BACK TO SCHOOL IDEAS? NOT YET!!!

"Selective nostalgia" is the ability to remember the good things and forget about the negative things.  Most children are more adept at this than grownups - thank goodness!

The Best Thing About… 

Invite children to recall some of their favorite memories from the school year. Give them a sheet of paper to illustrate it. Ask them to write (or dictate) a sentence about it. Put their pictures together in a cover that says, “The Best Thing About (Grade)” and bind. Save the book to read to your new class when school starts.

                                     


Welcome Brochure

Demonstrate how to fold a sheet of paper into thirds to make a brochure. Let each child create a brochure called “Welcome to Grade.” They could include things they’ll learn, special events, etc. Save these and give them (or send in the mail) to your upcoming students when school starts.

                                
Hint! Have children do a “rough draft.” Edit and then make a revised copy.

Back to School Bulletin Board

Invite your students to create a bulletin board to welcome the new class. Cover with newspaper to protect over the summer, and you’ll be ahead of the game when school starts. How about one of these themes?

     Lights, Camera, Action! (Photos of Special Events)

     A Great Batch (Gingerbread Cookies)

     (Teacher’s Name) Bunch (Bananas)

     Round Up for a Great Year (Horses)

     Lookin’ Good! (Giant Mirror)

     Kick off for (Grade)! (Football & Goal)

     Join (Teacher’s Name) Team! (Pennants and Pompoms)

     Welcome Super Stars (Stars)

     Swim into a New Year (Fish)

     Bloom in (Grade - Flower Garden)

Note!  I'm smiling to myself because we used many of these same themes years ago.  Some things just don't change!

BATTER UP!

It’s springtime and time to root, root, root for your home team!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Take me out to the ball game. (Hand in fist as if cheering.)
Take me out to the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts (Hold up one palm and then other.)
and Cracker Jacks.
I don’t care if we never get back, (Shake head “no.”)
For I’ll root, root, root for the home team. (Cheer with hand in the air.)
If they don’t win it’s a shame. (Open up palms and shake head.)
For it’s one, two, three strikes (Hold up fingers as you count.)
You’re out! (Stick up thumb like “out.”)

At the old ball game. 

Use this link to go to my website and get a free download.

Ballgame Video

Cracker Jacks Book 

Cut the front and back off a bag or box of Cracker Jacks. Cut paper the size of the bag and give each child a piece. Let them draw and write what prize they would like to find in a box of Cracker Jacks.

Visor
Here's a simple visor that you can wear to the game. Cut a moon shape out of a paper plate and let the children decorate it with markers and crayons. Punch holes in the ends and tie on strings so you can fit the visor to children's heads.


Bar Graph
What's your favorite baseball team? Make a bar graph that children can fill in when their team wins.

Let’s Play Ball!
Write “1st,” “2nd,” “3rd,” and “Home” on paper plates. Place the plates in a diamond shape on the floor. Divide the class into two teams. Let them “huddle” and come up with a team name. The first team lines up and one player at a time stands on “home” as the teacher “pitches” a flash card to them. (Flashcards with words, letters, math facts, etc. can be used.) If the student can identify the information on the flash card they can walk to first base. The game continues as different players on the team come up, identify the flash card, and move around the bases. Tally points on the board. The second team then has a turn at bat.

                                        

Note! If they don’t know the answer you can call them out. I did this when I taught first grade, but with kindergarten I let the other players on the team help them. The great thing about being the teacher is that you are the baseball commissioner and you can change the rules to work for you!!!

Batter Up
Cut 4” circles out of cardstock and draw baseball stitching on them. Write words, letters, math facts, etc. on most of the baseballs. On a few write “out” and on a few write “home run.” Mix up the balls and place them in a bag. Children take turns choosing a ball and reading the word. If they select “out” they are out of the game. If they select “home run” everybody cheers.

"SWEET" THANK YOUS

Everybody wants to be appreciated!  Here are some clever ideas for awards you can give volunteers or school helpers at the end of the year.  

Kudos Bar – “Kudos to you!”

Snickers – “Nuts about you!”
                         

100 Grand – “A million thanks for all you did!”
                                      

M & M’s – “You’re marvelous and magnificent.”
                                                  

Mint – “You ‘mint’ the world to us.”

Hershey’s Kisses – and Hugs, too!

Lifesavers – “You were a lifesaver this year!”
                                                  

There are also several free websites where you can customize candy bar wrappers.

Here are some certificates that Carolyn Kisloski created.
     
Click to download the certificates

If you want more you can download the whole set for less than one card costs.  Hmmm!  That's a good idea!  I think I'll get them for neighbors and friends!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Gift-Tags-Gift-Cards-and-Gift-Ideas-2542953
             

                            

FAMILY SUMMER FUN

We all know how critical it is to engage parents in their child’s education. All parents want the best for their children, but many of them don’t have the resources or know what to do – other than to hand the child their phone!!! So here are some great old-fashion, hands-on, ideas to encourage parents to spend time with their children this summer.

Family Fun Calendar
Here’s a summer calendar that you can run off for your students. Glue it to a heavy piece of cardboard and attach a string so it can be hung up in their home. Read over the activities to motivate your students, and then let them decorate their calendars with markers or crayons.
                                 
http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2014/05_May_css/pg05.html

Bucket of “Fun” 
You can buy sand buckets or just use a plastic cup like I did. Punch holes and add a pipe cleaner handle. Let children decorate their “buckets of fun” with markers, stickers, etc.
                 
Make a list of activities that children can do with their families over the summer to reinforce skills you’ve worked on during the school year. Cut into strips and place in the buckets. Send the bucket home with a note encouraging the parents to let their child select a strip each day and do the activity.

Some examples might include:
     Read a story with your parents. Tell what happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the story. What do you think will happen next?
     Play a rhyming game. How many words can you think of that rhyme with "can"? "Pot"?
"Book"? "Coat"? "Sheep"? "Like"?
     Trace around your hand and your foot. What can you make out of them?
     Count as high as you can. Can you count by 2's, 5's, and 1O's?
     Ask your parents to teach you a song they learned when they were your age.
     Look in your kitchen pantry. How many labels can you read?
     How many ways can you move? Can you hop, skip, jump, gallop, tiptoe, walk
backwards?
     Can you draw a circle, oval, square, rectangle, and triangle? What other shapes can
you draw?
     Write a special letter to someone in your house.
     Look at some of your baby pictures. How have you changed?
     Find something that begins with these letters: B, H, S, M, L,
     Draw a picture of your neighborhood.
     Make a list of 5 things that are non-living. Make a list of 5 things that are living.
     Do you have a library card? Visit your library and check out some books.
     Do a job around the house.
     Write your name on a piece of paper - first, middle, and last. What are your initials?

Here’s a link where you can download more:
                                                      
Click to download more activities

End of Year Letter
Give parents with a positive lasting impression by sending a letter similar to the one below. It might be thoughtful to send a picture of their child along with the note.

Dear ______,

Lucky me to get to spend this special year with your child!  (Child’s name) has worked hard and has grown in many ways. One of my favorite memories is (something unique about the child).

I appreciate all the support and encouragement you have given (child’s name) at home. Behind every great student is a great family!

Saying good-bye is bittersweet. “Bitter” because I will miss (child’s name), but sweet because I am so proud to have been a part of his/her life! Please keep in touch because I know the future holds many wonderful things for your child and your family!

Remember to read and laugh every day this summer!

Fondly,

SUMMER LEARNING

You've worked so hard to get your children to where they are, but how do you keep them reading and writing over the summer?

Summer Journal
Carolyn Kisloski created this free download a few years ago and it’s a wonderful way to encourage children to write over the summer.
                                 
*I gave it to my granddaughter and she thought it was pretty cool to have “homework” to do.
                    
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Writing-Prompts-Journal-2521920

Library Card
What better gift can you give your students at the end of the year than a library card? Take a field trip to your local library or ask the children’s librarian to visit your school and describe all their summer reading activities.

Summer Reading List
It’s easy to do an internet search and find a suggested reading list for your grade level. Parents would probably appreciate this when helping their child choose books to read over the summer.
                                 *I found this summer reading challenge and book list at scholastic.com.

Postcards
Cut cardstock the size of a postcard. Let children decorate one side with markers or crayons. On the reverse side draw a line down the middle. Have the children write the teacher’s name on one half. Explain that if they send you the postcard over the summer and write you a note that you will write back to them.
                    
*You could also give the children a pre-stamped envelope addressed to you. Explain that when they write you, you will write them back.

THE YEAR FROM A TO Z

Someone once told me that if you end the meal with a good dessert they will forget if the rest of the meal wasn’t very tasty. Isn’t that kind of like the school year?  SHUT YOUR DOOR and have some fun!  “Doctor’s orders.” (Dr. Jean - the doctor of funness!)
                         

End of Year Cadence
(The children repeat each line.)
School is coming to an end. (Stand, march, and slap thighs
School is coming to an end. to the beat.)
Say so long to all our friends.
Say so long to all our friends.
We’ve learned to read and write and spell.
We’ve learned to read and write and spell.
We know our shapes and numbers well.
We know our shapes and numbers well.
We’ve learned to follow classroom rules.
We’ve learned to follow classroom rules.
Getting along is really cool.
Getting along is really cool.
Science, music, art, PE.
Science, music, art, PE.
School’s been great for you and me.
School’s been great for you and me.
And when school begins again.
And when school begins again.
We’ll be happy to see our friends.
We’ll be happy to see our friends.

Now I Can! 
Brainstorm all the things your students have learned during the school year. Give each child a sheet of paper and have them draw something they couldn’t do at the beginning of the year that they can do now. Complete this sentence: “I couldn’t _______, but now I can _______.” Make a cover that says “Now We Can!” and bind to make a book.
                                         
Time Capsule
Create a memento of the year with a time capsule. Ask each child to bring in Pringle’s can. Have them draw a picture of themselves and put it in the can. Let them write or dictate what they want to be when they grow up and illustrate it. Challenge them to collect a wrapper from their favorite food, something their favorite color, friends’ signatures, and other small, meaningful objects to add to their bottles. After gluing on the lid and decorating the outside, send the time capsules home with a note to the parents asking them to save them until their child graduates from high school.
                   

The Year from A to Z
The amount of time you have left in the school year will dictate how you approach this project. If you have a few weeks, then you could assign several letters each day and have children recall activities that begin with that sound. If you have more time then you could just do one letter each day.  

Make blank alphabet books for each child and add this poem on the cover:
     We’ve learned and played in many ways,
     But now the year must end.
     Here’s a book to remember special days,
     And all your kindergarten (first grade) friends!
                                               
At morning meeting encourage the children to brainstorm activities, friends’ names, books read, songs, etc. that begin with the letters and write them on the board. As an independent activity invite children to draw pictures and write about the different events in the ABC books.

How about some ideas to get you started?
A- apple tasting, art, alphabet, “Alligator”
B- “Bear Hunt,” blocks, birthdays, books, bus
C- computers, caterpillars, counting, cooking, CLIFFORD
D- dinosaurs, dancing, drawing, “Days of the Week”
E- easel, exercise, eating, exploring
F- friends, fall, first day of school, “Five Little Monkeys”
G- GINGERBREAD MAN, games, graphs, gym
H- Hundred Day, Halloween, holidays, handprint
I- ice and snow, insects, “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “I can___”
J- jack o’ lanterns, journals, jump rope
K- KISSING HAND, kites, kindness, “Katalina”
L- letters, library, “Lettercise,” lunch, LEO
M-“Macarena Months,” music, math, magnets 
N- nests, nursery rhymes, names, numbers
O- oceans, outside, “Over in the Meadow”
P- pizza parlor, P.E., puzzles, painting, “Peanut Butter”
Q- quiet time, quilts
R- reading, rainy days, running, rabbits, “Rime Time”
S- singing, spring, shapes, senses, science
T- “Tooty Ta,” turkeys, teeth, tests, TACKY THE PENGUIN
U- upside down, under, umbrellas (April showers)
V- Valentine’s Day, VERY BUSY SPIDER
W- word wall, writing, winter, “Wally Acha,” weather
X- “X” marks the spot (treasure hunt), X with body
Z- zoo field trip, zigzag art, “Z” end of the year 
*Use the name of the school, teacher’s name, etc.

May Happies  

Desserts for Summer Fun

MEMORIES MAKERS

I've got 2 videos packed with May activities:

May Happies

Desserts for End of Year Fun

Think of my blog as a “buffet.” I put a lot of “food” (ideas) out there and you pick and choose which ones you like the best. This week I'll be sharing activities to end your school year with a smile and a song.

School Is Over  (Tune: Frere Jacques)
School is over.
School is over. (Children repeat each line.)
Time to go.
Time to go.
We’ve had fun learning.
We’ve had fun learning.
Love you so.
Love you so.

Autograph Book 

As simple as this project is, the children will be thrilled to have their very own autograph book.  (Oh, yeah!  And it will keep them busy!)  Cut paper in fourths. (I like to use colored paper.) Have children count out 10 pieces. Hole punch and tie with a ribbon. Children walk around the room and get their friends’ autographs.
                            


Friendship Necklace

You will need construction paper, yarn, markers, and hole punches for this project. Cut the construction paper into 2 ½” squares, circles or other simple shapes. Each child will need as many pieces as there are students in your room. Have them write their name and draw pictures on their shapes. Punch holes. Now comes the fun part! Children get to go around the room and give a shape to each of their friends. Encourage them to say something kind they remember about their friend as they pass them out. Finally, children string the shapes on yarn and knot the ends to make a necklace.     

Memory Shirt

Have children bring in an old t-shirt from home. (White works best.) Provide them with fabric pens and let them have friends write their names and draw pictures on their shirts.
Hint! Plan several days for this project. It’s “no fun” if you have to do it all at once.
                                        
Car Wash 

Have students make two lines facing each other. They should stand 2-3 feet apart. Demonstrate how to move your palms in a circular direction like a car wash. Choose one child at a time to walk “through” the car wash. Students should gently pat the friend going through the car wash as they make positive comments about that friend.

Memory Book 

Run off copies of a memory book for each child to color and fill in the missing information. Here are some suggestions:
1st page – “My Memory Book” with teacher’s name, school, year.
2nd page – “This is me.” (Child draws self –portrait.)
3rd page – “This is my teacher.” (Child draws teacher’s picture.)
4th page – “Here are my friends.” (Child draws friends.)
5th page – “My favorite thing at school is...” (Draws favorite activities.)
6th page – “Something I’ve learned this year…” (Draws accomplishment.)
7th page – “When I grow up I want to be…” (Draws future self.)
8th page – “This is my handprint.” (Trace around child’s hand.)
You could also have children draw their favorite sport, color, book, song, food, etc.
     Memory Bank Download