Materials
Paper grocery bags
Scissors
Markers
Crayons
Odds and ends such as rickrack, pompoms, sequins,yarn, and patches
Glue
Instructions
1. Ahead of time, cut a paper bag in the shape of avest for each child. To do so, cut a circle in the bottomof the bag for the child's neck and cut an armholeon each side. Cut an opening along the lengthof the bag forming the front of the vest.
2. Invite the children to decorate their vest usingmarkers, crayons, and various odds and ends.
3. Show the children how they can snip the bottomedge of their vest with scissors, creating fringe.
4. Put out some cowboy hats and stick horses, andencourage the children to play Wild West.More to doCooking: Make cornbread, applesauce, or other simple treats dating from long ago.Dramatic play: Supply a few props and invite the children to set up a pioneer home or communityin the play area.Social studies: Place an oversize map of our country on the floor and invite older children totrace the route of the early pioneers.
