "big-ticket" items, priced way up at 99¢ (the top of the imaginary price range).  I think they'll sell well.

So then, caught up in the excitement of making tiny craft kits, I put together some bead stringing sets (34¢) & little bundles of wool for felting.  (Felting has now become an activity center during the kids' afternoon free time, but they don't get to take the wool home, so I thought that it would be fun for them to be able to buy their own bags of wool (57¢)).  I did end up picking up supplies from the craft store for the beading sets, but everything else came from stash, which in & of itself was a useful exercise, just looking around at my supplies & re-seeing them from a kid's perspective.  (Can you tell that I have a loooong summer with kids ahead of me?)

It's sort of like getting ready for a craft show.  With fake money, & the easiest-to-please crowd ever.  I can't wait!

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*When you open the pdf file, it looks like a blank page.  Scroll down & you'll see the instructions.  It's two-sided, folded in fourths for packaging, & I designed it so that the fold would be across the top of the cover illustration, so the top part of the first page is blank.

Comments

[Sherry]

I am so impressed! :)

[zenzhey]

This is the cutest thing I have ever seen! What a wonderful mom you are to have taken the time to package and make all these! Good for your kids! I bet all the kids spend their money on you!
Maybe they will need to add a packaging class to the curriculum! It does make a difference!

[Mama Urchin]

these are so great

[Claire]

you are soooo cool! another amazing project. really really great. :)

[Ashlee]

This is adorable!!! It makes me want to set up a "store" for my two-year-old. Fun, fun!

[Jess]

Wow. Very cool!

[blair]

I LOVE the bracelet part! You are so good.

See you Wednesday!

[Kirsten]

They look great! What fun kits, those kids are lucky, I am sure they will be thrilled.

[Kristi]

Wow! I'm so impressed--what great ideas.

[Rachelle]

What a darling idea and so much fun! I just reviewed the most awesome crafter’s cabinet from The Original Scrapbox
and I wanted to tell you about it! Stop by
my blog to join in the fun!

[Amie Plumley]

I love love this! As a kindergarten teacher, I'm going to have to use these ideas. My sewing club has also been having fun making clothespin dolls, but I never thought about the roving for hair - very clever. thanks!

[Valerie]

Dying with how awesome this is.

So much summer goodness I would like to plan...

[Tammy]

These are so so cute!!! We didn't get to do that when I was in kindergarten! Love your ideas. Do you mind if I use some for my daughter's (Sadie) class next year?

[Jess]

Great ideas. Love the kit idea. I bought a little "woodland" kit for my daughter for easter on etsy, and she loves it. This looks right along the same lines.

[Meg]

That is awesome!

[Langus]

Hi. Those are cute. I miss you. We should hang out someday. xo

[librarianism]

These are great ideas! I am always looking for things to use in my classroom store. Thanks for sharing you bead doll pattern.

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Blogs are so interactive where we get lots of informative on any topics nice job keep it up !!

[Amy Jeans]

Hi,
My name is Amy and I am a first grade teacher. I use "money" in my classroom as well. Students earn "money" by doing work just as adults do. At the end of the month, the students get to spend their "money" at my "store". I am going to make a few of these sets for my "store" in September. The children will LOVE them. THANKS, THANKS, THANKS!

[randi]

Perfect idea! I am sure it was a hit with the kids!

[Kellie]

WOW! What a great, fabulous, totally cool idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Sally]

Hi there - I teach (casually) high school kids in a 'learning support' unit who have limited skills - your ideas are awesome and could I use the felting and dolls for a unit with them? Also your idea of using 'money' to pay for these goods is such a great idea too. Thanks so much xxxx

[Spadazzle]

Wow! That's a lot of work! The kids are lucky :)

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nice blog, it's quite informative for readers.

[Sharon]

Oh my goodness...where are you? I've been busy moving and settling into our new home I'm only now catching up with my favorite blogs...

Say something! Inspire me! Teach me! :)