I developed this activity while taking a summer workshop, Options Through Learning Centers, at Kent State University Ashtabula Campus, in 1986. It can be utilized as a writing center or a whole group activity. The individual topics include a wide variety of activities: writing scripts for plays, developing dialogue, brainstorming lists, asking questions, ...

This is my all-time favorite lesson plan that I have developed. Enjoy using it!

Materials:

Coffee can, brown and white construction paper, markers, and glue

Assembly:

• Cover the coffee can with brown construction paper.
• Trace (my way) or draw free hand a label from a well-known peanut butter brand.
• Color the label and glue it to the coffee can.
• Out of brown construction paper, cut ten peanut shell shapes, large enough on which you can easily write dierctions, but small enough to fit comfortably in the coffee can.
• Write the activity directions on each shell.
• Once you have written the activities' directions on the shells, laminate them for durability.

Contents:

On an index card, write the following directions:

You will need pencil and paper for all of the activities in this center. Many require the use of crayons or markers and drawing paper. Choose a peanut from the jar and follow the directions on it. Place your finished work in the writing center assignment basket. Try to CRACK all of the activities. I guarantee you SHELL have fun!

On each individual peanut shell, write one of the following topics:

• Write a story about an exciting day in the life of a peanut. Include what would happen throughout the entire day.
• Design ten different outfits for a peanut to wear. For example: Calvin Peanut Designs or Gloria VanderPeanut and Jelly Wear. Draw and color your designs on peanut models. If you are adventurous, include a script for a fashion revue to launch your creations.
• You are a peanut. Tell what you think about elephants.
• Think of many different questions to ask a peanut. Write a list of all your questons. Now answer them.
• Describe a typical peanut house. Draw a picture of the exterior or a floorplan of the interior. Pretend you are a realtor and write an ad for a newspaper advertising your home.
• Create a story about a peanutbutter and jelly sandwich that has a live peanut somewhere in the middle. It missed being crushed at the peanutbutter factory. Tell what thoughts are going through its head.
• What holidays do peanuts celebrate? Write a list.
• What kinds of presents would a peanut receive for its birthday? For Christmas? For Valentine's Day? Make a list.
• Pretend that you are a peanut. Write a dialogue of conversation that you are having with your neighbor in the peanut patch.
• Write a story about a peanut family on their yearly vacation.

Place the peanuts in the jar and your center is ready to use.