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 A "Tee-rrific" Father's Day Card With Me
As I stated in yesterday's article, I tried to make time so that my Y5's could create something for their dads for Father's Day. I know the end of the school year is often hectic, so I wanted to make several quick and easy "craftivities" that you could choose from, that would easily plug into your day.
A bit of interesting fun, but also educational. (Heaven forbid that we can't justify every little thing we do!) I'll be making several other Father's Day cards this week in the hopes that you can give your kiddos more than one option, as not all dads golf etc.
You could make up 2 to 3 examples and ask them what they want to do, then run off the appropriate number of each "craftivity". If you're lucky enough to be out of school, you can hopefully file these away for next year.
As with yesterday's "dynamite dad" card, the "My dad is 'tee-rrific' golf card" is also a writing prompt. Explain the "tee-rrific" play on words to your students. Brainstorm why they think their father is a terrific daddy.
List their ideas on the board as you review spelling. When students have completed their final draft they write it inside their golf ball card.
Run off the golf ball and inside circles on white construction paper or card stock. Run the tees and pennants off on a variety of colors of construction paper. Students choose, trim and assemble them to make their Father's Day card.
Younger students can simply do the craft or dictate their thoughts to a room helper, while older students complete the writing prompt. Adding a student's photo makes things extra special.
So that my card flipped open to reveal the writing, I hinged the 2 circles together with a small piece of tape stuck to the left side.
Glue the ball card to the top of your tee. You don't really need the pennant, but I thought it added extra pizzazz and fit right in with the golf theme. I glued the flag at a diagonal slant to the back of the ball.
Likewise, you don't need the grass, but I thought the 3D effect gave it that finishing touch. Simply fold a small piece of green construction paper in half.
Have students make cuts at the top, being careful not to slice all the way through; crumple the edges and then glue the tip of the tee inside.
Click on the link to view/download the My Dad Is "Tee-rrific" Father's Day writing prompt card. Thanks for visiting today. Feel free to PIN away. My "Pin it" button is at the top.
If you'd like to follow my PIN boards, click on the "Follow Me" heart to the right. I have an entire board of Father's Day ideas. Most of what I pin, are educational FREEBIES.
"I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well." -Alexander the Great
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.
As always, feel free to PIN away. My "Pin it" button is at the top on the menu bar. Do you have a Father's Day activity you could share with us? I'd really enjoy hearing from you: diane@teachwithme.com or leave a comment below. Thanks in advance. 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 Do Some Writing "Craftivities" With Me
My students really enjoyed Laura Numeroff's "If You..." books, particularly If You Take A Mouse To School. Since it's especially popular as a back-to-school book, I wanted to dream something up that your current kiddos could do for your next year's students that had a mouse theme. Thus the Nice Mice Advice packet was born.
The packet is perfect for some end-of-the-year fun, as children write some helpful advice to your in-coming students.
I've found that children really enjoy giving advice, as most of them feel that they are experienced experts on a variety of things. I'm sure you'll also enjoy reading what they have to share.
During the last week of school, I had my current kiddos make something for the new students that would soon be in my class. I scattered their completed work on a bulletin board.
They were really excited to do this, and I could check off one more thing that I didn't have to get ready for the start of school.
With that in mind, I wanted to design a quick and easy "craftivity" with a mouse that you could do, that would make a cute bulletin board.
Use my mouse pattern and make a template out of an old file folder. Trace once and then cut 3-6 mice out of a variety of colored construction paper.
Students choose one and fold the "head" portion down so that it will "flip up" to reveal one piece of advice that they have for next year's kiddos.
Have them glue on the ears, and add some wiggle eyes, a pom pom nose, and a yarn or ribbon "tail", for those finishing touches.
Scatter them on your bulletin board and use the "If you take a mouse to school, he'll want to give you some advice" poster, as your center.
A cheese border would be cute, as this advice comes from your former "all-knowing" students, who are now "big cheeses" in a higher grade.
After they have shared their projects, give them a bookmark from you, wishing them a nice summer. Write students' names at the top and then sign the bottom. You could jot a note on the back that says something like "Keep reading!" as your summer advice to them.
I've also included a black and white bookmark, if you'd like to have your students color one to leave inside their desk, as a sweet surprise for your new students.
Click on the link to view/download the Nice Mice Advice packet. This FREEBIE is part of my 58-page Mice Advice packet in my shop on TpT. Click on the link to check out all the super-fun activities, goodies and crafts. It's currently on sale for only $3.95.
Thanks for visiting today. I hope you have a simply wonderful last-week-of-school with your kiddos!
"Summer vacation is a time when some parents realize how grossly underpaid teachers are!" -Unknown
- end of the year activities
- mice crafts
- mouse crafts
- If you take a mouse to school activities
- activities for if you take a mouse to school
- end of the year crafts
- end of the year bulletin boards
- end of the year writing prompts
- students making something for next year's students
- end of the year bookmarks
- back to school bookmarks
- back to school activities
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
