12 pages.

There are several options for this end of the year writing prompt "craftivity."  Students can simply color the cow, cut it out and glue it to the top of their writing prompt, or you can run off the cow parts on construction paper.  Students trim, glue their cow together, add some pizzazz with crayons and then glue it to the top of their writing prompt. 

12 pages.

"Hip Hippo Ray! I'm on my way" is a sweet end of the year activity.  Choose whatever pages you want and have the students complete the writing prompts and then glue their booklet to the hippo.  There's also a pattern for "Hip Hippo Ray!  It's graduation day" appropriate for a preschool or kindergarten graduation. Glue on a photo for that finishing touch. 

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

33 pages.

If you're a teacher and would cherish one of these, simply show the idea to a fellow teacher.  If they like it too, you can swap students for 15-20 minutes.  You make one for her, with her students, and she makes one for you, with your kiddos.

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!

1-2-3 Come Write About Summer With Me

I'm not sure about you, but I was always looking for some fun things to do the last few weeks of school.  Lessons had been learned, assessments were done, and things were winding down, as my students' energy was reaching an all-time high. 

If you find yourself in similar circumstances, I think your students will have fun making a pair of sunglasses and thinking about their summer plans, so they can write about them. The title of this FREEBIE is Shades Of Summer.

Brainstorm with them about the things they'd like to see and do over vacation and write their ideas on the board. 

Run off the sunglasses template on a variety of colors of construction paper, or for real pizzazz, use scrapbook paper.  Give children a choice and then have them cut them out.

To make this activity even more special, take a photo of each student wearing goofy sunglasses.  I got mine at a party store.  I was looking for the jumbo-sized ones, but couldn't find them.  I thought that would be extra silly and add fun to my photo shoot. 

Print the pix and cut them into oval shapes, so students can glue theirs to the right lens of their pair of sunglasses.

Print the lens pattern and trim.  Make a template out of an old file folder.  Trace once and then cut 3 to 6 lenses at a time. 

Each student needs a dark right lens, as well as however many white lens pages they need to complete the writing prompt: "what I'd like to see and do this summer..." 

So that the words "Shades Of Summer" would show up, I chose a light black, but gray, silver, and brown also looked sharp. 

Run off this template, rough cut, and give each student one of these "title lenses" to trim and glue on the left hand side of their sunglasses.

When they have completed their writing, students collate and staple into a booklet, so that the dark lens cover, flips over to reveal their writing. Children glue on their photo, and using a white crayon, write on their name, and glue the booklet to the right side of their sunglasses. 

After everyone has had a chance to read and share their completed project, scatter the sunglasses on a bulletin board.  For something different, and that finishing touch, use a beach towel for the background.  Just above the board, suspend a few bottles of suntan lotion from the ceiling.  Caption: "We're Looking Forward To Summer!"

Click on the link to view/download the Shades Of Summer packet.  Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away. 

"In winter I get up at night, and dress by yellow candle-light.  In summer quite the other way;  I have to go to bed by day." ~Robert Louis Stevenson

1-2-3 Come Have A Blast With Me!

Now that Mother's Day is over, it seems that attention has turned to looking for end-of the-year activities, as school begins to wind down for many.   With that in mind, I designed the "I Had A Blast In School" packet.  

I've included writing prompt-templates for preschool through 8th grade, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever. 

Students can simply fill in the page, or they can wrap a toilet paper tube with scrapbook or wrapping paper to make a "firecracker" and add some 3D pizzazz.  I mounted everything on a sheet of scrapbook paper to make it more colorful as well.

I've included a fireworks pattern that students can sprinkle glitter on and then glue to the top of their firecracker, or tuck in a wad of tinsel for a sparkling effect.  Add a school photo for that finishing touch.  

Completed projects make an awesome end-of-the-year bulletin board and are a nice alternative to a school memory book.  

After your students share their creation with their classmates, give them a choice of the four bookmarks.  "I hope you have an absolute blast this summer."  Teachers write a student's name at the top and then sign the bottom. 

You could also ask students if you can keep their "blast" craftivity to give to your next year's kiddos. 

Have them fill in the "I hope you have a blast too." note and glue it to the back of their work. 

What a nice surprise for your new class to find in/on their desks in the fall. 

If they want to take their work home, but would still like to make something for next year's class, have them color and complete the writing prompt bookmark: "You're going to have a blast in _________ because..." 

As with the above prompt, I've included templates for preschool through 8th grade, with a blank one (pictured) to fill in with whatever.  Encourage students to write more on the back.

Click on the link to view/download the I Had A Blast In School  packet. 

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  My "Pin it" button is at the top.

"Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment, until it becomes a memory." -Unknown

16 pages.

The packet includes stationery for the writing prompt: "I had a blast in  _________ grade!" with templates for preschool through 8th grade.  Add a toilet paper tube "firecracker" for 3D pizzazz, plus a school photo to turn this "craftivity" into an interesting bulletin board. 

27 pages.

Have your current students make this owl writing prompt "craftivity" for your next year's students.  Packet includes bookmarks, with templates for preschool through 3rd grade, plus a blank pattern.

1-2-3 Come Do Some End Of The Year Writing Prompts and Craftivities With Me

Since yesterday's article on having current students make something for your next year's kiddos was so popular, I decided to make one with an owl-theme, as owls continue to be really popular.  I know I love them. 

This one is entitled "___________ (fill in your grade) was a hoot.  I've included templates for preschool through 3rd grade, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever.  Here's how to make one:

Run off the templates on a variety of colors of construction paper. Students choose and trim.

Print the facial pattern, trim and trace on an old file folder.  Trace once and cut 3 to 6 eye pieces out at a time.  If you want your beak to be 3D, cut on a fold.

Place and position wings, poke a hole with a protractor at the top and insert a brass brad so they “fly” open. Choose your grade-level heart template and run off on a variety of colors of construction paper. 

Explain to students that what they will be making will be given to your new kiddos in the fall.  They write why their current grade was a hoot.  What a nice surprise for your incoming class to find on or in their desk.  These could also be put up on a bulletin board.
To make it even more personal, have students glue their school photo somewhere.

If you don't want to putz with a craft, I've included just the writing prompt as a template. As with the above craft, I've included templates for preschool through third grade, plus a blank one to fill in with something else.

There's also 2 different bookmark options to give your current students.  Click on the link to view/download the "___________ Grade Was A Hoot" packet.

As with the "tree-mendous" packet yesterday, (scroll down to the next blog article to take a look), I also made a keepsake craft for your students to make for themselves.  This packet is called "School Was A Hoot."

I used 3 file folders to make my sample, but you could also use 2 large sheets of construction paper.  Here's how to make them:
Open up 2 file folders. Glue the right side of one to the left side of the other.  You will now have a left flap, middle section and right flap.  Use the pattern to trace the wings and then trim.

I used a third file folder for the head, but you could also use a sheet of construction paper.
Students can draw their own face, or you can use my pattern.  You could also cut these pieces out of construction paper and have students glue them on.

Choose your grade-level flag and run them off on a variety of colors of construction paper.  Students trim and glue only the left portion of the pennant to the left wing.  Add a school photo to make it extra special.

Brainstorm with students about all of the things they did that year that were a hoot.  You may want to jot these on the board to help with spelling.

After students have written a rough draft, they rewrite their final thoughts on the writing prompt page that will be glued to the middle of their owl.

Students can draw a full-sized body picture of themselves in the oval, or just their face.  Have students really think about what they'll write in the "favorites" and "memories" sections, which will be glued to the wings. 

The autograph page goes on the back.  Students color it and can collect their own signatures or to expedite things, you can have everybody sign a master sheet and then run it off for everyone.

Make a sample of your own to share with your students.  I’m sure they’ll enjoy hearing about their teacher’s favorite things and why (s)he thought this year was a hoot. 

“A picture is truly worth a 1,000 words” and will help you explain what you want your kiddos to do.  Click on the link to view/download the file folder School Was A Hoot packet. 

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  

"No matter how much you think you hate school, you'll find that you'll miss it when you leave." -Unknown