Easter Fun!

Happy Spring!

They are predicting a winter storm here in NY, but my mind is on Easter and Spring!

Here are a few things I will be doing with my kids this week!

First up are these adorable cards!

These are pictures from last year and they came out so super cute!

I gave each child 2 pieces of 8.5x11 white construction paper that I stapled together.

I showed them out to make an oval that 'holds' the staple.

They then cut the oval out.

They decorated the oval to look like an Easter egg (I had a few books with pictures to show them different examples of how eggs could be decorated.) 

I had them flip the egg up and on the 'inside,' or other oval, I showed them how to make a bunny face using directed drawing.

For some kids I drew a faint line for them to cut (just make sure you open it before they cut or they will cut through the rabbit's face too!)

For others, I did the cut.

I then had them add pink to the middle of the ears!

We pasted them to spring-colored construction paper 'cards' and then wrote a message inside.

Next is this fun center!

I saw an idea on Instagram posted by Mrs. Jones's Creation Station about using the carrot 'eggs' and letter beads, but it was only for letter ID and my kiddos are past that, so I modified it a bit!  (You can click the hyperlink and see her post and grab her free printable!)

I found the carrots at Michael's Craft Store (although I hear they are also at Dollar Tree and Walgreens!)

and filled them with black beans and the letters the kids would need to complete the printable.

Because I have kids working at two different levels right now (ready for CVC words and those still working on identifying initial sounds), I made two different versions.

They will shake the eggs, find a letter, ID the letter and then find the picture that begins with that letter.

If completing the CVC printable, they will tap out and write the entire word.

If completing the initial sound printable, they will simply write the lowercase letter (beads are upper) to match the picture that begins with that letter sound.

You can find the printable FREE by clicking HERE!

These are the letter beads you will need:

b, c, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w, z

If you don't have letter beads, you can use dried lima beans and a sharpie to write the letters and then put them in the carrot/egg with the black beans as 'filler!'

Next up is a gift I will be giving my students on Thursday!

On a recent Target extravaganza, I came upon these boxes of PlayDoh and Spring Fruit Snacks

The fruit snacks were $1.99 for 12 packages and the PlayDoh was $5 for 10 eggs of 'doh!'

(You can also whip up a batch of homemade playdough and put that in plastic eggs from the dollar store if you are trying to conserve some cash!)

I put a bag of snacks and a 'doh' egg in a candy bag and stapled a little ditty on top and 'signed' the back:

Super cute, not too sugary and fun! 

If you'd like to do the same, I put the tag in this FREE download!

(It has a blank spot to sign your name and I made a version for 'her' 'his' and 'our' class to accommodate everyone!) 

Here are a few other things we will be doing this week:

Last year we used this the cute image created by Graphics From the Pond as inspiration for this chick drawing!  They used a black crayon and then let them paint!

These rabbits were also directed drawings that we painted!

And if you are planning on dying eggs with your students (or own kids) this works GREAT!

I got the whisk from the Dollar Store...Just slip in the egg inside and let them dunk it!

Less spills...splashes and cracks!

Be sure to check out my other posts for 10 Ideas Using Plastic Eggs and Using Dollar Spot Finds for Spring Centers!

'Hoppy' Spring!

Until next post,

Valentine Lip Balm Tag

We love to show our teachers and daycare providers they are appreciated, so each holiday I try to find a little something to brighten their days!

This Valentine's Day my boys will be giving their teachers this:

The front has some fun Burt's Bees lip balm and the back valentine York Peppermint Patties!

These are SUPER SIMPLE to make and not that expensive! 

(the lip balm was $3.29 each and candies on sale 2/$7)

First print and cut the tags:

Then sort-of fold them in half to make a slit for the balm to slip into:

Slide the package of Burt's Bees (or any brand) lip balm into the slit and secure with a piece of tape:

If you happen to find the tubes without the cardboard box, you can just tape it to the card or tie with ribbon like I did with these two years ago:

(I couldn't re-use these tags because the cardboard version didn't fit- if you prefer these tags you can find them on this post!)

On the back I bagged 3 valentine York Peppermint Patties in a snack size baggie:

and stapled the frog topper to it and the lip balm card:

In no time I had all 9 ready:

and then I had the boys sign them:

I had 2 versions:

"I" for them to give to their own teachers and 'We' for our daycare providers!

You can find the tag for the lip balm and candies HERE and if you prefer the other tag, it can be found on THIS POST or by going HERE to download!

Speaking of a SWEET Valentine Surprise....

Consider visiting The Primary Pack to win a $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card!

Visit the blog from February 7th to February 13th to enter to win!

Winner will be announced on February 14th!

And you can find February resources (both FREE and PAID) here

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy crafting and until next post,

Valentine Gift Tag

I know February isn't even here yet, but I found these fun eye pointers (rings) in Michael's right after Christmas (as in RIGHT next to the 70% off Christmas goodies!) and decided they would make the perfect non-candy Valentine treat for my kindergarteners:

 

Seeing that I am STUCK inside today due to the blizzard we are being hit with, it was a perfect time to get them all prepped and ready so that I can cross one thing off my never-ending 'to-do' list!

I love to play on words, so I made up some cute tags.  I wasn't sure which size would work best for the plastic eyes, so I tried out 2 and guess what...they BOTH work!

I did a set with a pink border and one with a blue border because I wasn't so sure the boys would be keen on receiving a pink paper!

I wrote my name on the tags... 

and then attached the pointers/rings! 

I tried both taping them and putting dots of glue.  Both work great but the glue took some time to dry, so if you are in a rush, go with tape!

Here they are! 

We have been using these Scholastic Science Readers in class and they are perfect at each level and for a class of differentiated learners!

So I ordered a set (20 books is $20- you get 5 of each level) and will tape the card with pointer/ring to each book and put it into their Valentine bags! 

I actually bought enough of these pointers so that I can send one home and they can use them in class during Valentine's week!

I will let them choose a pointer... 

and then use it for guided reading, independent reading and Readers Workshop that week! 

If you can't find these 'Valentine-colored' eyes, Michaels also has a generic set you can use!

Grab the tags for FREE HERE!

Last year I made scratch-offs for my kids for Valentine's Day to use for a center in class and for part of their gifts:

You can read all about it HERE and grab the cards for FREE too!

Wishing you a 'love'-ly Valentine's Day...and for those stuck inside battling the blizzard...stay warm!

Until next post,

Snowman Soup

Are you planning on giving your students 'Snowman Soup' this holiday season?

I have given this to my students in years past and never 'loved' my topper, but during the last TpT Cyber Sale I found a Snowman Soup clipart set from Scappin' Doodles!

I was so excited to use it to make this topper:

So it was time to get to work!

I got these adorable bags from Michaels yesterday...and they were 50% off!

There are 25 bags in the package...and it came down to less than $1 after my 15% off teacher discount (if you don't already know about it, click the link...simply show teacher ID each time you shop at Michaels and you get 15% off your order!)

I gathered my supplies...

hot chocolate packets, marshmallows, Hershey Kisses and candy canes

Each bag got 1 packet of hot cocoa, 2 large marshmallows, 2 Hershey Kisses and 1 mini candy cane:

I then got the excess air out and zipped them closed.

I am waiting on printer ink (to be delivered tomorrow!) so I could not print my toppers yet, but I will print them, cut, fold over the top and affix with a staple.

I bought these cute mugs from Oriental Trading

 and will put them in the kids gift bags with the Snowman Soup packs!

I put the tags into a FREE and EDITABLE pack in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store:

It will open in Power Point.

You can print the tags 'as is'

or add your name:

You can even add your own text to the back (maybe your recipe is a bit different!)

And as you can see, the tags come in both color and black and white!

You can print the b&w version on colored paper to conserve ink!

I have some other food/snack toppers in my TpT Store too:

If you are searching for more winter and/or snow resources, be sure to visit my store:

and find the 'custom category' on the left sidebar for Winter!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you 'snow' much fun this holiday season!

Until next post,