What the Scarecrow Taught us: Sustainability, Crafting and Democracy

We would like to introduce you to Mr. Trevor Creek!

During National Recycling Week back in September, we designed ideas for our new scarecrow. We have been sorting through our recycling items and thinking how we could reuse them. Children used mirrors to discuss their own features and this gave inspiration for what items to use for his features; "this is the nose." "I'm cutting the green, it's eye brows."

Next the children used large sewing needles to attach the features onto the hessian backing. Sewing benefits children's fine motor skills, strengthens hands, improves dexterity and encourages perseverance and concentration. As a skill, sewing cultivates a culture to mend things. This will sow the seeds for life long learning and empowered attitudes towards sustainability.

Once the scarecrow was made and kitted out with repurposed materials and old clothes, the children offered ideas for a name.

These were entered into a ballot box and names were picked out at random for the children to vote (stand next to) their favourite name. The voting was tight....."Turnip" "Crow" and "Dingle Dangle" were worthy options but in the end we had two clear winners with a total of five votes each. A union of the two names.... Mr. Trevor Creek!

We learnt the Makaton sign for scarecrow and danced and sang to the tune 'Dingle Dangle Scarecrow'!

Great effort everyone!