Materials

• Light coloured plant pots (we got ours inexpensively at Ikea)
• Paint for ceramics/glass (purchased at a craft store)
• Paint pen (for ceramics/glass)
• Print out of the gift tag Thanks for Helping me Grow! ThanksHelpingGrow
• Thin dowel/ bamboo BBQ skewer
• Smock
• Craft tray
• Paint brushes
• Scissors
• Tape
• Potted plant
• Pencil
• Print out of the Practice sheet flower-pot-face-practice-sheets

Directions

• Be sure to don your smock and use your craft tray for painting and drying.

• To add some contrast we painted two areas of a clean flower pot with brightly coloured paint.  Follow the directions on the product that you chose and allow it to dry for the specified amount of time.

• Print out the Flower Pot Practice Sheet and design your character for your pot.  One key thing to remember is to draw the face as an open letter U.

• Draw your face carefully using the paint pen (we found the best method was to draw it in the middle of the two painted areas with some overlap, but be creative!) and allow it to dry according to the directions on the product.

• Put your potted plant (the hair of your character) into the pot, print out the gift tag, cut it, add your name out and tape it to the dowel/skewer.  Stick this into the plant.  (You could also punch a hole in the gift tag and tie it to the pot with a ribbon).

• Give to your special teacher.

Purpose

• Thinking of others, using different materials and mediums to paint with/on, fine motor skills, a reason for writing.

Safety Notes

• Be sure to follow the product directions.

This bag would also be perfect for kids to use to go to the library in the summer.  Many public libraries have Summer Reading programs and classes for families to take advantage of.

Materials

• “Blank” canvas bag (you can purchase this at craft stores)
• Fabric paint
• Elastics (we used thick ones)
• Small rectangle of cardboard,  scrap of wood or box
• Large piece of cardboard to go inside of your bag
• Cotton swabs or paint brush
• Scissors
• Craft tray
• Shallow tray
• Smock
• Fabric pen
• Printout of: “A Book Bag for You!” gift tag BookBag

Directions

• Don a smock (especially as you don’t want to get fabric paint on your clothes!)

• Cut a large piece of cardboard to go into your bag (so the paint won’t seep through to the other side) and insert it.

• Wrap your elastics around your wood or cardboard block.  We re-used a mini tool box.

• Pour your fabric paint into a shallow tray & dip your elastic block into the paint and apply it to your bag.

• OR if you want your “book spines” to be different colours, paint the colours onto your elastics with a brush (we just squeezed it on from the tube and used cotton swabs and found them quite helpful for distributing the paint and removing the paint in between the elastics) before applying them.

• Allow to dry overnight.

• Do the same with the other side the following day, should you like.

• In the inside hem of the bag, write your name and the date.

• Fill the bag with books or tuck in a gift certificate to a book store.

• Attach the provided gift tag.

Purpose

• Thinking of others, exploring printmaking techniques.

Safety Notes

• Be sure to wear a smock when you use fabric paint.
• It is always a good idea when using elastics to clarify what the purpose of them is (so as to avoid actions such as shooting them!)
• Use scissors with supervision and be careful when cutting cardboard as it can be tricky and may require some help!

Materials

• Blank canvas bag (you can purchase these at craft stores)
• Bubble wrap (re-use it from packaging or purchase at a post office)
• Various colours of blue fabric paint
• Two craft trays (you can use one to apply the paint or use a large tile as we did)
• Brayer or paint brush
• Large piece of cardboard (the size of the bag)
• Scissors
• Fabric pen
• Smock
• Printout of the gift tag “A Beach Bag for You!” BeachBag

Directions

• Don a smock (especially as you don’t want to get fabric paint on your clothes!)

• Cut a large piece of cardboard to go into your bag (so the paint won’t seep through to the other side) and insert it.

• Cut your bubble wrap into wave shapes or for younger children long, thick strips.

• Pour one colour of your fabric paint into a shallow tray.

• We used a brayer (rolling it over the paint several times in the tray to get a thin, even coat) to apply the paint to the bubble wrap or you could brush it on or simply dip the bubble wrap in.

Apply your bubble wrap to the bag carefully and slowly (as you will have to flip it over and may require assistance with this).  

• Allow  your first set of waves to dry overnight.

• Repeat the process with additional colours of blue, overlapping your waves.

• Or if you don’t mind some mixing, apply the second set consecutively.

• Create waves on the other side of the bag, should you like, using the same idea. (Once the front side is completely dry.)

• In the inside hem of the bag, write your name and the date.

• Fill the bag with a set of nice shampoo and conditioner, body wash etc., a towel or things you think your teacher may enjoy on the beach- magazines, snacks, drinks etc.

• Attach the provided gift tag.

Purpose

• Thinking of others, exploring printmaking techniques.

Safety Notes

• Be sure to wear a smock when you use fabric paint.
• As with all plastic wrapping materials, keep out of reach from children 0-3 and use with supervision.

Materials

• Felt (large sheet for the background, various colours for the stem, flower pot)
• Fabric scissors
• Fabric glue
• Craft foam
• Scissors
• Dowel (purchase at a craft or hardware store- where they will often cut it for you if you)
• Round wooden ends (with a hole or you could use beads, purchased at a craft or hardware store)
• Wood glue
• Ribbon
• Pencil
• Paint
• Buttons
• Cardstock
• Paint scrapers or something like an old fork or piece of sponge to create texture
• Sewing machine/thread (optional)
• Book:  Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden by Edith Pattou, illustrated by Tricia Tusa
• Print out of gift tag ThanksHelpingGrow

Directions

• Have your child put on a smock.  Place cardstock on a tray and put a blob of paint in the centre.  Have them move the paint around on the page, using paint scrappers or any other tools that might create texture (e.g., an old fork, a sponge or simply finger painting!)  You could do a few colours if you want different flower centres.  Allow this to dry overnight.  Once it is dry have them cut out a flower shape or several if you plan on making more than one flower.

• Trace your child’s hand on various colours of craft foam & have them cut them out.  This will form your petals.

• Have your child cut out a flower pot out of felt, as well as a rim for the pot and a stem (or several) and some leaves.  If your child is not yet ready for using fabric scissors which can be quite sharp, have them cut it out of paper and then pin it to the felt so you can cut out their image.

• Place your items together (don’t glue them down yet!) on your large piece of felt so you know how big to make it.  Cut your large felt to size.  Fold over the top of the felt and either sew it or glue it with fabric glue to create a channel for your dowel.   While we were sewing this part we sewed a bit of a trim line around the edge of the banner and the felt pieces, just to add a bit of interest.

• If you would like to make a pocket for the back of your banner, glue a rectangle big enough to fit your edition of the book.

• On the front of the banner glue down your stem and leaves and then cover the bottom with your flower pot.  To make your flowers, glue down the foam handprints in a circular fashion, with the textured paint flower centres on top (where you would imagine the wrists to be) and then add a few buttons on top.

• Carefully slide the dowel through the channel of the top of the banner that you created (you may have to have an adult cut it to size to be a bit wider than the felt, leaving room for the ribbon hanger as well) and attach the round wooden ends with a bit of wood glue.  Cut a long length of ribbon and glue it around the ends of the dowel as seen to create something to hand the banner from.

• Have your child write their name and the date inside of the book Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden and a personal message for their teacher if they are able to.  (Things they liked doing in their class, what they liked about their teaching style, special memories etc.)

Purpose

• Thinking of others, fine motor skills, experimenting with various painting techniques

Safety Notes

• Be sure to use non-toxic paint
• Use scissors and fabric glue with supervision
• Cover surfaces and clothes when working with fabric glue and paint.
• Have an adult use the sewing machine or directly supervise you (based on your age and abilities).

This activity was featured on The Crafty Crow.  With summer approaching (or already here for some), find all sorts of fun there!

 http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/06/childrens-art-magnets.html

Materials

• Artwork (we created ours by using a watercolour wash over pastels, currently a favourite)
• Circle punch or a milk jug cap/pencil/scissors
• Glue gun
• Circular magnets (can be purchased at dollar or craft stores)
• Embroidery floss or twine
• Scissors
• Modge Podge (optional- just adds a shiny, polished finish)
• Paint brush
• Craft tray
• Smock
• Jewellery or similar type box

Directions

• Be sure that your child is okay with re-purposing a piece of their work or create something specifically for this activity.  We used diluted liquid watercolour over pastels.

• Cover the artwork with a thin layer of Modge Podge if you would like to have your magnets have a glossy finish to them.  Be sure to wash out your brush throughly when done and allow the work to dry overnight.

• Punch out circles or flip the work over and trace around a milk jug lid (on the back) to make circles to cut out.

• We experimented with a variety of techniques to make flowers on the magnets.  We put a circle on flat and then topped it with a circle that we cut from the edge to the centre (a radial cut) and then tucked one side over the other (see photograph), holding it together with a little dab of glue.  We also experimented with making four radial cuts and folding the paper or snipping cuts from the edge to the centre all the way around.  Be creative with this step and “make it your own”!

• We then took embroidery floss and wrapped it around our pointer and middle fingers and then tied it in the centre, creating a little bundle. Finish it by trimming the ends and gluing it to the centre of the flowers.

• Re-use a jewellery box by placing your magnets inside.

Purpose

• Developing fine motor skills, re-purposing items.

Safety Notes

• Magnets are choking hazards and are particularly dangerous if several are ingested.  Be cautious of this and seek medical attention should consumption occur.
• A glue gun is recommended for adult use.
• Follow the directions on products such as Modge Podge, using them in a well-ventilated area.
• Use scissors with care and adult supervision.

Materials

• Blank canvas bag (you can purchase these at craft stores)
• Painter’s tape
• Brown fabric paint
• Green fabric paint
• Red fabric paint (optional)
• Craft trays
• Sponge or sponge brush
• Large piece of cardboard (the size of the bag)
• Scissors
• Fabric pen
• Smock
• Printout of the Gift Tag “A Market Bag for You!” MarketBag

Directions

• Don a smock (especially as you don’t want to get fabric paint on your clothes!)

• Cut a large piece of cardboard to go into your bag (so the paint won’t seep through to the other side) and insert it.

• Tape lines onto your bag as shown with the painter’s tape to make sharp lines to form tree trunks (we loosely made ours to kind of play on the idea of a bar code turned into trees.)

• Pour your brown fabric paint into a shallow tray.

• Dip your sponge or sponge brush into the paint and apply in between the lines of the tape.  One tip that seems to prevent seepage under the tape is to move in a directly up and down fashion, rather than brushing back and forth.

• Allow to dry overnight.

• Carefully remove the tape.

• Dip your hand into the green paint to make the foliage portion of the tree.  Apply it carefully to the tops of the trunks.  Allow to dry overnight.  Should you like, add red fingerprint apples.

• Do the same with the other side the following day, should you like.

• In the inside hem of the bag, write your name and the date.

• Fill the bag with fresh Farmer’s marker produce, a recipe book or a gift card to a cooking store or grocery store and attach the provided gift tag.

Purpose

• Thinking of others, exploring various painting techniques

Safety Notes

• Be sure to wear a smock when you use fabric paint.
• Select a brand of paint that is non-toxic.

BE THE FIRST PERSON TO TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE AND WE WILL SEND YOU A COPY OF ONE OF OURS:

Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden (paperback)!

Half a World Away 

Written by:  Libby Gleeson, Illustrated by: Freya Blackwood

• This book has gentle, playful illustrations and is about two next door neighbour children who are playmates.  When they are separated upon one of them moving, this is how they stay in touch with each other in their own way.

A Grand Old Tree

Written and Illustrated by: Mary Newell DePalma

• This is a book about a tree and all that is does- being home to various creatures, providing fruit etc. Time passes and the tree grows old and dies, but in a sense she lives on as her seeds spread and her “children trees” grow.  Much like the experience of the year together ends, a teacher hopes that her or his students take a small piece of that experience with them.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go

By: Dr. Seuss

• A classic tale for the end of the year that has remained so, as its message is quite relevant for someone about to undertake a journey.  I particularly liked reading this to my students who were moving onto Middle School the following year.  It discusses how life will be filled with both celebrations and challenges- it is all in how you approach them.

Materials

• The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
• Template Important_Thing
• Pencils/ Erasers
• Scissors
• Jar

Directions

• Read The Important Book to your class.  This will help them understand how to distill information.

• Print up the template- we included two variations.  Cut them out or have each student write several.

• Have the children then write up tips for your next year’s class- it may be the routines you have, things you love or a caution about things that might not be your favourite as a teacher!  You may want to discuss specific topics or give examples if your class needs more guidance.  (The important thing about recess is…., The important thing about Mme deMerlis is that when she sneezes… it is never just one but rather twenty! etc.)  The students will inevitability incorporate some of the experiences and the things that they learned and it can be a fun time to reminisce on some of the events that happened throughout the year.  We shared them with each other before we popped them into the jar.

• Store them in a safe spot over the summer and then open the jar and share it on opening week the following year with your next class.  Once they read it, you will be surprised how many ask at the end of the year when it will be their turn!

Purpose

• Summarizing information, passing along information in a written manner

Safety Notes

• Use scissors with supervision.
• Keep the jar in a safe place! (Not safety, but a word of caution!)

Materials

• Letter template Writing_to_yourself_letter
• Pencils & Erasers
• Envelopes
• Book: First Year Letters by Julie Danneberg, Illustrated by Judy Love
• Writing Prompts writing_to_your_future_self

Directions

• Read the book First Year Letters about a beginning teacher who sets up  a class mail system. After the read aloud, discuss:  How does the teacher transform?  How do the children change throughout the story/year?

• Have the students write a letter to themselves in the future (the end of the year).  We included some prompts to get them going, should they need it.

• Tuck them into a safe place (like your folder or bin of end-of-the-year items).  Take them out and re-read the book and have the students open and read their letters.  Some of them may be interested in sharing not only what they wrote, but how they have evolved over time.

• Additional tip:  include this activity in a package that you make for students that arrive throughout the year so that they can be part of the opening at the end.  Be sure as the teacher to write your own letter too!

Purpose

• Recognizing one’s own growth, writing with a specific purpose in mind, using literature as a “jumping off point” to other activities.

Safety Notes

• This is not so much a safety note, but a cautionary one- be sure to put the letters in a safe, easy to find place.  Check out this incredible variation on this activity:http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/20-years-later-sask-teacher-mails-student-penned-letters-1.2592962