Grumpy Paper Gecko

Today's story was about a very grumpy gecko learning about the ways all things are connected in an interdependent web of life. So now you can make your own grumpy gecko!

-several colors of construction paper

-pencil

-markers/crayons

-scissors

-glue

Pick what color you would like your gecko to be. I decided to make mine purple.

First, draw a very fat snake (the gecko's body). Then, add two triangles on each side of the widest part of the snake (to be the gecko's legs). Then, draw three small circles at the end of each triangle (the gecko's toes). It doesn't matter if it's a little messy!

Cut out the gecko and then flip the shape over so that the pencil lines are on the bottom.

Take three pieces of different colored construction paper and stack them together. Cut out a strip of all three layers. Holding the strips together, cut small pieces from the end to make small shapes.

Put a little bit of glue on the gecko's back, and stick the colorful paper scraps onto the glue. Cover as much or as little of the gecko as you like. You could even make patterns!

You can draw on your gecko, too. I drew on a face with angry eyebrows (because he is grumpy).

Cut out a very thin piece of construction paper, about three inches long, and cut a little notch at the end. Roll it around a pencil to make it curl. Then glue it on the bottom of the gecko's head.

Once the glue is all dry, gently crease the center of your gecko's back. Now the gecko can stand while he's so, so grumpy.