Crafty Articulation Club

When I first started teaching online, I had a class all about different zoo animals. We talked about where they lived, when they were awake, what they eat, and how they move. One of the animals that I found really surprising was the Yak. They live in the cold mountains of the Himalayan region at altitudes of 3-7000 meters. They have 2 layers of fur to keep them warm and dry in the harsh climate where they live. I have to admit, though, that all I can really think about when I hear the word Yak is the Coasters song Yakity Yak – Yakity yak, don’t talk back. While the song was recorded long before I was born, it can stay stuck in my head for quite a while…

This week I have a really cute Cardboard Tube Yak craft for you, and you know I also have a fun Yak Memory game to go with it. Actually, the game is the reason I did this craft this week – with Memorial Day this weekend, I thought a memory game would be a perfect family activity. Even better that you can use it to work on the /J/ sound – maybe you can even listen to (and sing along to) Yakity Yak to get some extra practice in!

Supply List

• Cardboard tube
• Pink and white paper
• Orange/brown yarn
• Orange/brown paint
• Paint brush, cup, apron, and table covering
• 2 medium google eyes
• Scissor
• Glue
• Stapler

Step-by-Step Directions

The first thing I like to do for this craft is to cut the cardboard tube. I make it shorter by cutting off about a quarter of the length. Then I squish the bottom to cut an arch shape out of the bottom – this will define the yak’s legs a bit. You can see both cuts in the photos below.

Next, you should paint your cardboard tube orange/brown. I mixed the two colors together to make a rust color, but you could definitely go more orange or more brown if desired.

While paint dries, it is time to do some cutting. Cut an oval out of the pink paper to be the yak’s muzzle, and cut two horns out of the white paper.

Once I have the pink muzzle, I like to make 2 nostrils and a mouth on it. It looks a bit like a smiley face until you put it onto the yak’s face.

You also need to cut some orange/brown yarn for the yak’s hairdo. I like to wrap it around my hand a few times and then cut the yarn at the bottom. Then I cut those pieces into thirds.

At this point, you can play a game (like Yak Memory) or listen to a song or two (Yakity Yak anyone?) until the paint is dry. Once it is very dry, you can color the hooves of your yak black using a sharpie marker.

Now it is time to staple on the horns and the hairdo. I overlap the horns slightly and like to make them curve upward just a bit. Then I like to hold the yarn folded over the horn so I can staple it to the front and back of the horns at the same time. Then I glue any stragglers to the back.

The final step is to glue on the muzzle and the google eyes peeking through the yarn hair. You can see that my example and my current craft look pretty different, but both look like yaks. So, if yours is a little different, that is okay!

As I say every week, my goal with this blog is to make sure that people leave each of my posts feeling equipped to practice articulation or phonics with their learner. So, I always have a game from my Teachers Pay Teachers store (Autumn Emigh Creative Communication Solutions) on special sale for you. This week, it is a game called “Yak Memory.” The product includes instructions with a link to a digital Google Slides game. You also receive printable game cards in color and black and white. The digital and printable versions of the game contain the same 6 Initial /J/ (letter Y) sound words for your learner to practice. Get it until June 21st for half price – just $1.00!

Just click on the photo above or HERE to get your copy today! And be sure to fill out the form below to get on my email list. Not only are my email subscribers the first to know when each of my blog posts goes live, they also get information about products, events, and summits each week. I’ll always do my best to make it worthwhile for you to stick around, but it is super easy to unsubscribe if you ever wish to.  

That’s it for this week. I hope you have a lovely long weekend full of memories and fun. I promise I will really be back next week with a Handprint Cow craft and a Roll a /K/ Sound game – I love the cow, but I knew we needed a memory game this time.

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