Overview: This art project is a follow-up activity to the story The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle. There are two templates to print; a spider and a web that students can use to retell the story.

Recommended Grade Level(s): Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First, Second

Materials:

The Very Busy Spider Template (print on heavy paper)

The Very Busy Spider Web Printable (print on heavy paper)

crayons, markers, or paints (+ brushes, smocks)

glue (liquid in a bottle)

scissors

popsicle sticks (optional)

How to Implement:

  1. Using The Very Busy Spider Template, have students color/paint the spider, cut it out, and paste together.
  2. Using The Very Busy Spider Web Printable, trace white lines of the web with liquid glue (this will give the web texture as it is in the book). Allow it to dry. The Very Busy Spider can be pasted to the end of a popsicle stick. Students can then use the spider and the web to retell the story.
  3. For added creativity, supply various materials for students to choose from when forming their Very Busy Spider. Materials could include pages from magazines or scraps of wrapping and scrapbook paper to give the spider a collage effect. Frayed material could be cut and glued for the arms of the spider. Sequins, gems, foam shapes, glitter could also be used to decorate the pair.