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 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