1-2-3 Come Review The 5 Senses With Me.      

This “play-on-words” ( "My _______ is Sense-sational" ) writing prompt craftivity is a nice review of the 5 senses and definitely has the “Awwwww” factor, as children use their 5 senses to describe their mom, dad, or other special person.

It’s very versatile & something that’s quick, easy & fun for Mother’s Day, or use the blank “fill in” templates for Father’s Day.

These “fill-in-the blank" pattern pages are also perfect if you happen to have a child without a mom, or perhaps a student would like their paper to say “Mum”, “Mommy” or “Ma Ma”.

I made my samples using real answers from children. I hope they bring a smile to your face. 

A particular favorite of mine is the answer to the question: "What does your mom smell like?" to which Kaiden replied, "Water cuz she smells good after a shower."

I’m sure the ideas your own students will come up with, will be as sweetly hilarious as well.

Since classrooms today are filled with a lot of diversity, I designed 12 girl & 12 boy head patterns, which offer a nice selection for your students to choose from. There's also a blank template if a child wants to draw their own head.

Instead of drawing a portrait of themselves, another option is for children to draw a picture of their mom or dad. 

Students pick one, then add facial features, color it, and finally label their five senses.

Have students pick a partner, and take turns drawing one hand on a folded sheet of construction paper. This way they only have to cut once to get two hands, which they glue to the cover of their card.

For the writing prompt portion of the card, there are 4 girl & 4 boy options, plus a generic bear pattern to choose from.

Students complete the sentences, color & sign their card, stapling the cover to the top.

Younger kiddos can simply dictate their answers to the teacher, a room helper, or their older reading buddy. 

Today's featured FREEBIE: "Orange You Glad?" is an end-of-the year treat you can make to give your students on the last day of school. 

If you've got that covered, I've also included a pattern for the beginning of the school year as well.   I hope you find them useful. 

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

Time to begin my "too long" To Do list... No matter how many things I check off, I seem to always replace them with a dozen more!  Wishing you a delightful day.  

Definition of a Mother: "A person who does the work of 20 people for free."

1-2-3 Come Make A Father's Day Card With Me

I feel a bit sorry for dads when it comes to making special cards and keepsakes at school.  We seem to go all out for Mother's Day, and then because things get quite hectic at year's end, we often don't have the time or energy to whip something together.

Because we usually had a coupple of snow days to make up, and I was looking for a few things to plug in for that last week of school, it was easy for me to make time for my Y5's to create something for their daddies.  

Ever mindful that these creative endeavors still have to be standard-based and educational or some teachers won't be able to do them "just for fun," I designed the dynamite dad card. 

It's a wonderful way to review the cylinder shape and includes a writing prompt. 

Younger students can simply do the craft portion, or dictate why their father is a dynamite dad, while older students can complete that writing prompt on the stationery provided, trim and glue to the back of their card. 

Have them add some color with crayons or makers. Before hand, you may want to brainstorm with students, some of the reasons why they think their daddy is dynamite.  Write them on the board to help with spelling.

For the finishing touch, punch a hole in the top and attach a piece of yarn to the back.  Tape the Kaboom "fire" to the end of the yarn.  I added some gold glitter for a bit more pizzazz.

Click on the link to view/download the Dynamite Dad Craftivity.  If you're looking for more Father's Day FREEBIES click on the link to zip on over to that section of TeachWithMe. 

Well that's it for today.  I hope you and yours have a blessed Father's Day.

 "It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was." -Anne Sexton

1-2-3 Come Make A Sweet Keepsake Card With Me

I really enjoy designing things that incorporate standards at the same time creating a keepsake that families will enjoy.  With that in mind, I came up with a "berry" special packet.

Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits, and were also popular with my Y5's.  They are fun and easy to draw and provide a great play on words. 

In the "Berry" Special Packet, I've included templates for both a mom and dad, so you can use this "craftivity" for Mother's Day or Father's Day.  There's also a generic one that says: "You are 'berry' special" so students can make this for another significant person as well.  This would be fun for Grandparents' Day too.

I've included a pattern to make the leafy portion.  Add a bit more pizzazz by making the leaves 3D.  Have students cut out two and then fold one in half.  Match up the leaves and glue only one section on top of the other. 

If you look closely at the photo you'll be able to see how the leaves pop up.  Adding a stem and strawberry blossom, gives the card that finishing touch.

Older students can add a second strawberry and "hinge" their card with a small piece of Scotch tape.  Children complete the writing prompt, add a bit of color, trim and glue to the inside.  Younger students can simply complete just the sentence on the front.

To make things extra special, have students glue on their school picture and make a heart using their thumbprints (see photo).

Leaves can also be made by tracing a child's handprints.   I made an example of both, so you can see how they turned out.   Click on the link to view/download the "Berry" Special Craftivity.  

While I was making my sample, I thought that a mini version of this would make a quick, easy and inexpensive end or beginning of the year gift for students. 

"I hope your summer is 'berry' special.  Just like you!" or "I'm wishing you a 'berry' special school year!"

Turn this into a sweet treat by attaching your card to a berry-flavored juice box, or package of Wild Berry Skittles and you're set!

Click on the link to view/download the "Berry Special Summer/School Year Gift. 

Thanks for visiting today.  If you'd like to see more Mother's Day FREEBIES, click on the link to pop over to that section of TeachWithMe.  I also have a "pinteresting" pin board with more free Mother's Day ideas, crafts, and activities.

 "When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." -Sophia Loren

 1-2-3 Come Do Some "Souper" Fun Craftivities With Me

This "craftivity" packet is very versatile. I have templates that you can use at the end of the school year, where students write about the"souper" summer they are looking forward to, or the "souper" year they had; or they can make one for your next year's kiddos explaining why they are going to have a "souper" year in __________ grade.

Simply run off which ever pattern you need.  Students color the template and then trace it on a sheet of construction paper.

I used red to blend in with the soup can, but you could offer a variety of colors. 

This will become the "inside" section of the can where they'll complete the writing prompt and then "hinge" it at the top with a small piece of tape or a staple, in such a way that it flips up to reveal what they wrote.

If you've incorporated the popular "Bucket Fillers" program in your classroom, the "souper" compliment flip up or windsock, fits in nicely, and goes a long way in building a child's self-esteem.  For this prompt, I prefer the windsock as it's a nice way to review the 3D cylinder shape as well as ABAB patterning. 

Here's How To Make One:

I didn’t have a big sheet of red construction paper, so I had to tape two smaller ones together.  The “compliment strips” are the width of a ruler and the length of the paper.  I chose two colors for more pop, as well as a way to review a color pattern.

Students each get a stack of 10 strips (5 of each color).  Have them glue the strips to the bottom of their large sheet of paper that has their soup can glued to the front.  I left 1/2 an inch of space in between the strips.

Put students in groups of 9.  Review what an adjective is and then brainstorm nice things (compliments) that they could write about each other.
Children write something about themselves on one of the strips, and then pass their paper to the next person. 

Passing continues within the group ’til everyone has written something on each person’s windsock. The teacher visits each group and writes something for each child on the 10th strip.

Students gently curve their flat “souper can” into a cylinder shape and staple the ends together.  Punch a hole on either side, attach a 12 inch piece of yarn and dangle from the ceiling. 

Having students make a windsock for your next year's kiddos would also make a wonderful back-to-school welcome display.  After the first day, take them down and pass them out to your new students.  They read and share with the class.  Hopefully these will help ease first day jitters and get your students excited about the year ahead.

Finally, to help celebrate special holidays, there are patterns for a "souper" mom or dad, as well as one they can make for Grandparent's Day, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever.  

Keep in mind, that any of the 2D writing prompt options, can easily be turned into the 3D cylinder shaped windsock craft,by simply having them write on the strips of paper.

Click on the link to view/download the "Souper" Writing Prompt Craftivity Packet. 

Thanks for visiting today.  Even though it's Sunday, and typically my day of rest after church, I have some very tempting "souper" craftivities in the works...

Does anyone else out there get excited about making things and designing lessons for their classroom? After all, it is actually our home-away-from-home.  

"Good manners: The noise you don't make when you're eating soup." -Bennett Cerf

 1-2-3 Come Do Some "Souper" Craftivities With Me

This "craftivity" packet is very versatile. I have templates that you can use at the end of the school year, where students write about the"souper" summer they are looking forward to, or the "souper" year they had; or they can make one for your next year's kiddos explaining why they are going to have a "souper" year in __________ grade.

Simply run off which ever pattern you need.  Students color the template and then trace it on a sheet of construction paper.

I used red to blend in with the soup can, but you could offer a variety of colors. 

This will become the "inside" section of the can where they'll complete the writing prompt and then "hinge" it at the top with a small piece of tape or a staple, in such a way that it flips up to reveal what they wrote.

If you've incorporated the popular "Bucket Fillers" program in your classroom, the "souper" compliment flip up or windsock, fits in nicely, and goes a long way in building a child's self-esteem.  For this prompt, I prefer the windsock as it's a nice way to review the 3D cylinder shape as well as ABAB patterning. 

Here's How To Make One:

I didn’t have a big sheet of red construction paper, so I had to tape two smaller ones together.  The “compliment strips” are the width of a ruler and the length of the paper.  I chose two colors for more pop, as well as a way to review a color pattern.

Students each get a stack of 10 strips (5 of each color).  Have them glue the strips to the bottom of their large sheet of paper that has their soup can glued to the front.  I left 1/2 an inch of space in between the strips.

Put students in groups of 9.  Review what an adjective is and then brainstorm nice things (compliments) that they could write about each other.
Children write something about themselves on one of the strips, and then pass their paper to the next person. 

Passing continues within the group ’til everyone has written something on each person’s windsock. The teacher visits each group and writes something for each child on the 10th strip.

Students gently curve their flat “souper can” into a cylinder shape and staple the ends together.  Punch a hole on either side, attach a 12 inch piece of yarn and dangle from the ceiling. 

Having students make a windsock for your next year's kiddos would also make a wonderful back-to-school welcome display.  After the first day, take them down and pass them out to your new students.  They read and share with the class.  Hopefully these will help ease first day jitters and get your students excited about the year ahead.

Finally, to help celebrate special holidays, there are patterns for a "souper" mom or dad, as well as one they can make for Grandparent's Day, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever.  

Keep in mind, that any of the 2D writing prompt options, can easily be turned into the 3D cylinder shaped windsock craft too.

Click on the link to view/download the "Souper" Writing Prompt Craftivity Packet.  Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away. 

"My greatest strength is common sense.  I'm really a standard brand like Campbell's tomato soup." -Katherine Hepburn

1-2-3 Come Make Some Father's Day "Craftivities" With Me

My son-in-law is a huge superhero fan. Seems he's not alone, as Marvel comics is raking in millions of dollars cashing in on the craze.  With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to design some superhero-themed Father's Day activities that I hope your kiddos will enjoy making for their dads.  

The packet includes a Father's Day Batman card, as well as a Superman writing prompt card. 

Students color the covers and then hinge them to the second page.

While doing research about superheroes, I came across a sweet simile poster. The link went no where and there was no author, so I decided to revamp it by adding my own superhero similes and incorporating specific superhero fonts that students could color appropriately.  

I think it turned out pretty cute, providing a fun way to explain the concept of similes to your students. 

My husband didn't quite get "classy as Batman" until I explained to him that Bruce Wayne was a millionaire and supposedly sophisticated.  Even after I Googled characteristics of superheroes, it was still difficult to pinpoint some adjectives.

My daughter thought that Captain America was more protective than The Green Lantern, but I chose that term for him, because in researching each character, it seemed that The Green Lantern went hand-in-hand with the Justice League, Guardians of the Universe, and the Intergalactic Police, all of which I presumed were very protective.  At any rate, I hope your kiddos find it amusing.

The Craft Caravan had a cute Super Dad coloring page, which inspired me to create several of my own.  I designed a superhero head that children can draw in details to look like their dad and then complete the writing prompts on the right. 

For another coloring page option, I drew the famous "ripped open shirt" of Superman, only the logo here is "Super Dad."

As with the above portrait, students fill in the facial features of their fathers.  You can staple the simile page to this, or have students write why their dad is super on the back of their picture. 

For a simple writing prompt activity, students choose one of two bookmarks to color and then write why they feel their dad is a superhero. 

There are also two bookmarks that have an acrostic father poem on them; they come in black line, as well as full color. 

Click on the link to view/download the Father's Day Superhero Packet.  

I made my samples with my little grandson.  He's only 19 months old, but was happy to add his scribbles, and I think his papa will appreciate both of our efforts. 

While surfing, I found a wonderful superhero dad poem and decided to include it in Kaiden's paper love cards for his daddy.  If you like it too, click on the link to grab this FREEBIE over at Creat-Craft-Love. 

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  If you're looking for more superhero-themed activities click on the link to take a peek at my superhero board on Pinterest.

If you're looking for more Father's Day ideas, click on the link to zip on over to that section of TeachWithMe where you'll find 18 more FREEBIES.

"Life hits you hard.  But it takes three seconds to decide if you're a superhero or not.  I am." -Hrithik Roshan

1-2-3 Come Do Some Father's Day "Craftivities" With Me

Whether you're still in school looking for a quick center idea, or you're on vacation and want your child(ren) to make something special for Dad, I think you'll enjoy these special keepsakes.

Ever since I can remember, I made coupons for the members of my family.  When I was young they were for jobs that I could help with, or simply cleaning up my room. 

Since they were well-received and appreciated, I decided to continue the tradition with my students. 

Before hand, discuss with your students what kinds of jobs they could do to help their dads out, or things they could do with their dads, that their dad would enjoy having a helping hand with.

To introduce the lesson, ask your students if they have ever received a coupon, or seen their mom clipping and using coupons in the grocery store or restaurant.

Explain to children that a coupon is a piece of paper that a person "cashes" in, to receive something.  In this case, their service in doing a chore.  Run the coupons off; have students fill in, color and then cut out. These make a nice tuck in for any homemade card they have already made.

Click on the link to view/download the Father's Day coupons.

Another sweet "tuck in" is a blue ribbon for dad. You can run the template off on blue construction paper, or white and have students color their ribbon.

Children trim their "Happy Father's Day" circle, glue it to the front, and then sign it. To make this "paper love" even more special, add a school photo.

Students choose from 2 writing prompt circles.  They choose one, trim it into a circle shape and then glue it to the back of their ribbon. 

Children can write about why they think their dad is an award-winning father, or why he deserves a blue ribbon.

Click on the link to view/download the Father's Day Blue Ribbon Writing Prompts. Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.   My "Pin it" button is at the top of the page.

"Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow." -Norman Vincent Peale