Scarecrow Unit Study for K–3: The Little Scarecrow Boy

Arika
Sep 5
6 min read

Are you looking for a fun and simple fall unit study for your homeschool or classroom? A scarecrow unit study is the perfect way to mix literature, crafts, and hands-on learning with a seasonal theme kids will love.

One of my favorite fall picture books is The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown and David Diaz. This story follows a young scarecrow who wants to prove he’s ready for the field. His father teaches him six fierce faces to scare away crows, but reminds him he isn’t quite ready yet. Of course, the little scarecrow sneaks out into the field—where he learns courage, patience, and how to grow into his role.

This book makes a wonderful jumping-off point for scarecrow activities for kids, especially in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Below you’ll find The Little Scarecrow Boy activities across subjects like creative writing, math, science, Bible, art, crafts, and even games—everything you need for a simple, family-style scarecrow unit study this fall.

-- Unit Study Ideas: K-3 --

Creative Writing

Make Your Own Scarecrow Face After reading the story, ask your child to draw their own “scary” or “silly” scarecrow face and write a sentence that begins: “My scarecrow would say…”
- Supplies: Paper, crayons or markers.
Scarecrow Writing Prompts
- If I Were a Scarecrow…Write about what you would see, hear, and feel if you were standing in the middle of a cornfield as a scarecrow.
- The Night the Scarecrow Came Alive Imagine your scarecrow could walk and talk at night. What would it do? Where would it go?
- The Scarecrow and the Crows Tell a story about a scarecrow who makes friends with the crows instead of scaring them away. What happens?
- My Scariest Scarecrow Face Describe or draw the scariest (or silliest) scarecrow face you could make. What would the crows do when they saw it?
- The Brave Little Scarecrow Write about a young scarecrow who wants to prove he is brave. What challenge does he face, and how does he show courage?

Word Wall

hay	crow	field	corn
scarecrow	face	straw	farm
garden	harvest	fierce	guard
shout	sneak	wait	chase

Math

Counting Crows Cut out little paper crows and practice simple addition or subtraction. Example: “If 5 crows land on the fence and 2 fly away, how many are left?”
- Supplies: Black construction paper, scissors.
- Small Crow Stickers - Click Here
Scarecrow Shapes Use circles, squares, and triangles to build a paper scarecrow. Count how many of each shape you used.
- Supplies: Construction paper, glue, scissors.
- Tangrams found here

Science

Why Farmers Use Scarecrows Talk with your child about why farmers build scarecrows. Then plant a few seeds in small cups and watch them sprout. Connect the lesson: scarecrows protect the seeds so they can grow into food!
- Supplies: Small cups, potting soil, seeds, water.
- Growing Kit - Here

History

Scarecrows Around the World Show your child pictures of scarecrows from different cultures (like Japanese kakashi or Native American corn husk guardians). Point out how they look different but have the same purpose—to guard the fields.
- Supplies: Printouts or internet pictures, glue, and paper for a “Scarecrows Around the World” collage.
Scarecrow Unit Study
- Facts about scarecrows- https://www.thefactsite.com/facts-about-scarecrows/
- History of Scarecrows- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFNf1tBJeuU

Bible

God Cares for Us Read Matthew 6:26: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”Talk about how God takes care of all His creatures—and He cares even more for us.
- Activity: Make a simple scarecrow craft and write Psalm 56:3 (“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You”) on its shirt.
- Supplies: Paper scarecrow template, markers, glue.
- Craft Kit Here

Fall Journal Primary Lined

Buy Now

STEM

Mini Scarecrow Building Build a small scarecrow out of popsicle sticks and fabric scraps. Let your child design how it will “stand” and hold together.
- Supplies: Popsicle sticks, fabric scraps, yarn, glue.
- Get popsicle sticks here

Art

Scarecrow Faces Paint or draw the six “scary faces” the little scarecrow practices in the book. Encourage kids to try making the faces themselves, too!
- Supplies: Paper, paints or crayons.
Paper Plate Scarecrow Use a paper plate as the face, add yarn hair, and decorate with markers.
- Supplies: Paper plates, yarn, glue, markers.
Scarecrow Coloring Book - here
Crows on a line directions
- Watercolor 3x5 paper
- Let dry
- Draw a line with birds on it with a Sharpie

Physical Activity & Games

Scarecrow Freeze Tag Play outside! One person is the crow, one is the scarecrow. When tagged, kids must freeze like a scarecrow until another player frees them.
- Supplies: Outdoor space.
Make a Face Game Practice silly or scary scarecrow faces. Vote on who made the funniest or fiercest one.
- Supplies: None!

Building & Crafts

Stuffed Scarecrow Use an old shirt and pants, stuff them with straw or newspaper, and tie with rubber bands. Set your scarecrow up in the yard or on the porch.
- Supplies: Old shirt/pants, straw or newspaper, rubber bands.
- Purchase Straw Here

Field Trip

Visit a Working Farm
Visit a Pumpkin Patch

3 Day Sample Schedule

3 Days	Reading	Writing	Free Choice	Daily Total
Day 1	Read The Little Scarecrow Boy (15min)	Pick a writing prompt/draw a picture (15-20min)	Science Activity (20min)	50 min
Day 2	Narrate The Little Scarecrow Boy (5min)	Pick a writing prompt/draw a picture (15-20min)	Math Activity (15min)	45 min
Day 3	Student Reads (10min)	Pick a writing prompt/draw a picture (15-20min)	Art Activity (30min)	1 hr

Interactive Notebook Ideas for a Scarecrow Unit Study

1. Scarecrow Faces Flipbook

Directions: Create a mini flipbook of the six “scary faces” the Little Scarecrow Boy learned. On each flap, kids draw one face on the outside. Under the flap, write a describing word (fierce, silly, bold, etc.).
Materials: Paper, scissors, crayons/markers, glue, stapler (to bind flaps).

2. Crow Counting Pocket

Directions: Glue a paper pocket into the notebook. Make small crow cutouts. Kids can pull out a certain number of crows to solve simple math problems (ex: “Put 4 crows in the field. 1 flies away. How many are left?”).
Materials: Construction paper, scissors, glue, black paper for crow cutouts.

3. Scarecrow Vocabulary Flaps

Directions: Write vocabulary words (brave, scare, guard, straw, field) on flaps. Underneath each flap, students draw a picture or write the definition.
Materials: Notebook, paper flaps (folded strips), glue, pencils, crayons.

4. Life of a Scarecrow Sequencing Wheel

Directions: Make a circle wheel with four sections: “Little Scarecrow Boy,” “Learning Faces,” “In the Field,” “Becomes Brave.” Attach with a brad so kids can spin and retell the story.
Materials: Paper plates or cardstock circles, brads, crayons/markers.

5. Bible Verse Scarecrow Shirt

Directions: Give kids a paper scarecrow cutout. On the shirt, write a Bible verse (like Psalm 56:3 or 1 Corinthians 16:13). Glue into the notebook. Kids can decorate around it with drawings of fields or crows.
Materials: Printable scarecrow outline, scissors, glue, crayons/markers.

6. Scarecrow Fact vs. Fiction Sort

Directions: Make two columns in the notebook: Fact (Scarecrows are used on farms, Crows eat crops) and Fiction (Scarecrows talk, Scarecrows chase birds). Students sort pictures/phrases under the correct heading.
Materials: Printed word/picture cards, scissors, glue.

7. Harvest Pocket Journal

Directions: Create a pocket to hold small drawings or cards of fall harvest items (corn, pumpkins, apples). Kids can add to the pocket as they learn about crops.
Materials: Paper pockets, glue, scissors, crayons.

Tip for Parents/Teachers: Print templates ahead of time or let kids cut and fold their own. Keep a glue stick and scissors in a zip bag inside the notebook for easy access.

Scarecrow Lapbook

Buy Now