1-2-3 Come Have A Blast With Me!

Now that Mother's Day is over, it seems that attention has turned to looking for end-of the-year activities, as school begins to wind down for many.   With that in mind, I designed the "I Had A Blast In School" packet.  

I've included writing prompt-templates for preschool through 8th grade, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever. 

Students can simply fill in the page, or they can wrap a toilet paper tube with scrapbook or wrapping paper to make a "firecracker" and add some 3D pizzazz.  I mounted everything on a sheet of scrapbook paper to make it more colorful as well.

I've included a fireworks pattern that students can sprinkle glitter on and then glue to the top of their firecracker, or tuck in a wad of tinsel for a sparkling effect.  Add a school photo for that finishing touch.  

Completed projects make an awesome end-of-the-year bulletin board and are a nice alternative to a school memory book.  

After your students share their creation with their classmates, give them a choice of the four bookmarks.  "I hope you have an absolute blast this summer."  Teachers write a student's name at the top and then sign the bottom. 

You could also ask students if you can keep their "blast" craftivity to give to your next year's kiddos. 

Have them fill in the "I hope you have a blast too." note and glue it to the back of their work. 

What a nice surprise for your new class to find in/on their desks in the fall. 

If they want to take their work home, but would still like to make something for next year's class, have them color and complete the writing prompt bookmark: "You're going to have a blast in _________ because..." 

As with the above prompt, I've included templates for preschool through 8th grade, with a blank one (pictured) to fill in with whatever.  Encourage students to write more on the back.

Click on the link to view/download the I Had A Blast In School  packet. 

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"Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment, until it becomes a memory." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some End Of The Year Writing Prompts and Craftivities With Me

Since yesterday's article on having current students make something for your next year's kiddos was so popular, I decided to make one with an owl-theme, as owls continue to be really popular.  I know I love them. 

This one is entitled "___________ (fill in your grade) was a hoot.  I've included templates for preschool through 3rd grade, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever.  Here's how to make one:

Run off the templates on a variety of colors of construction paper. Students choose and trim.

Print the facial pattern, trim and trace on an old file folder.  Trace once and cut 3 to 6 eye pieces out at a time.  If you want your beak to be 3D, cut on a fold.

Place and position wings, poke a hole with a protractor at the top and insert a brass brad so they “fly” open. Choose your grade-level heart template and run off on a variety of colors of construction paper. 

Explain to students that what they will be making will be given to your new kiddos in the fall.  They write why their current grade was a hoot.  What a nice surprise for your incoming class to find on or in their desk.  These could also be put up on a bulletin board.
To make it even more personal, have students glue their school photo somewhere.

If you don't want to putz with a craft, I've included just the writing prompt as a template. As with the above craft, I've included templates for preschool through third grade, plus a blank one to fill in with something else.

There's also 2 different bookmark options to give your current students.  Click on the link to view/download the "___________ Grade Was A Hoot" packet.

As with the "tree-mendous" packet yesterday, (scroll down to the next blog article to take a look), I also made a keepsake craft for your students to make for themselves.  This packet is called "School Was A Hoot."

I used 3 file folders to make my sample, but you could also use 2 large sheets of construction paper.  Here's how to make them:
Open up 2 file folders. Glue the right side of one to the left side of the other.  You will now have a left flap, middle section and right flap.  Use the pattern to trace the wings and then trim.

I used a third file folder for the head, but you could also use a sheet of construction paper.
Students can draw their own face, or you can use my pattern.  You could also cut these pieces out of construction paper and have students glue them on.

Choose your grade-level flag and run them off on a variety of colors of construction paper.  Students trim and glue only the left portion of the pennant to the left wing.  Add a school photo to make it extra special.

Brainstorm with students about all of the things they did that year that were a hoot.  You may want to jot these on the board to help with spelling.

After students have written a rough draft, they rewrite their final thoughts on the writing prompt page that will be glued to the middle of their owl.

Students can draw a full-sized body picture of themselves in the oval, or just their face.  Have students really think about what they'll write in the "favorites" and "memories" sections, which will be glued to the wings. 

The autograph page goes on the back.  Students color it and can collect their own signatures or to expedite things, you can have everybody sign a master sheet and then run it off for everyone.

Make a sample of your own to share with your students.  I’m sure they’ll enjoy hearing about their teacher’s favorite things and why (s)he thought this year was a hoot. 

“A picture is truly worth a 1,000 words” and will help you explain what you want your kiddos to do.  Click on the link to view/download the file folder School Was A Hoot packet. 

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"No matter how much you think you hate school, you'll find that you'll miss it when you leave." -Unknown

1-2-3 Make a Memory Book With Me.

I LOVE owls and that cute little saying: "Owl" miss... (you fill in what) so I designed an end-of-the-school-year packet with an owl theme using that play on words.  

I'm posting this a bit early, as there is so much to get done towards the end of the school year, that May  was always the month that flew the fastest for me.   If you've been contemplating making some sort of memory booklet, hopefully this will help you out. 

The packet includes several writing prompts for students to write about what they'll miss. 

Run off the cover and student page. Children complete the thought: "Owl" miss... and then illustrate their page.

Collect and collate the pages and bind them into a class book. 

When you share the completed story with your students, have each child read their own page.

Make a copy of your school composite and give each child an oval of themselves to glue on the tummy of the owl.

I've also included a note from the teacher if you're looking for just a little something.  Tuck it in their backpacks for them to discover when they get home.   You can add slits to the page and insert a lollipop if you want. 

"I learned a lot of knOWLedge this year.  Here's a list of my favorites:" is a simple and quick writing prompt bookmark students can color.  This too makes a nice keepsake, and works well for a Daily 5 activity.

There's also a class memory booklet, complete with autograph page, where friends can sign their name on the owl's tummy. 

The beauty of this, is that students can work on their memory book writing prompts for several days, finally finishing the last week of school.  It's a great "something to do" while you get one-on-one assessing done with your students.

I don't know about your state, but Michigan had the worst winter on record and schools all over have quite a few snow days to make up.  My grandsons' last day is June 19th.  Having some copy-ready activities to do can help save your sanity.

You can make their memory book even more special, by taking a last week of school photo of each child doing their favorite subject, activity, or at play during recess; and then have them include it somewhere in their booklet.

Click on the link to view/download the Owl Miss School Packet

To take a look at another FREE end-of-the-year memory book click on the link.  I've included a cover page for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade and a generic one to fill in something else. 

If you run out of time, you can always send the booklet home for a parent to help their child fill out, especially if they complain: "I'm bored!"

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful. My "pin it" button is at the top.

If you teach preschool or kindergarten and are looking for a graduation memory book FREEBIE, scroll down to the next article to take a look.

"A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings becasue it has a song." -Lou Holtz