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Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Primary education

Help - Yr 1 DS has to make a "carnival cart" at home

15 replies

passthechocolates · 09/11/2011 20:30

I opened DS book bag to find a lovely note from teacher to say that they are studying about carnivals and could the children please make a carnival cart at home. Just lovley.
I don't mean to sound miserable but I don't want too! I work full time and the only quality time I get with my DS is at the weekend, I have not got one imaginative bone in my body!
Do I sound like a complete spoil sport? or better still anyone got any ideas!!

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shebird · 09/11/2011 20:48

I'm with you passthechocolates I just hate this 'creative' homework. Anything involving building models is time consuming and is homework for parents not the children. I just spent all last weekend making a model roman settlement that will end up in the recycling. I'm sure the teachers do it for a laugh. DD did her best to help and get involved but needless to say got bored quickly and sloped off to watch tv! Arghhhhh

Sorry no ideas really but cardboard box is a good start. Good luck:)

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UniS · 09/11/2011 20:49

Lego
Can DS make himself a lego low loader type truck. With some lego people standing on it it will look rather like a young farmers carnival float.

Has your DS seen a carnival to know what teacher might be talking about? My DS ( also yr 1) would have no trouble with this, but he has been in two carnivals in the last month and wants to do another this weekend.

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passthechocolates · 09/11/2011 20:59

Thanks for the moral support shebird... i'm just glad I am not alone in my thoughts.
Your right, I will end up making some ghastly cardboard box creation, the glitter will end up everywhere, and if it hets wet on the way to school, god help us all!
I do like Unis suggestion of lego figures though.... might save on making of little figures. I do live in Somerset so carnival seems to be in everyones blood around here, except mine as I moved here and find the whole thing slightly disturbing!

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UniS · 10/11/2011 15:06

ahhh, your in Somerset, that would explain teachers assumption that your child will KNOW what a carnival cart is. rest of the world call them floats, but in somerset its carts.

Just pray your not in same class as carnival club builders child or else someone will have a model cart with lights and music.

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Iamnotminterested · 10/11/2011 16:36

What exactly is a carnival cart then?

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OrmIrian · 10/11/2011 16:42

Me too! But thankfully DS2 is doing it in school. I just have to supply a cereal box.

Just choose a theme - DS is doing Amazon Carnival because he loves animals. It will be painted green with leaves all over it and he's making plasticene parrots and snakes to hang on it. Toilet rolls for the wheels. Cheat and use plastic figures and animals or even playmobil.

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UniS · 10/11/2011 18:51

Carnival cart = Carnival float

Girt big trailer covered in "theme" towed by a tractor unit of some description.

In Somerset the whole affair will be covered in lights so bright they hurt your eyes and the theme could be anything at all ( wild west, ghost train, Ancient Egypt, magic roundabout....). In West devon the trailer will be a hay wagon and the tractor will be just that, a tractor. The Theme on the float will probadly include young farmers and a bar. It may be called "las Vegus " or "James Bond" or "beach party" but its recognisably Young farmers having a party.

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2BoysTooLoud · 10/11/2011 18:55

Shoe box.. err that's my contribution. Maybe with stick on cardboard wheels.
Felt tips, glue, glitter and something to protect your carpet!!

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passthechocolates · 10/11/2011 21:18

Just discovered why we have this project - The teacher is a dancer on one of the carnival floats, lives and breaths poxy carnivals.
I can not see the attraction myself, 4 hours spent stood on a carnival float with one song on repeat at 100 decibels. It is always wet and raining - why do they hold them in October/November? Oh and each float has a million light bulbs that melt anything it gets within 6 feet of....
My DS has come home with his "plan" today from school and has helpfully decided he wants his float to be themed in Kung fu Panda - so come on then, I have a shoe box - now what!!!!!

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OrmIrian · 10/11/2011 21:32

pass - I have lived in Somerset all my life (more or less) and have been to loads of carnivals. And after my childhood carnivals the best have been in the last few years when I have had a friend with a house on the route so I can watch in warmth and comfort with food and drink. I recommend it

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GobHoblin · 10/11/2011 22:14

Oh 'eck, i'm not at all creative either so i feel your pain! But i live in somerset and LOVE carnival!
My daughter ran into class this morning saying, Only 2 more sleeps til carnival! Teacher replied, Oh i went last night, i've brought my photos in to show you!
My husband just groans, He is a foreigner too

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AChickenCalledKorma · 10/11/2011 22:21

Well, here's a real one!

If it was me, I'd paint the shoe box lid red & add four circles of card for wheels.

Make a pagoda thingy with with four "pillars" of red card (or maybe 4 loo roll tubes?) and a green square of card for the roof.

Print a picture of Kung Fu Panda off web, stick it to some card and glue it inside the pagoda.

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passthechocolates · 10/11/2011 22:31

I never thought to google kung fu panda float! Thanks for the ideas Chicken, I have a few boxes now and several toilet rolls, so will have a bash over the weekend.
I am still not keen, only because I really don't enjoy creative stuff, I will enjoy the time with DS at the table and his little face when we make some incredible float we will both be pround of I am sure....
That is until we take it in to school, there is always a few mums who take it far too seriously and come up with some all singing and dancing model - literally in this case I am sure!!

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AChickenCalledKorma · 10/11/2011 22:37

Glad to be of assistance! But I do feel your pain. I am quite creative but my heart still sinks when the projects come home. Because there are other things I want to do with our weekends and it does feel like our time is being hijacked.

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passthechocolates · 10/11/2011 22:44

Yes quite... this weekend for instance my parents are coming to stay and I want to do so many other things with the family, but I have no choice but to put a few hours aside to make this thing....
I want to rebel and say 'no' but of course they have wound my DS up into a frenzy, got him to plan his cart at school, and now come home with the plan and said 'here mum, this is what we have to make'!!
Of course I am just ranting, and I will duly oblige and get on with it...