Paint two auto-drip, basket-style coffee filters in bright red. After dry, stack filters, fold into a semi-circle, then fold into a quarter of original size. Holding the bottom point, round off top corners with scissors. Flatten and layer the two filters. Grab the center and fold up edges to form a flower shape. Poke a hole in the center by inserting a green pipe cleaner with a black pom pom glued to the tip to form the flower's center, and stem.
Squeeze separate dollops of red and black finger paint onto children's art palettes. Provide each child with a sheet of clean paper. Dip thumb into red paint and then press thumb to paper four times in a circle, forming the outline of a poppy flower. Clean thumb and dip into black paint. Plant a black thumb print in the center of the red petals. Repeat process, printing fingerprint flowers in a circle until the shape of a wreath emerges.
Plant poppy seeds as a class or group project. Supply each child with a small flower pot or a recycled plastic container with drainage holes punched in the bottom. Provide soil or send children outside to gather dirt. Plant seeds, add water and continue to water as the seeds grow into the beautiful red flowers.
Read aloud John McCrae's famous 1915 World War I poem "In Flanders Fields," which inspired the poppy to be recognized as a symbol of those soldiers who have served their country in war. Discuss the end rhyme in the poem and ask students to write their own poems about the poppy flower.