8 pages.

This is an alphabetical list of 90 of my all-time favorite zoo books.  The hightlighted ones are my super-duper zoo-per faves.

 1-2-3 Come Do Some "Souper" Craftivities With Me

This "craftivity" packet is very versatile. I have templates that you can use at the end of the school year, where students write about the"souper" summer they are looking forward to, or the "souper" year they had; or they can make one for your next year's kiddos explaining why they are going to have a "souper" year in __________ grade.

Simply run off which ever pattern you need.  Students color the template and then trace it on a sheet of construction paper.

I used red to blend in with the soup can, but you could offer a variety of colors. 

This will become the "inside" section of the can where they'll complete the writing prompt and then "hinge" it at the top with a small piece of tape or a staple, in such a way that it flips up to reveal what they wrote.

If you've incorporated the popular "Bucket Fillers" program in your classroom, the "souper" compliment flip up or windsock, fits in nicely, and goes a long way in building a child's self-esteem.  For this prompt, I prefer the windsock as it's a nice way to review the 3D cylinder shape as well as ABAB patterning. 

Here's How To Make One:

I didn’t have a big sheet of red construction paper, so I had to tape two smaller ones together.  The “compliment strips” are the width of a ruler and the length of the paper.  I chose two colors for more pop, as well as a way to review a color pattern.

Students each get a stack of 10 strips (5 of each color).  Have them glue the strips to the bottom of their large sheet of paper that has their soup can glued to the front.  I left 1/2 an inch of space in between the strips.

Put students in groups of 9.  Review what an adjective is and then brainstorm nice things (compliments) that they could write about each other.
Children write something about themselves on one of the strips, and then pass their paper to the next person. 

Passing continues within the group ’til everyone has written something on each person’s windsock. The teacher visits each group and writes something for each child on the 10th strip.

Students gently curve their flat “souper can” into a cylinder shape and staple the ends together.  Punch a hole on either side, attach a 12 inch piece of yarn and dangle from the ceiling. 

Having students make a windsock for your next year's kiddos would also make a wonderful back-to-school welcome display.  After the first day, take them down and pass them out to your new students.  They read and share with the class.  Hopefully these will help ease first day jitters and get your students excited about the year ahead.

Finally, to help celebrate special holidays, there are patterns for a "souper" mom or dad, as well as one they can make for Grandparent's Day, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever.  

Keep in mind, that any of the 2D writing prompt options, can easily be turned into the 3D cylinder shaped windsock craft too.

Click on the link to view/download the "Souper" Writing Prompt Craftivity Packet.  Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away. 

"My greatest strength is common sense.  I'm really a standard brand like Campbell's tomato soup." -Katherine Hepburn

9 pages.

This "craftivity" packet is very versatile. I have templates that you can use at the end of the school year, where students write about the"souper" summer they are looking forward to, or the "souper" year they had, or they can make one for your next year's kiddos explaining why they are going to have a "souper" year in __________ grade.

1-2-3 Come Make Some Father's Day "Craftivities" With Me

My son-in-law is a huge superhero fan. Seems he's not alone, as Marvel comics is raking in millions of dollars cashing in on the craze.  With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to design some superhero-themed Father's Day activities that I hope your kiddos will enjoy making for their dads.  

The packet includes a Father's Day Batman card, as well as a Superman writing prompt card. 

Students color the covers and then hinge them to the second page.

While doing research about superheroes, I came across a sweet simile poster. The link went no where and there was no author, so I decided to revamp it by adding my own superhero similes and incorporating specific superhero fonts that students could color appropriately.  

I think it turned out pretty cute, providing a fun way to explain the concept of similes to your students. 

My husband didn't quite get "classy as Batman" until I explained to him that Bruce Wayne was a millionaire and supposedly sophisticated.  Even after I Googled characteristics of superheroes, it was still difficult to pinpoint some adjectives.

My daughter thought that Captain America was more protective than The Green Lantern, but I chose that term for him, because in researching each character, it seemed that The Green Lantern went hand-in-hand with the Justice League, Guardians of the Universe, and the Intergalactic Police, all of which I presumed were very protective.  At any rate, I hope your kiddos find it amusing.

The Craft Caravan had a cute Super Dad coloring page, which inspired me to create several of my own.  I designed a superhero head that children can draw in details to look like their dad and then complete the writing prompts on the right. 

For another coloring page option, I drew the famous "ripped open shirt" of Superman, only the logo here is "Super Dad."

As with the above portrait, students fill in the facial features of their fathers.  You can staple the simile page to this, or have students write why their dad is super on the back of their picture. 

For a simple writing prompt activity, students choose one of two bookmarks to color and then write why they feel their dad is a superhero. 

There are also two bookmarks that have an acrostic father poem on them; they come in black line, as well as full color. 

Click on the link to view/download the Father's Day Superhero Packet.  

I made my samples with my little grandson.  He's only 19 months old, but was happy to add his scribbles, and I think his papa will appreciate both of our efforts. 

While surfing, I found a wonderful superhero dad poem and decided to include it in Kaiden's paper love cards for his daddy.  If you like it too, click on the link to grab this FREEBIE over at Creat-Craft-Love. 

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  If you're looking for more superhero-themed activities click on the link to take a peek at my superhero board on Pinterest.

If you're looking for more Father's Day ideas, click on the link to zip on over to that section of TeachWithMe where you'll find 18 more FREEBIES.

"Life hits you hard.  But it takes three seconds to decide if you're a superhero or not.  I am." -Hrithik Roshan

16 pages.

With the superhero craze in full swing, I'm sure your students will enjoy the many options in this packet for making some superhero Father's Day paper love.

1-2-3 Come Make A "Tee-rrific" Father's Day Card With Me

As I stated in yesterday's article, I tried to make time so that my Y5's could create something for their dads for Father's Day.  I know the end of the school year is often hectic, so I wanted to make several quick and easy "craftivities" that you could choose from, that would easily plug into your day. 

A bit of interesting fun, but also educational.  (Heaven forbid that we can't justify every little thing we do!)  I'll be making several other Father's Day cards this week in the hopes that you can give your kiddos more than one option, as not all dads golf etc. 

You could make up 2 to 3 examples and ask them what they want to do, then run off the appropriate number of each "craftivity".    If you're lucky enough to be out of school, you can hopefully file these away for next year. 

As with yesterday's "dynamite dad" card, the "My dad is 'tee-rrific' golf card" is also a writing prompt.  Explain the "tee-rrific" play on words to your students.  Brainstorm why they think their father is a terrific daddy. 

List their ideas on the board as you review spelling.  When students have completed their final draft they write it inside their golf ball card. 

Run off the golf ball and inside circles on white construction paper or card stock.  Run the tees and pennants off on a variety of colors of construction paper.  Students choose, trim and assemble them to make their Father's Day card. 

Younger students can simply do the craft or dictate their thoughts to a room helper, while older students complete the writing prompt. Adding a student's photo makes things extra special.

So that my card flipped open to reveal the writing, I hinged the 2 circles together with a small piece of tape stuck to the left side.

Glue the ball card to the top of your tee.  You don't really need the pennant, but I thought it added extra pizzazz and fit right in with the golf theme.  I glued the flag at a diagonal slant to the back of the ball.

Likewise, you don't need the grass, but I thought the 3D effect gave it that finishing touch.  Simply fold a small piece of green construction paper in half. 

Have students make cuts at the top, being careful not to slice all the way through; crumple the edges and then glue the tip of the tee inside. 

Click on the link to view/download the My Dad Is "Tee-rrific" Father's Day writing prompt card.  Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  My "Pin it" button is at the top. 

If you'd like to follow my PIN boards, click on the "Follow Me" heart to the right.  I have an entire board of Father's Day ideas.  Most of what I pin, are educational FREEBIES.

"I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well." -Alexander the Great

4 pages.

This is a quick and easy card to make for Father's Day.  Younger students can simply make the golf craft, while older students can complete the writing prompt explaining why their dad is "tee-rrific."  This packet has been up=dated and is a special FREEBIE in my TpT shop.  Click on the link to zip on over to grab your FREE copy today. Father's Day Writing Prompt Craftivity.

1-2-3 Come Make A Father's Day Card With Me

I feel a bit sorry for dads when it comes to making special cards and keepsakes at school.  We seem to go all out for Mother's Day, and then because things get quite hectic at year's end, we often don't have the time or energy to whip something together.

Because we usually had a coupple of snow days to make up, and I was looking for a few things to plug in for that last week of school, it was easy for me to make time for my Y5's to create something for their daddies.  

Ever mindful that these creative endeavors still have to be standard-based and educational or some teachers won't be able to do them "just for fun," I designed the dynamite dad card. 

It's a wonderful way to review the cylinder shape and includes a writing prompt. 

Younger students can simply do the craft portion, or dictate why their father is a dynamite dad, while older students can complete that writing prompt on the stationery provided, trim and glue to the back of their card. 

Have them add some color with crayons or makers. Before hand, you may want to brainstorm with students, some of the reasons why they think their daddy is dynamite.  Write them on the board to help with spelling.

For the finishing touch, punch a hole in the top and attach a piece of yarn to the back.  Tape the Kaboom "fire" to the end of the yarn.  I added some gold glitter for a bit more pizzazz.

Click on the link to view/download the Dynamite Dad Craftivity.  If you're looking for more Father's Day FREEBIES click on the link to zip on over to that section of TeachWithMe. 

As always, feel free to PIN away.  My "Pin it" button is at the top on the menu bar.  Do you have a Father's Day activity you could share with us?  I'd really enjoy hearing from you: diane@teachwithme.com  or leave a comment below.  Thanks in advance.  I hope you and yours have a blessed Father's Day.

 "It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was." -Anne Sexton

6 pages.

This is an easy and quick card to make for Father's Day. Younger students can simply make the dynamite stick craft, while older students can complete the writing prompt: "My dad is a dynamite dad because..." and glue it to the back of their creation.

1-2-3 Come Do Some Writing "Craftivities" With Me

My students really enjoyed Laura Numeroff's "If You..." books, particularly If You Take A Mouse To School.  Since it's especially popular as a back-to-school book, I wanted to dream something up that your current kiddos could do for your next year's students that had a mouse theme.  Thus the Nice Mice Advice packet was born. 

The packet is perfect for some end-of-the-year fun, as children write some helpful advice to your in-coming students. 

I've found that children really enjoy giving advice, as most of them feel that they are experienced experts on a variety of things. I'm sure you'll also enjoy reading what they have to share.

During the last week of school, I had my current kiddos make something for the new students that would soon be in my class.  I scattered their completed work on a bulletin board.

They were really excited to do this, and I could check off one more thing that I didn't have to get ready for the start of school. 

With that in mind, I wanted to design a quick and easy "craftivity" with a mouse that you could do, that would make a cute bulletin board.  

Use my mouse pattern and make a template out of an old file folder.  Trace once and then cut 3-6 mice out of a variety of colored construction paper. 

Students choose one and fold the "head" portion down so that it will "flip up" to reveal one piece of advice that they have for next year's kiddos. 

Have them glue on the ears, and add some wiggle eyes, a pom pom nose, and a yarn or ribbon "tail", for those finishing touches. 

Scatter them on your bulletin board and use the "If you take a mouse to school, he'll want to give you some advice" poster, as your center. 

A cheese border would be cute, as this advice comes from your former "all-knowing" students, who are now "big cheeses" in a higher grade.

After they have shared their projects, give them a bookmark from you, wishing them a nice summer.  Write students' names at the top and then sign the bottom.  You could jot a note on the back that says something like "Keep reading!" as your summer advice to them. 

I've also included a black and white bookmark, if you'd like to have your students color one to leave inside their desk, as a sweet surprise for your new students.

Click on the link to view/download the Nice Mice Advice packet.  This FREEBIE is part of my 58-page Mice Advice packet in my shop on TpT.  Click on the link to check out all the super-fun activities, goodies and crafts.  It's currently on sale for only $3.95.

Thanks for visiting today. I hope you have a simply wonderful last-week-of-school with your kiddos!

"Summer vacation is a time when some parents realize how grossly underpaid teachers are!" -Unknown