Father's Day Writing

We focused so much on Mother's Day that I wanted to do something special with my kids for Dad. Father's Day falls at a very busy time of the year but we were able to sneak in this little writing and craft to create a unique gift for dad.
First the students wrote an organized paragraph on the reasons why their dad is the best dad in the world.  At this point in the school year they are banging out paragraphs left and right complete with openings, closings, and details. I'm amazed at how quickly they are able to organize their thoughts.  I copied lined paper onto a green piece of cardstock for their final copies. Once they wrote their final piece, they turned it over and drew puzzle pieces on the back. I did make a rule that the puzzles couldn't be more than 10 pieces. I had a little one think it would be fun for dad to assemble teeny tiny scraps of paper in order to read his story.

To fancy it up because I'm sure that dads really love fancy ;)  we added some ribbon and a little hand written note. 

Ta Da!

Summer Is Almost Here

Summer is just around the corner.  The heat is really starting to get intense and the students are starting to drift each day that we get closer to summer vacation.  I can't blame them. Pools are open, the beach is near, the boardwalk rides are running. It's no wonder their minds are someplace else.  I came up with this little craft, writing piece to keep the students engaged and make our walls pretty for the last few weeks of school.
We brainstormed all the things we love to do in the summer.  We live at the Jersey Shore so summer days are full of fun for these kiddos.  The kids organized their thoughts into a paragraph. The last step was making these handprint crabs.  My students LOVE dipping their hands in paint. Each month I try to do at least one "handprint art." This is the final one for the year.

Here we are "Pinching" our way toward summer vacation!