What’s the Elf writing project all the students are talking about?
Well, it’s the Elfie Selfie!
Yes, it’s that time of year again! The air is crisp, and classrooms everywhere are filled with the sound of jingle bells. That can only mean one thing: Santa’s helpers are on the loose! But don’t worry, these elves won’t be leaving a mess in your classroom. In fact, they might help your students fall in love with writing. It’s time for an elf writing activity with Elfie Selfies!
What’s this Easy Elf Writing Project called the Elfie Selfie?
Elfie Selfies are a fun and easy way to get your students to write. Here’s how it works: first, you’ll need to take photos of your students (or find some online). Next, print out those photos and cut out the heads. Finally, glue the heads onto some elves’ bodies (again, either real or found online). Once you have your Elfie Selfies made, it’s time to get writing!
What You’ll Need for the Elf Writing:
To complete this activity, you’ll need the following materials:
- A printer
- Paper
- Elfie Selfie printable (you can find this either by doing a quick Google search or by visiting the Elfie Selfie website)
- Tape or glue sticks
Elfie Selfie Instructions
Begin by taking a picture of each student following the video-provided steps. I like to ensure that each student’s face is visible and that the photo is cropped so that only their head and shoulders are showing. If you’re unsure of how to do this, I have this video for you to follow.
Once you have your pictures, print them out on regular printer paper.
Next, use scissors to cut out each student’s head and shoulders, leaving a small border of white space around the outside edge.
The Elf Writing Transformation
Now it’s time to turn your students into elves! To do this, take the printable elf template and place each student’s head and shoulders onto the elf’s body, making sure that their features line up properly (i.e., their eyes should be where the elf’s eyes are, their nose should be where the elf’s nose is, etc.).
Once all your students have been turned into elves, it’s time to write! Distribute the Elfie Selfie writing prompt page to each student along with a pencil or pen. The prompt asks students to imagine what it would be like to work in Santa’s workshop as one of his elves. Encourage them to be as creative as possible in their responses!
When everyone has finished writing, invite students to share their stories with the class. You could also have them hang their Elfie Selfies up around the room for everyone to enjoy!
Read this blog post for more ideas on how to share student writing.
Lastly, don’t forget to take a picture of your finished product and share it with us on social media using the hashtag #ElfieSelfie! We can’t wait to see your creations!
The Narrative Elf Writing Activity is perfect for getting your students into the holiday spirit! Not only will they have fun turning themselves into elves, but they’ll also get to flex their creative muscles by writing a narrative about what it would be like to work in Santa’s workshop.
You can use the list above to get started or grab the done-for-you resource here. And don’t forget to share your finished product with us on social media using the hashtag #ElfieSelfie—we can’t wait to see your creations!
If you’re looking for more ideas on creating a writing routine that works for your elementary-aged students, be sure to check out my Sentences, Paragraphs, and Essays: Oh, my! E-book. You’ll love the tips, tricks, and activities to get your students excited about writing!
–Melissa
