strawberry rocks

A couple of weeks ago, I saw some strawberry painted rocks on a friend's facebook page.  If you put them in your strawberry bed, they are supposed to keep the birds from eating the strawberries for your strawberry shortcake.


I am a little skeptical of their bird effectiveness, but thought that they would be a fun way to bring nature into the classroom.

My friend and teaching buddy decided that we would make them together while we attended a kindergarten institute. (We were the only ones arriving at our accommodation with a bag full of beach rocks, red spray paint and a variety of colours of acrylic latex!)

step 1
rocks on newspaper on the grass in a hidden corner

step 2
red spray paint (I kept waiting for someone to ask me what I was doing on a university campus with a can of spray paint - guess I just don't look bad a$$ enough!)


Let the painting begin!

step 3
We used a mixture of three different greens to paint the leaves at what was determined to be the top of the strawberry.


step 4
Paint on the seeds.  We used white paint.  I guess you could use black too.


step 5 
I sprayed the finished strawberries with a varathane spray to protect them and give them a bit of shine.


I think they look pretty good.

A basket of beautiful strawberries to be used as math manipulatives, for counting, sorting, to put out with a book (like Audrey and Don Wood's The Little Mouse, the Big Red Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear), or for inviting the imagination to play.



  


       


16 comments

  1. I've seen those strawberry rocks too- and will end up making them, if anything, to save my father's strawberry patch. But yes, those would be great manipulatives too. The beach rocks are gorgeous by themselves! Much more expensive to mail than acorns though- so I'll do without.
    ~Heather
    The Meek Moose

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love everything you do. :)

    ✰ Kimberley ✰
    First in Maine

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sandi, these are gorgeous - I'd have loved to seen you two hunkered down on the grass spraying rocks!! I bet the childrwn will have so much fun with these.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my those "strawberries" are so sweet! Thanks for sharing. I am a new follower and am looking forward to reading more.
    Happy Teaching,
    Laura
    TIPS: Teach, Inspire, and Prepare Students

    ReplyDelete
  5. Those are gorgeous! I love them. I'm going to have to do that, too!
    Were you at UVic for the workshop? Next time you're in Victoria, let me know and we can meet for a Starbucks:)
    Barb
    PS I've just written my Pete the Cat post ... I'll link up tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love these! So cute, and like you said, great for the classroom!

    Jennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think your teaching buddy should borrow the spray paint and do some more on her next camping trip perhaps...your basket full looks great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think maybe that teaching buddy should enjoy some rock painting on her camping trip : )

      sandi

      Delete
  8. How creative! Those strawberries look almost good enough to eat, they're so glossy and I feel the immediate urge to grab one out of your basket and feel its slick texture! Thanks for sharing this as a manipulative idea.
    :) Antonia @ forkin4th

    ReplyDelete
  9. So cute!!!! I love them! New follower and looking forward to reading more on your blog!

    Debbie :-)
    K is for Kinderrific

    ReplyDelete
  10. Those strawberry rocks are adorable! I love the book "The Little Mouse, the Big Red Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear". You could totally do some fun math activities with those :)

    Amanda
    First Grade Garden

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love these!! What a creative idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks - whoever first thought of it was brilliant : )

      sandi

      Delete
  12. They look great! The only thing stopping me from making these is that I haven't found the rocks! I really need to do this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. my rocks came from the beach - but they could also come from a river or even Walmart (but the beach or river is more fun and less $$)

      sandi

      Delete
  13. Love this idea. Need to make some for my 2ndies' Math Workshop and activities to go with them.

    Jill
    a-little-red-wagon

    ReplyDelete

Back to Top