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 Tacos With Me!
I'm not sure about you, but my "teacher hat" never really comes off. I'm forever putzing with design ideas, crafts, research and reading. Whenever I'm out and about junking or stopping at a garage sale, my mantra has always been: "What educational thing can I do with this?"
I'm also an avid people watcher and while at the grocery story noticed a young person wearing a T-shirt that said: "Let's Taco 'Bout It." written on a colorful taco shell with a smilie face on it.
I LOVED the play on words. Right a way my brain was going 90-miles-an-hour of how I could incorporate that idea into some sort of "craftivity." Thus Taco Talk was born!
I hope you have as much fun making these with your kiddos as I did designing templates and making samples. Taco Talk is very versatile.
I made patterns for the end of the year, (there are several options here, including one where this year's kiddos, make a taco note for your in-coming students in the fall) as well as "tacos" for back-to-school. Since the bucket fillers that I recently posted, have been so popular, I also made a compliment taco too.
Here's how to make a compliment one:
These "tacos" work well for the beginning or the end of the year, and are especially appropriate if you do the "Fill a bucket" program, as they are a wonderful way to build a child's self-esteem and reinforce the concept of being kind.
Run off the “taco shell” on light brown construction paper. Students cut it out, fold it in half and write their name in the blank. For extra pizzazz add some dots with a brown crayon or marker.
To make the “lettuce” I put a few sheets of green construction paper (one at a time) into my shredder.
Have students rub some glue on the top and bottom of the inside of their “taco shell” and glue on some “lettuce”.
Cut strips of red, yellow, and orange construction paper. Have students make an ABCABC pattern by gluing the strips INSIDE their “taco shell.” Open up the shell, so that you can see the front and rip the ends of the strips at various lengths, so just a bit of the "taco stuffing" is peeking out around the edge.
Put students in groups of 8. Children exchange their taco with someone in their group, who writes a compliment inside their taco on one of the colored strips. They continue to pass the tacos around ’til everyone in the group has signed everybody’s taco. Seven strips will have been signed. The 8th strip is for the teacher to write something on.
Give students a few minutes to read their taco and then collect them. Scatter them on a bulletin board, with bright yellow background, and a colorful fiesta or chili pepper border, or place each one on a variety of hot-colored paper plates and then scatter those, or use them as a border with the caption: “Taco Talk” in the middle.
So that you can spell Taco Talk, I’ve included large 8x10 letters in the packet. Run them off on a variety of colors of construction paper, trim and then arrange them to spell Taco Talk!
For that finishing touch, hang a piñata from the ceiling, on the side of the board. There's also a "Taco Talk" poster if you'd rather use that instead, plus a poster that says "Ola!" so that you can welcome your students with a friendly hello in Spanish.
The end of the school year or summer writing prompt taco is a little different than the compliment taco. Give students a pile of "lettuce" and a strip of red, yellow and orange construction paper.
Students rub glue around the top edge of the inside of their taco, then rip and tear the colored strips into various lengths.
They fold their taco back up and flip it over, gluing the paper pieces in an ABCABC pattern around the TOP of the shell, so that a bit of “taco stuffing” is peeking out.
Use the circle pattern to make a template for the inside "taco". Trace once and then cut 3-6 circles at a time. Students glue the blank circle inside their taco shell, so that it covers the ragged edges of the “lettuce”. This is where they write about their excellent year in school, or about their fabulous summer.
After students have shared their taco with the class, make the bulletin board. That's it. Easy breezy, and a fun way to start or finish the year.
Don't feel crafty? I've also included 3 "color me" writing prompt worksheets. No prep, just print & go.
There's a generic "Taco 'bout".... prompt where you are the students decide what you want them to "talk about" as well as a "Here's a red-hot list of things I'd love to do, if price were no object and I could do anything!" so that you could also do this simple activity for Daily 5 or during your writing block.
For another easy-peasy writing prompt option, I've included 4 black and white bookmarks for students to color, then complete the prompt on the back.
There are also 2 full-color ones for teachers to give their kiddos for back-to-school and at the end of the year. That's it. A nice variety-filled packet with lots of options.
You can find the 30-page "Taco'bout" writing prompt packet in my TpT shop for just $2.00. Click on the link to pop on over.
There are 3 FREEBIES from the packet: a writing prompt worksheet, bookmark and the "Ola!" poster to use as the center of your bulletin board display. Click on the link to grab these 3 "Taco 'bout" FREEBIES today.
Thanks for stopping by. Wherever you are, and whatever you're doing, I hope it's absolutely "el terrifico!"
"What we learn becomes a part of who we are." -Unknown
1-2-3 Come Do An Alphabet Craftivity With Me
Woo hoo for me; woo hoo for you! As some of you know, I just opened a shop on TpT May 6th We've reached our 1st "milestone" of 100 followers. In celebration of that, here's a special little FREEBIE great for anytime, but especially nice for back-to-school.
So that I could get a handle on where my new kiddos were at, I always liked to do some fun assessing the first week of school.
Testing and assessing students can be tedious and overwhelming for young children, as well as time consuming for teachers. Keeping that in mind, I designed Alpha Bird.
Precut "Alfie's" body parts from a variety of colors of construction paper. Students choose the pattern pieces that they want, and glue them to their paper plate bird body, which is simply a folded paper plate.
To expedite things, I'd fold and staple them shut ahead of time, leaving the bottom middle open so that students can insert the birds "legs". For extra pizzazz, I added several feathers for a tail. You can buy a bag at The Dollar Store.
Students cut and glue the alphabet strips to make Alfie's legs. When everyone has completed their alpha bird, play "I Spy" by calling out a letter. Because the legs are long, and to increase upper body strength, have children lie on their tummies.
Students find and trace both the upper and lowercase letters. When they have done so, children raise their hand, so that you know that everyone is done.
With just a glance, you can see who is struggling, either trying to find a letter, tracing the wrong one, or peeking at others to see what they're doing.
Jot yourself a note, so that you can work with these children later. Call on a child to choose the next letter. Play 'til all of the letters have been traced.
Alfie offers a simple, quick and interesting way to whole group assess, while providing a nice review of upper and lowercase letters.
The birds also make a stunning hallway wall border. Simply tie a yarn loop at the top and suspend from the ceiling. Caption: "We know our letters and that's something to TWEET about!"
If you don't want to do this craftivity with your students, but like the different assessment idea, simply make your own alpha bird, hang him on a wall, and use Alfie to individually assess, in a non-threatening fun way. Click on the link to grab a copy of this fun FREEBIE: Alfie the Alpha Bird.
Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by, and a very special thank you to all of my loyal followers! Wishing you a warm and wonderful summer.
"If plan B doesn't work, don't give up; the alphabet has 25 more letters!" -Unknown
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
1-2-3 Come Do Some Frog-Themed Craftivities With Me
Woo hoo for some of you lucky duckies who are now basking in the sunshine, enjoying the start of your vacation. For those of you who are still in school for a few more days, or even weeks, boy have I got a super-fun, frog-themed packet for you!
Even the vacationers can enjoy it, as this whopping packet not only features end-of-the-year stuff, but matching back-to-school activities as well!
The versatility continues because it includes templates for Pre K4 through 3rd grade, so you can make things specific to your grade level!
Getting students to WANT to write and really enjoy it, is one of my hot buttons. With that in mind, I stuffed the packet with lots of creative writing prompt choices with an adorable frog theme that encompasses "leaping" into summer, a new grade, and a new year in school.
There are 18 writing prompt craftivities in all, with lots of options for both the end of the year, as well as for back-to-school. I enjoy drawing frogs; and had a fun time creating some real cuties. "Ferdinand" is a fat and sassy frog that's a "peek-over".
Run him off on lime green construction paper. Students trim and add colorful details with crayons, then glue him to the top of their "I'm leaping" writing prompt for the end of the year, or choose another topic and use the blank frog pattern, for back-to-school. I've included a "Look Who's Leaping" poster to use in the center of your bulletin board when you display your students' finished projects.
"Fred" is another fun-frog craft. Here the writing prompt is written on his "tongue". You can display Fred with a "flat tongue" or include some great fine-motor practice, and have students curl it, by rolling the paper strip on a crayon.
For that finishing touch, I've included some "flies". There's a "This stuff stuck. Look what I learned!" end-of-the-year pattern, as well as one that says: "I had a delicious summer.This is what I did..." for back-to-school.
"Jose'" is a "belly flipping" writing prompt frog. There are 8 cover options. Four for the end-of-the-year, and 4 for back-to-school.
Jose' can be done as a whole-group, class-made book, where everyone contributes a "belly page" or as an independent writing prompt, where each child makes their own booklet. The "Before We Go We'd Like You To Know" booklet gives advice to next year's kiddos.
The "Frogtastic Memories" can be turned into a quick, easy and fun end-of-the-year Memory Book, by simply having students write pages about the favorite things that they did in school or during the summer.
"Frankie" and "Fern" are the cute Frog Face Flip book twins. Frankie sports a bowtie, while Fern wears a bow on top of her head. Their "face" flips up to reveal a writing prompt.
There are 5 to choose from, plus a blank one to program with whatever, and a sample for you to share to help explain to your students what you want them to do.
As with "Fred" this too can be done independently, or as a whole-group, class-made booklet. The back-to-school "I'm 'hoppy' to be me" writing prompt is a personal favorite.
I've also included a "We're flipping over leaping into a new grade!" poster that you can use for the center of your bulletin board display.
There's a poster for pre k4 through 3rd grade, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever.
If you've followed me, you know that I like to incorporate things with a play-on-words. It's a fun way to expand horizons and build vocabulary.
Since a frog says "Ribbit!" I decided to make a "Ribbit, Write It, Read It" writing prompt using the word "riveting" as the twist.
Students write about their "ribbiting" summer or "ribbiting" things that they enjoyed during the school year, inside "Rodney's" circular-frog belly.
I've included a definition-poster for introducing the word riviting, along with a "Ribbit; Write It; Read It" poster for the center of your display.
If you're not into "craftivities" I've also included lots of quick, easy and fun coloring-page, writing prompt worksheets. Simply print and go.
There's a sampling of some of them in the photo. The "So long school, hello summer" or "So long summer, hello school" worksheets, where the froggy is opening a 3D school door to reveal the writing prompt are especially cute.
There's a similar writing prompt with a different frog, that may be more appealing for older students.
I've included samples for both, and each one has prompts for both seasons. Completed projects make darling bulletin boards too.
One bulletin board display that's especially adorable, is the frog on a lily pad. I made the water lily flower out of a coffee filter. In the top photo I simply scrunched the filter.
In the bottom picture I folded it into 1/8ths, then folded it one more time, snipping the end to create scallops. When you open it, it looks just like a large flat water lily.
I edged it with a pink watercolor marker, then spritzed it with water so it smudged into the paper. Easy-peasy with awesome results.
You have a nice teachable moment to discuss fractions, while children are following your step-by-step directions and folding their filter. The final writing prompt craftivity features "Fritz". This frog sits on a pail of sand.
I cut an oval out of sandpaper and glued it to the bucket, so that it looks filled! Children write things they'd like to do over the summer. The back-to-school writing prompt option tells what they've done during the summer and what they'd like to do in school.
I realize this "bucket list" idea is all over Pinterest, but I've been doing it way before TpT or Pinterest came into being. Click on the link for my original "Summer Bucket List" FREEBIE. It's in a FREE summer writing prompt packet with 6 other fun "craftivities".
Besides writing prompts, there are lots of end-of-the-year AND back-to-school themed "goodies" stuffed into the packet, with templates for Pre K4 through 3rd grade.
One group features another play-on-words using "toad-ally" for totally, which fits in perfect with my frog/toad theme.
I had fun designing a few writing prompts, as well as goodies using this fun word. There are color, as well as black & white covers for the mini-flip booklets and notes, as well as 2 posters and some labels.
"Brag Bracelets" are another "goodie". They are super-fun to make and wear. I designed one that says: "I'm Leaping!" and another with "Welcome!" on it.
Simply run off the pattern and trim using a paper cutter. Slit a toilet paper roll up the side and cut it into sections, the width of the pattern. Children glue to their "slap bracelet" folding the edges under. It's the perfect size for little ones, and the bent shape keeps it on their arm! When other kiddos ask them about their bracelet, they can "brag" that they made it and are "leaping" into a new grade. Nice little self-esteem builder!
If you're looking for a quick, easy and inexpensive little end-of-the-year, or back-to-school treat to give your students, take a look at my "tiny tags".
These are sweet little notes from the teacher, that you can attach to a "Flavor Ice" Popsicle (They sell them 50 to a pack for only $2.95!).
Putting them on a Fruit Roll Up (sticky frog tongue!) or attaching to a Snack Baggie is also fun. The Dollar Store sells a package of 12 gummi rainbow frogs that would also work.
I've also created a cute, keepsake-photo magnet. Laminate them for durability. The Dollar Store also sells magnet strip. (I'm a frequent shopper there; can ya tell?)
I've also included a variety of bookmarks suitable for the beginning, as well as the end of they year. They come in color, as well as black and white.
One is a writing prompt that students complete (nice bucket-filler activity), while another they color for one of your in-coming students.
My personal favorite is the keepsake photo bookmark, but the foreign language (Hello-Goodbye) ones are also really cute.
Another "goodie" in the packet are the "color-me" certificates for pre K4 through 3rd grade, (there are 4 styles to choose from, or give your kiddos a choice), plus there are 2 word-art frog-shaped posters that I created using Tagxedo.com. I've included my silhouettes, so that your kiddos can also make their own.
Well that about covers this frog-themed packet, which is a whopping 201 pages (!) and on sale now for just $6.95 (regularly $8.95). It took me a zillion hours to finish, but I think it was well worth the time. Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop and let the fun begin.
As always, I try to include a few FREEBIES from the packet as well. You can get the frog-word art posters, the word-art certificates (for pre-K4 through 3rd grade) stars and labels, plus the brag bracelets by clicking on the link: frog-themed end-of-the year mini packet.
To grab the FREE frog back-to-school banners, click on this link. The end pennants come in color as well as black line, and have templates for Pre K4 through 3rd grade. The frog-face pennants spell out "Welcome" and are in black and white, so that your kiddos can color them, taking ownership of helping to decorate their new home-away-from-home classroom.
This year's kiddos can make the banner to welcome your new students in the fall, or the new kids on the block can do it. Either way, it's kid-made and will look awww-dorable. Well that's it! Whew! That's a lot of frog stuff!
I apologize for such a long post. Thanks for hanging in there if you've read to the end. I'm just so excited to share my latest "mess-terpiece". You should see my office; it's a pile of craft supplies and samples...everywhere!
Thanks for visiting today. It's clean up time. Maybe I'll hum the "clean-up song" that my Y5's used to love singing. On second thought, the sun is shining and a warm breeze is beckoning to me to come play. I think I will. Wishing you a delightful day, crammed with creativity.
"For life to get easier, you have to get better." -Billy Cox