Butler Catholic second-graders make Valentine Monsters
Who’s purple all over, boasts a row of jagged teeth and just wants to capture your love this Valentine’s Day?
Brought to life with the help of some construction paper, scissors, glue and the craftsmanship of second-grader Violet McIntyre, Scruffy — a valentine monster — could tell you. Scruffy wore his heart (also made of construction paper) on what ostensibly could be his sleeve.
Violet named her valentine Scruffy for the black lines painted on the monster that resemble fur. Scruffy is very furry, the Butler Catholic School student explained.
Last Wednesday, Violet was one of 12 students in Rosemary Watson’s classroom at Butler Catholic to create valentine monsters during a Valentine’s Day-themed art lesson.
To begin the craft demonstration, Watson described to her other students how to fold a purple sheet of construction paper halfway, “hot dog style,” and trace and cut out the shape of the friendly monster. Students cut out circles for eyes and triangles for teeth.
Some monsters peered to the side, while others looked straight on. The monsters varied in expression — some looked curious, others excited, while others took on a more frenetic appearance with smaller irises peeking forward beneath eyebrows varying in direction.
“Remember,” Watson told the class. “These don’t need to be perfect.”
After a fire drill interrupted the young artists, they quietly returned to the classroom to complete their lesson. Watson then showed students how to dip paper-plate triangles into paint, and press the inky sides to create textured lines resembling hair or fur.
In addition to crafting, some students shared their favorite parts of Valentine’s Day.
Eliza Yackovitch said she enjoys spending time with her family and making Valentine’s Day boxes.
“I make a Valentine’s Day box every year with my Nana,” Eliza said.
As for Violet, she said her favorite part of the day is the candy — Sour Patch Kids, specifically. Another student, Christian Green, said he enjoys art class.
After it was completed, Christian called his monster Jake.
“It’s a good name,” he said.
“Look at all that love coming out of your monster,” Watson told students once their crafts were finished. “He's not a Halloween monster — he's a love monster.”
