1-2-3 Come Do Some More Brown Bear Activities With Me

Do you read the story Brown Bear Brown Bear as part of your back to school activites?  If so, I think you'll enjoy these 3 Brown Bear packets, which practice a variety of standards.

First up is a set of number puzzles featuring all of the characters in the Brown Bear story.

Number strip puzzles, are a quick, easy & fun way for your students to practice sequencing numbers, counting from 1 to 10, counting backwards from 10 to 1, as well as skip counting by 2s, 3s, 5s & 10s.

There are 11 different character puzzles, plus a grouping of all of them.

Each character comes in a 1-10 numbered puzzle, as well as a skip count by 10s to 100 puzzle, plus an assortment of puzzles that count backwards, plus skip count by 2s, 3s, and 5s.

There are puzzles in full color, so you can use them for an independent math center, as well as black & white, so that children can make their own puzzles. 

Next up, is  a “Brown Bear’s Colors" booklet.  There are two black & white booklet options, which feature all of the colorful characters in the Brown Bear story.

There’s a blank square with lines in one version, where older students can think of 3 items that are also that color, then write them in the space provided, while younger students can simply trace the words with the matching crayon or maker, in the other option.

I’ve provided pages in color as well, so that you can quickly and easily make a sample to share.

Besides using the patterns to make a booklet, you can also cut the 4 sections out and then glue them on a matching sheet of construction or scrapbook paper.

These can be hung up as a single poster or put together like a quilt. 

Finally, I made a Brown Bear Literacy Packet.  After reading the story, review each sentence using the pocket chart cards.

Don’t have a pocket chart? You can also put magnets or Velcro dots on the back and use on your white board or flannel board.

Make an extra set and use these for a sequencing game.

You can also pass this set out to students while you read the story. When you come to that character, the child holding that card places it on the board.

For more word work practice, I’ve included 6 worksheets where students read, trace, write, color, cut & glue, character and color words.

These are great for Daily 5 word work, homework, or early finishers too.  I’ve also included a “Which was your favorite character?” graphing extension.

For an individual center, or whole-group activity, print, laminate & trim the individual word cards. There’s a large set to use for your center, as well as a smaller set, to make for your whole group.

Children play “Build a Sentence” by arranging the cards in appropriate order, which will help reinforce beginning capitalization and end punctuation.

When they’ve “built” their sentence, they record it on their “construction” worksheet. (There are 5 options, which include BW & color versions).

For a job well done, give children a “We read Brown Bear. I can retell the story” bookmark, as a prompt to share the tale with their families. 

This is also my first packet that I've made a Spanish version for!

The bundle is just a dollar more, so woo hoo if that helps you out too.  

Today's featured FREEBIE includes back to school treats and a bulletin board, as it will "o-fish-ally" be that time all too soon. 

Until then, wishing you a super relaxing summer. 

Gotta dash; time to go buy some fireworks! 

"Our nation will remain the land of the free, so long as it is the home of the brave." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some Brown Bear Activities With Me

One of my all-time favorite books is Brown Bear Brown Bear. It's great for emergent readers, a super way to practice colors, and perfect for sequencing.

With that in mind, I designed a variety of Brown Bear-themed activities, and will feature 3 on today's blog.

First up is a Brown Bear Literacy Game Card packet, with 23 sets of playing cards to help practice a variety of standards.

The packet includes 2 sets of clip art character cards, with 2 sets of real photograph cards, so that students can match real to pretend, or real to real, or pretend to pretend. There’s also a set of character word cards.

Besides matching games, students can sequence the character cards in correct story order, or put them in alphabetical order, as well as sort the cards by color, or spatial directions of the picture. i.e. looking left, looking right, or looking forwards/front.

I’ve included 3 different sorting mats for these independent center activities.

So that children can make their own “Brown Bear Character Matching Game”, black & white patterns are also provided

Later, these can be sequenced in appropriate story order and stapled, to make an Itty Bitty booklet as a fun way for children to retell the story to their family.

Besides the smaller set of character cards, there's also a larger set in both color & BW, plus a matching "cut on the dashed line to make a puzzle” set of cards.

There are also ordinal number cards, ordinal number word cards, paint splat color cards, colorful bear cards, and color word cards to provide even more game options, which can be done as an independent center or played with a partner.

Another fun thing you can do with the cards is use them while you're reading the story.  Choose whichever sets you like, then pass them out to your students.

When you get to that part in the story, the children holding those cards bring them up and place them in a container, or put magnet dots on your story telling set of cards, so that children can place them in correct sequential order on your white board.

Play an "I Have; Who Has?” game. i.e. “I have the red bird, who has the red color card, or the red word card or the real picture card?" or practice sequencing the story by playing the  "What's Missing Flip?”  game. Directions are included in the packet. 

Next up are two Brown Bear packets that practice sequencing and retelling a story standards. One of the options is my ever-popular slider craftivity.

There are several bear options. I’ve included a large, full-page pattern for teachers, as well as a smaller, 2-on-a-page pattern for your students.

Children color the story characters on the “slider strip” according to the colors in the book, then cut and glue it together.

As they pull on the end of the “slider” the various pictures go through the bear’s “tummy window”, so that children can take turns retelling the story to a partner or reading buddy, then take Brown Bear home to share with their family, once again practicing these standards.

Storytelling sliders are also an easy & interesting way to assess comprehension.

I’ve also included a color as well as BW “Here’s What Happened…” writing prompt worksheet, as another way to check comprehension, plus practice sequential writing. (Hopefully students will be using a variety of ordinal numbers or other transitions.)

The other option for practicing sequencing and retelling the story is with a story wheel or pie puzzle. 

There are full color patterns to use for centers, as well as a sample to share, plus a black and white pattern, so your students can make their own.

When everyone is done with their story wheel, take a moment to retell the story as a whole group by turning the wheel. 

Besides the wheels, I've also included (BW + color)  "Sequence the Story” Puzzles, which are a quick, easy and fun way to check comprehension as well.

There are also 3 writing prompt worksheets for further reinforcement.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a quickie apple-themed game that not only practices colors & color words, but counting, number recognition & patterning as well.

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

A warm summer breeze is calling my name, so it's time to take a much-needed break and unclutter my buzzy brain. 

Wishing you a relaxing and rejuvenating day.

 "It's a smile; it's a kiss; it's a sip of wine...it's summertime." - Unknown

1-2-3 Come Compare With Me The Very Hungry Caterpillar With The Very Lonely Firefly

Besides The Very Hungry Caterpillar, another of my students’ favorite Eric Carle stories is The Very Lonely Firefly.

I do a big butterfly unit in April, and a sampling of other insects in May/June (fireflies, ladybugs & bumble bees).

With that in mind, I designed some activities for The Very Lonely Firefly, along with a few, which also give students an opportunity to compare “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” story to “The Very Lonely Firefly”.

There are 2 Venn diagrams, as well as 2 graphing extensions and a writing prompt for this specific comparison.

The B&W “The Very Lonely Firefly”  Itty Bitty” booklet, is another way to practice these standards.

There’s also a “color me” bookmark, and colorful set of sequencing cards, which can be used in an independent center, as well as for Memory Match and “I Have; Who Has?” games.

The packet also includes several worksheets, one you can use as a whole-group assessment of the story, while reviewing ordinal numbers too.

There's also a graphic organizer for “beginning-middle-end”, plus pocket chart cards for story elements. 

Since my "story sliders" continue to be really popular, I’ve also included 2 firefly “slider” craftivities, which will help reinforce the sequence of The Very Lonely Firefly, as well as the ability to retell the story. 

The "whole-picture" slider, is perfect for little ones as they simply color the pictures, while the "color, cut & glue" version is great for fine motor scissor practice, which helps strengthen those finger and hand muscles. 

As you can see by the photograph, there are 4 options for making the head of the firefly.

For that finishing touch, add some gold pipe cleaner antennae. Wiggle eyes give it that 3D pop too.

Since Father's Day is just around the corner, today's FREEBIE is something special for dad. 

Younger kiddos can simply make the craft, while older students can "hinge" the golf ball to make a writing prompt card, explaining why they think their dad is "tee-rrific".

That's it for today.  Thanks for visiting. Time to go water my garden and take my poodle pup Chloe for a walk.  Wishing you a wonderful day.

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me."-Jim Valvano

1-2-3 Come Do Some Super-Fun Firefly Activities With Me

Fireflies are a special part of my wonderful childhood memories. Grama used to say that they are "nature's fireworks". 

Studying them is a super-fun way to learn all sorts of science too, so with that in mind, I designed my newest packet: Firefly Fun.

I had such a great time researching and making firefly-themed goodies, that  a few simple ideas exploded into a 244-page firefly packet a zillion hours later!

It’s stuffed with a helping of science, language arts, and a bit of math thrown in as well.

The packet includes:

* 5 Life Cycle Craftivities which include “Flip for Facts”, Life Cycle Fan Booklet, Cycle Circle Puzzle, Life Cycle Wheel, plus Life Cycle Number Puzzles, which practice counting forwards, backwards, as well as skip counting by 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s.

All of these craftivities come in full color, so teachers can easily make a sample to share, plus black & white for students.

* 15 worksheets that practice a variety of skills and standards, includes answer keys, along with a variety of  Posters, plus  6 Poems.

* There's also a “Let’s Count Fireflies” keepsake fingerprint booklet, with  0-10 number & number word cards, plus a blank set to program more, as well as a set of math symbol cards for making equations and showing greater & less than.

* The “I Spy A Firefly” worksheet game is a super-fun way to whole group assess numbers 0-10, and the 60, firefly mini tiles on a page, can also be used math games showing groups/sets.   

* The variety of colorful puzzles can be used for a center, while students can use the BW patterns to make their own.  
* I've also included 10 real photographs of fireflies during their various stages of life; plus . . .

* Non fiction text about the life cycle of a firefly, with comprehension assessments and a list of interesting firefly facts.

* There are 26, (8x10) “Flash Me A Firefly Fact” posters you can use as flashcards or a bulletin board display, with blank patterns so students can write their own, plus a cover to make a class book.

* Use the upper & lowercase firefly alphabet cards, for a variety of games, like “Kaboom!”, which are explained in the 3-page tip list.

* A Firefly Slider Craftivity helps practice letters, numbers 0-30, counting backwards from 10-0 & 20-0, plus skip counting by 2s, 3s, 5s & 10s, as well as 2D shapes. For more math practice, I've included 4 graphing extensions.

* A “Rip & Tear” 3D firefly craftivity, is not only great fun, but will help strengthen your students hand and finger muscles.  Completed projects make a sweet bulletin board too.

* There are also a variety of Writing Prompts, along with “Blinky The Firefly” A silly -ight word family story

* Since “Fireflies flit, flicker and flutter” I've also included an FL blend poster, worksheet and alphabetical list of words.

* My Y5s and grandchildren loved making the magical “Night Wash” watercolor craftivity, which you can also do with your students' names.

* “Have You Seen A Firefly?” and “If I Were A Firefly” are quick, easy and fun writing prompts, with covers to make class books.

* While the “Help Save The Fireflies” (Cause & Effect or Persuasive) writing prompt is great for older kiddos. 

One of my personal favorite crafts, is the jar filled with fingerprint fireflies.  We do this after reading the story 10 Flashing Fireflies, by Philemon Sturges. 

For extra pizzazz cut the jar lids out of aluminum foil. The mommies of my Y5s especially loved this "You light up my life with love" keepsake craft. 

I've included a bookmark with that sentiment that kiddos can also color.

* Finally, the ”Wishing a bright student a glowing year/summer” bookmarks are a quick & inexpensive little something you can give your students at the end or beginning of the year.

I attach a glow-in-the-dark bracelet as a special gift.  You can buy a pack of 10 at The Dollar Store. 

To celebrate summer and all that parents and teachers do for children, I'm pricing this 244-page whopper at just $6.95.  I truly hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating this labor of love.  Click on the link to take a look: Firefly Fun.

Today's featured FREEBIE ("Orange You Glad ...") is an end or beginning of the year treat that you can give your students. Hope you find it useful.

Well that's it for today. TGIF and time for some super-fun in the sun.

Wishing you a relaxing and enjoyable rest of the school year as you count down the days. 

"The roots of education are sometimes bitter, but the fruit is sweet." -Aristotle

1-2-3 Come De-Stress With Me

As teachers and parents we know how hectic the end of the school year is. 

While it's certainly exciting, your "to do" list may be a bit overwhelming right now.

Giving certificates, ribbons, candy bar awards etc. is truly exciting and fun for students, but let’s face it; it’s another thing that takes more work on your part.   

With this in mind, I designed the Do It Themselves (DIT) Awards.  All you do is decide what you want your students to work on, then run off the “ingredients”.  The focus is now off you, and on your students. 

They pick a partner, interview them and design an Achievement Folder especially for their classmate.  There is a huge variety of award options in the packet, so each student's will be different and tailor-made for their friend. 

Many of the activities in the packet also work perfectly for "bucket fillers" and as separate end-of-the-year writing prompts that make awesome bulletin boards; such as the "high-flying balloon". 

This can be done as computer-generated word art using words to describe a fellow classmate, themselves, or things associated with their wonderful year in kindergarten, or done by hand using the balloon template. (The photo shows it being used on the Award Folder).

The "You're a Sharp Student" writing prompt pencil, is another one that also stands alone, and perfect for an end-of-the-year "bucket filling" activity.

On awards day children also run the show, as they call their friend up and give this awesome gift to them, proudly sharing with the rest of the class what they’ve created. 

Believe me, your kiddos will really be excited for Awards Day, not so much because they are receiving an award, but because they made one and get to be a presenter!

Because students are making these, they are practicing a variety of skills you’ve helped them master throughout the year. 

They also know how much work went into creating it, so they are much more appreciative than if you had done all of the work. 

This activity fits in well with your Daily 5, writing block, or as an independent center.

You decide how many award items you want your kiddos to include.  I've made samples using 2 folders glued together, as well as a single Award Folder using a variety of options.

What would have been a pile of extra “homework” for you, now turns into a super-fun classroom crafivity for your students that they can happily work on independently, freeing you up to check other things off on your "to do" list!

You can still buy those candy bars, but keep in mind this might not be your students' favorite candy. Just because a particular kind of candy fits a cute slogan, does not mean they'll be thrilled with it.

Once again, I like to make the "treat" thing totally DIT, so I’ve included a note home to parents letting them know what their child is working on.  

Via their interview, each child now knows their classmate’s 3 favorite types of candy.   Parents are asked to give their child a job to earn that dollar, then take them to the store to buy ONE of those items. 

Shopping for the candy goes on our "chore" list. However, children get truly excited about this, which helps make them beyond thrilled on Awards Day, and that favorite candy treat especially sweet. 

I've also provided headers for them to add to their treat Baggie

As children present their awards, self-esteem is built on both the receiving end, as well as making the presenter feel especially important too.

You’re teaching valuable life skills, and each child is getting a treat that they will truly enjoy, plus you save yourself time, gas, and at least $15, at the same time shortening that “To Do” list in the process!

Win-win; woo hoo! Take a bow! You deserve an award. The packet is a whopping 150 pages long (!) so you have plenty of options to choose from.

After students pick a partner, give them several days to work on their folder.  Remind them that this is all "top secret" and they shouldn't share what they are doing with anyone. 

The packet includes:

• 14 certificates
• 3 ribbon badges

14 "I'd like to praise my friend" writing prompt worksheets

• A "Tweet It!" writing prompt bookmark.
• A "Text It!" iPhone writing prompt, with samples of each.
  
• (Besides using these for the Award Folder, students could also "Text" and "Tweet" a note to one of your next year's students.)
• A "Star Qualities" writing prompt bookmark.
• A Wanted poster writing prompt.

An alphabetical list of 236 positive adjectives to help describe their classmate.

An interview-investigation worksheet to collect data.

53 page options to make a  "Flipping Over Your Awesome Achivements" booklet.  With a full-color sample booklet for you to share with your students, to help explain things.

• A medal of honor.
• A trophy, balloon, high-five, pencil, pennant and star writing prompt worksheets.
• An explanation and list of 8 word cloud websites with word art ideas and matching samples.

An explanation and list of word search options, to make a  complimentary word find that describes their classmate, plus 4 samples.

• What a super-fun way to increase vocabulary and practice spelling too!
• 5 templates filled with "You Rock", "You're a sharp student", "High Fives", "Applauding you" and  "You're a star student", stickers to embellish their folder with.
• And finally, lots of samples and photographs to make things easy and give you some ideas.

Since you waded through this long blog, you deserve not one, but 3 little FREEBIES from the packet. 

There's the iPhone "Text It" freebie with 2 samples, the "Tweet It!" bookmark writing prompt, with a sample, a "Wow!" mini award certificate, where you can write in whatever you want in the "speech bubble", and finally, the list of 236 positive adjectives.   Click on the link to enjoy them.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you a wonderful time celebrating the end of the year and all you've accomplished.  

"Tan lines may fade, but summer memories last a lifetime." -Unknown 

1-2-3 Come Do Some End Of The Year Activities With Me

I was always looking for some quick, easy and educational activities that would be fun for my kiddos to do during those last few weeks of school. 

Things they could work on independently that didn't take a lot of prep or explanation on my part, which would free me up to finish assessing or complete the myriad of other "have to get done" things.

Today's article features 2 of my favorites.  First up is my "Autograph Packet". There are 3 autograph booklets to choose from.

* The pencil, is for older students,
* The schoolhouse works for just about anyone, as well as the "play-on-words" auto-themed auto-graph booklet.

However, I did have an early-elementary crowd in mind when I made the automobile one, as I included a full-page option because little ones tend to write so big. The others are 2-on-a-page for speedy printing.

The packet includes black & white autograph pages, featuring adorable graphics for your kiddos to color, should you choose the auto or schoolhouse options. (More "happily engaged" time.)

Unlike an entire memory book that would be a bit difficult for little ones to do on their own, they feel extremely proud that they can write their name and really enjoy collecting their classmates' signatures as well.

Because the pencil is for older students, simply cut some blank pages (perhaps fun neon-colored copy paper) and staple together.

Another super-fun activity is  making some thank you cards to show your appreciation for staff and others that have helped you through the year. 

This is an educationally relevant activity, plus a great way to teach this valuable life skill. Letting people know you care, especially fits in with those schools who have taken part in a bucket-filling program.  

I find that children are anxious to make something for these individuals, as they have really come to care for them.  With that in mind, I designed the "Thank You! End-Of-The-Year Appreciation Packet", which includes a nice variety of "craftivities" for you to choose from.

The "Thanks a Bunch Bouquet" is a quick, easy and lovely thank you card for a room helper, librarian, secretary, student teacher, or whomever else you’d like to show your appreciation for.  A parent could also make this for the teacher.

Simply print off the vase of flowers, along with a color or black and white copy of your class’s group picture.  Cut the children’s head shots into circles. You or they can glue to the center of the flowers. 

I made enough centers for 30 students and one teacher.  I’d put your photo in the flower that’s fallen, as it stands out.  For a less feminine option, I’ve also included a "Thanks a bunch!" pattern, with a set of  balloons. 

I’ve also written a little thank you poem that generically fits just about anyone.  You can glue this inside the card as well, then sign Love, Mr(s) ______________’s  2016 kindergarten class etc. (You fill in your name, the year and grade.)

If you want this activity to include some writing practice, students can also complete the “Thank you for . . .” writing prompt worksheets or bookmarks that can be glued inside, or on the back of the card as well.   Each child simply writes one sentence. 

This can be done at an independent center, or you can fill in the page as a whole group.  For preschool children, have each child dictate what they’d like to thank that person for and you write it down.

Another option is the Thank you acrostic poem.  Older students can each do one.  

To make things easier, I allow students to write a "sentence" or phrase, if they can’t think of an adjective that starts with that letter; such as "A" = “Always there for us.” or for the letter "Y", “You are great!”

Younger students can do this with you during a whole-group brainstorming session.   Choose children to color in the letters.  This too, is another little something that can be glued inside the card along with the heart that says: "Thank you! Thank you! You're so nice.  Simply had to say it twice."

For another option, I’ve also included large 8x10 letter cards that spell out “Thank you!” .  Break up your children into small groups and have them color their group's letter.  For a truly awesome-looking stained-glass appearance, remind them to color each section a different color.

Glue each letter to a variety of colors of construction paper. Arrange your students in a group.  The front nine children each hold a letter and the exclamation point card, so that they spell “Thank you!”  Take a picture.  Use this photo to glue to the inside, or for the cover, of your thank you card(s).

If you have the time, why not thank the bus drivers?

Simply run off the bus pattern on yellow construction paper.  Children trim and “hinge” the "grill" to the matching section of the larger bus, so that it flips open to reveal a handwritten message from the child. 

For that finishing touch, add a photo of themselves in the bus seat. I cannot begin to tell you how many of my students' bus drivers LOVED this card. 

Theirs is often a thankless job (I certainly couldn't do it!) and they were truly touched.  Some taped them inside the bus!

These simple acts of kindness, go a long way in touching an individual’s heart and making them feel truly appreciated.  I hope you make the time to "pay it forward" today. You just never know how far that "ripple" of joy grows.  

Today's featured FREEBIE is an end of the year alphabet poem.  Simply run it off and tuck in your kiddos' backpacks on that last day of school.   I've included full color, as well as black & white templates for PK-4 through 1st grade.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for visiting. I love my early morning time before things get hot and sticky. Once again Michigan has skipped spring and zipped into summer weather. 

Wishing you a day filled with everyone and everything you enjoy the most. 

"Educating the mind without educating the heart, is no education at all." -Aristotle

1-2-3 Please Come Celebrate With Me

Woo Hoo! I’m celebrating my one-year anniversary on TpT by throwing a “Sale-ebration!”

The party starts on Friday, May 20th 2016 and runs through Saturday May 21st.

Besides my entire store being 20% off, (The max TpT allows) here are some of the other fun-tastic things I’m offering:

Follower Fun:
* As a special thank you to my followers who have purchased 5-10 items from me, you may pick ANY item from my store for FREE!

* Simply send me an e-mail at dianetpt@gmail.com letting me know which item you want and I will e-mail it to you, or if the file is too large, I’ll put it in DROP BOX.

* If you’ve bought 11 or more items, you get to pick any TWO items for FREE.  Just a small token of my appreciation and to thank you so much for your support!

Featured Fun:
* Each day there will be a paid item offered as a “Flash FREEBIE”. It will be posted under the banner in the section called Featured Items.

* If I get at least 15 new comments for the FREEBIE, I will post another free item on Sunday.

* Also listed in “Featured Items” will be a “Flash Dollar Deal From Diane”. This will be an item that’s currently priced higher.

* The 3rd box will be a “Knock It Off!” item. Where I knocked a dollar more off the sale price.

* The 4th box will be that day’s 50% off item!  Plus . . .

Face Book Fun:
* If you pop on over to my Face Book page: http://bit.ly/1rXmkNo you’ll be able to read about that day’s “SECRET SURPRISES” which include 2 extra FREEBIES, with links to them in my TpT shop. 

* There will be a set of surprises for Friday as well as Saturday.  Information will be listed under these posters pictured here.

* Also on my Face Book page, you can enter to win ANY item in my store for FREE.  Simply message me on Face Book with your e-mail address, so that it remains private.

No need to enter twice, if you don’t win on Friday, you’re still in the drawing for Saturday.  I’ll announce the winner the next day and you can let me know what item you want then.

It’s not necessary, but while you’re there, I’d so appreciate it if you’d LIKE my page and leave a COMMENT if you have time.

* Finally, I don’t know if I’ll get much done, but if I post a new item, that will be 50% off for 24 hours.

A  very special THANK YOU to all of my followers, visitors and people who have purchased something from me this past year.  I truly appreciate it!

Please feel free to leave a comment as to what you’d like to see at 50%, or put out as a flash FREEBIE, or done as a flash Dollar Deal.  

You can also e-mail me at dianetpt@gmail.com I value your in-put. 

Well that's it.  I sure hope you can stop by my shop to help me celebrate. 

My grandma Lydia was right; the older you get, the faster time flies. Can't believe I've been on TpT for an entire year! 

"Perfectionism is the highest form of self-abuse."

1-2-3 Come Make A Glyph With Me

This Flower Glyph is a super-fun little something to do for spring or at the end of the year when your kiddos have "blossomed".   No matter what grade I taught, my students LOVED making glyphs.

They are a quick, easy and interesting way to practice and assess listening and following directions, as well as a super-fun way to get to know your students better.

Since this is one of my report card standards, glyphs also provide a "hard copy" to use as proof that a child does or doesn't.

Completed projects make an adorable bulletin board, as each one will be different!  I've included a colorful "Glyphs!" poster for the center of your display.

I've included 2 flower glyphs in the packet. One is pretty easy, the other a bit more complicated.

Choose which one is best suited for your students.  The glyphs are also easily adapted by simply tweaking the directions to fit your needs.

I also made 3 helpful "direction" posters to use with younger students, should you want to give the more advanced glyph a go with them. 

Next up is a Bee Glyph. Besides the glyph and a poster for the center of your display, this packet includes a few extras.

To practice data collection & analysis, as well as process of elimination, have students pick a partner to "interview", to help them figure out which glyph is their partner's.

I've included a data collection worksheet for this, challenging students to try and solve the "mystery" with the least amount of questions.

Afterwards, for an interesting discussion and “revelation” for some, discuss if and why asking a certain question helped eliminate more possibilities than others, and if strategy was important in choosing which questions to ask first.

I've also included 6, whole-group graphing extensions, so you can practice another math standard. 

Since graduation is just around the corner for kinders and preschoolers, today's featured FREEBIE is a super-cute bio writing prompt craftivity.

This is also appropriate for other grades as well, simply skip the grad hat. 

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

Hopefully all of the crazy "frost warning" weather is over, and I can finally start gardening! Woo hoo.

The sunshine and dirt are calling me.  Wishing you a fun-filled day.

"Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know." -Daniel J. Boorstin

1-2-3 Come Do Some End Of The Year Activities With Me 

As the year winds down and I had all of my assessments done, I was always looking for some fun things my students would enjoy doing, for those last few weeks of school. 

With that in mind, I designed some cute writing prompts with a little bit of craftiness, to grab their attention and get them excited to write.

I'm featuring 3 on the blog today, along with a sweet treat for today's featured FREEBIE.

First up is a cow-themed craftivity, great for anyone, but especially perfect if you had a farm or animal theme for your classroom.

"Moo-vin' On Up To A New Grade!"  has several options. Students can simply color the cow, (there are 3 options) cut it out and glue it to the top of their writing prompt, or you can run off the cow parts on construction paper.

Children trim, glue their cow together, add some pizzazz with crayons, then glue it to the top of their writing prompt.

(There are 2, plus a blank template to program with whatever).

Preschoolers can dictate their answers to a volunteer, or send the paper home for parents to help complete the writing prompt portion, then do the cow craftivity in class.

Completed projects make an adorable bulletin board.

I’ve included 2 posters for your display, as well as a cow bell pattern.

For that finishing touch, have students sign their name & glue a school picture on the bell.

There are color as well as black and white bookmarks for you to give your students as well, with patterns for preschool-3rd grade, plus a blank template to fill in a different grade.

Next up is a self-esteem "Compliment Cat!"   "Filling buckets" or being a "bucket filler" seems to have really caught on in a lot of schools.

We have this program in ours. The idea is to encourage positive behavior. Children catch on fast and see how easy and rewarding it is to express sincere kindness, appreciation, and caring about others on a daily basis.

With that in mind, I wanted to think up a quick and easy end-of-the-year "bucket filler" so to speak, that would help promote a child's self-esteem.

Thus, the Classmate Compliment Cat Craftivity was born.  I chose a cat not only because of the alliteration, but because my kiddos absolutely love Pete the Cat, so it was no surprise to me when many of them colored their kitty various shades of blue.

Students accordion fold the template following the lines, which provides wonderful fine motor practice, then they color and glue their cat to the top of their folded paper.

Decide on a direction, and have children pass their "compliment cat" to another child to write something nice about them on one of the accordion-folded sections.
They continue passing 'til everyone has signed all of their classmates’ cats, and end up with their own.

So students get a special compliment from their teacher, make sure you are part of the signing, or write a personal note to each child on the colorful, (4-on-a-page) note.  Add the finishing touch by having students glue a piece of colorful border to the top.

The cats make a wonderful bulletin board, or look cute hung as a border along a hallway wall.  I’ve included two posters for your display.

The packet also includes 5 colorful bookmarks that you can pass out to everyone after they have completed their projects.

I’ve also included a different, black and white bookmark option, if you want this year’s students to color it and then write a note to next year’s kiddos wishing them a “purr-featly wonderful year”. 

Finally, when I think of summer, I think of picnics, and anticipate a wonderful vacation.  Thus, the ANTicipation writing prompt craftivity came about.    

Anticipation is very versatile, as I’ve included a variety of writing prompts suitable for the beginning and end of the year, as well as a summer prompt entitled “The Perfect Picnic” which can be a short story, or simply a list of things that a child would want to have, take, eat, and do on a picnic.

There are also blank patterns for you to program with something else, as well as a completed sample so you can quickly and easily make an example to share.

Completed projects make an awesome and interesting bulletin board or border along a hallway wall. I’ve included 3 posters for your display.

Children cut out their ant head, add details with crayons and then glue it to the other 2 body segments. I purposely made this ant with 3 parts because I wanted to reinforce science information about insects.

Because of limited time, it’s often difficult to plug in some science, so I try to incorporate it with our reading and writing.

I’ve included “Parts of an ant” posters (realistic & cutesy) plus worksheets, as well as a writing prompt and posters for “Ants can: have: are” if you want to do that too.

Share the poster, write the vocabulary on the board, then have students label these parts on their ant with a white crayon.

Adding pipe cleaner legs and antennae will also give you the opportunity to explain more science vocabulary, at the same time giving the craftivity a 3D look.

I also read the informational, non-fiction book, Ants Ants And More Ants, which we discuss afterwards.

This book is a level G, 1st grade reader, if you want your students to read it themselves & get in that non-fiction genre requirement.

To test their comprehension, I write some of the facts on the board as they share them, then they fill out their “Ants Can: Have: Are:" worksheet. 

Today's featured FREEBIE serves a dual purpose, as you can use if for the beginning or end of the year.  

To turn it into an inexpensive treat, stick on a pencil, pen, marker, glow stick (bracelet), pixie stick, (filled with powdered candy), or an individually wrapped piece of licorice as the mast, to add that little something extra.

There are two sail patterns.  One is for the end of the year:“Have fun sailing into summer. I hope it’s fantastic!”

The 2nd one is for back to school: “Have fun sailing into a new school year. I hope it’s fantastic!”

Well that's it for today.  I hope you found something useful to make those last few weeks of school fly by. 

Everything is finally greening up here in Michigan!  Woo hoo; the sunshine is calling me. Wishing you a fun-filled day.

"In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson." -Tom Bodett

1-2-3 Come Do Some Dual Purpose Activities With Me   

After I've designed a writing prompt craftivity,  I take a look and see if it can serve double duty.  Can I tweak the prompt so that it not only works for a back-to-school activity, but something teachers could plug in at the end of the year as well? 

Such is the case with the 4 craftivities I'm featuring in this blog article.  The featured FREEBIE today, also serves a dual purpose too.  

First up, is a super-cute "play on words" bicycle craftivity. "I had a 'wheel' great year/summer"

I chose a bike theme because no matter what grade I taught, riding a bicycle was something most of my students really enjoyed doing.  

Use the bicycle template for a cute end of the year writing prompt, where students choose two wheel options and complete the prompts inside the spokes.

You can also use it as a super-fun icebreaker for back-to-school, as an interesting way to get to know your new students.

Completed projects make a wonderful bulletin board.
I’ve included 2 posters to use for the center of your display.

There’s also an additional writing prompt worksheet where students describe their bike, or an experience riding their bike, or some other bike-themed idea you come up with. 

Next up is the double duty "I Had A Blast in ___________ grade." or "I Had A Blast This Summer!" firecracker writing prompt craftivity.

There are several options for you to choose from in this versatile packet, which includes patterns for preschool - 8th grade.

Completed projects make a terrific bulletin board and nice keepsake.  You could also keep this bulletin board up for back to school.

Use the poster: “We had a blast this year and hope you will too!” for the center of your display, and have all of your students sign the matching blank poster.

Besides the above prompts, I also thought it would be fun for this year's students to make a TP tube firecracker and tuck a note inside: "You're going to have a blast in ______________ grade because..."       

Or... skip the note and have children jot a greeting on the bookmark writing prompt.  What a nice surprise for your kiddos to find on/in their desk on the first day of school. I’ve also included bookmarks for you to give your current students, wishing them a blast of a summer. 

Likewise, new kiddos can complete the "I had a blast this summer!" for a back to school writing prompt. I’ve included posters for the center of that display as well.  

Another versatile writing prompt, is a super-cool looking T-shirt craftivity.     I think the key to the “way cool” result, is that I used tie dye, plaid and watercolor splattered copy paper, which came in a ream of 50 sheets per pattern.

I ran the T-shirt template off on this paper, as well as the cover pattern; so when the booklet is stapled to the front of the T-shirt the cover matches and blends in.   “Awesome!” is what my students tell me.

This "craftivity" is very versatile, as it includes templates for an end-of-the year memory book, with covers for preschool through 6th grade, plus a blank template.

If you already have a memory book, have students write why they think this grade was terrific, or have this year’s students write a note to next year’s class: “You’re going to have a T-‘rrific Year” because…

You can also use this as a self-esteem building (fill a bucket) activity.  Use the “______ is “T"-'rrific!" template and have each classmate write a compliment in everyone's booklet.

The prompt also works for Father's Day.  Simply fill the blank in with: “My Dad is “T-‘rrific”  or... for back-to-school have students write about why their summer was terrific.

For a “fun-tastic” display, hang completed projects on a rope suspended against a wall and use real clothespins to clip them on.  

Finally, another double-duty writing prompt craftivity that's a bit on the wacky side, also features a T-shirt plus a pair of shorts. 

You can use the patterns separately, or combine them to make a dorky dude & dudette by adding funky sunglasses, and gluing on a student's traced hands and feet.    

Besides using this for a beginning or end of the year activity, it's also perfect for "Wacky Wednesday" fun, as part of a week-long Dr. Seuss celebration.    

Explain to your students that the term “In short” means to explain briefly or summarize, which is one of 5 options for the writing prompts on the pair of shorts.   

Likewise, the T-shirts also have a variety of options as well.  Pick and choose what's best suited for your kiddos.  As with the above T-shirts, these also look cute hung with clothespins from a clothesline. 

As promised, the featured FREEBIE today is also versatile.  I did countless hours of work looking for songs appropriate for an end of the year slide show, as well as a preschool or kindergarten graduation. 

As long as I had done the research, I decided to make an alphabetical list, in hopes that it would save somebody else a ton of time.  Click on the link for the 150 Songs For The End Of The Year..

Well that's it for today.  I hope you found something useful.

Whether your're reading this at the end of the year (woo hoo) and looking forward to a much-deserved summer hiatus, or checking things out in the fall, excited for a brand new year, I hope you have an absolute blast!

"So often you find that the students you are trying to inspire, end up inspiring you." -Sean Junkins