Lesson #4
Worry Dolls

Lesson: Worry Doll
Grade Level: 3rd grade
Project Time: 1 hour
State Standards: 26.B.1d
                            27.A.B1
                            27.b.2    

Description: This lesson introduces worry dolls.  Worry dolls are found within the Spanish speaking culture but are popular in one area, south of Mexico in the outskirts of Guatemala.  This lesson shows the children the significance worry dolls as well as gives them hands on activity in making one.
Objective:
    1.  The students will create a worry doll.  (creative)
    2.  The students will use judgment in drawing their doll, filling up the folded 
         paper and making it big enough to hole punch. (evaluation)  
Materials and Resources:    
    1. Pre-cut paper (paper sack material for sturdiness), size 17 in. x 22 in.
    2. Yarn (assortment of yarn and color)
    3. Buttons and tape
    4.  Pencils
    5. Markers, Crayons, Colored Pencils (whatever preferred)
    6. One hole puncher
    7. Newspaper (lots of it!!!)    
    8. Felt (or other items to glue on dolls if desired)
Procedure:
    1. Introduction - give some background info., show example
    2. Pass out precut brown paper
    3. Have children fold paper in half (hamburger way)
    4. They will draw their doll outline on the outside of one folded side.
    *  Remind them that it needs to be something like a gingerbread man.  The 
        body ligaments cannot be too thin or there will be no room for stuffing.
    5.  Tell each child to raise his hand once he has drawn his outline so that is can 
         be checked.  Make sure it is not too thin.  Place an X on the insides of the 
         folded paper, this makes it so when it is time to cut out the body the child 
         can make the front and back up.  The X's will be the 'inside' of the body.
    6.  If okay, then tell them to cut out the outline, cutting through both papers.  
         This will make both, the front and back, and they will match up evenly for 
         making the doll.
    7.  Now they can decorate the doll (not the Xed sides) -use anything desired, 
         felt for hair, markers, etc.
    8.  Once this is done, punch evenly spaced holes (not too close together) 
          around the outlines body. 
    9.  Cut a long piece of yarn, tape a button to one end and tape to other end so 
          it does not unravel. 
    10. The students will sew their doll, not all the way, leaving room for stuffing.  
    11. Stuff with newspaper (crinkle the paper up first). 
    12. Sew the doll shut - take the button off and tie the two loose ends together.
    13. Closure and clean-up
Assessment:
    1. Did the students follow directions?
        a) Did they fold their paper in half in order to have a front and back piece?
        b) Did the students make the body big enough to punch holes for sewing?
Helpful Web page: 
http://www.store.yahoo.com/gmcatalog/wordolbarsty2.html