HELPING HANDS AND BROWN BAG SPECIAL

The amazing thing is that the more parents are involved, the better their children do and the more they value the school. There are many ways that parents can participate and contribute to their child’s education. A good place to start would be an interest inventory where parents have the opportunity to discuss their experiences, hobbies, and talents.

Here are other some suggestions for a check list where parents could check off how they will support your program:

Attend meetings and conferences.
Chaperone field trips.
Make phone calls or send emails.
Plan parties.
Collect free items for projects. Participate in recycling programs.
Make games and materials for the classroom.

Make play dough.
Assist with technology for the classroom.
Plan service projects and fund raisers.
Share their culture, trips, career, or a hobby with the children.
Volunteer to tell stories, assist with learning centers, help with a project.
Tutor children.
Participate in clean-up days or repair broken equipment.
Compile a class scrapbook or video.
Advocacy for legislation that supports children and education.

Brown Bag Special

This is perfect for the working parent. Put materials for making games, art projects, etc. in a brown grocery sack. Children get to deliver the “brown bag special” to their parents to complete at home. They will be so proud to return the bag knowing that their parent is involved in their classroom!

Hint! For parents with computer access and financial resources, ask them to download books and free materials from the internet. For other parents, you could put in paper and a pattern for them to cut out for a class game. Everybody can do something and everybody needs to feel appreciated for their efforts!

 

Helping Hands
Cut out paper hands and write different items you would like for your classroom, such as paper lunch bags, tissues, plastic bags, etc. (You know all those things you have to buy with your own money! Materials could range from something inexpensive to a Dust Buster or old rocking chair.) Tape these to your door and “invite” parents who would like to help to choose a hand and purchase those items.

Tear Tea
Sometimes it’s as difficult for the parents to say good-bye as it is for the children. Planning a tea for parents in the library after they drop their children off will ease the separation. It would also be a great time to recruit volunteers for the school!

 

Hint! Give a pack of tissues as a party favor! 

WELCOME KIT

Is it just me, or do you feel like you are living on a different planet now?  I look at some of my old blogs and wonder, "Will that still work?"  And then I remember, CHILDREN ARE CHILDREN in spite of the pandemic!!

Welcome Kit
Add the following items to a zip bag along with the letter:
cotton ball, Hershey’s kiss, sticker, rubber band, penny, tissue, gold star, band aid, Life Saver, gold thread eraser (You can adapt these items any way you'd like.)

Welcome to your new classroom. Each item in this bag
has a special meaning for you!”

*The cotton ball is to remind you that this room is full of kind words and warm feelings.
*The chocolate kiss is to remind you that I care about you.
*The sticker is to remind you that we will all need to stick together and
help each other.
*The rubber band is to remind you to hug someone.
*The penny is to remind you that you are valuable and special.
*The tissue is to remind you to help dry someone’s tears.
*The star is to remind you to shine and always try your best.
*The bandage is to remind you to heal hurt feelings in your friends and yourself.
*The gold thread is to remind you that friendship ties our hearts together.
*The eraser is to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and that is okay.
*The Life Saver is to remind you that you can always come to me if you need someone to help you.
With love, (Teacher’s Signature)

TLC for Parents
Put the note below in an envelope with a cotton ball and tea bag and send it home to the parents the first day of school.

Dear Parents,
Thank you for entrusting your child to me. I promise to do my best every day to be your
child’s companion in learning. Sit down, relax, and have a cup of tea. Hold the cotton ball in your hand to remind you of the gentle spirit of your child. I know we will have a wonderful year as we learn and grow together!
Sincerely, (Teacher’s Name)

                     


Say “Yes!”
I found one more idea from an old blog that I just have to share. Go to your principal before school starts and ask her to say, “Yes!” when you ask her a question. Then ask your principal to give you the best and brightest children in your room this year. (To which the principal will reply, “Yes!”) On the first day say, “I asked the principal to give me the best and brightest children this year. And here you are!” Throughout the school year remind them that they are the best and the brightest and they will live up to your expectations!

*One teacher told me that she tells her kids, “You are lucky to be in my room because I’m the best teacher in the school. But don’t let the other kids know or they’ll be jealous!” LOL

BACK TO SCHOOL CLASS BOOKS

These are some simple books that you can make to create interest in reading and nurture your classroom community.

I Like to Come to School
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")
I like to come to school.
I like to come to school.
I like to learn and play each day
I like to come to school.

I like to make new friends…
I like to read and write…
I like to do math…
I like to sing and draw…/

*Ask children other things they like about school and insert their suggestions in the song.
*Write children’s suggestions on sentence strips and use in a pocket chart.

*Make a class book where each child draws a picture about what they like best at school. They can dictate or write a sentence to go with their drawings. Read the book several times to the class and then allow children to “check it out” and take it home.

Hello Book



Glue each child's photo on a sheet of paper and write “Hello, (child’s name).” at the top. Punch holes in the pages and put them together with book rings. (If you bind the book on the bottom it will be easy to turn the pages as you hold it in your lap.)

                                                        

Use the book in the following ways:
* Circle or Group Time: Start your day by reading the book together and saying hello to each other.

* Questions: Use the book when you want to ask the class questions. Randomly turn to a page and call on that child to answer the question. This will allow “thinking time” and discourage children from shouting out the answer.

* Transitions: Use this book to dismiss children for learning centers, to line up, and other transitions. Flip through the book and hold up different pictures. As the children see their photo, they may be dismissed, line up, and so on.

* Sing and read this book to the tune of “Good Night, Ladies.”
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
We're glad you're in our room.


Who Do You See?
We all know wonderful Bill Martin’s “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?” Your children will love saying and “reading” this version with you. Put each child’s photo on a page with this chant at the top:

        
                       
(Child’s name), (child’s name), who do you see?
On the bottom of the page write:
I see (second child’s) name looking at me.
On the last add the teacher’s photo with this rhyme:
Children, children, who do you see?
I see (teacher’s name) looking at me.
(Teacher’s name), (teacher’s name), who do you see?
I see happy children ready to learn with me!

                                                      

*Make two copies of this book so one child can take it home each day to share with their families.

*Introduce children to school helpers with a similar book with the principal, secretary, custodian, nurse, PE teacher, music teacher, and other specialists.

*Carolyn Kisloski takes a picture of the children's shoes to make this book..."Whose shoes do you see?"


The Name of My School
Do you get tired of children saying, “Teacher, teacher!” the first few days of school. This song will enable them to learn the name of their teacher, school, principal, as well as their community, city, state, and country. Take photographs of yourself, the principal, the school, your community, and so forth. Glue pictures to construction paper and write a verse similar to those below on each page. Sing the words to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.”

The name of my school is (school’s name),
school’s name), (school’s name).
The name of my school is (school’s name).
That’s the name of my school.
The name of my teacher is (teacher’s name), (teacher’s name),
(teacher’s name)…

The name of my principal is…

The name of my librarian is…

The name of my P.E. teacher is…

PICTURE ME!

Children LOVE pictures of themselves, don’t they? If you’ll take photos of children and make multiple copies you’ll be able to use them for dozens of games, books, and art projects throughout the school year.


Blocks
Tape children's pictures to unit blocks and use for building, graphing. and other activities.

                                 

Puppet People
Attach photos to straws or craft sticks and use for name songs or for children to make up stories with their friends.

                         

TP People
Glue full body photos to TP rolls and use in the block center or with a puppet theater.

Flannel Friends
Attach a small piece of Velcro to the back of each photo and use with a flannel board.
*Be sure to include pictures of the teacher, principal, and school helpers.

                       

Memory
Cut out 3” squares from cardstock. Glue two photos of each child to the squares. Children can use these for a matching activity. They can also place photo cards face down on the floor and try to match pairs by turning over two cards at a time.

*Write the child’s name on one square and glue their photo to the other square for more a more challenging game.

Art Projects
Let children cut out their faces and use them for various art projects. For example, they could draw a picture of what they want to be when they grow up around their face, draw themselves as their favorite storybook character, make a collage with their friends’ pictures, and so on.

                                                

NAME GAMES

Check out my new video where I demonstrate some of these tips.

bit.ly/Back2Class2021

Names are very important to children. (Call them by the wrong name and they will let you know about it!) Here are some songs and chants you can use to help the children learn their classmates’ names as you nurture your “classroom family.”

Friendship Bears

Use the link below to make bears for the students in your classroom. Take photos of their faces and run them off to be about 2 1/2" or to fit in the bear's head. Glue their face on the head and then write their name on the body. Start each day by singing the children's names in the song below to the tune of "Twinkle Little Star" as you hold up their bear.

(1st child's name) (1st child's name) who do you see?
I see (2nd child's name) looking at me.
(2nd child's name) (2nd child's name) who do you see?
I see (3rd child's name) looking at me....

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljUjloN1BNSUxlOUU/view?usp=sharing


Who Ate the Cookie?
Child’s name ate the cookie (Hold up name card.)
in the cookie jar.
Who me? (First child responds.)
Yes you. (Class chants.)
Couldn’t be? (First child.)
Then who? (Class chants.)
Second child’s name ate (Hold up another name.)
the cookie in the cookie jar…

*Cut out paper cookies and write the children’s names on them. Store in an empty cookie box and use as you say the chant.



*Make cookies and glue the child’s photo to one side and print their name on the other side. Place the cookies face down on the floor. Children try to read their friends’ names and then flip over with a spatula to confirm.
                                                    


Hickety Pickety
(Clap hands and snap fingers.)
Hickety, pickety bumblebee
Who can say their name for me? Child’s name.
Clap it. (Clap out syllables as you say the name.)
Snap it. (Snap syllables in name.)
Whisper it. (Whisper name.)
No sound. (Lip sinc name.)


Name Cheer
(Cheer each child’s name.)Give me a ‘K’.
‘K’ - I’ve got a ‘K,’ you’ve got a ‘K.’
Give me an ‘i’…Give me an ‘M’
What’s it spell? ‘Kim’ Say it again. ‘Kim’ One more time. ‘Kim’ Yeah!!!


Pick It Up
Have children stand in a circle. Spread name cards in the middle on the floor. The children find their name and pick it up when you sing it in this song that goes to the tune of "If You're Happy."

If your name is child's name pick it up.
If your name is second child's name pick it up.
If your name is third child's name pick it up.
If your name is fourth child's name pick it up.

WHO IS MY TEACHER?

Teaching is a relationship between teachers, children, and families. Over the next few days I'll share activities that will nurture those positive feelings! You'll find some great ideas to help your children get to know you and for you to get to know them.

Brochure
Make a brochure about yourself, your school, and fun activities you have planned for the year and mail it to the children before school begins (or just give it to them the first day). To make a brochure, fold a sheet of paper into thirds. On the front section write “Welcome to your name’s Classroom!” On the left section place a picture of yourself and write some personal information about your family, pets, experience, etc. On the inside write “We’ll have a great year together…learning to read, experimenting in science, learning math, working on the computer, cooking, taking field trips, singing, etc.

                     

Paper Doll Teacher
Here’s something fun to make for your door to welcome the students. Lay on a large sheet of butcher paper and ask a friend to trace around your body. (You’ve probably done this to your children before.) Color yourself and cut yourself out. (Go ahead and take off a few inches if you want to!) Tape this on the door, and then make the following labels and attach them to the different body parts. “A head full of great ideas,” “A mouth to sing you songs and read you stories,” “Arms for hugging,” “Hands to help your learn new things,” “Pockets to hold surprises,” “Play shoes for outdoor fun,” and “A heart full of love for you!” 

Who Is My Teacher?
Make a book about yourself to read to the children the first day of school. Include a photograph of yourself as a child, family photos, pictures of pets, favorite foods, hobbies, why you enjoy teaching, etc. Let one child take the book home each evening to share with their families. (What a simple way to build a partnership with your parents!)

Hint! You might even ask each parent to make a similar book about his child to place in your classroom library.

What’s Your Bag?
Give each child a lunch sack at registration or the first day of school and ask them to put the wrapper from their favorite candy, something their favorite color, a picture of their family, the title of their favorite book, etc. in the bag. After sharing these objects with classmates, they can use them to decorate journals, make banners about themselves, etc. 

Getting to Know You

Give parents a form similar to the one below and ask them to fill it out for their child and return it the first day of school.  Put the pages together and make a book called "Getting to Know You" that you can read to the class.  Let one child take home the book each evening to share with their  parents.

Winnie the Pooh

I'm one of the biggest Pooh fans ever.  This cartoon had multiple meanings for me.  First of all, I know most of you would NOT like to go to page one and do it again.  However, I hope you have the strength and JOY at the end of this new school year to feel like Pooh and Piglet.  I pray that this will be your best year ever!!!!

              

BACK TO SCHOOL HAPPIES

Several years ago there was a movie called "A Dog's Purpose." What the dog said at the end reminded me about life...and children...and being a teacher. To paraphrase: "The purpose of life is to play and have fun and live in the moment." That's what young children are designed to do and are suppose to do in order to develop into well-rounded and happy adults. I mean, if you don't have happiness when you are a child, how are you ever going to find happiness in your life?

After this past year, we need to do everything we can every day to give children a little happiness. That's why Carolyn Kisloski, Alex May, and I want to give you our BACK TO SCHOOL HAPPIES FREE!  We can't solve all the world's problems, but we can give you something to make you smile and excited to start your best year ever!

Click to download free copy

There are over 100 pages of hands-on learning activities with cheers, handshakes, attention grabbers, transitions, Prezis, management tips, brain breaks, finger plays, math, literacy, science, and seasonal lesson plans. There 15+ song downloads with books and visuals, as well as a video where Dr. Jean demonstrates the activities.

Watch Video

You Are Special
A friend who taught with me over 50 years ago visited recently and said, “I remember how you would take the most pitiful little child and write on their hand: YOU ARE AMAZING AND WONDERFUL! Or, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Or, YOU ARE SPECIAL! She said, “Why did you do that?” My response was, for once in their lives, I wanted them to feel that way. I wanted them to know that someone believed in them. (Now they’d probably throw me in jail for writing on a child’s hand, but you get the point.)

Please remember as you begin your new school year how SPECIAL you are!  And, please remember how the little things that you do can truly make a difference in a child's life!



TIS’ YOU
(Tune: “Simple Gifts”)
Jean Feldman and Hollynd Feldman Karapetkova

Tis’ you who cares,
And tis’ you who shares.
Tis’ you who teaches
Children everywhere.
Tis’ you who inspires,
Tis’ you who molds.
You help children’s gifts
And dreams unfold.

Tis’ you our teachers
Everywhere
For some child you’re the
Only one who cares.
And when you come at last
To the end of your days,
I have touched a life
Is what you can say.

It’s not the test scores.
Computers or workbooks.
Into the hopeful eyes
Of each child you must look.
You plant the seeds of learning
With smiles and grace.
Each day you make the world
A better place.

Tis’ you our teachers
Everywhere
For some child you’re the
Only one who cares.
And when you come at last
To the end of your days,
I have touched a life
Is what you can say.


TEACHERS WHO LOVE TEACHING MAKE CHILDREN WHO LOVE LEARNING!