Earth Day is April 22nd

Earth day is April 22nd, why not send in a treat, craft, or activity for the classroom?

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=earth+day+crafts&view=detail&id=628958E344AAD96567F58CD49A8CC6A9168E85A8&first=31&FORM=IDFRIR



http://www.onecharmingparty.com/

http://heybubbles.blogspot.com/2009/07/1st-birthday-party-report-warning-this.html

More End of Year Themes

The 4th grade is going with a Summer Rocks theme this year, complete with karaoke, individually designed guitars, and a paparazzi obstacle dash.  Some other great ideas I have found include a Superhero party that could be adapted to a Super Summer or Summer is Super party, a carnival game theme--if you do this, you must do the ping pong ball and fish bowl game and give baggies of goldfish crackers as prizes.  They should have the label "You are o"fish"ally a ____ grader! Love it!  And, I really can;t get the Olympic theme out of my head.  There is so much you could do with this theme.  Here are some links with some great ideas using the themes above. 

http://www.marthastewart.com/270078/obstacle-course-birthday-party?czone=holiday/sixty-days-of-summer/party-ideas&center=276964&gallery=275068&slide=177989

http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/2011/03/vintage-comic-super-hero-pop-art-party.html

http://andersruff.blogspot.com/2011/06/beautiful-backyard-carnival.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AndersRuffCustomDesigns+%28Anders+Ruff+Custom+Designs%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

http://modernmomentsdesigns.com/2011/02/26/real-parties-jacksons-rockstar-party-part-2/

This party was one of my favorites!

End of Year Parties!

Believe it or not, it is time to start planning your end of year party!  Will the party be inside or outside?  Did you reserve some space? What is your theme?  Are you going to "Dive Into Summer", have an "IHM Olympics", use a" ___ grade is a jungle", a Carnival, "Race into ___ Grade? Here are some ideas, along with pictures of parties of the past, to help you in your planning.

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7-11th, Teacher Appreciation Day is May 8th

These are just a few of the Teacher Appreciation ideas that I found online.  These gifts are inexpensive and simple, but the labels make them special. "Thanks a Latte" label on a Starbucks gift card, Thanks for your involve"mint", or commit"mint", or invest"mint", or for creating a great learning environ"mint", etc on packages of mints, and the list could go on and on and on!  Don't forget to thank the people that spend their days educating our kids during this special week!  

 You can find these gifts and more at the following sites:

http://powellfamtx.blogspot.com/2011/04/teacher-appreciation-ideas.html

http://www.nothingbutcountry.com/category/holidays-occasions/teacher-appreciation/



Easter Crafts for the Classroom

Think about sending in a fun craft to go with your treats, here are just  a few ideas.

Paper plate bunny instructions: http://luckymecraftsandkids.blogspot.com/2009/04/paper-plate-easter-bunnies.html

Paper plate egg opening to show bunny instructions: http://www.activitiesonaplate.co.uk/gallery/list?category=Workshop+Gallery

Painted Easter egg card craft instructions:  http://littlewondersdays.blogspot.com/2011/03/shaving-cream-painted-easter-egg-cards.html

Egg with clothespin opening instructions (this is done with wood, but you could definitely substitute card-stock weight paper and let the kids decorate the egg with markers, crayons, and stickers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/molasecompanhia/2199522132/in/photostream/

Miscellaneous paper Easter crafts: http://easter.tipjunkie.com/simple-easter-paper-crafts-for-kids/

Easter Goodies for the Classroom

Since Easter week follows spring break and I have my teacher and classroom St. Patrick's day treats finished, I thought I would get a head start on Easter treats and projects for the classroom. I'm definitely sending in the peeps in baggies, I already printed my free labels!  I think I am only including 2 peeps in each bag and I am going to dip them in chocolate & sprinkles.  I know the Goldfish are a healthier alternative, but I can't resist the marshmalllowy peepy cuteness!

Instructions and free printables for the peeps in baggies:  http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/04/looking-back-easter-projects.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Eighteen25+%28eighteen25%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Recipe for bunny bait:  http://www.singforyoursupperblog.com/2011/04/23/bunny-bait/

Instructions for chocolate dipped peeps (and some other cute stuff!):  http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/chocolate-covered-peep-bouquet-and-peep-smores/

Instructions for bunny made of donuts:  http://jeanscraftycorner.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-basket-case-blog-hop-day-2-bunny.html

Instructions for Goldfish carrots: http://www.loraleelewis.com/blog/