1-2-3 Come Do Some Whale-Themed Craftivities With Me

Ever since I visited Sea World, I've become a big fan of whales.  I know that an ocean-theme is really popular with a lot of teachers, and since children of all ages love whales, I decided to design a whale-themed writing prompt craftivity packet. 

It took a lot longer than I thought it would, but I truly believe that making an example of everything that I design, plus including samples, great directions and lots of photographs, really helps teachers and parents.  What say you?

Any hoo, this packet serves double duty, as I included writing prompts for back to school, as well as the end of the year.  The poor gals across the street from me, who teach in a charter school, go 'til June 23rd!   Maybe some of you late-vacation bloomers, can use a few of these activities now. 

This packet is very versatile and uses the idioms “I had a whale of a great . . .” and “Spouting off about . . “ where students complete the writing prompt, with something appropriate for back-to-school or the end of the year.  Such as ”I had a whale of a wonderful summer because . . .” or “I had a whale of an awesome year in ________ grade!”

The simple prompts make these activities suitable for little ones, as well as older kiddos, whose writing will be longer and more descriptive. Choose a whale topper for your students or give them a choice.  These activities make terrific independent literacy centers and plug in nicely with Daily 5 or your writing block. 

Students really enjoy the “craftivity” portion of their writing, which makes them really want to get started and keeps them focused.  Completed projects make beautiful bulletin board displays too.

The packet includes:

9 bookmarks: 5 are “writing prompt bookmarks” where this year’s students write a note to your in-coming students, or pick a partner and make one for their current classmate, or “spout off”.  

There are also 4 “from the teacher” bookmarks, appropriate to welcome your new students, or say farewell to this year’s bunch.

Create a “teachable moment” about homonyms/homophones with the “Whale of a ‘Tale’” whale’s tail topper.  Students can write a tale about anything they find interesting, or you could narrow things down and have them write a tale about school or summer.  

The “Tiny ‘Tales’ of School” as well the “Tiny ‘Tales’ of Summer” are mini-flip booklets. The “tiny tale” could be the most exciting, embarrassing, fun, scary, or funny thing that happened to them during the school year, or over summer vacation.

Another booklet option, is “Wally”.  He’s the “standing tall” blue whale. Behind his “face” are oval pages.  This too could be done individually, in a small group, or as a whole group activity.

Run the silhouette whale off on a variety of colors.  Students trim and complete whatever writing prompt you choose right on the whale.  For that finishing touch, add a school picture.

There are also 4 “Spouting Off” activities: a writing prompt "color-me" worksheet, a writing prompt bookmark, a writing prompt craftivity. and a definition-anchor chart poster. 

For one of the activities, I made a "speech bubble" that represents the water being squirted from the whale's blow hole."

As with the other prompts, I've included a sample for you to share.

4 different whale toppers, with 7 different writing prompt worksheets to go under them, make especially cute bulletin boards. 

Caption Ideas: “We’re Going to Have a Whale of a Great Time!”  “Having a Whale of a Wonderful Time in PK.”  “Making a Splash in Kindergarten!”  “So Glad You Swim in our School.”   "____________’s 'Fintastic' 1st Graders."  “Fintastic” Writing or "Looking Forward to a Whale of a Super Summer/School Year".

I’ve included black & white, as well as full-color worksheets, so that you can easily make an example to share.  Don’t have time? I’ve included samples too.

There are 5 cover options for a full-page class-made booklet, with 6 inside page options for students to choose from.

A simple, “color-me” writing prompt worksheet, is easy-peasy for little ones.

Finally, I’ve included several pages of my top picks for kid-friendly websites, which have interesting information, games and facts about whales, plus links to video and audio clips of real ones.  These sites offer a quick, easy & fun way to toss in some science & geography that there never seems to be enough time for.

I play the whale sound “music” while my students are working.  It’s soothing and they are amazed by the sound that whales make while communicating with each other.

Just like a whale, this whale-themed writing prompt packet is “whopping”, with 80-pages, and on sale today (June 9th through Friday the 12th) for just $3.19.  Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT store to check it out. Sales help support my clip art & font habits, as well as pay bills to run my TeachWithMe FREEBIE site.  (It's averaging a little over $200 a month to do so, thus the need for a bit of income).

And now for the FREEBIE, as I always like to provide at least one with each packet.  I chose “Walter” because he was my first attempt at whale drawing, and my personal favorite. Click on the link to take Wally home.

 He comes complete with a large and small wave pattern (write your prompt right on the large one) or glue the smaller wave to one of 4 traceable-writing prompt worksheets.  

Well that’s it.   Thanks for visiting today.  Apologies for being long-winded.  Whether you’re winding down the year and counting down the days, or making your own vacation-splash in the ocean, I’m wishing you a whale of a wonderful summer!

"We owe it to our children to be better stewards of the environment.  The alternative?  A world without whales.  It's too terrible to imagine!" -Pierce Brosan