Coconut Trees

It all started with a boom...a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom that is. A couple of weeks ago the Cardinals read the beloved story Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to help get ready for our letter hunt. Continuing with the story, and our literacy work, we decided to create our very own coconuts trees just like in the book. However, these coconut trees are specific to each Cardinal. 

To begin, friends selected a piece of green paper to trace their hands. Following tracing, friends cut out their handprints, which are to represent the leaves/palms of the tree. Friends first tried doing these steps themselves, and if they needed assistance, a teacher was there to help trace and cut. 

Next, each Cardinal selected a toilet paper roll to be used for the trunk of the tree. Using a small sponge and brown paint, friends used their pinch grip to sponge-paint the "trunk."

Once the trunks were dry, friends pasted their leaves onto their trees. With these steps completed, it was time to add the coconuts! Friends chose to use pompoms to represent the coconuts. To give their trees more individuality, friends then sifted through a pile of foam letters searching for the letters in their names to hang from the leaves. 

Now with the trees finished, the last step in this process was to gather some background information on each Cardinal. One on one with a teacher, each friend had the chance to complete an "About Me" page. Make sure to check out our coconut trees on display in the classroom. The Cardinals worked very hard and are very proud of their work! 

During the process of creating their very own coconut trees, friends practiced hand-eye coordination, exercised their fine motor skills, such as when tracing, cutting, sponge-painting, selecting and pasting letters and "coconuts". Friends also work on their letter recognition and awareness, problem-solving, and communication skills. 


Come take a close look at the Cardinal's work displayed in the classroom!