7 pages.

This is a super-simple, end-of-the-year writing prompt that makes a quick and easy memory book, or class book you can share with your next year's kiddos.

8 pages.

These are a few FREEBIES from my Student-Made End of the Year Awards packet.

1-2-3 Come Make A DIT Award Folder With Me

You’ve probably heard of DIY (Do It Yourself) stuff, but how about DIT (Do It Themselves)?
Maybe not, because it’s something I just made up for this particular packet.

I’m a firm believer in delegating when possible.  I try to give my students as much responsibility as they can handle, which helps build their confidence and self-esteem.  This responsibility also makes them more accountable,  so they put forth their best effort.

As teachers and parents we know how hectic the end of the school year is.  While it's certainly exciting, it seems that my “To Do” list usually gets longer instead of shorter.  I must confess I’m guilty of adding a few things that weren’t on the list that I somehow accomplished, just so I could have the satisfaction of crossing them off!  Anyone else relate?

Any hoo, having a “red-carpet” or special awards ceremony the last week of school, is super-fun for students of all ages. 

It’s a celebration of the vast amount of things they’ve accomplished and stuff they’ve learned along the way. They’ve succeeded and grown in the process.   You are spotlighting the importance of school too, and the value of a job well done. 

Simply roll out some red bulletin board paper, scatter with gold stars you can buy at a party store. If there's enough room, write your students' names on them. 

At the end of your "run way" have a poster that says: "Congratulations! You're Shooting Into First Grade!" or whatever the next grade level is for your kiddos.

Giving certificates, ribbons, candy bar awards etc. is truly exciting and fun for them.  
I’ve done it in the past and my students absolutely LOVED feeling extra special,  but let’s face it; it’s another thing that takes more work on your part.   

There’s dreaming up and designing the awards, figuring out who gets what and stretching yourself to make sure something fits every child, then running them off and writing them all out.   

Now trot yourself out to buy some candy bars or whatever other little treat you want to add, then assemble, plan the ceremony and deliver them to each kiddo.   This is all you-you-you.

With this in mind, I designed the Do It Themselves (DIT) Awards.  All you do is decide what you want your students to work on, then run off the “ingredients”.  The focus is now off you, and on your students. 

They pick a partner, interview them and design an Achievement Folder especially for their classmate.  There is a huge variety of award options in the packet, so each student's will be different and tailor-made for their friend. 

Many of the activities in the packet also work perfectly for "bucket fillers" and as separate end-of-the-year writing prompts that make awesome bulletin boards; such as the "high-flying balloon". 

This can be done as computer-generated word art using words to describe a fellow classmate, themselves, or things associated with their wonderful year in kindergarten, or done by hand using the balloon template. (The photo shows it being used on the Award Folder).

For that finishing touch, add a school photo to the "bowtie" and tie with some curling ribbon. 

Suspend back-to-back from the ceiling or on a wall with one of 3 "Celebrating Our Success" posters.  (I've included "word cloud" tips, tricks and 8 websites in the packet.)

The "You're a Sharp Student" writing prompt pencil, is another one that also stands alone, and perfect for an end-of-the-year "bucket filling" activity.

On awards day children also run the show, as they call their friend up and give this awesome gift to them, proudly sharing with the rest of the class what they’ve created. 

Believe me, your kiddos will really be excited for Awards Day, not so much because they are receiving an award, but because they made one and get to be a presenter!

Because students are making these, they are practicing the skills you’ve helped them master throughout the year. 

They also know how much work went into creating it, so they are much more appreciative than if you had done all of the work. 

This activity fits in well with your Daily 5, writing block, or as an independent center.

You decide how many award items you want your kiddos to include.  I've made samples using 2 folders glued together, as well as a single Award Folder using a variety of options.

What would have been a pile of extra “homework” for you, now turns into a super-fun classroom crafivity for your students that they can happily work on independently, freeing you up to check other things off on your "to do" list!

You can still buy those candy bars, but keep in mind this might not be your students' favorite candy. Just because a particular kind of candy fits a cute slogan, does not mean they'll be thrilled with it.

Once again, I like to make the "treat" thing totally DIT, so I’ve included a note home to parents letting them know what their child is working on.  

Via their interview, each child now knows their classmate’s 3 favorite types of candy.   Parents are asked to give their child a job to earn that dollar, then take them to the store to buy ONE of those items. 

Shopping for the candy goes on our "chore" list. However, children get truly excited about this, which helps make them beyond thrilled on Awards Day, and that favorite candy treat especially sweet. 

I've also provided headers for them to add to their treat Baggie

As children present their awards, self-esteem is built on both the receiving end, as well as making the presenter feel especially important too.

You’re teaching valuable life skills, and each child is getting a treat that they will truly enjoy, plus you save yourself time, gas, and at least $15, at the same time shortening that “To Do” list in the process!

Win-win; woo hoo! Take a bow! You deserve an award. The packet is a whopping 150 pages long (!) so you have plenty of options to choose from.

After students pick a partner, give them several days to work on their folder.  Remind them that this is all "top secret" and they shouldn't share what they are doing with anyone. 

The packet includes:

• 14 certificates
• 3 ribbon badges

14 "I'd like to praise my friend" writing prompt worksheets

• A "Tweet It!" writing prompt bookmark.
• A "Text It!" iPhone writing prompt, with samples of each.
  
• (Besides using these for the Award Folder, students could also "Text" and "Tweet" a note to one of your next year's students.)
• A "Star Qualities" writing prompt bookmark.
• A Wanted poster writing prompt.

An alphabetical list of 236 positive adjectives to help describe their classmate.

An interview-investigation worksheet to collect data.

53 page options to make a  "Flipping Over Your Awesome Achivements" booklet.  With a full-color sample booklet for you to share with your students, to help explain things.

• A medal of honor.
• A trophy, balloon, high-five, pencil, pennant and star writing prompt worksheets.
• An explanation and list of 8 word cloud websites with word art ideas and matching samples.

An explanation and list of word search options, to make a  complimentary word find that describes their classmate, plus 4 samples.

• What a super-fun way to increase vocabulary and practice spelling too!
• 5 templates filled with "You Rock", "You're a sharp student", "High Fives", "Applauding you" and  "You're a star student", stickers to embellish their folder with.
• And finally, lots of samples and photographs to make things easy and give you some ideas.

All of this for only $5.95 (Just 4 cents a page!) It's regulary $6.95, but I knocked a dollar off to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Month. I hope you and your kiddos have as much fun creating award folders, as I did designing them. 

Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT store to grab the Student-Made Awards packet.  I still can't believe I have a store, after 5 years and 1,000's of FREEBIES, my family and I are pretty excited.

However, lots of FREEBIES will continue to be featured here on TeachWithMe.

Since you waded through this long blog, you deserve not one, but 3 little FREEBIES from the packet. 

There's the iPhone "Text It" freebie with 2 samples, the "Tweet It!" bookmark writing prompt, with a sample, a "Wow!" mini award certificate, where you can write in whatever you want in the "speech bubble", and finally, the list of 236 positive adjectives.   Click on the link to enjoy them.

 Thanks for visiting. The month of May always flies by and I still have so much I want to get finished.  For now, I'm dragging this aching old bod to bed.

The packet took much longer than I anticipated, then toss in finally getting to plant flowers, along with my oldest son's graduation from grad school, and my middle son's wedding last Friday, and this senior citizen is running on empty.   Wishing you a sunshiny, fun-filled and relaxing day.  

"Summer is when laziness finds respectability." -Unknown   

 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 Make A Writing Prompt Craft With Me

Summer is an especially wonderful time to ride a bike, so I thought I'd make a "craftivity" using a bicycle.  If you're a frequent visitor, you know that I enjoy designing things involving a "play on words". 

As I putzed with a writing prompt I thought substituting the word "wheel" for real would be fun.  Thus "I had a 'wheel' great summer!" was born. 

There are two templates to choose from.  One is for back to school, the other for the end of the year. Use as an interesting icebreaker for the first week of school, where students write about the places they went and the things they did over vacation. 

This is a fun way to find out about your new students, as they complete the prompt inside the spokes of the wheel. 

For added pizzazz, and to learn a bit more about your kiddos, have students write using their two favorite color markers.

Simply run the bike off on a variety of colors of construction paper. 

Students trim and glue to the wheels. (I ran off on white card stock.)  If you want them to spin, poke a hole in the center and attach with a brass brad. 

For that finishing touch, have students attach a school photo.  Children read one or two items from each wheel, as they share it with their classmates. 

You can do these in class; as an activity for open house; or send home on the first day of school for children to complete with their family.

While I was at it, I thought this idea could also be used at the end of the year, where students wrote about their favorite things, activities, subjects, etc. 

There are six wheels they can choose from, including a blank one to fill in whatever prompt you want. 

Completed projects make a sweet bulletin board. 

Click on the link to view/download the bicycle writing prompt craftivity. 

Thanks for visiting.  Feel free to PIN away. 

Do you have a back-to-school activity you could share with us?  I'd love to hear from you: diane@teachwithme.com  or leave a comment below.

8 pages

Use this cute bicycle template for a sweet end of the year writing prompt, where students choose two wheels and write about their favorite things that year inside the spokes. You can also use it as an icebreaker at the beginning of the year, as an interesting way to get to know your new students. 

 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 Get Your Groove On With Me!

Since the end of the year activities have been so popular, and since some of us have a lot of snow days to make up, I continue to design some interesting things to keep your energetic kiddos occupied, and your sanity in place.

Friday was hippos; today it's all about cows.  Have you heard the "moos?"   "We're Moo-vin' To A New Grade!"  I know that's a bit corny, but I really like diddling around with word play.  Once my older students caught on to my craziness, they enjoyed it too.

There are several ways to do this "craftivity."  You can simply have your students color the cow, cut him out and mount him to the writing prompt, or for a little more hands-on, run off the patterns on construction paper. 

Students trim, glue their cow together, and add details with crayons.  For extra pizzazz, I glued my sample to a sheet of checkered scrapbook paper.

Since students are moving on to a new grade, I thought it would be a good idea for them to reflect on that for awhile, before they complete their writing prompt page. 

Later, have them share their cows, so they get a chance to air their feelings, and you have an opportunity to reassure them. 

If you didn't catch the hippo article, I suggested that a great way to share, would be to ask a teacher in that grade, if your kiddos could come visit and read their work to their students.  

This gives them a chance to meet a new teacher, see that room, (perhaps even a different section of your school) and hear from the students in that grade, what they enjoyed the most about it.  Your students could also ask the older kids some questions.  I think it would be a wonderful experience for all.

Afterwards, give your students a bookmark celebrating their accomplishment.  I've included templates in color as well as black and white.  There's a set for kindergarten through 3rd grade, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever. 

Completed projects look great hanging on a hallway wall, or on students' lockers. 

I've included a poster to hang by their work or print two and glue them back to back and suspend from the ceiling.

Click on the link to view/download the Moovin' and a Groovin to a New Grade packet. 

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.

 "Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best." -Bob Talbert