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 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

1-2-3 Come Do Some Anticipatory Writing With Me (Say what?)

All the while I was working on the ANTicipation packet, the 1979 Heinz ketchup commercial "Anticipation is making me wait" and the tune that accompanied it, kept running through my head; sort of like Disney's "It's a Small World" tune that plays incessantly even after you exit the ride. It's still there; buzzing through your brain like a pesky mosquito. 

Any hoo, as my frequent visitors know, I love putzing with word play, so anticipating the summer naturally led me to an ant craftivity.  Run the ant's head off on black construction paper.  Mine was light enough so that I could still see the graphics, which I embellished with crayons. 

Using and old file folder, make a template from my "body part" patterns.  Trace once and then cut 3-6 pieces at a time.  Students cut out the head and then glue the two body segments together. 

Wiggle eyes and black pipe cleaners added that extra bit of pizzazz.  I bent the pipe cleaner in half and spread it into a V and then bent up the ends to make the "feet." I attached to the back with Scotch tape. 

Explain to students that the definition of anticipation has to do with hopes and expectations for the future.  I've written a sample for you to share if you want, or create one of your own.  Children love hearing about their teachers.   Younger students can simply make a list.

Students complete the writing prompt: Some of the things I'm anticipating doing this summer . . .  glue it to a sheet of construction or scrapbook paper, and then attach their ant to the bottom. 

You can leave it at that, but for a bit more hands-on and that finishing touch, add the picnic basket to the top.  (There's one for summer and a generic one as well) To add a bit of 3D, you can cut brown strips of construction paper for the handles and attach them with brass brads. 

To give students another option, they could choose to write about what they are anticipating in the next grade that they'll be going into, or something else that they have expectations or hopes for.  

Completed projects make an awesome hallway display.  Hang up a plastic, red and white checkered tablecloth (they sell them at The Dollar Store) to use as a background.  Your caption can simply be ANTicipations!   Cut your letters out of brightly colored construction paper and add some clip art ants. 

Click on the link to view/download the ANTicipation Packet.  Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.

"It takes a big heart to shape little minds." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some End Of The Year Activities With Me

As you're winding down the school year, and looking forward to a well-deserved summer vacation, are you still in need of a few things to plug into the last days of school? 

Because of the crazy winter, and the necessity for quite a few make up snow days, the home stretch may be a bit longer for some, so I've been busy designing lots of interesting end of the year activities.  

Today it's all about hippos.  I love drawing them.  Since being done with another school year is certainly something to cheer about, I thought the play on words "Hip Hippo Ray!"  would be appropriate.

I used it for a 100 Day packet and I'm revisiting that theme with "Hip Hippo Ray I'm On My Way!"  where students complete the writing prompts about the next grade that they'll be in. 

Here's How To Make One: Run off the hippo's head on a variety of colors of construction paper, along with the matching mouth section. 

Students choose a color and then add some finishing touches with crayons.  Wiggle eyes also look cute. Give students a color choice for the bows as well. Girls can put their bow on top of the hippo's head, boys can use it as a bowtie. 

There are 3 pages to choose from for the writing prompts.  Personally I would do all of them, as they are pretty simple. 

This would be a nice Daily 5 activity. There's also a blank page to use for autographs.

Staple the pages together at the nostrils and then glue just that portion to the hippo's head, so that their "booklet" flips up. 

After students have shared their work with the class, hang them in a row along a hallway wall.  Your caption could be: "Hip Hippo Ray!  We're Looking Forward To 2nd grade in a big way." 

A fun way to have your students share their hippos, would be to ask a teacher in the next grade if you could visit their class for 10-15 minutes and listen while your students shared their feelings about being in that grade. 

The older kiddos could then talk about what they enjoyed about being in that grade and dispel any worries or anxieties your students may have had.  It also gives them a chance to meet another teacher and see the room they might be in next year.  

I've also included a "Hip Hippo Ray it's the last day alphabet hunt. Students "spy" something that begins with the various letters of the alphabet, and color that letter when they find it.  On the back of their paper they write the numbers 1-26 in a list, so that when they find a letter, they can write down the word associated with it. 

After students have completed their activities, you can give them a bookmark.  I've made them in color as well as black and white.  They write their name on the top.

If you teach preschool or kindergarten, and have a graduation, I've included patterns to make a "Hip Hippo Ray!  It's graducation day hippo. 

Their writing prompt is why they are proud of themselves.  Include a graduation photo for that finishing touch.  

As with the above packet, I made matching bookmarks.  Click on the link to view/download the Hip Hippo Ray packet. 

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  If you'd like to see more end-of-the-year FREEBIES.  Click on the link to zip on over to that section of teachwithme.

“What a teacher writes on the blackboard of life can never be erased.”

1 2 3 Come Make Tacos With Me!

I'm not sure about you, but my "teacher hat" never really comes off.  I'm forever putzing with design ideas, crafts, research and reading. Whenever I'm out and about junking or stopping at a garage sale, my mantra has always been: "What educational thing can I do with this?"

I'm also an avid people watcher and while at the grocery story noticed a young person wearing a T-shirt that said: "Let's Taco 'Bout It."  written on a colorful taco shell with a smilie face on it. 

I LOVED the play on words.  Right a way my brain was going 90-miles-an-hour of how I could incorporate that idea into some sort of "craftivity."  Thus Taco Talk was born!

I hope you have as much fun making these with your kiddos as I did designing templates and making samples.  Taco Talk is very versatile.  

I made patterns for the end of the year, (there are several options here, including one where this year's kiddos, make a taco note for your in-coming students in the fall) as well as "tacos" for back-to-school.  Since the bucket fillers that I recently posted, have been so popular, I also made a compliment taco too.

Here's how to make a compliment one:

These "tacos" work well for the beginning or the end of the year, and are especially appropriate if you do the "Fill a bucket" program, as they are a wonderful way to build a child's self-esteem and reinforce the concept of being kind. 

Run off the “taco shell” on light brown construction paper.  Students cut it out, fold it in half and write their name in the blank.  For extra pizzazz add some dots with a brown crayon or marker.

To make the “lettuce”  I put a few sheets of green construction paper (one at a time) into my shredder. 

Have students rub some glue on the top and bottom of the inside of their “taco shell” and glue on some “lettuce”.

Cut strips of red, yellow, and orange construction paper.  Have students make an ABCABC pattern by gluing the strips INSIDE their “taco shell.”  Open up the shell, so that you can see the front and rip the ends of the strips at various lengths, so just a bit of the "taco stuffing" is peeking out around the edge.

Put students in groups of 8.  Children exchange their taco with someone in their group, who writes a compliment inside their taco on one of the colored strips.  They continue to pass the tacos around ’til everyone in the group has signed everybody’s taco.  Seven strips will have been signed. The 8th strip is for the teacher to write something on. 

Give students a few minutes to read their taco and then collect them.  Scatter them on a bulletin board, with bright yellow background, and a colorful fiesta or chili pepper border, or place each one on a variety of hot-colored paper plates and then scatter those, or use them as a border with the caption: “Taco Talk” in the middle.  

So that you can spell Taco Talk, I’ve included large 8x10 letters in the packet.  Run them off on a variety of colors of construction paper, trim and then arrange them to spell Taco Talk! 

For that finishing touch, hang a piñata from the ceiling, on the side of the board.  There's also a "Taco Talk" poster if you'd rather use that instead, plus a poster that says "Ola!" so that you can welcome your students with a friendly hello in Spanish.

The end of the school year or summer writing prompt taco is a little different than the compliment taco.  Give students a pile of "lettuce" and a strip of red, yellow and orange construction paper.

Students rub glue around the top edge of the inside of their taco, then rip and tear the colored strips into various lengths. 

They fold their taco back up and flip it over, gluing  the paper pieces in an ABCABC pattern around the TOP of the shell, so that a bit of “taco stuffing” is peeking out.

Use the circle pattern to make a template for the inside "taco".  Trace once and then cut 3-6 circles at a time.  Students glue the blank circle inside their taco shell, so that it covers the ragged edges of the “lettuce”.   This is where they write about their excellent year in school, or about their fabulous summer.  

After students have shared their taco with the class, make the bulletin board.  That's it.  Easy breezy, and a fun way to start or finish the year.

Don't feel crafty?  I've also included 3 "color me" writing prompt worksheets. No prep, just print & go. 

There's a generic "Taco 'bout".... prompt where you are the students decide what you want them to "talk about" as well as a "Here's a red-hot list of things I'd love to do, if price were no object and I could do anything!"  so that you could also do this simple activity for Daily 5 or during your writing block.   

For another easy-peasy writing prompt option, I've included 4 black and white bookmarks for students to color, then complete the prompt on the back. 

There are also 2 full-color ones for teachers to give their kiddos for back-to-school and at the end of the year.  That's it.  A nice variety-filled packet with lots of options.

You can find the 30-page "Taco'bout" writing prompt packet in my TpT shop for just $2.00.  Click on the link to pop on over.  

There are 3 FREEBIES from the packet: a writing prompt worksheet, bookmark and the "Ola!" poster to use as the center of your bulletin board display.  Click on the link to grab these 3 "Taco 'bout" FREEBIES today. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Wherever you are, and whatever you're doing, I hope it's absolutely "el terrifico!"

                                     "What we learn becomes a part of who we are." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Make A T-Shirt With Me

Because it's very versatile, I'm especially excited to post this latest FREEBIE for some end-of-the-year fun.

As I was designing the "T"-'rrific Memory Book packet, I thought, with a few tweaks this can also be used as a self-esteem builder, for your "fill a bucket" activites too. 

Students choose a T-shirt and matching cover, sign their name at the top and glue their photo to the pocket. 

Children pass their booklet to another child, who writes a compliment (why that person is terrific) and continue passing, 'til everyone has signed everybody's booklet. 

If you're looking for a Father's Day activity, or you have grandparent's come visit at the end or beginning of the year, you can fill the blank in with My Dad is "T"-'rrific or use the other blank template for My Grandparents are "T"-'rrific.  Students write why they think so on the blank pages.

If you like to have lots of interesting writing practice for back-to-school week, as icebreakers to get to know your new students, use the My Summer was "T"-'rrific template.   These would be cute displayed on a clothesline, along a wall and hung up with clothespins!

Any option you choose is pretty easy-breezy. Run the T-shirt pattern and covers off on a variety of colors of construction paper. (Make sure the cover matches the T-shirt so they blend.)

For even more pizzazz, use scrapbook paper! You can also buy a 50-sheet pack of printed paper (they have lots of options like tie dye, rainbow and animal prints, which would also be cool).

Students choose one, trim their pages, collate and staple their booklet to the front of their T-shirt so that it flips open.  Adding a school photo gives it that finishing touch.  

I'd take a few days to make the memory book.  To ensure quality, students can work on 1 or 2 pages each day.  (Great for Daily 5)

I've included color templates as well as black and white to save ink, but also because I think it's even more of a keepsake if kiddos do the coloring.

There's a blank template for you to write a note to your students.  You can print the templates and write a personal note to each one, or if you're pressed for time, write a generic note to everyone, sign and run off.  To make it more personal, write the student's name at the top. 

To help you out, I searched for some sweet teacher comments and found a variety of poems by unknown authors.  I revamped them a bit and included two options for you to include if you want. 

Click on the link to view/download the versatile "T"-'rrific Writing Prompt Craftivity Packet.  Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away. 

If you're a frequent visitor to the TeachWithMe blog, you know I like to end with some sort of quote that pertains to the topic. 

While surfing I found this sweet one from Winnie The Pooh.  Hope you enjoy it too!

1-2-3 Come Write About Summer With Me

I'm not sure about you, but I was always looking for some fun things to do the last few weeks of school.  Lessons had been learned, assessments were done, and things were winding down, as my students' energy was reaching an all-time high. 

If you find yourself in similar circumstances, I think your students will have fun making a pair of sunglasses and thinking about their summer plans, so they can write about them. The title of this FREEBIE is Shades Of Summer.

Brainstorm with them about the things they'd like to see and do over vacation and write their ideas on the board. 

Run off the sunglasses template on a variety of colors of construction paper, or for real pizzazz, use scrapbook paper.  Give children a choice and then have them cut them out.

To make this activity even more special, take a photo of each student wearing goofy sunglasses.  I got mine at a party store.  I was looking for the jumbo-sized ones, but couldn't find them.  I thought that would be extra silly and add fun to my photo shoot. 

Print the pix and cut them into oval shapes, so students can glue theirs to the right lens of their pair of sunglasses.

Print the lens pattern and trim.  Make a template out of an old file folder.  Trace once and then cut 3 to 6 lenses at a time. 

Each student needs a dark right lens, as well as however many white lens pages they need to complete the writing prompt: "what I'd like to see and do this summer..." 

So that the words "Shades Of Summer" would show up, I chose a light black, but gray, silver, and brown also looked sharp. 

Run off this template, rough cut, and give each student one of these "title lenses" to trim and glue on the left hand side of their sunglasses.

When they have completed their writing, students collate and staple into a booklet, so that the dark lens cover, flips over to reveal their writing. Children glue on their photo, and using a white crayon, write on their name, and glue the booklet to the right side of their sunglasses. 

After everyone has had a chance to read and share their completed project, scatter the sunglasses on a bulletin board.  For something different, and that finishing touch, use a beach towel for the background.  Just above the board, suspend a few bottles of suntan lotion from the ceiling.  Caption: "We're Looking Forward To Summer!"

Click on the link to view/download the Shades Of Summer packet.  Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away. 

"In winter I get up at night, and dress by yellow candle-light.  In summer quite the other way;  I have to go to bed by day." ~Robert Louis Stevenson

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. 

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  My "Pin it" button is at the top.

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

1-2-3 Come Make A Cupcake With Me

Since the end-of-the-year writing prompts have been such popular downloads, I decided to make a few more. I hope you enjoy these new FREEBIES.

"Sweet!" has come to mean wonderful, awesome, great, as well as a sugary taste, so I thought I'd create the prompt: "_____________ (fill in your grade level) was really sweet because..." 

It didn't take long to decide that a cupcake would be the perfect "craftivity"for this June writing prompt. 

Your students can make the cupcake for themselves or for one of your new students who will be coming in the fall.  What a nice surprise for them to find this cute card in/on their desk the first day of school, with a note from a former student. 

I've included templates for preschool through 3rd grade, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever. 

If you don't want to do the cupcake craft, I've also included a simpler option.

Run off the black and white cupcake bookmark that says: "Wishing you a sweet year!"  Students color the cupcake and write something underneath the greeting. 

If you'd like to give your students more practice, have them write why they thought this grade was sweet, on the back.  To make this even more personal, print off your class composite, cut the students' heads into ovals, and have them glue their photo somewhere on the bookmark next to their name.

The packet also includes 4 different, full color, cupcake bookmarks from the teacher, that say: "Wishing you a sweet summer." 

Write your students' names at the top, and sign yours under the note.  You may want to include the bookmark with a mini muffin as a special treat.

Click on the link to view/download the It Was A Sweet Year  writing prompt, craftivity and cupcake bookmarks.

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  Do you have an end-of-the-year activity that you could share with us?  You can e-mail me at diane@teachwithme.com  or leave a comment below.

"Striving to be a beautiful and sweet cupcake, in a world full of muffins."  -Unknown