What have I gotten myself into??? need ideas and Miss Manners! About This Page:

[graygables]

9yo wanted to start an American Girl club (she starts these "clubs" all the time, the Purple Poofy Poof Club, the Pick Your Playdough Club, you get the idea). The homeschool group we belong to has get togethers, but they are limited to the number and we always miss out (or we're out of town). I had this harebrained idea to start an American Girl Friendship Club within the homeschool group. The idea is that we choose a book to read each month, then get together at the library for a discussion/party where we'd do a craft or activity inspired by what we read. So far, so good. I set up a private message board for the girls to start getting to know one another and put it out there to the homeschool group. *26* 6-12 year olds later...

I was thinking a dozen would be good, I didn't realize it was going to be a classroom full! Here's where Miss Manners plays into it. I can't afford to be providing craft/party supplies for 30 kids (if the group keeps growing like it is), so I was thinking of asking the moms to contribute a little something each month. One could bring juice, one could bring beads, one could bring cookies, you get the idea. I wouldn't feel right asking for "dues", but I don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable either. Any thoughts on that?

Next, any grand, cheap ideas for crafts to do? I was thinking next month we'd decorate heart-shaped cookies and do a bead bracelet (they are reading about Kaya, a native American girl).

March: Felicity (Revolutionary War), have a tea party?
April: Kirsten (Scandanavian pioneer girl) corn husk dolls?
June: Josephina (Hispanic, 1824)
May: Addy (African American, Civil War)
June: Samantha (early 20th century, Victorian)
July: Kit (Great Depression)
August: Molly (WWII)
September: Julie (1974...this is the one I dread the most! )

thanks for any ideas!!!

[scottjs]

Sorry I know nothing about crafts. But could you also study the period in history the doll is from? Maybe field trips to the meseums? Just a suggestion.

[korki-rad]

It's been a few years since my sister and I were into American Girls, but back in the day, it seems like there was an official AG craft book -- you could go to the library and see if they have it and get some ideas there. If you can't find that, read through the books -- they are always making reference to some craft or hobby that a character does/has...you could build on that. Or take a look through the AG catalog and see some of the kits you can buy there, then build off that and make your own "kit." (The ones in the catalog are way too expensive!)

We were watching the Samantha movie with DD over the holidays and she was really intrigued by the stereo picture viewer thingy (can't think of what it's called right now...it's late). We happen to have one, so we pulled it out and she got a great kick out of looking through the old picture cards. Seems like lots of people have these stowed away -- the girls would probably really have fun looking at those.

Can you read the books and be inspired by parts of their story? Again, it's been a while since I've read the stories, but could you have the girls write an essay similar to the one Samantha does then have them present it to the group? Do a mini talent show like Molly (nothing elaborate unless you want it to be -- just let them show what they can do). For Molly, plant mini "victory gardens" in dixie cups or collect aluminum cans and donate the money to a veterans group. For Kirsten, do a little research and do a Swedish Santa Lucia ceremony (make paper wreaths to put on the girls' heads and have them serve cookies to their parents). Or learn a Swedish folk dance...you could find the music and formations on the internet, I'm sure. (I come from a town with a Swedish heritage so Kirsten was a favorite back home.) These things wouldn't have to cost a lot of money.

Oh, and for Julie, don't dread her -- she could be fun!! Tie-dye, macrame, weaving, etc....think late 60's, early 70's stuff.

Another group I work with tries to have a social time after their meetings. So it won't be a big burden on any one person, they assign a month to each family (they meet monthly) and that family is responsible for the food/activities. Some choose to do very simple things -- cookies and koolaid -- while others have been more elaborate with decorations and a theme. Could you do something similar -- ask one family to be in charge of the food for that one time and ask them to tie it into the book you are currently reading? Would be a fun way for the kids to work with their parents and show a little creativity, too.

I don't think people mind contributing something to a group, especially when they aren't paying dues. But, just ask the parents -- there *are* some out there that would prefer to just give $5 or $10 and be done with it. Maybe give two options -- provide treats/supplies or pay a set fee to offset costs.

Just a few thoughts from an insomniac...sorry if any came across as loopy -- I'm under the influence of Tylenol PM!!! LOL

[Teresa]

I have no craft suggestions!
With regards to the supplies to make them - I think it would be perfectly fine to ask for help. You could send out a notice, telling the parents how wonderful it is that so many girls want to explore history through these stories and activities. AND that because there are so many, would people be willing to help out?

[Goofy's Gal]

I would suggest looking at the American Girl Magazine for craft ideas. They ussually have a few craft projects in each issue. You could probably find copies at your local library also.

As for supplies, I think it would be fine to ask parents to send in a "donation" of snack or craft supplies. I'm sure you'll find that many will be glad to help out.

[Grumpytiggernomore]

Dawn~

With such a huge response to the idea... I think it would be okay to ask even 4 parents/meeting to help w/ food and crafts. You could have 2 parents supply the food, 2 for drink or provide both and then some of the craft supplies. Most feel fine w/ a sign-up/rotation. Times are tight and for one or 2 to provide for 25+ kids (not counting parents)--- even boxed snacks, the price adds up really fast! Splitting the cost and burden should be welcomed... it's called WORKING TOGETHER! Isn't that what we are trying to teach children whether public, private or homeschooled?

A few ideas... DS has a book titled "The Civil War For Kids... a History with 21 Activities" by Janis Herbert. There are other titles by this author and from Chicago Review Press ranging from L. Da Vinci, Marco Polo, Lewis & Clark, Mark Twain, Am. Revolution, WW II, Underground Railroad (more Civil War), and Am. Folk Art.

I will ponder to see if I can think of cheap ideas for you (being a preschool teacher, always thinking of inexpensive ideas). I also have a very cool storybook about a little girl & her father using the underground railroad to get to freedom... and how the quilts were made and used to give direction... I think a "North Star Safe Quilt" would be cool to make...either from paper or w/ scraps of fabric... (ask quilt makers or the moms for scraps)... then see if the library would hang it for a while.... maybe the girls could write about the meaning of each block or something so the public could learn as well... it's a very facinating aspect of the freedom of the slaves....

Otherwise, sorry, but I know NOTHING about AG--- I have boys--- guess that save me money too