Draw attention to your Classroom Wish List display with this eye-catching Western theme. The Classroom Wish List program is a great way to boost revenue and help teacher's build classroom libraries.

Cost: $10
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

Here's what you need:

• Project display board
• Butcher paper for cactus (2' x 3' doubled)
• 2 paper grocery bags
• Construction paper: light blue, brown, yellow, black
• Bubble wrap or old newspaper
• Glue gun, glue stick, paper clip
• Markers: black, green, brown
• Green spray paint
• Hay, yarn, or string

Here's what you do:

• Background: Cover display board with blue paper. Fashion tiny mountain range from a paper bag and cut some construction-paper "dirt," (include mound for Scout's home); accent mountains with brown marker.
• Scout, the prairie dog: Scout can be made from a paper bag or brown construction paper. Enlarge prairie dog pattern (PDF). With black marker, outline edges of pattern and draw in Scout's ears and lower lip. Glue mouth (scrap of white paper) and nose to face, add black eyes and nose tip. Glue Scout in place and add hay.
• The sun: Cut yellow construction paper sun and rays and attach.
• The cactus: Enlarge cactus pattern (PDF) and draw on a large piece of paper (doubled). Cut out and spray paint (backside optional). Add vertical stripes with darker green marker, and needles with black marker. Seam front and back together by hot gluing all inside edges EXCEPT the bottom. Stuff from bottom with bubble wrap or shredded newspaper. Glue bottom seam. Hang cactus over top of board with a paper clip (bent into an "S" hook); reinforce entry hole in cactus' back with hot glue.
• Add Classroom Wish List Instructions Poster and Card Pockets from your Planning Kit.