1-2-3 Come Make Some "Paper Love" With Me  

I really enjoy designing things that will get even my most reluctant writers excited about writing. 

With that in mind, I made this very versatile, quick, easy & super-fun writing prompt craftivity. The "envelope" unfolds to reveal a "secret message" or "love note" that can be used for:

* Valentine’s Day (Great for a party day activity.)
* Mother’s Day
* Father’s Day
* Grandparents Day

* Volunteer or Veteran’s Day “Thank You! We Appreciate You!” notes
* “Get Well” or sympathy notes for an ill or grieving classmate
* “Just a Note” to a friend OR… Whatever else you may think of.

If your kiddos are like mine, they will absolutely LOVE making these, so be prepared and run off extra copies for early finishers, and students who ask to “Please…” make another one.

Woo Hoo! They are that addicting & fun; plus “print & go” easy-peasy for you.
I think one of the reasons they are so popular, is that the envelope unfolds to be a heart-shaped message.

I added the 4, “Confidential”, “Top Secret!” & “For Your Eyes Only” labels, to add to the fun.
Nothing like writing a “secret” message to get students excited about writing.

Works for many age groups — from preschool (who can draw a picture and dictate a sentence, or simply write “I love you”) all the way to upper elementary, who can use the blank template.

Great for Daily 5 or your writing block, and simple as a generic lesson for your “Sub Tub” too.

There are 8 graphic options on the front of the “envelope”.  These templates come in a horizontal AND vertical pattern.

For PK kiddos, demonstrate how to fold the “envelope” with “monkey see - monkey do”, step-by-step directions. Even my 3-year-old grandson had fun making several.

Today's featured FREEBIE is also a sweet bit of "paper love".  Click on the link to grab your copy of the "I Love You To Pieces" craftivity

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

Much to do today, as one of our 8 grandchildren is celebrating their 1st birthday this weekend.  Wishing you an "ed-venture" - filled day.

"Let all that you do be done in love." -1 Corinthians 16:14

1-2-3 Come Do Some More Mother's Day Activities With Me

Tuesday's blog featured Mother's Day craftivities that could also be used for the end of the year, as well as back to school.  Here are two more that offer that same versatility:

The "souper" soup can craftivity, can be a "flip up" card, or a windsock, where the writing prompt is completed on the paper "ribbons".

Besides those "crafty" options, you have a choice of 7 writing prompts:

* "I had a 'souper' year!" is a fun way to reflect about what students have accomplished.

* "You're going to have a 'souper' year in _________" is written by this year's students for next year's kiddos.

* "___________ is a 'souper' student." Is a terrific "bucket filler" which will help build self-esteem.

* "I'm looking forward to a 'souper' summer." Is a fun end of the year option.  You could also change it to "I had a 'souper' summer." and use at the beginning of the school year.

* There are also patterns for Mom, Dad & grandparents to help celebrate their special days, as well as a blank soup can for anything else.

The "Bee-utiful Bee-cause..." bee-themed craftivity can also be used for Mother's Day, BTS (Back To School) or the end of the year.

There are 2 craftivities in the packet. Children can make a bee and choose the prompt “My mom is bee-utiful because . . .” or make fingerprint bees around a hive. Another writing prompt is: “My mom is terrific ‘bee-cause” . . .

So that students can write something different, I’ve included blank bee and hive patterns. There’s also a generic “You are ‘bee-utiful’ because …” or “You are terrific ‘bee-cause’” options.

At the end of the year, students can make a bee or hive that says: “I had a ________________ year in ________________ ‘bee-cause’..." or “I’m looking forward to a super summer ‘bee-cause’..."

Another interesting option is to have this year’s students make a bee or hive for next year’s students. “You’re going to have a _______________ year in _______________ ‘bee-cause’”.

What a fun thing to have tucked in your students’ desks or displayed on their lockers at the beginning of the year.

As with the other bee craftivities, children can write their note of “why” on the bee’s stripes, or if you want students to write more, they can complete the little apple booklet and glue it to the front.

I wanted the Mother’s Day beehive card to be a keepsake, so my students dipped their thumb in yellow paint to make the bees, and used their pinkies and white paint for the wings.

When their cards dried, they drew on details with a black marker, and glued their school photo in the “door”.

If you like the hive card, but don’t want to mess with paint, I’ve also included bee “stickers”. Students get a strip of 4, trim and glue to their card.

Today's FREEBIE is another Mother's Day activity, which you can also use for Father's or Grandparent's Day, or anyone else that you "love to pieces".

Teacher's and parents could also make a little gift for their students/children.  I made small "Love you to pieces" cards that you can print off and attach to a Snack Baggie, or package of Reeses Pieces candy.

There's also a completed puzzle writing prompt pattern, so you can easily make a sample to share, to explain what you want your kiddos to do.

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

It's cold, rainy and windy out; the perfect weather for shortening my ever-growing "to do" list.  Wishing you a snuggly relaxing day. 

"A good criterion for measuring success in life is the number of people you have made happy." -Robert Lumsden

1-2-3 Come Do Some Versatile Writing Prompt Craftivities With Me 

Sometimes when I'm designing something for a particular thing, it turns out that I can also use it for something else; as once a crafty little pattern is made, it's easy to tweak the writing prompt portion, so that it fits for other times of the year. 

Such is the case for several of the Mother's Day craftivities I just finished; so I included patterns appropriate for the end of the year, as well as back to school. 

Today, I'm featuring 3 of them, along with today's featured FREEBIE.

First up is the "berry" versatile strawberry packet.     I’ve included a back-to-school pattern that says: “I had a ‘berry’ special summer because…” as well as an end of the year template: “This school year was ‘berry’ special because…”

Run the summer strawberry off on hot pink with lime green leaves; then see wonderful improvement in your students’ writing, when they complete the other prompt, at the end of the year.

I’ve also included another pattern to make a “Thank you ‘berry’ much!” card, which you can give to volunteers who’ve helped your class, the secretary or whoever gave you a helping hand throughout the year.

Flip the card up to reveal a picture of your class holding a thank you sign or letter cards spelling the words out, then have everyone sign it.

Another pattern is for a Mother’s Day card: “My (mom, mommy, mama, mum, grandma) is ‘berry’ special because…”  Have students make hand print “leaves” for that keepsake touch.

Finally, the "fruity treat" is a little gift you can give your students at the beginning or end of the year:
"I hope your summer is 'berry' special just like you." or . . . "I'm wishing you a 'berry' special year.

Attach the strawberry tag to a berry-flavored juice box or package of Skittles. 

Next up is the "....And That's Something To Tweet About!" writing prompt bird craftivity.    Just like the strawberry, you can use it for back-to-school, (“I had a great summer!), or at the end of the year (“I had a great year in school) and that's something to tweet about!"

I’ve also included a variety of writing prompt options suitable for Mother’s Day as well. “My (mom, mum. mommy, mama, grandma) is special and that’s something to tweet about!”

There are blank wing and “hang tag” patterns as well, so that you can write in something else.  These pieces, along with the accordion-folded legs, add special 3D pizzazz.

Older students explain why, by writing on the back of the bird. Completed projects really turn out adorable and look sweet suspended from the ceiling.

Finally, "Great Times!" also includes a variety of writing prompt options.   I’ve included 3 patterns for a Mother’s Day card, as well as templates for the end of the year: ”Time sure flies! I had a _____________ year in _____________!”

Plus there’s a “Fun in the Sun Summer Time“ pattern, where students can write about the fun times they are looking forward to doing during vacation, or use for back-to-school and have students write about a few of their favorite times that they enjoyed.

Besides the 3 “draw yourself” clock patterns for Mother’s Day, there are also 6 templates featuring 3 boys & 3 girls. Students simply color and cut.

Older kiddos “hinge” the writing prompt to the back with a piece of Scotch tape. 

There are black & white patterns for students, plus full color templates of the children holding the clocks, so that you can quickly and easily make samples to share. 

Today's featured FREEBIE is also versatile, as you can use it in February for Valentine's Day, as well as for grandparents, Mom or Dad on their special days.

I found this ABC "I Love You!" idea in various print forms on a variety of sites, so I'm not sure where the original idea came from. 

However, instead of making an 8x10 print to frame, I thought it would be perfect to design some cards, bookmarks and magnets, which children could make in school for various holidays. 

As for me, I tucked one in my husband's briefcase. Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

If you get a minute, zip on over to the site-wide "Teacher Appreciation" sale going on over at TpT. 

My shop is participating.  Enter the Promo Code: CELEBRATE for an additional 10% off at checkout. 

"If you can read this, thank a teacher!"

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 Do Some Word Art Activities With Me!

Tag! You're it; now you make a word picture! I am over the moon excited over Tagxedo! It’s a website that turns words, famous speeches, poems, quotes, etc. into a VISUALLY stunning word cloud picture! 

The possibility of ideas is endless.  Here are a few that I dreamed up for up-coming spring activities:

The site is simple to use, so that even K students can be shown how to type in a list of words and create a special piece of art that can also become a card.

Brainstorm a list of words with students; write them on the board; students choose the ones appropriate for them and type them in.

These are three that I made for Mother’s Day. You can use mine, or have students describe their mom and make their own.  Click on the link to view/download the Mother’s Day word pictures.

Different fonts, colors and shapes are available to choose from, so each child will come up with a unique keepsake for their mommy.

Another activity that you could do,  is to have students make up a list of adjectives that describe them. Students make a word picture about themselves entitled “ME”.

I chose the handprint shape for mine, but they could choose whatever shape that represents them, such as a shape from their favorite sport, a ballerina, their age, their initial etc.

Teacher's could also make a "High Fives!" word art picture for each one of their students as a card for preschool or kindergarten graduation, or as a certificate for going into the next grade. 

I've also made, "Look Who's Leaping Into ______ Grade!" filled with fun words associated with the school year. There's also a matching bookmark or slap bracket to go along with the certificates.

Click on the "Look Who's Leaping!" template to view/download mine, or design your own with words specific to you and your school.

Tagxedo also has an awesome gallery featuring famous people.  Two of my favorites are Abe Lincoln and Martin Luther King.

How perfect to use word art, when studying these men. Have students plug in a speech, or adjectives they feel describe them.

What a wonderful vocabulary builder and great independent computer center to practice keyboarding skills!  It’s also a fun way for students to illustrate a poem or short story that they wrote!

I’m always looking for different ways for students to use Dolch and CVC words, so I typed in the various lists of Dolch and CVC words to make cute anchor charts. I made a header that says:  How many words can you spy?

Students LOVE  “I Spy” and “Where’s Waldo?” books, so this is yet another way to immerse children in word work in a fun way. Run off copies of the various word pictures and have students “spy” the words in the collage.

Have them jot down the words as they find them and then, for another activity, students can alphabetize their list.

Have students make tally marks next to each word to see how many times they found it in the word picture, to reinforce yet another standard!

I've included an apple word art picture for all of the Dolch words for the following lists: pre-primer, kindergarten, first, second and third, + an apple for all of the Dolch nouns and an anchor chart that lists all of the words in their separate categories.

There are 8 CVC word posters. The shape depicts a CVC word. i.e. dog, pig, key etc. I've included an alphabetical list of all of the 338 CVC words used on the word art posters. Click on the links for the Dolch Word Picture Packet,or CVC Word Picture Packet . 

I also thought it would be cute to make a graduation certificate using those themed-words. Click on the link to view/download the Kindergarten Graduation certificate word picture.

Word are is an interesting and unique way to plug in new vocabulary as it relates to the various science themes that you study, like butterflies. Click on the link to view/download the Butterfly Word Picture anchor chart.

As you can see, I had an absolute blast on this site and hope you do too! Do you have a fun site that your kiddos enjoy or a personal favorite educational site?  I’d love hearing from you diane@teachwithme.com or feel free to post a comment here, especially if you use one of my ideas.

For more technology in the classroom, click on the link to zip on over to my "pinteresting" pin board filled with  more creative and fun ways to use technology with your kiddos.

Thanks for visiting today.  Even though it's the end of April, the weather continues to be unusually cold here in Michigan.  We actually had snow flurries the past two days.  Boo and boo hoo too! Wishing you a warm and cozy day.

 "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which ones to keep." -Scott Adams

1-2-3 Come Make Some Paper Love For Mother's Day With Me.

My Y5's enjoyed putting puzzles together.  Since it was one of our report card standards, I made time for them to work on puzzles for a few minutes at the end of the day.  With this in mind, I thought I'd design some "paper love" using puzzle pieces.

While I was diddling around with the puzzle idea, I wondered if there was some sort of easy & inexpensive gift my kiddos could make to give their mom to go along with their card.  Since the card was all about pieces, Reese's pieces came to mind. 

You certainly don't have to include them with this craft, but it's a simple way to add a little something to their creations, so you don't have to make something else.  Thus, there are several options for putting this activity together.  

Take a photo of each of your students and then have them cut it into puzzle pieces.  You can make them look more like a puzzle by placing my puzzle template over the photo and then cutting on the lines, or you can use carbon paper and trace the template onto the photo for easier cutting.

If you think this is too difficult for your students, they can simply cut their photo into several pieces.  Remind them to cut their photo into only 3-6 pieces, or you can bet that they’ll snip away, with no chance of gluing things back together. 

For preschool kiddos, have a room helper do this for you and then put each photo in a snack Baggie for students to put together.  They'll be surprised to find that it's a photo of them.

Students can glue their photo puzzle together onto a sheet of construction paper, so that all of the pieces fit snuggly together, or you can have them trim a bit from the edges so there is a gap between the pieces.  

I like the effect of this better, but I made sure that I cut my puzzle, so that it did not slice up the facial portion of my photo. If you're going to have your kiddos glue their puzzle this way, make sure you show them a sample, and explain the importance of not cutting through the center of their face.

Have students sign their picture puzzle and then glue it to the “I love you to pieces” paper and trim. 
I’ve included a template for mom, as well as a blank one for students who don’t have a mom, or if you wish to use this card for Grandparent’s or Father’s Day.

It's nice to give children color options, but I chose orange and yellow construction paper, because I wanted to include some Reese’s Pieces as a gift, with a double play on words. 

To keep the cost down, you can buy small packages of the candy and staple the little bag to the bottom of the photo puzzle, or you can buy it in bulk and fill mini snack bags.

Brainstorm with your students why they love their moms, and make a list on the board, so that students can refer to it as they complete their writing prompt.

Run off the large puzzle template and have students write six reasons why they love their mom (special person) to pieces (one reason in each of the six puzzle pieces).  Have students end with: "I love you to pieces [Mom]. We were meant to be together."

There are several options for putting the card together. I glued the photo puzzle to the right side of their writing prompt.

Children could also make a traditional card and put their prompt inside for their mom to read, or they could attach the writing portion to the bottom of the photograph.  You decide, or give children a choice.

I mounted the writing prompt to a sheet of construction paper as well.  You could also attach it to the back of the picture puzzle and not trim that down.

I’ve also included an “I love you to pieces” header in two sizes.  Have students color the word with a yellow marker.

You can add the larger one to your Snack Baggie, or use the smaller one and glue it to the corner of the writing prompt for that finishing touch. (This is what I did for my sample.)

I forgot to do it in my photo, but have students outline their puzzle pieces with crayons or markers.  As I was working on my sample, I thought this would also make a sweet end-of-the-year gift for your students.  Have a helper take a photo of you with each of your kiddos. 

You cut up the puzzles and put them into a Snack Baggie that you attach to a box or bag of Reese’s Pieces, then complete a puzzle note for each child. 

Tuck them into their backpacks the last week of school, or they can put them together at the end of the day, while they eat a few pieces of candy.  Make sure none of your kiddos has a peanut allergy.  Click on the link to view/download the "I love you to pieces" packet.

If you'd like to see all of the Mother's Day FREEBIES on TeachWithMe, click on the link to pop on over to that section of my site.  I also have an entire Pinterest board specifically for Mother's Day, filled with lots more interesting, fun and best of all, FREE activities. 

That's it for today.  Thanks for visiting.  The weather continues to be windy and cold.  Since Mother Nature hasn't realized it's springtime here in Michigan, I will again snuggle in and whittle away at paper mountain.  Wishing you a sunny day.

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." -Abraham Lincoln

1-2-3 Come Make a Mother's Day Keepsake Card With Me

This fingerprint keepsake card is a quick, easy and fun craftivity, with wonderful results.  I've included 2 options for creating them.  Little ones can simply color the letters and then carefully press fingerprints on the paper. 

Older students can place the letter templates over the blank poem-page and then press their prints in and around the letters, using various colors of stamp pads.

I made several sets of the templates, using an old file folder, so that more than one child could use them at a time, and set this activity up as an independent center at a table.

Remind students to use the sanitary wipe to clean off their pointer finger, using only one color at a time, so they don't ruin your stamp pads.

There are lots of washable stamp pads on the market, but if yours stain your students' fingers, wipe with a sanitary wipe and have them rub a little suntan lotion on the stain.  By the end of the day, it should be gone.

After they are content with the look of their paper, they carefully lift off the templates to reveal the word mom. For even more of a keepsake factor, have students glue their school photo inside the oval.

This is the technique that I used on the photograph.  I saw a similar poem all over the Internet, and revamped it for this project.  The original author is unknown.  Here is my version:

"I've left some little fingerprints on just about every wall, on furniture, doors and windows, I've really marked them all.  Here are some that won't rub off to remember when I was small, because I'll love you forever, even when I'm big and tall."

Have older students use the back of the paper to complete the writing prompt: My mom colors my world with love because...

Show children your sample and have them read the word MOM, then flip the page upside down and ask them to read the "new" word WOW.  Encourage students to share this demostration with their own card, explaining to their moms that they are a wow mom. This could also be another writing prompt for the back.

Take advantage of a teachable moment, and tell your students about palindromes, as mom, read forwards or backwards, is the same.  Click on the link to view/download the Fingerprint Mother's Day Keepsake Card.

Another colorful card is the Mother's Day Rainbow Writing Prompt Mobile. Have students brainstorm with you, thinking of ways their mothers color their world with love, caring, joy etc.  List these on the board.

Cut strips of construction paper.  Students fold the strips in half.  Using a glue stick, they rub glue all over the back, place a piece of yarn down the middle of one section, and then press shut.  They continue this process until they have all of the colors of the rainbow represented in their appropriate rainbow order.

Students complete the writing prompt by composing a sentence on each strip.  Older students can write on both sides.  Add the finishing touch, by including a photograph on the heart pattern. 

Click on the link to view/download the Mother's Day Rainbow Writing Prompt Mobile.  If you'd like to see all of the Mother's Day FREEBIES on my site, click on the link. 

I also have a very "pinteresting" PIN board, chockful of more free Mother's Day crafts and activities.

That's it for today.  Thanks for visiting.  The wind is howling outside my window.  It's a cold and dreary day that doesn't look or feel much like spring. 

However, it's the perfect kind of day to tackle paper mountain, and get some design work done, as there's no temptation to go out and play.  Wishing you a stress-free and productive day.

"My mother taught me about the power of inspiration and courage, and she did it with a strength and passion that I wish could be bottled." -Carly Fiorina

1-2-3 Come Make A Keepsake Butterfly Craft With Me

Are you studying butterflies for spring? This was one of my Y5's favorite units.   Because butterflies are such a popular theme, I designed this keepsake butterfly card your students can make for their mom for Mother's Day.  

If you're all set for Mother's Day, the packet is very versatile, as  I’ve included 3 stationery templates to choose from to glue a butterfly to:  Fluttering by with a Mother’s Day Hi; Fluttering by with a Father’s Day Hi; and Fluttering by with a friendly Hi.

Students take off their shoe and trace it on their color choice of folded construction paper.  When they cut out their “butterfly wing” they will have two.  These sweet little feet become the "wings"of a butterfly that they decorate.

So that children know where to glue their butterfly’s wings, make a sample to share with them. So that their "wings" are not too far apart or too close together, explain that they should use the thorax as a guide before they glue everything down.

Because we had already studied butterflies, my students were familiar with the science vocabulary. If yours are not, this activity is a fun way to learn.

  Show students several ways they can arrange their butterfly. I think gluing them at a diagonal is pretty cool, and offers another teachable moment to introduce that spatial direction word, to help grow their vocabularies.

Beforehand, cut a variety of colors for the butterfly’s body and fold them.  I made a template for 3 different size thoraxes to accommodate the different shoe sizes of students.   Next, they glue only the head and bottom tip of the thorax down, so that it is 3 dimensional.  

For extra 3D pop, cut a small slit around the top of the btterfly's head. (I use an Exacto knife). Students bend a pipe cleaner in half to make a V-tip, and then curl the ends around a pencil. 

Insert the tip into the slit and tape the end on the back.  Students make adjustments by bending the antennae forward a bit.   If you don't want to fuss with this step, have children draw antennae on with a crayon or marker.

Run the little heart poem template off on a variety of colors of construction paper.  "I made this card especially for you. The butterfly's wings were traced from my shoe." There are 6 on a page, so rough cut them. Students choose one, trim and glue it to the corner of their card.   

Discuss symmetry and have children decorate their butterfly’s wings, by drawing shapes or designs on them, dotting with a bingo dauber, or Q-tip, or using stamps or stickers.

For that finishing touch, I added some dashed lines to look like the flit and flutter path of a butterfly.  Glitter and wiggle eyes would also add pizzazz.   Click on the link to view/download the Fluttering By Butterfly craftivity. 

Thanks for visiting today.  If you'd like to see some more Mother's Day FREEBIES click on the link to zip on over to that section of my site, where you'll find 30 more options! I also have an entire board on Pinterest designated for more free Mother's Day ideas, activities and crafts.

Well that's it for today.  My feet have hit the floor running this morning, as I'll be flitting to the vet with my poodle pup Chloe, along with a toddler and baby.  Hopefully this won't be too crazy...LOVE being a grama!  Wishing you an energy-filled day.

"As with the butterfly, adversity is necessary to build character in people." -Joseph B. Wirthlin

1-2-3 Come Make A Mother's Day Craftivity With Me

My Y5's enjoyed putting puzzles together.  Since it was one of our report card standards, I made time for them to work on puzzles for a few minutes at the end of the day.  With this in mind, I thought I'd design some "paper love" using puzzle pieces.

While I was diddling around with the puzzle idea, I wondered if there was some sort of easy & inexpensive gift my kiddos could make to give their mom to go along with their card.  Since the card was all about pieces, Reese's pieces came to mind. 

You certainly don't have to include them with this craft, but it's a simple way to add a little something to their creations, so you don't have to make something else.  Thus, there are several options for putting this activity together.  

Take a photo of each of your students and then have them cut it into puzzle pieces.  You can make them look more like a puzzle by placing my puzzle template over the photo and then cutting on the lines, or you can use carbon paper and trace the template onto the photo for easier cutting.

If you think this is too difficult for your students, they can simply cut their photo into several pieces.  Remind them to cut their photo into only 3-6 pieces, or you can bet that they’ll snip away, with no chance of gluing things back together. 

For preschool kiddos, have a room helper do this for you and then put each photo in a snack Baggie for students to put together.  They'll be surprised to find that it's a photo of them.

Students can glue their photo puzzle together onto a sheet of construction paper, so that all of the pieces fit snuggly together, or you can have them trim a bit from the edges so there is a gap between the pieces.  

I like the effect of this better, but I made sure that I cut my puzzle, so that it did not slice up the facial portion of my photo. If you're going to have your kiddos glue their puzzle this way, make sure you show them a sample, and explain the importance of not cutting through the center of their face.

Have students sign their picture puzzle and then glue it to the “I love you to pieces” paper and trim. 
I’ve included a template for mom, as well as a blank one for students who don’t have a mom, or if you wish to use this card for Grandparent’s or Father’s Day.

It's nice to give children color options, but I chose orange and yellow construction paper, because I wanted to include some Reese’s Pieces as a gift, with a double play on words. 

To keep the cost down, you can buy small packages of the candy and staple the little bag to the bottom of the photo puzzle, or you can buy it in bulk and fill mini snack bags.

Brainstorm with your students why they love their moms, and make a list on the board, so that students can refer to it as they complete their writing prompt.

Run off the large puzzle template and have students write six reasons why they love their mom (special person) to pieces (one reason in each of the six puzzle pieces). 

Have them glue their photo puzzle to the side of their writing prompt.

I mounted the writing prompt to a sheet of construction paper as well.  You could also attach it to the back of the picture puzzle and not trim that down.

I’ve also included an “I love you to pieces” header in two sizes.  Have students color the word with a yellow marker.

You can add the larger one to your Snack Baggie, or use the smaller one and glue it to the corner of the writing prompt for that finishing touch. (This is what I did for my sample.)

I forgot to do it in my photo, but have students outline their puzzle pieces with crayons or markers.  As I was working on my sample, I thought this would also make a sweet end-of-the-year gift for your students.  Have a helper take a photo of you with each of your kiddos. 

You cut up the puzzles and put them into a Snack Baggie that you attach to a box or bag of Reese’s Pieces, then complete a puzzle note for each child. 

Tuck them into their backpacks the last week of school, or they can put them together at the end of the day, while they eat a few pieces of candy.  Make sure none of your kiddos has a peanut allergy.

Click on the link to view/download the "I love you to pieces" packet.  Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.

"A mother's hug lasts long after she lets go." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Make A Mother's Day Card With Me

One of my favorite gifts is flowers and I absolutely love to garden.  Most of what I plant is some sort of perennial flower; it's easy for me to spend lots of happy hours digging in the dirt. 

 I have fond memories of sunflowers, so I thought I'd design a few Mother's Day "craftivities" featuring these beauties.  For some awesome photographs of sunflowers, click on the link.

The first "writing-prompt card"  features one large sunflower blossom. Students color, trim and then glue their sunflower to a sheet of construction paper. I like a dark blue background the best.

Run off the circle pattern on brown construction paper and rough cut.  Students trim and then "hinge" to the center of the flower with a tiny piece of tape. 

This will cover the greeting: "You are my sunshine.  Happy Mother's Day!" that is underneath.  Add a school photo to this "flip over flap" for that finishing touch. 

Older students can complete the writing prompt:  My mom brings sunshine to my life..." and glue it to the back of their picture.  I've provided a template for that.   Click on the link to view/download the You Are My Sunshine card.  

If you have the time, this is a sweet song to teach your kiddos.  Encourage them to sing the chorus to their mom after they present her with the card. 

To see the words, and hear the lyrics to You Are My Sunshine click on the link, for an age-appropriate YouTube video.

Another Mother's Day sunflower card, is a bit more complicated as it involves some folding and more cutting.  

I recommend it for 1st grade and up, but with a little help, I think a 5-year-old could also do a nice job.

I call this card "My love for you grows" as students accordion fold the middle section and glue it to the bottom of the flowers and then connect it to the top of the flower pot. 

As mom  opens and unfolds the card, it  "grows and grows and grows."  Older students can write on the back why their love for their mother continues to grow. 

Have students write Mom (or anyone that they are fond of) in one of the centers, and glue their photo in another.

Click on the link to view/download the My love grows Mother's Day activity.

Finally, students can also choose to make an entire bouquet for their mom. 

Children pick a partner and take turns tracing each other's hand, with a little wrist showing, and then cut it out.  Have a room helper do this for preschool kids. 

Run off the flower pattern on white construction paper. 

Students trace the stems with a green marker or crayon and then glue their handprint so that it looks like they are holding the flowers. 

Using different colored stamp pads, have students make fingerprint "petals" around the circles to create "flowers."  Have them do the same thing to make some "leaves" on the stems.  A thumbprint makes a nice big floral center. 

The template includes my little poem: "These flowers are my fingerprints that I know is true.  It's a Mother's Day bouquet especially for you."

Older students can complete the writing prompt:  If I could have any mom I'd still pick you because... or I made this special bouquet for you because... on the back of their picture.   Click on the link to view/download the Fingerprint Bouquet Mother's Day Craftivity.

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  Sharing makes our lives a bit easier, and we are all better for it. 

"What is a mom but the sunshine of our days and the north star of our nights." -Robert Brault