“Felt Friends” Collaboration Brings Imagination to Life at Midlakes

Paisley, a Kindergartener in Mrs. Baxter’s room, charged into her brown paper bag, eager to see her felt creature come-to-life.

Ellen Lincoln (Class of ’31) helped bring the multi-colored critter with ears and a big smile from idea to reality for young Paisley, part of a collaboration between Jocelyn McConnon’s Family and Consumer Science (FACS) class at the Secondary building and Jen Baxter’s Kindergarten class.

The kindergarteners conceptualized the little monsters, giving the creation a name and a backstory. One creation named Percy was a heart- or boomerang-shaped monster that likes candy, is scared of spiders and likes to play video games. Teddy created Bear-Bear, a red and blue creature who likes candy, is scared of rats, and whose favorite color is red. Paisley’s critter was named Rosie, and likes to eat ice cream and candy, is scared of foxes, coyotes and bears, and likes to read books for fun.

Once drawn out on paper with their profile, Baxter’s students illustrated their monsters. The older students collected the papers during a visit to the Elementary building. The students were buddied up into pairs, and the projects were now in the hands of the FACS class; in all, around a dozen students in the FACS class helped breathe life into the drawings.

The FACS students measured out felt fabric, matching colors as best they could. Eyes and noses were made of buttons. Expressions were stitched in with thicker threads. Hair was made from trimmed felt.

“The hardest part was learning to leave room or measure out the seam margins,” quipped Piper Akin (Class of 2031). Akin was tasked with bringing ‘Percy’ to reality.

Miriam Cieslak-Laguer (Class of 2030) helped Soraya’s ‘Princess’ come to life. Mya Overslaugh (Class of 2031) was working on Ava’s ‘Laya,’ a monster who likes to eat mac and cheese with hot dogs and enjoys singing and dancing. Jacob Weykman (Class of 2031) assembled Arya’s creation.

Mrs. McConnon shared periodic updates, which only amplified the excitement.

“Every time we had an update, a new picture, the kids would be asking when the ‘big kids,’ were coming back,” Baxter said.

Finally, facing inclement weather, the day arrived. McConnon’s class trekked across campus with small gift bags, a student’s name on each with their creation inside. In the Elementary building, the kindergarteners worked feverishly on a morning activity, coloring ‘thank you’ notes for their older pals while awaiting their arrival.

As the FACS students filed in, the room hushed. The younger students found their buddies; Elijah Payne (Class of 2031) was gifted back a thank you note from his excited recipient of the ‘Letter F’ before even seeing the purple critter with big teeth.

As the exchange commenced, the younger kids squealed and shrieked with joy. Echoes about the room underscored their excitement; comments proclaimed ‘it looks just like the drawing,’ along with various trendy descriptions of the creatures being ‘fire.’

The FACS students beamed with pride.

“They were so happy. I didn’t know what to expect, but they were so happy,” said Overslaugh.

“This was really cool,” Weykman added.

Baxter’s classroom spends a lot of time collaborating with different grade levels. In addition to the crossover with the Family and Consumer Science students, Baxter’s class regularly welcomes Mrs. White’s fourth-grade students to Eagle Time on ‘Fourth Grade Friend Fridays.’ The two classes will plan matching Friday themes, and again, the Kindergarteners seek out the interaction with the older students. Just before break, the fourth graders joined Baxter’s class for lunch and pajama day. They watched ‘The Grinch’ before wrapping up their day.

“You really can’t beat it. The kids look forward to it, both ways – older to the younger, and the younger kids look up to the older kids,” said Baxter. “It’s a chance for the little kids to connect across grade levels, and an opportunity for the older kids to adopt that leadership and mentor role; they see themselves as leaders and role models, and they rise to that bar.

“It’s a win-win. And who doesn’t love a custom stuffy?”

It is expected this event will be happening in the coming school years, potentially with more Kindergarten rooms joining in. McConnon may need more helping hands.