The year is winding down, students have nailed the standards, temperatures are getting warmer (finally!) and vacation is just around the corner, so I wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.

One of my readers e-mailed me this wonderful Beach Party idea and gave permission to share her name and ideas on the blog.  I thought they were so cute; perfect timing too, incase any of you want to throw a luau or beach party. Here's what she had to say:

Hi Diane I enjoy reading your blog and thought I would pass along some ideas I use for my classroom at the end of the school year that are a hit with my kindergarten students in Den Haag [The Netherlands]
We celebrate the end of the school year and beginning of summer by having a "beach party."

Decorations:

- I decorate the classroom with beach things, most of which I have either in the classroom or at home, and the rest can be purchased at a Dollar Store.
- Use beach towels as tablecloths or to sit on during reading time/circle. etc.
- Wash Frisbees, flip over and use as plates for snack.
- Have inflatable beach balls, sand, water and seashells in a texture table
- Lei's (from The Dollar Store) for prizes
- I have a CD of whale songs and we go "whale watching" at the beach.

Snacks
- Make blue Jell-O with gummy fish mixed in. (Use clear plastic cups so that you can see the fish:)
- We also have "Seaside cupcakes." Frost each cupcake with vanilla/white icing.
- Sprinkle yellow sugar on one half to create the “beach” and blue sugar on the other half to create the “ocean.” (Or use blue icing to make the ocean)
- Open and insert a parasol into each “beach.”
- Attach a gummy bear with a dab of icing onto a life saver “raft” and place onto the blue “ocean.”
- Eat snack outside (weather permitting) and sit on our beach towels

Reading:
At the end of the school year I read Goodbye House and Goodnight Moon.  The children are encouraged to draw things they would like to say goodbye to, and then during circle time we talk about what each child drew, and that it's okay to be sad and miss all of the things we did during the school year.  

Just thought I would share. Danku for all of your ideas. I hope you continue throughout the summer as we get ready for the fall.  Katja Zeldenthuis

Thank YOU Katja for this wonderful idea, and I WILL be continuing to design things through out the summer. 

I'm working on all sorts of fun science things, The solar system and outer space, weather, more things on seasons, nocturnal animals, insects, some more mini offices, + some geography things to name just a few. 

These were all requested by more than one person so they are a top priority.  Then there's a house to clean, all the usual teaching stuff to organize and sort, gardening, a new puppy, family and grandchildren to enjoy and love, well you know...and the summer is gone before you can say Happy Memorial Day weekend!  Stay Safe.

Sweet Summer Dreamin' Pillowcases

Another fun project I like to do with my students at the end of the year I call "Sweet Summer Dreamin' Pillowcases."

Just about every month we have practiced the art of stamping something with a foam stamp. 

I have collected them through out the years to use for our science units.  They make fun art projects and are great for math extensions as well. 

My Y5's self-esteem is also built, because the process is quite easy and the results are simply smashing.  They pat paint on a foam stamp and then press it onto paper and a lovely print of something is left. 

They make beautiful collages, paintings and patterns and are quiet proud of their projects. They have become quite skilled at this technique. 

Instead of doing an autograph book, I thought it would be fun for my students to autograph a pillowcase that they have stamped with all of the various foam stamps, depicting everything they have studied throughout the year.  This  makes a wonderful keepsake for them. 

I send a letter home to parents asking them to send in a plain, light-colored pillowcase and ask if they would be able to volunteer to help. 

I've found that having 4 helpers makes the process go faster and stay organized, but I've done it with only one daddy as well. 

One year I asked several 5th graders if they could come and help during their study hour when I was short on parents and they worked well with the little ones too. 

They all had been my Y5 students so that made it extra fun as they even remembered doing the project when they were little! 

I do this project on the floor in our entry hall atrium so that the children can spread out.  Lay plastic down in case of spills.  There are very few, but The Dollar Store plastic tablecloths make clean up a breeze.  I put 5 children in a row and make a large square. 

Insert a piece of tag board (I recycle them each year) inside of their pillow case so that the paint does not bleed through.  I write their name in large print on the edge of their pillowcase. 

I buy primary and pastel colors of the acrylic permanent paints that are only .59 cents at a hobby/craft store and spill a dollop of one color on a paper plate.

That paper plate, a foam brush and a stamp is given to a helper who pats the paint on the stamp and hands it to a child, they press that stamp anywhere on their pillowcase and then wait for the next stamp. 

We rotate all of the stamps in this assembly line fashion until everyone has done every stamp and every color. 

This takes about 45 minutes if I have help.  Afterwards, the children go wash up and they go outside for recess. 

When they come back in the paint is dry.  We flip the pillowcases over and everyone is given a permanent marker. 

I have 10 different colors. I remind them that they cannot rest the markers on the pillowcase as they will start to bleed into the material and run. 

I also tell them that it is hard to write on fabric so that they need to hold the fabric taught.  I demonstrate this as I "autograph" a pillowcase. 

Everyone signs their own pillowcase first, then they stand up when they are done so that I can see when everyone is finished; when everyone is standing, they move to the next pillowcase and sign their name; when they are done, they stand up again. 

We do this until they are back to their own pillowcase and have signed everyone's.  Make sure you remind them that they are writing THEIR name and "autographing" eachother's pillowcases. 

I had one little guy who was trying to write each person's name on the pillowcases instead of his own! 

In the beginning I had the children sign the fronts of the pillowcases where the stamps were, then a mom thought it would look nicer, since the children wrote so big, to sign the backs!  I've done it that way ever since. 

I don't paint the backs of the pillowcases, because the paint is scratchy when it dries. 

I type up a little note about washing directions which reads: When your child brings their pillowcase home, turn it inside out and toss in the dryer on high .  This will set the paint.  Wash in cold water on gentle cycle for years of wear.  Sleep on the side that is not painted.  I hope you enjoy your sweet summer dreamin' pillowcase and that it helps you to remember all of the fun we had learning and making these wonderful friends!

I've gotten lots of positive feedback about this project, and my students absolutely love making these pillowcases.

Bulletin Boards For Back-To-School

This time of year is a little more relaxed for me.  My students know the standards and we've come a long way. 

We're winding down, and many of you, like me, might even be counting down the days with your students.

I do this via a paper chain that's been hanging up in our classroom all year and is changed each month.  Click on the link to view/print one. Monthly paper chain.

Some of you may be looking for a few fun things to plug in.  One thing that my students enjoy is making two of my in-class bulletin boards for my new students. 

Let's face it, summer zips by and before you know it, we're all back in the classroom.  My list of "to do" things is miles long. 

Although I really enjoy decorating my room and starting fresh, it's often extremely hot in August so if I don't have to put up a few bulletin boards that's a wonderful time saver.

We study apples and dinosaurs for our science units in September, so those are the themes of the two bulletin boards. Even if you don't study apples & dinosaurs these make nice "Welcome" boards for you to put up for the first week. 

The dinosaur bulletin board's caption is: Have A Dino-mite Year! Each dinosaur egg says: "I'm wishing you a dino-mite year in Young Fives!"  The template simply says: "I'm wishing you a dino-mite year!"

For the Back-To-School Apple bulletin board I cut out a large red heart and put a large yellow apple in the center with the words: "Can you find your new kindergarten friend in the cafeteria?"  I've made templates for you that say: Can you find your new preschool/kindergarten/first grade friend?

When I take down the bulletin boards, I give each of my new students an apple or dinosaur.  My Y5's have the same lunch and recess times as the kindergarten students do; once I make sure that these students still go to our school, the cafeteria helpers and I help them find their "new older friend". 

Last year's students have signed their name, and their photo is also on the apple or dinosaur.  

The K's enjoy talking with the "little one's" about Y5's and feel special and "mature", the Y5's have a blast hanging onto their apple or dinosaur and looking for the matching kindergartner who made it for them. 

It's an adventure and a nice win-win for everyone, especially me who didn't have to spend a day dreaming up, making and putting up two more bulletin boards in my hot classroom!

If you can't close your blinds over the summer, or if someone else is using your room, make sure you cover your boards with paper so they don't fade or get messed up. 

If you'll be moving, simply keep all your pieces in a manila envelope so they're ready to staple them on the board and you're all set! You'll be glad you took the time now and thanking yourself when summer's over and you're in "hurricane-mode" trying to get everything done!

Click on the link to view/print the masters. Dinosaur-Apple Back-to-School Bulletin Boards.

End-Of-The-Year Fun

One of the extra-fun things I like to plan for my students at the end of the year is a pet parade.

I’m allergic to animals so having them bring them in for Show and Tell Time was something I couldn’t do.

However, I realize the importance of a pet in a child’s life and wanted to allow them to share this important family member with their classmates, so I dreamed up the end-of-the-year Pet Parade.

Because the weather is wonderful in Michigan at this time of year, it’s the perfect time for an outdoor event and then the animal’s dander, fur, feathers and fluff don’t  bother me. 

Here's How I Plan My Pet Parade:

• Incase of rain, the parade is moved to the next day and if we’re rained out again, it’s simply cancelled.  It hasn’t happened yet!


• In advance, send a note home to parents telling them about the event and inviting younger siblings and family members.  Click on the link to view/print the Pet Parade Letter Home.


• I also invite the preschool and kindergarten classes to come make a line down the parade route and join the fun.   Click on the link to view/print the Pet Parade invitation.
• It lasts about 7 minutes from start to finish, with time afterwards for children to sit with their pet and have students walk by to pet the animals and ask questions.


• You can videotape or take photographs and then add it to a PowerPoint presentation for your Open House the following fall.
• If a child does not have a pet, or if their pet is unable to attend, I send home a red construction paper heart.


• They can draw or cut pictures out of a pet they would like to have, or glue photographs of their pet that could not come.  Click on the link to view/print the pet hearts.
• They carry the hearts in the parade so no one feels left out.  I alternate the heart-carrying children with the real pets walking in the parade.


• I also keep cats away from dogs etc.  Everyone is reminded to bring things to keep their pets under control and clean up after them.
• In the past we have had wonderful participation and very interesting pets.  Everything from a pony and goat to a goose, mouse, lizard and chicken!


• I plan our parade for the last thing in our day, so that after the parade parents may take their child home.  I’m usually left with only half an hour left in my day and 1 to 4 children.
• Click on the link to view/download the entire Pet Parade Packet.
  


• The children are extremely excited before the parade, so to calm them down, I turn off the lights and show the video Arthur’s Pet Business.  Click on the link to view it on YouTube.
  
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• Arthur's New Puppy  is also on You Tube.  This link has both part one and two on it.  We do other pet-related things that day as well.
  
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• We graph if you have a pet or not, and what kind of pet students have.  Click on the link to view/print the pet graphs.


• I read several stories about pets as well.  My Y5's enjoy the Biscuit and Clifford series.  Biscuit Wants to Play is a great "I Can Read" book that involves this adorable brown puppy making friends with two kittens who'd rather chase a butterfly.  They get caught up a tree and Biscuit rescues them. 
  
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• Clifford's Kitten and Clifford's Family are also great follow up books.  Oh The Pets You Can Get, by Tish Rabe, as well as Caring for Your Pets, by Ann Owen are also nice "pet" reads.  
  


• I also give certificates of participation to everyone.  Click on the link to view/print  the Pet Parade certificates.

Dreams Come True:

As I stated earlier I’ve been allergic to animals all of my life. Wanting a pet has been a life-long desire.

Only recently, did I discover through my daughter Kelli, that I was not allergic to Poodles!  She has a Standard Poodle named Sadie.

We watched Sadie for several weeks while my daughter was on vacation and I just fell in love with her.

My husband felt it was time I became a pet owner at long last, so we now have a sweet little puppy named Chloe.  She's tucked into my daughter's jacket on the right photo. 

In celebration of her, I wrote the easy reader Puppy Love.  As with all of my "easy readers", it includes flashcards and a certificate of praise.

Click on the link to view/print it.

I’ve also included a cute little ditty about dogs that someone sent me.  The author is unknown and I revamped it a bit, now that I’m learning all about being the wonderful recipient of “puppy love.”

I wish you many wonderful end-of-the-year “winding-down” moments filled with special times like Pet Parades and of course lots of L-O-V-E!

What Would We Do Without Those Wonderful Volunteers?

I have an "Open Door" policy in my classroom, so parents, and grandparents are always welcome to pop in and help out. 

I've even had some aunts and college "big sisters" pop in on occasion as well. 

My students have all benefited by their gifts, talents and extra-one-on-one assistance. 

Through the years I've had those special volunteers who've been able to come in on a consistent basis, so I've wanted to reward them by giving them some sort of gift to show our appreciation.

I'm sure you have those wonderful people in your life who've been a blessing to you too.  These are also nice if you've had a student teacher.

What to give them seems to be a dilemma each year.  If you're having a bit of trouble thinking of something special, perhaps one of these ideas might prove "just the thing."

Gather your students together in a group.  Make letter cards that spell out the words "Thank You!" Give a card to 9 children. 

Have these students sit with their legs crossed in the front row.  The second row is kneeling and the 3rd row is standing.  Print the photo off as an 8x10.  Glue it to a sheet of construction paper.  This is the cover of your booklet. 

Make copies of the "I like you because..."  OR "Thank you for helping ...." OR "My favorite thing you did with us was..."  pages.  Give each child the option to choose a writing prompt to finish and then illustrate that page. 

Collect and collate the pages and bind them into a booklet with another sheet of construction paper as the back page. 

To make it more of a keepsake make a copy of your class composite and have each student glue their photo on the page and sign their name next to it. 

Click on the link to view/print a copy of the Thank You Booklet writing prompt pages.

Angel Kitchen Towel: I first posted this in December to rave reviews, but it works well here for all the angel voluteers in you life.  I make these as gifts all the time.  Click on the link to view/print a copy of my angel poem and pattern.

Lunch Bag Memory Book: My own room helper Cheryl, showed me how to make these.  She's a retired teacher, fellow grandmother, and dear friend.  I don't know what I'd do without her. 

She sews the binding of her mini-scrapbooks on the sewing machine, but you don't have to.  Simply punch two holes on either edge and tie a ribbon, or bind it with scrapbook paper.

You can make these using one, two or even 4 lunch bags.  Leave your scrapbook looking "rustic" as a  brown "campy" looking scrapbook like mine, or buy lunch bag gift bags that they sell at stores like Hobby Lobby. 

You can also cover the pages with cardstock or scrapbook paper. You'll need to do some covering of the bottom of the bags that are the 1/4 mini pages inside the book.

You can make the book yourself or have students help.  They can also make things to tuck "into" the scrapbook pages.  These are "Pocket-pages" that are formed by the inside of the lunch bags!

Pictures add sentimental value as do notes from the children, and make great things to "tuck into" these pages. This is a wonderful keepsake.

I'd fill up pages with directions so I searched quite a few YouTube videos and found a young gal with a short and simple "how to" and several fantastic finished examples that I think you'll enjoy. 

Click on the link to check it out.  I know you'll have fun making these whether it's as a thank you to a special volunteer or one for yourself and own children!  Lunch bag scrapbook video.

I made the one pictured out of 2 lunch bags which will give you two pockets to put things in.  

Gift Basket:  Nothing really "new" about this, but the way I do it might be different.  Ask your students what kind of gift basket they would like to make for your room helper/student teacher. 

You may want to explain the concept and what it involves.  Give them some options (pamper-yourself, kitchen, fruit, garden etc.) then vote on it. 

Compose a letter with them and then send it home enlisting the help of parents to send in an item for the basket.  Have students color and sign a card and present it to your volunteer.  Click on the link to view/print several of my letters.

Student Teacher things: Since student teachers will have their own classrooms someday I think one of the nicest things you can give them is a basket filled with your favorite kind of teacher "stuff" and then a handmade card from all of your students with a photograph of them so they can remember their time with you. 

When children write why they thought this person was an excellent teacher or connected with them, it not only builds their self-esteem, but is something that they can include in their portfolio.  I follow it up by tucking in a much-appreciated letter of reference as well.

Another thing that's a big hit is giving them a book from each season, or one for each month if you can afford it.  Collect books using your Scholastic Bonus points, or watch garage sales and flea markets for excellent condition-used books.  I've found mint-condition books that are brand new for less than a $1.00!

I hope you've had a wonderful year filled with kind people helping to get your students over those tough spots and making your life easier with all the many tasks a teacher's life is filled with. 

It's a nice time to remember those thoughtful people who made time to help you and your little ones. Making someone feel appreciated is a lovely thing! 

For more writing prompts, click on the link.  I've made a booklet that contains some for each month on a variety of topics!

Monthly:

It’s Better Hearing and Speech Month. Out of all of your 5 senses, which is your favorite and why?  OR… if you were in an accident and lost one of your senses, which would you give up and why?  OR…what sense could you NOT live without and why?

It is Brain Tumor Awareness Month.  Here’s the scenario: you’ve just seen the doctor, and he’s given you the horrific news that you have an inoperable brain tumor.  You only have one year to live!  What will you do and how will you change the way you live the last year of your life knowing this?  Are you glad you found out ahead of time or would you rather not have known?

It’s Carrots and Cauliflower Month. Do you like these vegetables? If you could only eat 2 vegetables for a month, what would they be and why?  How would you eat them so that things wouldn’t get boring?

It’s National Clean Air Month; here’s the scenario: What can people do to help keep the air clean?  What specifically can young people do?   Do you think these things will really help?  Do a little online research.  Where is the cleanest air found?

It’s Family Wellness Month:  What kinds of things are you doing to stay well?  Is your family/are you healthy?  What can you do to get better and be healthier?  Do you want to try and do that?  Why or why not?

It’s Freedom Shrine Month.  Some people say: Freedom isn’t free!  What do you think they mean by that?  What does freedom mean to you?

Get Caught Reading is celebrated this month.  What are you reading right now? Sell it to me so that I want to read that book too.  OR…What is the best book you ever read and why?  OR… What book have you read that you wish they would make into a moving and why and who would you cast as the main characters?

It’s Gifts From The Garden Month! Let’s say you have a truly fantasy garden and it could grow all kinds of supernatural gifts, not just food and flowers or plants.  What kinds of gifts would you garden grow, what would your garden look like and what would you do with the gifts your garden grew?

Motorcycle Safety Month is celebrated in May: You can buy any motorcycle you want! What kind, color etc. will you buy?  Where will you go for your first ride?

It’s National Foster Care Month: Your parents have decided to take in a Foster child.  How do you feel about that?  Would you like a foster brother or sister?  Why do you think this program is important? OR…

You have just adopted a grama or grampa to visit at a home each week and help take care of.  What will you do with them to help out?  Do you think it’s important to visit the elderly?

National Good Car Keeping Month is celebrated in May:  Let’s pretend you are 18 and just got a brand new car for your birthday!  What kind is your dream car?  What color?  Details-details?  Where will you go for your first spin?  Who will you call to go for a drive with you? How do you plan to take good care of your car?

It’s National Hamburger Month:  Do you like hamburgers or hot dogs better?  What’s your favorite kind of hamburger?  What does it have on it?  Well, now take all those various types of hamburgers and all the fixin’s and throw a Happy Hamburger Month of May party!  Who will you invite? What will the decorations look like?  What else will you have to eat?  What will the entertainment be?  Remember your theme is hamburgers!

Happy National Meditation Month! Do you meditate to find peace of mind? How do you de-stress in your life and relax and get into a peaceful tranquil state?  If you could plan the perfect day so that you could really kick back and chill what would it be like, what would you do, where would you go and who would you do these things with?

It’s National Mental Health Month. What things drive you crazy and what do you do to keep sane?

Happy National Military Appreciation Month. Why not write a letter to someone in the military and tell them how much you appreciate what they are doing for your country! OR…Would you ever want to serve in the military?  Why or why not?  OR…if there was another 911 and you were 18 and we went to war, would you join?  Could you kill another person?  Why or why not?

National Moving Month is also celebrated in May:  Have you ever moved?  Write about that experience.  Were you glad you moved?  Was it scary?  Do you miss the place you moved from?  Do you like this new place better?  OR... If you could move any where in the world where would you like to go and why?

It’s National Preservation Month:  Here’s the scenario:  You’re out sailing with your parents; there’s a storm and you get marooned on an Island.  Whether it’s inhabited or not is up to you, but you’re shipwrecked with supplies for one week.  Tell me how you preserve the food and supplies and survive!  OR … Why is it important to preserve our natural resources? Do you think young people can  make a difference?  OR… which endangered species is your favorite?  How can you help preserve them?

It’s National Salad Month.  Design a super salad for the salad eating contest and win a $500 prize.  You’re the winner!  What’s the name of your salad, what does it taste like; what are the ingredients, and what do you do with the money?

Happy National Smile Month! Make a list of the top 10 favorite things that make you smile and explain why.  OR… Tell me who you think has the prettiest smile in your school or TV/Movie Star etc.

It’s Personal History Month, sooooo write your mini biography starting with your birth and ending with today!

Teen CEO Month is in May.  If you could be a CEO of a company, what kind of company would that be?  What would you be making/marketing etc.  What  would the name of your company be?  Include your mission statement and philosophy etc.  OR…do some online research and find some real teen CEO’s what did they do and which one is your favorite and why?

It’s Self-Esteem Month: What kinds of things can you do to boost your self-esteem?  Do you think you have good self-esteem?  How can you make it better?

National Family Month is in May. What are the things you like the most about your family?  What are the things you think your family can improve on? 
What would you like to change about your family?

Weekly:

The 1^st –7^th is Be Kind to Animals Week.  What’s your favorite animal and why is it your favorite?  OR…If you could have any pet in the world, what kind would you have and why?  What would you name your pet?  What would they look like? What would you do with them?  How would you take care of them? Details please.

This week is also Flexible Work Arrangement Week: You can have any job you want with any hours and days of the week that you want to work.  Sooooo, what kind of job do you have and what is your “flexible work arrangement?”

This week is also Kids Win Week! Have you ever won anything?  Write about it.  OR… If you could win any contest or thing what would you like to win and why and then what would you do when you won it?

National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week is also this week.  (Busy week hey?) What kinds of things cause you anxiety?  How can you help overcome those anxious feelings?  What kinds of things make you sad?  What can you do when you are sad?  OR…What’s the most anxious or sad you have ever been and what did you do?

It’s National Family and Pet Week this week so go do something special with them and write about it.  Make sure you hug everyone too as it’s also National Hug Holiday Week!

May 2-8^th is Astronomy Week: Make it a point to lie on the grass and check out the stars.  Write about how that feels; what do they look like; what did you see?  Make sure you use lots of descriptive words. (adjectives!) OR…Go online and do some research on the planets.  Which is your favorite why?  OR...Do you think there is life on another planet?  Why or why not?  OR…You have just been abducted by aliens!  Tell me about the experience.

It’s also National Wildflower Week: What’s your favorite wildflower? You can design your own wildflower.  What does it look like, smell like, feel like?  What have you named it?

It’s also Teacher Appreciation Week: Write a note to your teacher telling her why you like her/him and are thankful for the things they have done for you.

Happy Work At Home Mom’s Week too!  Is that your mom?  Let her know you appreciate her by writing her a note too.

The 6^th-12 is National Nurses Week: Would you ever want to be a nurse?  Why or why not?

National Tourism Week starts the 7^th and runs through the 15^th.  You get to go on any tour in the world.  Where are you going?  When and who are you going with and why?

National Hospital Week is also that week.  Have you ever been in the hospital?  Write about that experience.

Reading is Fun Week is the 8^th-14^th. Do you think reading is fun?  I do!  What kinds of reading do you like to do?  Where do you like to read?  What are your favorite books, magazines etc.?  OR… What could your teacher do to make reading more fun for you?

The 8^th – 14^th is Salute to Mom’s Week. Write about why you love your mom.  What things does she do for you that you really like.

The 15^th-21^st is New and Old Friends Week. Who is your best friend?  Why  OR…

Who are your newest and oldest friends?

National Backyard Games Week is the 23^rd-30^th.  What is your favorite backyard game and why is it your favorite?

Special Days:

Happy Mother Goose Day May 1^st: What’s your favorite Nursery Rhyme?  Write it down and tell why you like it.

National Dance Day is also May 1^st.  Do you like to dance?  Why or why not?  What’s your favorite kind of dance to do?

Happy Cinco de Mayo Day May 5^th:  If you don’t know what that day is, look it up.  Would you like to live in Mexico?  Why or why not?  Would you like to go to visit Mexico?  Why or why not?

The 5^th is also a National Day of Prayer.  If you feel so inclined say a prayer and write about how that makes you feel when you can talk to God.

Remind your teacher that May 6^th is “No Homework Day!” How do you feel about homework?  Do you feel it’s really necessary? Where do you do your homework?  Do you get good grades on your homework?  Do your parents help you with your homework?  Does listening to music help you while you study or do you need quiet when you do your homework?

May 7^th is Kentucky Derby Day: Watch it on TV.  Choose a horse.  Did yours win?  Write about it.   OR…Have you ever ridden a horse?  Write about that? OR….would you like to own a horse?  Write about that?

Mother’s Day is May 8^th: Tell your mom you love her.  Write about why.

May 18^th is International Museum Day. Have you ever visited a museum?  Write about that experience.  OR… Have you seen the movie Night in the Museum?  I cast you as the main character.   What would you have done?  OR…What was your favorite part/character in the movie?

May 18^th is Visit your Relatives Day: What relatives would you like to visit and why?

This is also Turn Beauty Inside Out Day! What do you suppose that means?  Write about.

“I Need A Patch For That Day” is the 21^st.  What do you feel you need a patch for?  Why?   Design the patch.  What does it look like?  Where will you wear it?

Neighbor Day is the 22^nd.  Do you know your neighbors?  write about them.  OR…If you could have anyone in the world be your neighbors, who would you want them to be and why?

It’s Brother’s Day the 24^th.  Do you have a brother?  Write a paragraph about him.  If you don’t, would you like one?  What would he be like?  What would you name him? Would he be younger or older?

The 27^th is National Wig Out Day, so wig out!  What will you do to do that, who do you want to wig out with, and how long do you want to wig out for?

It’s the Indianapolis 500 the 29^th and you’re in the race! What are you driving, wearing, and who are you driving for?  Do you win?  Tell me the details?

Happy Memorial Day on the 30^th.  What does this day mean to you?  What are your plans?  OR …if you could do ANYTHING on this day what would you do, where would you go, who would you go with?

I hope you have a magnificent May filled with wonderful writing!

Teaching sign language is a wonderful fine motor skill.  My Y5's picked it up quickly and loved learning how to say new things. 

I also taught them a few songs, and although I didn't have them learn all of the letters of the alphabet, most of them enjoyed learning how to spell their names at the beginning of the year. 

For Mother's Day I thought it would be fun to design a card around this lovely language and to teach children how to spell MOM in sign language.  

1. To sign "I love you.":

There are many great sign language sites.  I have two favorites:  Favorite #one,   Favorite #two.  ( Click on the links to check them out.)

It's wonderful to be able to see someone demonstrate the sign, and the alphabetical listing makes things easy and quick to find words.

I hope you enjoy making this card and teaching your students how to say "I love you Mom!" Check out the sites if you want to have them say "Happy Mother's Day!"

I have received tons of positive feedback from parents about this aspect of their child's learning.  I know it will be a hit for you too!

Click on the link to view/download the Mother's Day Sign Language Card Templates