1-2-3 Come Do Some Grandparents Day Activities With Me  

In 1978 President Carter made Grandparent’s Day an official celebration. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the holiday.

Although it’s celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day, I like to plan some sort of grandparent activity later in the month, when my students have gotten used to the routines of school; before we invite grandparents for a fun-filled hour with their grandchild. 

Because even a celebration has to have some sort of educational activity, I designed several items that fit the bill.

First up, “ABC My Grandparents Are To Me…” which includes an alphabetical list of adjectives that describe grandma and grandpa. Such as, A is for awesome.

Besides reinforcing letters, this activity is also a great way to build vocabulary.

The packet comes with several alphabet worksheet options, to fit the various needs of children: One for grandparents, a separate one for grandma, as well as grandpa; plus a fill-in-the blank one, so children can write in someone else, if they don’t have grandparents.

Besides these versions, those options also come with and without graphics, so that children can either draw their own picture, or simply color the graphic.

Younger students can “trace the letter” on their worksheet, while older students can think up their own adjectives and write them down after the letter.

There’s also a second page, handprint worksheet as well.

This can be done before  your special day, or do the ABC page ahead of time, and save the handprint craft to do with your students' "grand person". 

Handprints can be made with paint, or paper, which is less messy, but tracing, cutting and gluing takes more time. 

Next up is a super-fun Grandparents Day craft that I call Instagrama & Instagrampa Grams.

For those of you who follow me, you know that I love diddling around with "play on words", so I had an absolute blast designing this Instagram-inspired craft.

The prep is easy-peasy “print and go”.

The phone pattern is a full page, with just six, nice-sized rectangles, which provide enough room for drawing and coloring, without being overwhelming.

There are several pattern options to fit the needs of your students:one for both grandparents, another for just grama, as well as a separate one for grampa; plus a generic one, for those kiddos without grandparents.

Children can “post” a picture to their “grand person” by cutting and gluing a real photograph (perhaps their school photo) to one of the rectangles on their “phone”, or drawing a picture (perhaps of themselves or grama/grampa).

I’ve also included a set of small pictures for children to color, cut & glue inside the boxes of their paper phone.

I chose this particular clip art because it looks like it was drawn by a child.

There are 16 graphics for them to choose from. A set for boys, and one for girls.

Students can design their phone anyway they want, or you can give them guidelines; such as, include at least one photo, one drawn object, etc.

There’s also a set of 4 Emoji faces. Children can choose one, and glue that to one of the empty rectangles too.

As always, I’ve included full color options for teachers, so you can quickly and easily make an example to share, as well as black & white for students.

There’s also a second page option if you want to add a bit of writing, rhyming and math to this craftivity.

Ive included a pattern for grandparents, as well as one without the text message, so students can write something to another person.

The card can be done as a fun homework assignment, completed in class, or done during your grandparents day activities.

Finally, today's featured FREEBIE is also for your Grandparents Day celebration. 

I thought you might like a time-saving "print & go" invitation, which your students can color and fill in, then take home.  

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

It's a fabulous 68 degrees, and I'm so loving the cooler weather. Really energizes me!

I'm so ready to bid adieu to summer heat and am really looking forward to the awesome colors of fall.

"Sweaters, vibrant colored leaves, football, bonfires, cooler weather. Fall is here!" -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 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!