0 SUMMER COUNTDOWN SURVIVAL KIT + END OF THE YEAR FREEBIE

Well, I don't know about all you alls, but we are officially in the 20s when it comes to the BIG summer countdown (29 to be exact, but doesn't 20s just sound so much better)!!??!!  As much as I am super stoked for this, I felt that big ole spike in blood pressure that always seems to hit when we launch ourselves into the month of May.  

Accepting this personal medical fact, I am trying to get my ducks in a row this year.  With TWO last minute field trips, endless trimester assessments, report cards, rodeo rotations, Open House, parent drop ins, Family Night, the spring music performance, common core planning meetings, and the dreaded exit checklist looming, things are heating up very quickly (I know you all are feeling it too).  So, I decided to create a little pack to help me fill that post Open House period that nearly kills me each and every year.
  

LEARN MORE HERE

This collection is stuffed with more than 140 pages of "teacher calming" goodness.  All the activities have been designed to fill any planning "hole" that you may have.  Best of all, they are low-prep, engaging, and fun for kids!  Many also align to the common core standards (your sweet students will still be reviewing concepts and skills and won't even realize it).  

I tried a few of these activities with my babes just to make sure I was on track. We ran with Home Run Review and the Princess + The Dragon last week.  My kiddos were delighted and I had them eating out of the palm of my hand!  I was able to slip in oodles of math review (despite it being 90 degrees and beautiful right outside our window).  I'd call that a HUGE win for the teacher!!

So, that's what I have for you today.  A crazy (monster big) Survival Pack. However, I just couldn't in good conscious post a mega pack costing y'all a ton of cash this late in the game (heaven knows we have spent enough money by this year).  Therefore, I listed this baby listed for only $10 . . . with 17 different activities . . . this is a smokin' deal.  The best part is that with TPT's BIG Teacher Appreciation Sale coming (Tuesday and Wednesday), it will be reduced even further.  Boom!  How you like them bananas??

Before you go today, I do want to offer up a little freebie!  I blogged about this last year, but I wasn't "out there" much then and had only a handful of followers, so here it is in a neat little package for you . . . 

CLICK HERE to get your hands on Awesome Awards!

Awesome Awards are so much fun for the kids . . . it makes for such a heart-warming activity.  We really do it up too.  The keep-it-a-secret huts go up and we finish the designs off with a little GLITTER.  

My kids present these to one another at the End of the Year Family Party, but this could be done in class as well.  Click under the pic to snag a copy of the directions + award template.  

Alright, my friends I am off to be a wife for a bit :)  The hubs has been so accepting of my "computer time" this weekend.  Have a very Merry Sunday and I'll chat with you soon.  

Detail: SUMMER COUNTDOWN SURVIVAL KIT + END OF THE YEAR FREEBIE

0 MOMMIES + END OF THE YEAR CRAFT FREEBIE

First and foremost today, I want to give a shout out to all you mommies out there.  You just gotta know that you are more than special to all of your little babes :)  My sweet mom is one in a million.  She's strong, smart, giving, passionate, and loving.  She's the whole package I tell ya.  One of these days my luck will change and the hubs and I will be blessed with a little sweetie of our own.  I can only hope that I can be even half the mother mine is to me. And, I am going to call it right now, just to let the record show . . . this woman is going to absolutely KILL the roll of grandma :)

Some things never change . . . I love you to the moon and back, mom!

Speaking of sweet mommies, I had some bloggers ask me to explain the Mother's Day Drop-In event that I hosted on Friday.  So, here's my attempt to do just that.  With the week being as crazy as it was, I opted to simplify every thing this year.  My goal was to offer up an outlet for moms to spend some time with their babes in the classroom setting.  We didn't have a performance and we didn't host a big party . . . it was simply a "come when you can" event.  I also have a few students with really big "mommy issues" this year.  It absolutely crushes one of my babes when the mom subject even comes up.  This also played into these low-key plans.

How did this roll, you ask?  Well, I sent a note home the week before outlining Friday's schedule (it was a crazy one with all the rodeo events).  It outlined the day and let moms know what we were offering up (I included a copy of it below).  I had a rough estimate of how many moms were coming and I used that to set up a Mommy Refreshment Station.  I wish I had a photo of it . . . the day just got away from me and I spaced snappin' one.  It had flowers, cookies, lemonade, mini waters, and a fun little sign.  Students served their moms . . . it was cute.  

I am going to switch gears on you a bit now . . . it's time for End of the Year talk.  On that note, I have a little freebie for you today.  I made this ditty last year and it is hiding in my TPT Shop.  Once Open House hits and the crazy themed artwork, writes, and other projects are sent home (I get sick of looking at this stuff rather quickly and I make it go away that very next week), my walls always seem to look so lonely.  SO, I came up with Memory Makers.  This fun little craft looks great up on the wall and the kids seem to really enjoy it.  

CLICK HERE to get the craftivity!

I will be running with this in a few weeks . . . just gotta make it through our big Africa theme first.  BLARG!  Open House it May 23rd for us and we still have so much more to cover.  Oh, I almost forgot (I got all worked up when I uttered those words . . . Open House).  I have a corresponding write and a ready- made bulletin board sign to go with this project.  Snag these templates down below.

CLICK HERE to get the writing portion of this ditty.

Alright, I am out of here.  Going to plan for next week, call my mommy, and get my bum to the grocery store . . . I refuse to have PB& J for dinner again! If you have any additional questions about the Mommy Drop-In, please do not hesitate to ask.  Thanks for visiting and Merry Sunday to you :) 

  

Detail: MOMMIES + END OF THE YEAR CRAFT FREEBIE

0 END OF THE YEAR VIDEO IDEAS + FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES

I have spent most of my evenings and post physical therapy days planted in front of my electronic box.  An endless stream of iced tea, coffee, sick beats, and tissues got me through the creation of my end of the year video.  It is my best one yet . . . the music is perfect, the transitions are flawless, and the images would warm even the coldest of hearts.  #mymasterpiece

How many of y'all make one of these?  Yes, it can take hours (if you are a psycho like me) . . . but I think it is SO worth the time.  I always have it running in the background at Open House.  I also give a copy to parents as a "thanks for sharing your kiddo with me" gift.  

With this said, do you still have a few weeks left of school?  Well . . . I swear that you still have time to slap one of these together.  Or, maybe you are in the middle of one and need a little extra motivation (I hit a slump earlier this week and had to walk away for a bit)!!??!!  Here are a couple of production ideas, a copy of my permission slip, and some follow up ditties to jump start or keep ya rollin' with an Oscar worthy production! 

If you are a teacher like me, you always have your camera in your pocket ready to catch all of your classic classroom moments.  The kids even know to remind me to get it out when something cool is going on . . . yes, I have trained them well ;)  Well, if you have been doing this all year, there's half your battle.  Once you have the inventory, you are ready to piece something together.  

Before I start making my movie, I send out a permission slip to make sure I am in the clear.  I have posted my version down below for you to take a look-see it. Feel free to swipe any verbiage that works for you!!!

Didn't The Moffatt Girls, Cara Carroll, and Kevin + Amanda make me look good??!
I couldn't pull of such a sweet look without your creative support :)

I have a MAC and have fallen in love with iMovie.  It's so easy to use.  I figured it out in no time and it's pretty idiot proof (okay . . . so I managed to booger a few things up this year, but they were easy fixes).  Simply create a new project, select a set theme (I like photo album) and drag your photos into the build screen.  You can adjust the time devoted to each clip and add movement to your photos.  I am all about timing this perfectly to the music.  

Speaking of music.  I have used lots of different songs throughout the years.  I have my go to ditties, but I also like to switch things up a bit as I always tend to have siblings.  My motto is to hit 'em with upbeat feel-good "tunage" right up front . . . slow it down . . . pick it back up . . . and then, kill it at the end with a song that tugs on those heartstrings.  Ironically, it ain't just the parents who tear up.  I ALWAYS cry.  I watch the thing a zillion times to try and placate myself, but it never seems to work in the moment.  

Here's my stellar line up this year . . . click the links to preview the tunes!

1. You've Got A Friend in Me - Randy Newman (my go to)
2. You Are My Sunshine - Ray Charles (best version ever)
3. In My Life - The Beatles (classic)
4. Rainbow Connection - Weezer + Hayley Williams (mind-blowing)
5. Bright Side of the Road - Van Morrison (always a smile getter)
6. Never Grow Up - Alyssa Golden (killer . . . better than Taylor's IMO)

In previous movies, I have used Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head (Burt Bacharach), Monsters Inc. Intro (Randy Newman), Over the Rainbow (IZ), Three Little Birds (Bob Marley), We Belong Together (Randy Newman), You Are My Sunshine (Victor Johnson), Fun. Fun. Fun. (Pharrell), and Perfect Gift (Natalie Hemby).  

Our Open House is a week from today so I am sittin' pretty.  Now all I have to do is make myself one DVD copy.  I don't gift the parent copies until that last week . . . it's too crazy to get this done right now!!!  And you can milk an activity out of it too (more on that soon).

I always host a student screening the afternoon of Open House.  It's perfect for that time when you've finished every thing you're gonna finish, but it's still too early to clean the room and set up the desks.  We pop corn and have a private "screening" right after lunch.  Two years ago my kinders started screaming everyone's name when they flashed on the screen.  I laughed my bum off.  Last year I had to leave the room twice during that initial showing to get it together. I wonder what this year will bring . . . .   

After the kids leave and I'm all dolled up for the night, I attach a silly little sign to the bottom of my TV as a final touch.  It's up for grabs down below.  Don't mind me.  I think I am funny and it's all about "sellin' that sizzle" . . . yes, I was in PR/marketing before becoming a teacher.  However, the video truly speaks for itself.  For those of you who create one, are you with me??  A movie about those babes that you poured your heart and soul into for the past 180 days will move mountains.  **Confession time . . . I am getting all misty-eyed as I'm writing this post.  #imintroublethisyear

CLICK HERE to grab this sign
Thank you Goodness + Fun and Ashley Hughes!

Before I go and be a wife tonight and whip something up for dinner, I have one more thing for you.  Remember how I said that you could leverage this video into another classroom activity??  Well, who better to create the DVD cover than your babes??!!  And what better time to do it than the last week of school??  They always seem to love this and the buy-in is immediate.  Simply cut cruddy copy paper to the size of the DVD holder that you are using.  We brainstorm and vote on a title (First Grade is Fabulous, First Grade Memories, First Grade Friends, etc.).  Then I let them go . . . they really take their time on this.  Slate a good 30 minutes for this.  Don't know why, but my babes always take such pride in this one.  

Alright, my friends.  I am out.  Merry {almost} Friday . . . we can do this!  I'll see you this weekend soon with a little somethin' - somethin'.  Until then, BIG HUGS! Oh, and if you have any tips to share about movies you've made, I'd love to hear them!!! 

Detail: END OF THE YEAR VIDEO IDEAS + FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES

0 MEMORY MAKERS - END OF THE YEAR FREEBIE

Ok . . . ok . . . so I didn't get my office cleaned, but I did finish Book 3 of the Hunger Games!  I wish I could start 'em all over again.  However, I am glad to be back to bloggin' and life in general! 

Thank you Scrappin' Doodles for the cute camera!
License # TPT52127

I managed to come up with a craftivity that I am going to use once Open House is out of the way.  We will still have two weeks left and I want to keep the walls as full as possible (with new stuff) until the very last minute.  This craftivity is called MEMORY MAKERS and the kids get to "capture" their favorite first grade memories.  You can pick this up for FREE in my TPT store.

CLICK HERE TO "CAPTURE" YOUR FREE COPY!

I also think I am going to turn this into a writing assignment when I eventually get to it.  I am going have my kiddos complete the writing template below using the cloze, "My favorite first grade memory is ..." (I left this cloze off of the template so you all could create a write that fits your specific classroom/grade level needs)!  

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FREE WRITING TEMPLATE!
If you like what you see . . . please consider following me :)

Well . . . Happy Sunday folks.  I pledge to be a better blogger this week.  I am off to mow the lawn (my cardio for the day) and soak in some rays :).

Detail: MEMORY MAKERS - END OF THE YEAR FREEBIE

0 MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST + FLIP FLOP FREEBIE

I am a little late in the game, but I am so excited to join up with Mrs. Cupcake, Hadar, and April's Summer Bucket List Linky Party. (Keep reading . . . there's a fun Summer-Themed FREEBIE down below!) 

Although I have been off on surgery leave for what seems like an eternity and I am just now going back for the last three weeks (fingers crossed . . . I have a message into the doc), summer still excites me as do the projects that come along with it!  So without further ado . . . here's my TOP 5 list!

ONE - WORK IN MY YARD

We moved in December and scored one amazing yard.  In a few short months I have discovered just how much I love to fiddle in the dirt.  I want to fill in the "holes" and keep puttering all summer!

TWO - COOK/BAKE NEW THINGS

I have "pinned" countless recipes and it's time to actually try them.  I need to get out of my meal rotation rut!

Check out my Pin Board!

THREE - WORK ON NEW UNITS

I have so many ideas swimmin' around in my noggin! I can't wait to start working on them.  

FOUR - SCORE OREGON DUCK'S TICKETS

I have it programed in my phone . . . I am NOT missing the ticket sale opening this year.  My honey and I have spaced the opening of ticket sales three years running (duh!).  We either managed to scrounge up really cruddy seats to not so hot games or we missed out on tickets completely.  Not this year I tell you (Court, my teaching bestie . . . are you in?) OOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!  

Never mind that awful Cal sign in the back ... we invaded their territory!
And . . . that is apple juice I am holding ;)

AHHHHH . . . Autzen . . . how I love you!

FIVE - PREP THE "LITTLE THINGS"

I want to make next year as easy as possible (haha . . . I've said that before). But, I think if I work a bit this summer on prepping the little things that really eat up valuable time during the school year it will make a HUGE difference.  I definitely want to make up these cool new student packs and get all of my birthday gifts/certs prepared!  

     

Well . . . that's my list.  I'll give you an update on how I am doing with it later this summer.  

Before I get to the FREEBIE, I want to give a HUGE shout out to Susan over at T.G.I.F (Thank God It's First).  I was her big winner yesterday and I scored her awesome Addition with 3 Addends Packet.  I am so excited to use this.  Thanks again Susan :)  YOU ROCK!

CLICK HERE to find Susan's sweet packet on TPT!

Finally this afternoon . . . a little FLIP FLOP Summer Fun Center Game.  The best part is that it's FREE.  This game is played in a small group and the directions are outlined below.  

1. Make one set of game cards per center group and place them face down on the table (I always divide my bigger groups up and run two games).  
2. Students take turns drawing and reading the wave cards.  To "capture" the card they must be able to tell the group its part of speech.  
3. Play continues until all of the cards have been captured or the center rotation ends.  
4. To add a little more zing to the game, six flip flop cards have been added to the deck.  If one of these cards is selected, the student gets to "flip flop" or trade cards with anyone else at the table.  
5. A follow up worksheet is included!

CLICK HERE TO GET A COPY OF THE FLIP FLOP FREEBIE!
Thank you to KPM Doodles and Goodness & Fun for the graphics support :)

What's up with me and writing daily dissertations on this thing??!!  Boy . . . thanks for stickin' with me folks :)

Detail: MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST + FLIP FLOP FREEBIE

0 END OF YEAR POSTCARDS + HOME SCHOOL SCIENCE

I was trying to think ahead a little bit (now that's a scary thought), and I remembered how much fun my kids had with a mail/letter writing thing we did earlier this year.  With this in mind, I thought to myself, why not run with this on vacation-themed level . . . postcard-style??!!

Not only will this go with all the travel activities from my Summer Vacation Packet that I plan on running those last two weeks of school, but I know that my kids will absolutely eat it up.  

Back

Front

CLICK HERE to download your FREEBIE!
I heart you Scrappin' Doodles
License # TPT52127

Here's my plan.  The kids will design and write postcards back and forth for about a week.  I am going to kick off this activity as a center rotation.  The details are outlined below.

1. Copy multiple templates and cut apart.
2. Have your kids draw a numbered popsicle stick to determined which classmate they are writing to - it's non-negotiable!  If you don't run numbers or have "sticks,"  place your students names in a bin and have the draw this way.
3. Students will then address their postcard (I plan on putting the school's address on the board for them to copy) and write their letter.  I am going to make it more a compliment thing (i.e. what I'll miss about you), but do what floats your boat!
4. As students finish up the writing, have them flip it over and design the front of their card.  I will be breaking out my doodle and directed draw books as well as my colored pencils and sharp crayons.  
5. When finished students will place their postcards in our mailbox and put the "flag" up (I have a cool real one in my classroom that I will break back out . . . it just adds that extra sizzle).  If you don't have a mailbox, just designate a fancy box or bin as your holder!
6. At the end of the day the VIP will serve as mailman and pass out the postcards.  Anyone who wants to share can do so :)

I may keep this activity as a center or I may move it to more of an "I'm Done" activity.  It will depend on my kiddo's end of year attention span (if you know what I mean).  

**NOTE - if you run this as an "I'm Done" activity, make sure you have a system to ensure everyone will get an equal amount of cards by the time the week ends (i.e. they may not get one every day, but if they didn't get one today . . . they will get one tomorrow).  

If you like the flavor of this activity and are runnin' with a summer theme during your last few weeks.  You may want to check out my Summer Vacation End Of the Year Packet on TPT.

Also, I just have to ask . . . did you all see the awesome eclipse yesterday?  It was like home school science in my front yard yesterday evening.  My hubs was so excited - he loves this kind of stuff.  The circles that it created on our house were so dreamy.  I am glad I was able to catch it :)  

On a related note, I wanted to remind you all about an awesome giveaway happening over at Mrs. Stanford's Class.  It's a great one and you just don't want to miss out.  Click on the button below to magically connect to Jessica's contest ;)

Well, I need to scoot.  I gotta finish up my Open House movie.  I have been picking songs, croppin' photos, and adding the last minute touches all day.  Oh yeah . . . and I've been shedding lots of happy tears along the way.  I just love my babies and when you start gettin' my favorite songs involved it's sob city for this emo gal ;).  See you tomorrow friends.

Detail: END OF YEAR POSTCARDS + HOME SCHOOL SCIENCE

0 END OF THE YEAR ACTIVITIES + FREEBIE

I hope you all had a delightful weekend.  Mine was pretty good.  I helped my main squeeze get a new pair of glasses and he looks so stinkin' cute (he would die if he knew I was writing this).  As a thank you for watching him try on hundreds of frames, he took me out to a fancy dinner.  It was such fun to have a date night and I loved every minute with him, but I keep forgetting that my guts just don't work like they used to.  I won't go into details, but let's just say that I made some dippy food choices and the new colon the doc gave me went on strike.  It was a rough go, but I managed to bounce back and finish up my latest project late last night.  

Scrappin' Doodles always makes me look good :)

Well . . . there it is . . . my Summer Vacation: End of the Year Pack.  Just in time for the real COUNTDOWN to the end of school, this packet contains a collection of activities with a summer vacation theme.  I mainly made this sweet little packet because I wanted some really fun stuff to do with my kids upon my return (we are not going to tell the doc about my rough weekend with the hope that he will release me back to work in two weeks). I figured that I might as well put all my ideas in a nice package and offer it up to you all as well.  In addition to math, reading, writing, and geography activities, this ditty also contains two travel themed craftivities.  Check these out . . . and the freebie down at the bottom!!

Here is a vacation themed writing activity.  It's called Packin' Up.  The directions and student worksheet are up for grabs for FREE.  Just click on the link :)

CLICK ME TO DOWNLOAD

Graphics and fonts by Scrappin' Doodles & Fonts for Peas
License # TPT52127

Don't forget you can get your hands on this fun summer themed packet and many other units in my TPT store for 20% off!  This I Heart Teachers Sale runs through Tuesday night.  Have a great Monday gang!

Detail: END OF THE YEAR ACTIVITIES + FREEBIE