Materials
Paper towel rolls, tops slit 1" (2.5 cm) on each side Black paint
Paintbrushes Crayons6" x 6" (15 cm x 15 cm) pieces of cardboard, one for each child Plastic wiggle eyes
Triangle-shaped felt or paper noses
Red felt or paper "smile strip" mouths Copies of Flat-see poem, one for each child
Chart paper with the poem written on it
Instructions
1. Discuss with the children why flies are pests. They feed on carrion, then spread germs, etc. Have Flat-see the fly swatter from the poem Flat-see (see below) on display for children to use as a guideline when making their fly swatters. Set up a paint center with black paint and paintbrushes. When children arrive in class, give them each a paper towel roll and send them to the paint center to paint it so it will be dry by the time they are ready to put the fly swatter together. Explain that this will be their fly swatter's handle.
2. During a science session, give each child one piece of cardboard, two wiggle eyes, one nose piece, one mouthpiece and one copy of the poem.
3. Let the children color both sides of the cardboard and then glue the copy of Flat-see's poem on one side and the face pieces on the other side.
4. Once their handles are dry, the children can insert their cardboard faces into the slits at the top of the handle (you may want to use a little glue to reinforce).
5. Have the chart paper posted for all to see. Read the poem to the class and let the children read it with you. Repeat the poem with the class, allowing the children to act out the swatting part. Show them how to swat with the face side up so they won't swat the eyes off of their fly swatter.Original poemFlat-seeWhen you see a fly go buzzing byMake sure you give him a swatUntil he's lying flat.He's full of germs, the uninvited guestOtherwise known as the picnic pest.
