2 pages.

"Chews" to have the best year yet, and launch it with this quick and easy treat.

4 pages.

If you're decorating with an owl theme, or just love owls, I think you'll enjoy this classroom management tip.  Being "fair" and getting your turn, is extremely important to young children.  You may think you know that Kelli had a turn, but let's face it we all can't remember everything. By making these, there will be no arguments.  The proof is in the can.  Remind students NOT to play with the cans or take the sticks out.

10 pages.

Packet includes a fish-theme bulletin board and several back-to-school treats and treat bag ideas, with templates for preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade, plus a blank pattern to fill in with whatever.

1-2-3 Come Make A Back To School Bulletin Board With Me!

I like using cute little fish to make a Welcome To Our School bulletin board, as the word "school" has that double meaning.  I designed a back to school fish packet incorporating interesting "fish talk" that I think you'll enjoy, starting with this bulletin board idea:

Here's what to do: Run off the fish printable on a variety of colors of construction paper. You can pre-cut these and write your students’ names on them and have your b. board all done, so children can look for their name, as part of a classroom treasure hunt; or you can allow students to pick their fish, trim it and write their name on it.  It would probably be fun for them to also choose a spot to place it on the bulletin board.

Use blue paper for the background.  If you want to add a bit of dimension, lay blue plastic wrap over the top.  You can buy a pack of small seashells at The Dollar store or Hobby Lobby.  Hot glue a few, so they look scattered, on strips of sandpaper, then staple the “sand” to the bottom of your board.

Twist green crepe paper into “seaweed” and staple to the bottom. Sprinkle on the fish, add some aluminum foil- bubbles and you’re set.  To make the board even more personal, take a group photo on the first day of school, print and cut faces into ovals and glue on top of their fish fin.

I can't take credit for the adorable play-on-words for "o-fish-ally" as I latched on to that, after viewing quite a few ideas on Pinterest. There's everything  from o-fish-ally on summer vacation, o-fish-ally survived 1st, o-fish-ally in school, to an 0-fish-al graduate.  I did come up with "fin-tastic" though, and decided to incorporate these sweet sayings with treat ideas, in a back to school fish packet.

So...if you want to carry the bulletin board theme a bit farther, with a little "welcome" surprise, print off the "Wishing you a cool school year" template on a variety of colors of construction paper.  Using an Exacto knife, cut slits on the lines and insert a liquid Popsicle.   I've also made a matching bookmark, as I tend to be a little "over the top" when it comes to the first day.

If you'd rather not mess with Popsicles, you can use the bookmark as a header for a Snack Baggie filled with Fishy Crackers.  I've also made a fish template as well, that you can run off on construction paper.

Click on the link to view/download the Welcome to our School fish packet.

Thanks for visiting.  As always, feel free to PIN anything you think others might enjoy.  My "Pin it" button is at the top. If you'd like to checkout all the cute educational stuff, that I spend way too much time pinning, simply click my "Follow me" heart to the right.

"Some students drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle." -E.C. McKenzie

23 pages.

Student-generated bulletin boards are a wonderful thing for the first week of school. "Rave on" is also a terrific icebreaker, and interesting way to get to know your students.

1-2-3 Come Rave On With Me!

Are you looking for some quick and easy back to school things?  I love doing activities that can be made into a student-generated bulletin board, which helps check one more thing off my long "to do" list.  If you need help with that too, you'll enjoy my Quoth The Raven packet filled with fun.

I don't know of any teacher who does not cover rules and regulations on the 1st day of school; seems like that takes up the better part of the day and can be a bit boring for the average kiddo.  Why not let your students have a say in the rules?  With a little teacher guidance, you can pretty much steer your students into thinking up everything you'd have put on a list anyway. 

I thought a cool way to do this was with Edgar Allan Poe's "nevermore raven".  If your school mascot is a raven, you'll find this even more appropriate.  Choose one of my "Nevermore" headers and then ask students what they think should NOT happen in their class.  Examples for older students would be texting, put-downs, having cell phones ring, and checking Facebook on their laptops.  Younger children will think of name calling, kicking, biting, spitting, pinching, pushing, hitting etc. 

Jot down things as they come up with them.  Have a discussion of why they think avoiding this kind of behavior will be helpful to the class.  After you have made and voted upon things that need to be on your classes' Nevermore List, type it up, laminate and post it.  Employing student participation, makes children feel important and part of the process.  You may want them to sign the document, as further reinforcement of your class's rule commitment. Red ink anyone?

To expand on the "Nevermore" theme, discuss why it's important to try and do your best and improve throughout the year.  Discuss your students' goals and what they want to accomplish. Afterwards, discuss any behavior that might get in the way of reaching those goals. i.e. missing assignments, not doing homework, not studying, not reading, procrastinating, etc.

Have students reflect on their own personal goals and things they'd like NOT to do anymore. Have them write their thoughts down on the template.  Make a copy of their 1st day photo and have them glue it to their paper to make it extra special.

Another interesting writing prompt for the 1st few days of school is done with word art.

I absolutely LOVE Tagxedo.  It's a FREE, and an extremely easy word-art program.  I have a multitude of ideas of how to use this site that is never ending.  With the help of an adult, even a young 5 or kindergartner can make a word picture.  Since most of us have a computer in the classroom to use as a center, this offers relevant technology time.  I call this writing "craftivity" Quoth the Student Forever More. Run off the raven holding a sign so each of your students has one.

If you'd like to cut and paste your students' photo and type in their name, as I've done on the sample, visit the very creative and generous Tidbits and Trinkets for the raven graphic.  If you like the font I used, it's called Kelly Ann Gothic.  You can find it for free by clicking on the link. Otherwise, simply use my template and have students glue their photo in the frame and write their name. 

Play around with Tagxedo before you demonstrate it to your class.  I suggest making your own sample.  Students always enjoy learning things about their teacher.  For your convenience, I've included my raven silhouette so that you can import it.  I didn't want to make this blog too long, so I've included a Tagxedo "how to" with the packet.  There's also a word art "Nevermore" raven poster.

Have students think of adjectives that describe themselves. These are qualities that are worth "raving" about, and the words that they will type into the "load" section of Tagxedo. 

Explain to students that quoth is an old English way of saying "said." This is why they'll be attaching their raven with the sign to their word art. i.e. Kelli is raving about the wonderful qualities she possesses, that make her special.

I've also designed a hanging tag to help make your bulletin board pop.  Explain to your students that they "earn" one of these when they have given their best effort and completed the activity.  The portrait of Poe is from a real US postage stamp.  I got the free digital clipart tag over at Granny Enchanted.  I stumbled upon her wonderful site late last night and am thrilled to be using some digital clip art now. My wheels are turning of all sorts of things I want to create!

Students print out their word art ravens, attach them to a sheet of black construction paper, along with their photo-name.  Punch a hole somewhere and tie on their tag.  After students share their work, scatter them over a b. board covered with aluminum foil, newsprint, or wrapping paper with a vintage look. I've provided a header that says: "Writing worth raving about." as well as one that says: "Here's something to rave about: ___________'s new students!" Insert your name.

If this is too crafty for you, I've also made a 5-point "rave on" writing extension. Students could also comment or write about Poe's quote that I used in a mini poster, that you can throw up on the bulletin board There are bookmarks to match as well. 

If you have older students, (8th -12th) have them listen to a rendition of The Raven  poem on YouTube.  I've given you a list of 4 of my all-time favorites, complete with spooky sound affects.  I've also included a writing prompt for this activity + 2 awesome raven photographs, that students can also ponder about.

Click on the link to view/download the Quoth The Raven packet.

Thanks for visiting. Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.  My "Pin it" button is at the top.  If you'd like to see the other awesome educational things I while away the hours pinning, click on the "Follow me" heart to the right.

"Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things, which escape those who dream only by night." -Edgar Allan Poe

4 pages.

This is an easy icebreaker for the 1st week of school.

1-2-3 Come Make A Class Family Tree With Me!

Going to school can sometimes cause separation anxiety in young children; this doesn’t just happen to “first timers” who have never been to school.  No matter what the grade, students often miss their families at some point during the day. Sometimes all it takes to comfort a lonely child, is to look at a photograph of their loved ones.

With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to decorate a class family tree, where children could go to catch a glimpse of mom, dad, siblings and even pets.

You can include the instructions and leaf in your summer letter, or open house packet, or you can wait, and allow students a color choice and then send the leaf and note home on their first day of school.

Run off the maple leaf template, on a large variety of colors of construction paper.  Make only 2 of every color, to avoid a mostly pink and purple tree, due to the fact that little girls are very likely to choose only those 2 colors.  By offering weird color choices for leaves, you will get a whimsical and very colorful tree, that won't look out of place when fall is over.

Run off copies of the instruction letter asking parents to please take a picture of their family, including pets. They will also glue the photo to their leaf and cut it out.  Children fill in the blank with their name.  i.e. Kelli's family.

Write in a due date for the leaves, as students will be showing and sharing them with their classmates, and then putting their leaf on your big family tree. A good place to put your tree is on a wall in the hallway.

Use brown bulletin board paper, or butcher block paper to make your tree.  I liked to make my trees flat, but I've also seen teachers make trees by twisting paper, for a 3D effect.  Cut out a large red paper heart and glue the "Our Class Family Tree" sign on it.  You could also diecut letters to spell: "Come and see, our class family tree!"

I hope you and your students enjoy this back to school activity and that it helps alleviate those first-day blues. Click on the link to view/download the Class Family Tree packet.

Thanks for visiting.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.  My "Pin it" button is at the top.  If you'd like to take a look at all of the other wonderful educational items I PIN, simply click on the "Follow me" heart button to the right.

Sign on a high school bulletin board in Dallas: "FREE knowlege every Monday through Friday; bring your own container."

1-2-3 Come Play Some Interesting and Fun Math Games With Me!

Are you looking for some quick and easy ideas to do for the 1st day of school? Then I think you'll enjoy these simple bubble activities.

Start things off, by leaving the "I'm bubbling with excitement that you are in my class." bookmarks, as a cute surprise left on your students' desks.  I found this sweet saying on Pinterest as valentine cards with heart bubbles. Click on the link to check out this creative teacher's original post. 

Adding a small bottle of bubbles is an inexpensive way to help make children feel especially welcome.  (The Dollar Store sells 3 to 6 in a pack.  You can also buy a box of 20 mini wedding bubbles at most craft stores.)

Let students know that they will be allowed to blow bubbles at recess or at the end of the day.  Have them count how many bubbles they blew in 1 breath and then graph the results. (Template included.) What a simple icebreaker sure to get your kiddos excited about being in school.

To incorporate more math, print off the bubble picture cards, laminate and trim. 

I've included cards from 1 to 20.

To help strengthen upper body muscles, students lie on they tummies and sequence the cards in the proper order.  Using opalescent flat-backed glass "marbles" as manipulatives, (they look like "real" bubbles) they make a group/set above the number card to show "how many".  

So things don't get cluttered, use the larger glass "bubbles" for numbers less than 10 and the smaller ones for numbers 11-20. The "marbles" provide hands-on fun, and make counting more interesting. They are an inexpensive manipulative. 

Where did I get this idea? While in Hobby Lobby, I overheard a little girl ask her mom if she could buy a bag of them. 

When her mom asked her why she wanted them, "Kara" replied: "Because they are flat bubbles that won't pop!" I thought, "Wow! What can I make with 'flat bubbles'?" and the rest is history...

I've also included a set of number-word bubbles.  Run the templates off on blue construction paper, laminate & trim. Older students can match the number word bubble, to the picture cards.

For more fun, run off the "bubble wand" on a variety of colors of construction paper, cut out the centers and laminate so they can double as a "magnifying glass" for students to "spy" and cover numbers or whatever.  

For a "get the wiggles" out game, have students use their paper bubble wands, to find hidden bubbles around the room, or use them as an assessment tool for a whole group identification activity.  i.e. you display a bubble card and students raise their wand if they know the answer, providing a quick way to whole group assess comprehension.  Play "Swish."  After the number is correctly identified, have students swish their wand that many times. (Swish left-right-left for a number 3 bubble card.)

Click on the link to view/download the Back To School Bubble Math Activity Packet.

Thanks for visiting.  As always, feel free to PIN away.  If you'd like to see all of he excellent educational things I spend too much time Pinning, simply click on the "Follow Me" heart to the right of the blog.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge.  Knowledge is limited.  Imagination encircles the world." -Einstein

13 pages.

Nice activities for the 1st day of school. The "I'm bubbling with excitement that you are in my class." bookmarks, are a cute surprise left on students' desks.  Add a small bottle of bubbles as a gift, and you've made children feel especially welcome.  Allow children to blow bubbles at recess or take them out at the end of the day.  They can count how many bubbles they blew in 1 breath. Graph the results on the enclosed template.