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a creative idea book for the elementary teacher written and illustrated by Karen Sevaly poems by Margaret Bolz Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

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Page 1: a creative idea book for the elementary teacher · 8 Let’s Make It! Children are especially responsive to the various holidays and themes associated with the four seasons. With

a creative idea bookfor the

elementary teacher

written and illustratedby

Karen Sevaly

poems byMargaret Bolz

Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

Page 2: a creative idea book for the elementary teacher · 8 Let’s Make It! Children are especially responsive to the various holidays and themes associated with the four seasons. With

Reproduction of these materials for commercial resale ordistribution to an entire school or school district is strictlyprohibited. Pages may be duplicated for one individualclassroom set only. Material may not be reproduced forother purposes without the prior written permission of thepublisher.

Copyright © 1990, 2001Teacher’s Friend, a Scholastic Company.

All rights reserved.Printed in China.

ISBN 0-439-49962-3

Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

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Table of Contents

LET’S MAKE IT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Who Uses This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8What You’ll Find In This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8How To Use This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Mobiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Clip Art Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Place Cards or Nametags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Poetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Stand-Up Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Bulletin Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Whatever You Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

SPRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Springtime Activities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Spring Bingo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Spring News! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Springtime Sequence Cards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Spring Bulletin Boards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Hand Pattern! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Kite Pattern! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Dancing Flowers! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Springtime Mobile! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Umbrella Pattern! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Stained Glass Butterflies! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Ladybug and Flower Match! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Flower Power Writing Page! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

MARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

March Writing Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30March Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31March Newsletter! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32March Clip Art! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33March Bulletin Boards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Roaring Lion! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Gentle Lamb! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Hat Booklet! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37March Activities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39March Fun Glasses! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Stand-Up Shamrocks! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Leprechaun Character! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42My Pot of Gold Story! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Mr. Shamrock! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Stand-Up Lion! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46Stand-Up Lamb! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Three Wishes! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

3Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

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APRIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

April Writing Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50April Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51April Newsletter! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52April Clip Art! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53April Bulletin Boards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54Hatching Chick! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55Hatching Stories! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56Swinging Bunny! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57April Activities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58April Fun Glasses! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59Stand-Up Easter Eggs! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60My Bunny Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61Stand-Up Bunny! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62Bunny Mask and Ears! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63Egg Holders! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65April Showers Bring May Flowers Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67April Fool’s Day Activities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69My Favorite April Fool’s Joke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70My Joke Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Arbor Day Activities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72My Tree Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

MAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

May Writing Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76May Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77May Newsletter! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78May Clip Art! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79May Activities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80May Bulletin Boards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81Blooming Flowers! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82Matching Birds and Birdhouses! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83Bird Mobile! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84May Fun Glasses! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87Stand-Up Flowers! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88Mother’s Day Activities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89Woven Hearts! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90Stand-Up Mom! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Make Mom Happy Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Mother’s Day Coupon Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96Mother Writing Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

SPRINGTIME SPORT: SOCCER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Soccer Activities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102Soccer Bingo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103Kick For The Goal Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Soccer Character! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106Creative Writing Soccer Balls! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107Soccer Bulletin Boards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109Soccer Ball Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

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This book is dedicatedto teachers and children

everywhere!

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Notes:

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LLLLeeeetttt’’’’ssssMMMMaaaakkkkeeee

IIIItttt!!!!

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Let’s Make It!Children are especially responsive to the various holidays and themes associated with the fourseasons. With this in mind, Teacher’s Friend has published the “Spring” Idea Book to assist teachers in motivating students.

WHO USES THIS BOOK:Preschool and elementary teachers along with scoutleaders, Sunday school teachers and parents all lovethe monthly and seasonal idea books. Each idea orcraft can easily be adapted to fit a wide range ofabilities and grade levels. Kindergartners can color andcut out the simple, bold patterns while older studentslove expanding these same patterns to a more complexformat. Most of the ideas and activities are open-ended.Teachers may add their own curriculum appropriate forthe grade level they teach. Young children may practicenumber, color or letter recognition while older studentsmay like to drill multiplication facts or matchhomophones.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS BOOK:Teachers and parents will find a variety of crafts, activities,bulletin board ideas and patterns that complement themonthly holidays and seasonal themes. Children will bedelighted with the booklet cover, bingo cards, nametags,mobiles, place cards, writing pages and game boards.There is also a special section devoted to the sport of theseason!

HOW TO USETHIS BOOK:Every page of thisbook may beduplicated for individual classroom use. Some pagesare meant to be used as duplicating masters orstudent worksheets. Most of the crafts and patternsmay be copied onto construction paper or printed onindex paper. Children can then make the crafts bycoloring them using crayons or colored markers andcutting them out. Many of the pages can be enlargedwith an overhead or opaque projector. The patternscan then be used for door displays, bulletin boards ormurals.

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Making mobiles is especially fun for all ages. Teachers may like to simplify mobile construc-tion for young children by using one of these ideas.

DRINKING STRAW MOBILE Thread a piece of yarn through a plastic drinking strawand tie a mobile pattern to each end. Flatten a paper clipand bend it around the center of the straw for hanging.The mobile can easily be balanced by adjusting the yarn.(Older students can make their mobiles the same way butmay wish to add additional levels by hanging othermobiles directly below the first.)

CLOTHES HANGERMOBILEMobiles can easily bemade with a wire clotheshanger, as shown.Just tie each patternpiece to the hangerwith thread, yarn orkite string.

YARN MOBILE Gluing the pattern pieces to a lengthof yarn makes the most simplemobile, each piece spaced directlybeneath the other. Tie a bow at thetop and hang in a window or fromthe ceiling.

CLIP ART PAGES:The illustrations on these pages may be used in classroom bulletins,newsletters, notes home or just to decorate your own worksheets. Copythe clip art pages, cut out the illustrations you want, and paste them toyour original before printing. The drawings may be enlarged or reducedon a copy machine. You are also free to enlarge the illustrations for otheruses, such as bulletin boards, calendar decorations, booklet covers andawards.

PLACE CARDS OR NAMETAGS:If possible, laminate the finished nametags or place cards after you havecopied them onto colored index paper. Use a dry transfer marker ordark crayon to write each name on the laminated surface. After the spe-cial day, simply wipe off the names with a tissue for use at another time.

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POETRY:Children love simple, clever poetry. Use the poems in this book to inspire your students.You may want to have the students rewrite the poems for a timely record of their advancinghandwriting skills.

Each morning, copy one or two lines, or an entire poem, on the class board. Ask the chil-dren to copy it in their best handwriting. Instruct them to write the date at the top of thepage. Collect the poem pages and organize them chronologically in individual folders. This isa great way to show parents how their child’s handwriting has improved throughout the year.

STAND-UP CHARACTERS:All of the stand-up characters in this bookcan easily be made from construction orindex paper. Children can add the color andcut them out. The characters can be used astable decorations, name cards or used in apuppet show. Several characters can also bejoined at the hands, as shown. Thecharacters can also be enlarged on posterboard for a bulletin board display or reducedin size for use in a diorama or as fingerpuppets.

BULLETIN BOARDS:Creating clever bulletin boards can be a fun experience for you and your students. Many ofthe bulletin board ideas in this book contain patterns that the students can make themselves.You simply need to cover the board with bright paper and display the appropriate heading.Students can make their own shamrocks for a classroom, flower garden or creative writingkites for a weather display.

Many of the illustrations in this book can also be enlarged and displayed on a bulletin board.Use an overhead or opaque projector to do your enlargements. When you enlarge a charac-ter, think BIG! Figures three, four or even five feet tall can make a dramatic display. Usecolored butcher paper for large displays eliminating the need to add color with markers orcrayons.

WHATEVER YOU DO...Have fun using the ideas in this book. Be creative! Develop your own ideas and adapt thepatterns and crafts to fit your own curriculum. By using your imagination, you will beencouraging your students to be more creative. A creative classroom is a fun classroom! Onethat promotes an enthusiasm for learning!

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SPRINGTIME ACTIVITIES

SPRINGTIME SEQUENCE CARDS

SPRING BULLETIN BOARDS

DANCING FLOWERS

SPRINGTIME MOBILE

LADYBUG AND FLOWER MATCH

FLOWER POWER WRITING PAGE

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SPRINGMARCHAPRILMAYFLOWERSCOLORFULBLOOMBUDLEAVESGROW

WEATHERWINDYKITERAINYUMBRELLARAINBOWSUNSHINESAINT PATRICKSHAMROCKLEPRECHAUN

GREENPASSOVEREASTEREGGSHATCHBASKET BUNNYGRASSAPRIL FOOL’SJOKES

ARBOR DAYTREESMOTHER’S DAYGIFTSMAY DAYMEMORIAL DAYBUTTERFLIESBUGSBEESINSECTS

SSSSPPPPRRRRIIIINNNNGGGG BBBBIIIINNNNGGGGOOOO¡¡¡¡This game offers a fun way to introduce students to the spring season. Giveeach child a copy of the bingo words listed below or write the words on thechalkboard. Ask students to write any 24 words on his or her bingo card.Use the same directions you might use for regular bingo.

SPRINGTIME RAINGrab your umbrella, hold tight and stay under.A cloudburst brings rain and lightning and thunder.An umbrella in spring, you should never forget.For one thing is certain, rain always is wet.

SPRINGTIME GARDENSAs part of your science program, ask students to plant a variety of springtime gardens!

AQUARIUM TERRARIUMSOne suggestion might be to have students use an old aquarium, turning it into aplant terrarium. Use a planting mix purchased from a local nursery and ask stu-dents to plant seeds or small plants. They may like to keep records of the dailycare and the growth of each plant.

EGG CARTON GARDENSMany different types of seeds can successfully be sprouted in Styrofoam eggcartons. Make sure that you punch a small hole in the bottom of each compart-ment for drainage. Fill the compartments with planting mix and let students plantthe seeds. Place the cartons in a sunny window and have your students observewhich type of seeds grow most quickly. (Water sparingly.)

GROWING SPROUTSHave students sprout avocado seeds or sweet potatoes in water. Alfalfa seeds arealso easy to grow in the classroom and can later be eaten in student-made sand-wiches.

SSSSPPPPRRRRIIIINNNNGGGGTTTTIIIIMMMMEEEE AAAACCCCTTTTIIIIVVVVIIIITTTTIIIIEEEESSSS¡¡¡¡

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FREE

SSSSPPPPRRRRIIIINNNNGGGG

BBBBIIIINNNNGGGGOOOO

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SPRING NEWS!A NOTE HOME TO PARENTS!

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SSSSPPPPRRRRIIIINNNNGGGGTTTTIIIIMMMMEEEE SSSSEEEEQQQQUUUUEEEENNNNCCCCEEEE CCCCAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡

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SOARING HIGH!Display a large paper kite on the classbulletin board to encourage andmotivate your students in specificareas. As each student accomplishesa required task, reward him or herwith his or her own kite bow.Children will love seeing their namesprominently displayed.

This easy idea can also be used tointroduce new vocabulary words,mathematical concepts or as a way towelcome students to class that first day!

POINT OUT THE BEST!Emphasize the importance ofweekly or daily lessons by "point-ing" it out to your students! Byusing the pattern on the next page,you can "point" out importantcalendar events, classroommonitors, or the letter or color ofthe week. Children can assist youin changing the board.

TIME TO BLOOM!Most classroom clocks have a roundface, perfect for the center of a largepaper flower! Cut a circle the size ofyour clock face in the center of a pieceof poster board. Cut large paper petalsand leaves from colored constructionpaper and staple them around the hole.Glue bits of fluffy tissue paper to theedge of the circle and place the entireflower over the face of your clock.What an easy, colorful way to celebratethe blooming of spring!

SSSSPPPPRRRRIIIINNNNGGGG BBBBUUUULLLLLLLLEEEETTTTIIIINNNN BBBBOOOOAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡

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Use this hand pattern to "point"out important events on yourclass bulletin board.

To display classroom helpers,simply display the jobs, asshown. Print the children’snames on the fingers of thehand patterns. Move the handsfrom job to job to give everyonea chance to help in the class-room.

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Hand Pattern!

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Kite Pattern!

Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

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Cut the "Dancing Flowers" from colored paper.Color with markers or crayons. Use brass fas-teners to assemble at the dots.

Children will enjoy making the "DancingFlowers" and displaying them on the class bul-letin board.

You might want to caption the board, "BoogieWith The Best!" Have students write theirown names down the stems.

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DancingFlowers!

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20Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

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Each student can make his or her own“Springtime Mobile" using these simplepatterns.

Cut the patterns from index orconstruction paper andassemble with thread oryarn, as shown.

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SpringtimeMobile!

Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

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22Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

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Cut this umbrella pattern from construction paper.Fold along the dotted lines and tape together.Thread a piece of yarn through the top of the handle

and then through the umbrella top and hang.

UmbrellaPattern!

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These "Stained Glass Butterflies" are strikingly beautiful and simple to make.

You will need the following materials:Several permanent colored markers Black construction paper

Plastic food-storage wrap Cellophane tapeAluminum foil 8" paper plate

Step One - Tape one of the butterfly patterns to a smooth desktop. Ask each child to stretch apiece of plastic wrap over the pattern and tape in place. Instruct the children to color the plastic-covered butterflies using the colored markers. When the children finish coloring, have them tracethe black lines using a black permanent marker.

Step Two - Have the students take a one-foot square of foil and crumple it carefully. Have eachstudent open the foil and then gently spread it over a paper plate, taping it in place.

Step Three – Instruct each student to now remove his or her colored butterfly picture from thedesktop and place it over the foil. Mount the finished projects on pieces of black constructionpaper and hang them in a window or display them on the class board.

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Stained Glass Butterflies!

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25Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

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Making several ladybugs and flowersfrom colored construction paper can eas-ily make several matching activities.

For a math activity, label each flowerwith a problem and each ladybug with anappropriate answer. Long and shortvowel sounds can easily be practicedwith the same type of matching activity.Label each flower with a short or longvowel. Write words appropriate to thesounds on the flowers and have studentsmatch them to the correct ladybug.

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Ladybug andFlower Match!

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MARCH AWARDS

MARCH CLIP ART

MARCH BULLETIN BOARDS

MARCH ACTIVITIES

MARCH FUN GLASSES

STAND-UP SHAMROCKS

LEPRECHAUN CHARACTER

MR. SHAMROCK

STAND-UP LION AND LAMB

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30Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

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SSUUPPEERR SSTTUUDDEENNTT AAWWAARRDD¡¡awarded to

for

Date

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Teacher

Teacher

Name

AWARDED TO

Date

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MMMMAAAARRRRCCCCHHHH NNNNEEEEWWWWSSSSLLLLEEEETTTTTTTTEEEERRRR¡¡¡¡TEACHER: RM# DATE:

Type the name of yourschool, address andtelephone number

in this space.

SUGGESTIONS FOR A MARCH NEWSLETTER:

• Send a welcome note to a new student or a get-well message to a student that has been out ill.

• Announce upcoming field trips, class plays or fund raisers.

• List the name of each student that was selected student of the week for the month of February.

• Note the days of the month, such as St. Patrick’s Day. (Make sure that parents know which days children will not be in attendance if spring vacation falls within this month).

• Announce special programs or activities being conducted by your school or in your classroom.

• Tell about something special your class is currently working on.

• Ask your school principal to write a brief message that can be included withthe March newsletter.

• Ask for parent volunteers or donations for the class St. Patrick’s Day party. (Easter may also fall during the month of March.)

• Staple the March cafeteria menu to each newsletter.

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March ClipArt!

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HATS OFF!Portray the winds of March bydisplaying flying hats across theclass bulletin board. Childrencan bring hats from home todisplay or have them make thehats from the patterns found inthis book. Add feathers, but-tons, fabric and other noveltiesfor decorations.

GENTLE AS LAMBS!What a great way to empha-size positive character traits toyour students! Display a largelamb on the class board. Addcotton balls for his fluffy wool.With the help of your students,list the various qualities thatmake each of us a good friendand responsible citizen.

GREAT WORK!Emphasize the greatness ofgood classroom work by dis-playing this roaring lion!Children might like to writepapers about things they find"Grrrrreat!"

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MMMMAAAARRRRCCCCHHHH BBBBUUUULLLLLLLLEEEETTTTIIIINNNN BBBBOOOOAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡

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RoaringLion!

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Gentle Lamb!

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Children will love using this hat pat-tern to write creative stories aboutthe wind or even fashion design.Students might like to decorate theirhats with sequins, feathers, or cutpaper flowers. Display the hats onthe class bulletin board.

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Hat Booklet!

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GREEN! GREEN!Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day byproviding a tasty treat for your students!

Green bell peppers offer an excellentsource of vitamins and minerals. Alongwith generous amounts of ranch dressing,your students will gobble them up!

Bell peppers also provide an excellentway to stamp attractive shamrockdesigns. Cut the pepper in half, side-ways, and clean out any seeds. Usinggreen poster paint, dip the pepper in thepaint and stamp it onto white paper.

A fun way to introduce a new vegetableto young children!

MARCH BEGINNINGS!March is when the earth’s renewed,A very pleasant interlude.A new beginning bursts all over.Everything turns green as clover.March wind replaced by gentle breeze,Flowers bloom and so do trees.March is like a great invention,But springtime sports get my attention!

WINDY ACTIVITIES!When March winds blow, ask yourstudents to try some of these funsuggestions:

• Make paper airplanes and see which one flies the farthest.• Have a balloon launch with messages inside.• Make kites from paper lunch sacks and fly them during recess.• Make Frisbees ® from disposable plastic plates. Children can decorate them with

permanent colored markers.• Make your own bubble wands from plastic six-pack holders. See who can get

the most bubbles in the air at one time. (Make a bubble solution by mixing 1/2 cup liquid detergent, 1 quart water and a couple of tablespoons of white Karo ® syrup.Refrigerate overnight before using.)

MMMMAAAARRRRCCCCHHHH AAAACCCCTTTTIIIIVVVVIIIITTTTIIIIEEEESSSS¡¡¡¡

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Cut the pattern pieces from heavyindex paper and color with markersor crayons.

Attach the bows to theframe by fitting theminto the designated slots.

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March FunGlasses!

CutOut

A

A

B

B

CutOut

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Cut out the pot of gold and shamrocks fromheavy paper. Children can write their ownspringtime messages or names across theshamrocks. Fan-fold along the dotted lines.Glue the pot of gold to the first shamrock andstand it on a desktop for a March decoration.

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Stand-UpShamrocks!

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Cut this cute leprechaun fromheavy index paper. Color him

and fold along the dotted lines.Bend his arms forward and

staple or paste the pot ofgold to his hands.

Use the leprechaun as atable decoration for St.Patrick’s Day!

42

LeprechaunCharacter!

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MyPot of Gold

Story!

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Mr. Shamrock!

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Cut this Mr. Shamrock from colored paper. Color with mark-ers or crayons. Use brass fasteners to assemble at the dots.

Teachers might like to award a Mr. Shamrockpattern piece to students for good behavior orcompleted assignments. Children can assemble the piecestogether when they have collected all six pieces.

45Spring Idea Book © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

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Make this Stand-UpLion from index orconstruction paper.Color, cut and fold. Foldhis legs forward, along thedotted lines. Curl his tailaround a pencil and fold to theback. Stand him and the lamb on atabletop to celebrate the comingof spring!

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Stand-UpLion!

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Make this Stand-Up Lambfrom index or constructionpaper. Color, cut and fold.

You may want to gluewhite cotton balls to thelamb to simulate his fluffywool.

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Stand-UpLamb!

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NA

ME

If a Leprechaun granted methree wishes, I would wish for…

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ThreeWishes!

Wish #1

Wish #3Wish #2

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APRIL AWARDS

APRIL CLIP ART

APRIL BULLETIN BOARDS

APRIL ACTIVITIES

APRIL FUN GLASSES

STAND-UP EASTER EGGS

STAND-UP BUNNY

BUNNY MASK AND EARS

APRIL SHOWERS MOBILE

APRIL FOOL’S DAY ACTIVITIES

ARBOR DAY ACTIVITIES

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SSUUPPEERR SSTTUUDDEENNTT AAWWAARRDD¡¡awarded to

for

Date

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Teacher

Teacher

Name

AWARDED TO

Date

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AAAAPPPPRRRRIIIILLLL NNNNEEEEWWWWSSSSLLLLEEEETTTTTTTTEEEERRRR¡¡¡¡TEACHER: RM# DATE:

Type the name of yourschool, address andtelephone number

in this space.

SUGGESTIONS FOR AN APRIL NEWSLETTER:

• Staple the April cafeteria menu to each newsletter.

• Send a welcome note to a new student or a get-well message to a student that has been out ill.

• Include a joke or riddle in celebration of April Fool’s Day.

• List the name of each student that was selected student of the week for the month of March.

• Note the dates of spring vacation and Easter. Make sure that parents know which days children will not be inattendance.

• Announce special activities or programs being conducted by your school or in your classroom.

• Tell about something special your class is currently working on.

• Ask one of your students to drawseveral small pictures about Easter to be used in the April newsletter.

• Ask your school principal to write a brief message that can be included withthe April newsletter.

• Ask for parent volunteers or donations for the class Easter party or egg hunt.

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April Clip Art!

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LOOK WHAT’S HATCHING!This goofy hatching chick willmake your students giggle withdelight!

Display him on the classbulletin board along withcreative writing egg bookletsmade by your students. Theegg booklets can be decoratedwith crayons or markers toresemble Easter eggs.

SWINGING BUNNY!Enlarge this cute bunny and display him on theclass door or bulletin board. Glue on fluffy, whitecotton balls for his tail and use real rope orcording for the swing ropes. A cute title might be,"Swing Into Spring!"

COLOR YOUR WORLD…Fluffy white clouds cut frompolyester batting set off thiscolorful spring bulletin board.Various colors of twisted crepepaper strips form the rainbow.Children can write colorfulpoems that can be displayedaround the board.

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HatchingChick!

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HatchingStories!

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SwingingBunny!

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APRILDepending on the tide and moon,Easter may come late or soon.In March or April, it changes around.More often in April, it is found.

April Fool is the very first day.On one another tricks we play.April is beautiful with cool grass and flowers.I wish it were longer by days and by hours.

Try these springtime activities:

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!It’s time to spring forward with daylight savings time! Set your clocks one hour aheadof standard time and ask your students to observe the lengthening days. Students canchart the daylight hours by checking the daily newspaper for the time of each sunriseand sunset. Using a large graph, have them note these times. Draw lines from dot todot to illustrate how the daylight hours are increasing.

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FREE TIME "EGGS"TRAVAGANZABring a large Easter basket to schoolfull of colorful plastic Easter eggs.As each student finishes his or herwork, ask him or her to select an eggand do whatever is instructed on theslip of paper hidden inside. Somesuggestions might be, "Make anEaster card for mom or dad," or "Bethe first one excused at the nextrecess!"

The children will be eager tocomplete the day’s work when such afun Easter surprise awaits them!

EASTER EGGSMy Easter basket has insideEaster eggs that have been dyed,Pretty eggs the chickens laid,Decorated and displayed.

Boiled eggs in soft pastelsAnd pictures painted on the shells.Like rainbow colors in the sky,So are the colors in the dye.

Every year this great traditionLeaves me with a firm decision,Although egg dyeing is great fun,Afterwards, to eat each one.

Eating Easter eggs I peelDay after day, for many a meal.This decision can’t be truer,"Maybe, next year, I’ll dye fewer!"

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Cut the pattern pieces fromheavy index paper and colorwith markers or crayons. Attachthe bows to the frame by fittingthem into the designated slots.

Children will love making and wear-ing these "April Fun Glasses" atEaster time!

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April Fun Glasses!

Cut

Out

A

A

B

B

Cut

Out

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Cut the Easter eggs and bunny from heavy paper.Write your own Easter messages across the eggs.Fanfold along the dotted lines. Glue the bunny tothe first egg and stand it on a desktop for anEaster decoration.

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Stand-UpEaster Eggs!

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MY

BU

NN

YB

OO

K

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Make this cute bunny char-acter from index paper.Color, cut out and fold.Bend his arms forward andstaple or paste thebasket to his hands.

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Stand-UpBunny!

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Cut these cute bunny mask and ears patterns fromcolored construction paper. Glue the ears to the topof the mask, as shown. Students might like to addpipe cleaner whiskers to the mask. Tie the mask tothe back of the head with heavy kite string.

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Bunny Maskand Ears!

CU

TO

UT

CU

TO

UT

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These bunny ears can also beattached to a paper headband andworn by children during the annualEaster egg hunt!

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Cut these egg holders from heavy index or con-struction paper. Color with crayons or markers.Write your own springtime or Easter message oneither side of the characters. Glue or staple thetwo ends together to form a loop and stand ahard-boiled egg inside. This is acute way to display yourdecorated eggs during thisspring holiday!

These holders can also be usedas Easter napkin rings for yourholiday dinner table!

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Egg Holders!

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Your students might enjoy coloring Easter eggs in the classroom. Try some of these unusual waysof dyeing eggs:

Soak various colors of crepe paper in small cups of hot water. Dye the eggs the same way youwould using a commercial egg dye.

A small flower or leaf can be placed on the eggshell and then wrapped tightly with a nylon stock-ing. After dyeing, remove the nylon and leaf to reveal a beautiful, natural design!

Wrap your eggs with rubber bands and then dye them. Remove the rubber bands to reveal theinteresting designs.

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Use vegetables to dye your eggs!Spinach or onion skins boiled ona stovetop work very well. Youmight also want to experimentwith teabags or beets!

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APRIL SHOWERSBRING MAY FLOWERS

Each child can make his or her own "April ShowersMobile" by cutting these pattern pieces from colored con-struction paper. (They may want to mount the finishedpieces on poster board for added durability.)

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April Showers Bring MayFlowers Mobile

APRIL SHOWERSBRING MAY FLOWERSAPRIL SHOWERSAPRIL SHOWERSBRING MABRING MAY FLY FLOWERSOWERS

Children can write spring vocabulary wordson the pattern pieces.

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April is National Humor month, a perfect time to explore thefunny world in which we live. (Remember, April 1st isApril Fool’s Day!)

Suggest some of these "funny" activities to yourstudents:

FUNNY PAPERSStart a collection of comic strips on the class bulletin board. Ask children togather cartoons and comic strips found in magazines and newspapers. Theymay also like to write and draw their own cartoons that can be featured on the board.Soon your bulletin board will be filled with a variety of illustrations, guaranteed to livenup any school day!

COMEDY HOURChildren will love being in the spotlight, acting out their own jokes and riddles.

Ask students to gather their favorite skits or jokes to act out. (They should write thejokes out before performing them in front of the

class.) Encourage them to use props if they like.

Make a microphone from a paper tube andblack yarn. Darken the room and put your class

comedian in a spotlight (flashlight) when he orshe performs. The class can act as an audience,

applauding after each comedian has performed.

APRIL FOOL’S ELFDelight your students on the first of April by having an April Fool’s Elf visit the class-room. When students arrive that morning, they each find a part of a secret messagetaped to the top of his or her desk. (Write the entire message on a large sheet of butcherpaper. Cut the message into sections, numbering each one for easier deciphering.) Havethe students arrange the message in order and read the entire message out loud. Thismessage can tell cute things about themselves. Or, have the elf ask them to do particularactivities during the day, such as drawing pictures of the elf, writing letters or cleaningout their desks. Later in the day, another message can be left, directing them to a specialice cream treat!

You might want to extend the elf’s visit for several days. His presence can be used tomotivate children with better behavior or improved study skills. Make sure to take carethat the students never suspect that you are the April Fool’s Elf!

This fun activity can also be used on March 17th, Saint Patrick’s Day. Simply change theelf to a leprechaun!

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My Favorite April Fool’s Joke

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Arbor Day comes at different times of theyear in different parts of the world. Thefirst Arbor Day in the United States wascelebrated in the state of Nebraska onApril 22, 1872. Many states followedsuit, celebrating Arbor Day in the monthof April.

On Arbor Day, many schools and civic orga-nizations plant one or more trees to beautify theirparks and cities. In some countries, Arbor Day comes when a child is born. The familyplants a tree and names it after the baby. Some people plant one kind of tree for agirl and another for a boy.

Here are some activities that can be used to help recognize Arbor Day:

1. COLLECTION OF LEAVES – Ask children to collect leaves from a variety of trees. They can display the leaves on the class bulletin board and categorize them according to the type of tree such as deciduous, evergreen, etc.

They could also use the leaves for crayon rubbings. Place the leaves on a smooth desktop and have students lay a piece of plain paper on top of the leaves. Children gently crayon over the leaves creating interesting designs and textures from thevarious leaf shapes.

2. TREE QUESTIONS – Hold a class discussion regarding the various types of trees and the purpose they serve in our world. Here are a few questions you might want to use to start off your discussion.

Trees are important because they provide oxygen. Why is this important? Where in the world are people most concerned about the depletion of our forests? Whatreason do they give?

Trees are used in various industries. What products are made from trees? What types of trees are used? What types of jobs rely on tree products?

How can we preserve our forests? What steps can we take to recycle wood prod-ucts? What alternatives are available?

3. RESEARCH TREES – Assign each student a type of tree to research. They might like to include a drawing of their tree, explain its seasonal changes and lists itsvarious functions and purposes.

You might want to assign a state to each child in the class. Have students research their state’s official tree. Drawings of the trees can be displayed around a map of the United States. Yarn can be used to indicate which tree belongs to which state.

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My Tree

My tree drawing

Name of my tree:

My tree is…

Evergreen

Deciduous

Hardwood

Softwood

Where my tree grows:

Products made from my tree: leaf drawingbark drawing

Some interesting things about my tree:

What I like best about my tree:

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My Tree Report

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MAY AWARDS

STAND-UP FLOWERS

MAY CLIP ART

MOTHER’S DAY ACTIVITIES

MAY ACTIVITIES

STAND-UP MOM

MAY BULLETIN BOARDS

MAKE MOM HAPPY GAME

MAY FUN GLASSES

MOTHER’S DAY COUPON BOOK

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SSUUPPEERR SSTTUUDDEENNTT AAWWAARRDD¡¡awarded to

for

Date

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Teacher

Teacher

Name

AWARDED TO

Date

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MMMMAAAAYYYY NNNNEEEEWWWWSSSSLLLLEEEETTTTTTTTEEEERRRR¡¡¡¡TEACHER: RM# DATE:

Type the name of yourschool, address andtelephone number

in this space.

SUGGESTIONS FOR A MAY NEWSLETTER:

• Ask your school principal to write a brief message that can be included with the May newsletter.

• Announce upcoming field trips, fund raisers or testing dates.

• Send a welcome note to a new student or a get-well message to a student that has been out ill.

• List the name of each student that was selected student of the week for the month of April.

• Note the dates of Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. Make sure that parents know which days children will not be in attendance.

• Announce special programs or activities being conducted by your school or in your classroom.

• Tell about something special your class is currently working on.

• Staple the May cafeteria menu to each newsletter.

• Ask one of your students to drawseveral small pictures about springtime or Mother’s Day to be used in the May newsletter.

• Invite mothers to your classroom for a special Mother’s Day tea.

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May Clip Art!

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MAYThe end of May often has good weather,a good time for families and friends to get together.Picnic with a lunch mother made,or sit on a curb to watch a parade.

Go to the beach for a swim and some fun,or watch a ball game or play in one.Memorial Day, near the end of spring,use as you choose, any way, anything.

Some people choose this dayto honor those who’ve passed away.This day is for the entire nation.No school. No work. A day of vacation.

CLASS FLOWER AND PLANT SHOWA fun way to stimulate your students’ interest and apprecia-tion of May flowers is to arrange for a class flower and plantshow.

Familiarize your students with common garden plants by usingencyclopedias, seed catalogs and gardening books. You might like toask a local gardener or horticulturist to visit your class and talk about his or her hobby orprofession. Children grow their flowers and plants at home, and bring them to class on a spe-cial day.

Divide the show into several categories. Categories might include plants grown from seeds,fruits and vegetables, potted plants or flower arrangements. Ask students to draw posters andinvitations announcing the show and post them around the school. (You might want to plan adate close to Mother’s Day and encourage all mothers to come share in the experience.) Onthe day of the show, children vote for their favorite entry. Winners receive a special certificateor ribbon.

CINCO DE MAYO – MAY 5THCinco De Mayo is a wonderful time to teach students a little about Mexico.

As part of your celebration, make a colorful piñata with your students. Place two or threelarge grocery bags inside one another and fill with special treats. The children can add thedecorations. Hang the piñata with a heavy cord and have the students take turns breaking itwith a broomstick.

CINCO DE MAYODancing feet and clapping hands,dance to Mariachi bands.Violins play, trumpets blow,festive day of Mexico.Cinco De Mayo, day of fun.Food and drink for everyone.Next year, I’ll come back for more,Señorita and Señor!

MMMMAAAAYYYY AAAACCCCTTTTIIIIVVVVIIIITTTTIIIIEEEESSSS¡¡¡¡

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FLY AWAYThese cute birds will fly acrossthe class bulletin board toreach their goal of thebirdhouse. Give each child abird cut from colored paper.As books are read, orassignments completed, thebirds fly toward their goal.Each bird, or child, who reach-es the birdhouse should beawarded with a special treat.

MERRY MAY MURALCover a large bulletin board with blue butcher paper and divide your class into atleast five groups. Give each group one phase of the mural to complete. Sky andclouds, trees, flowers, butterflies and birds, plus the title, are a few suggestions.

GROW WITH US!Display a large potted plant made from construc-tion paper on the classroom door or bulletinboard. Children draw self-portraits on smallpaper plates that are decorated as flowers.Arrange the flowers on the plant as a happy wayto welcome everyone to your classroom!

MMMMAAAAYYYY BBBBUUUULLLLLLLLEEEETTTTIIIINNNN BBBBOOOOAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡

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LOOK WHO’S BLOOMING NOW!Students will love creating their own flower garden on the classbulletin board.

Have each student cut a long stem and two leaves from greenconstruction paper. Ask each child to write

his or her name on the stem.Display these on theboard with a catchy title.

As each child completesa required assignment, adda paper flower to the top ofthe stem. Glue a muffin paperto the inside of the flower for athree dimensional effect.

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BloomingFlowers!

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Make several copies of birds andbirdhouses from colored constructionpaper. Use them in a variety ofmatching activities such as letterrecognition, math facts, words anddefinitions, opposites and so on.

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Matching Birdsand Birdhouses!

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Cut these attractive birdpatterns from heavy indexpaper and color each onewith the appropriate colors.

Fold each bird at thecenter dotted line and foldeach wing out. Punch holeswhere indicated and hangwith a thread or fishing line.

Each child can make his orher own Bird Mobile byhanging all three birds froma tree twig, as shown.

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Bird Mobile!

EASTERN BLUEBIRD

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CARDINAL

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ROBIN

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Cut the pattern pieces from heavy indexpaper and color with markers orcrayons. Attach the bows to the frameby fitting them into the designated slots.

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May Fun Glasses!

CUT

OUT

A

A

B

BCUT

OUT

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Cut out this cute character and flowers fromheavy paper. Write your own message across theflowers. Fanfold along the dotted lines. Glue thecharacter to the first flower and stand on a deskor use as a Mother’s Day card.

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Stand–Up Flowers!

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A CHILD’S VIEW OF MOTHER’S DAYWhen I am big, and old, and grown,I will have children of my own.I’ll have a great big rocking chair,And rock them while I’m sitting there.

I’ll teach them colors, numbers, too,And teach them how to tie a shoe.When they are sick, I’ll make them better.When it is cold, they’ll wear a sweater.

I’ll wash their socks and underwear,And all their meals I will prepare.And if I have a girl or boy,I’ll play the games that they enjoy.

I will buy them what they need,And I will teach them how to read.I will teach them how to write,And I’ll be sure they sleep at night.

I’ll teach them how to catch a ball,And kiss their hurts if they should fall.For every child, I’ll work quite hard.For me they’ll make a Mother’s Day card.

I think I’d better do that right now.It’s for my Mom. I should know how.I’ll write a card, "This is for you,To thank you, Mom, for all you do."

"I’m glad that now when you are grown,I have you, Mom, my very own!"

MMMMOOOOTTTTHHHHEEEERRRRææææSSSS DDDDAAAAYYYY AAAACCCCTTTTIIIIVVVVIIIITTTTIIIIEEEESSSS¡¡¡¡BABY NAMESMost animals have specific namesfor the babies. See if your studentscan determine what types of ani-mals have these babies:

RECIPE FOR MOMChildren will love creating "MOM"recipes! Ask each child to write arecipe using the ingredients thatmake his or her mom special. Hereis an example:

In a large bowl, combine 3 cups ofhappiness and 2 pounds of love.Gently stir together with a table-spoon of kindness, a dash of disci-pline and a sprinkle of patience.Slowly warm in a loving atmos-phere and soon you’ll have some-thing special, my MOM!

THANK YOU, MOMAsk children to think of ways in whichthey usually forget to thank their mothers.Have them write their special thank younotes on pastel colored paper and includeit in a Mother’s Day card!

foalcubcalf

ducklingwhelpgosling

joeyfawn

pupkittenchickpigletlambbunny

kid

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This woven heart can be given to Mom for asimple Mother’s Day gift. Fill it with small can-dies, notes of appreciation or wild flowers.

Cut two patterns from pastel colored construc-tion paper. Fold each pattern in half and makethree cuts down the center. Hold one piece ineach hand and carefully weave the first piece inone hand over and under the piece in the otherhand. Continue weaving each piece the sameway. Attach a small paper handle to the top.When you are finished, your woven heart willlook like the one above.

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Woven Hearts!

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Make this Stand-Up Mom fromindex paper. Color, cut out andfold. Attach the heart to onehand and write a special mes-sage on her apron.

Stand her on a table for aMother’s Day decoration orgive her as a card to yourown mom on her special day!

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Stand-Up Mom!

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Two, three or four children can play this game. Each playerrolls a die and moves the required spaces.

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The player takes a task card and does what it says. The firstplayer to reach the finish line is the winner. Children willlove discovering ways to make Mom happy!

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MESSY ROOM!LOSE A TURN

LATE FOR DINNER!GO BACK ONE SPACE

DID NOT COMPLETEHOMEWORK!GO BACK ONE SPACE

FORGOT TO FEEDTHE FAMILY PETS!GO BACK TWOSPACES

FORGOT TO SET THE TABLE!GO BACK TWOSPACES

DID NOT SHARE A TOY WITH YOUR BROTHER!GO BACK THREESPACES

FORGOT TO TAKEOUT THEGARBAGE!LOSE A TURN

TOLD A LIE!GO BACK THREESPACES

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CLEANED UP YOURROOM!MOVE AHEAD ONESPACE

HELPED YOURMOTHER IN THEKITCHEN!MOVE AHEAD ONESPACE

TOOK OUT THEGARBAGE WITH-OUT BEING ASKED!TAKE ANOTHERTURN

TURNED IN ALLASSIGNMENTS ATSCHOOL!TAKE ANOTHERTURN

BROUGHT HOME AGOOD STUDENTAWARD!MOVE AHEADTHREE SPACES

HELPED YOURYOUNGERBROTHER WITHHIS HOMEWORK!MOVE AHEADTHREE SPACES

SHARED A TOYWITH YOURSISTER!MOVE AHEADTWO SPACES

BOUGHT AMOTHER’S DAYGIFT FOR YOURMOM WITH YOUROWN MONEY!MOVE AHEAD TWOSPACES

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This clever coupon book makes aperfect Mother’s Day gift.

Copy the coupons onto index paperand have students do the coloringwith crayons or colored markers.Punch two holes where indicated andattach the book together with a rib-bon or piece of yarn. Children canalso add their own coupons using theprovided blank pages.

Mother will love receiving this giftand redeeming each coupon!

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Mother’s Day Coupon Book

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Redeem this couponand I’ll take out thetrash ____ times!

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Mot

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Redeem this couponand I’ll feed our pets____ times!

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Redeem this coupon and I’llhelp in the kitchen ____ times!

Mot

her’s

Day

Cou

pon

Boo

kM

othe

r’s D

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Redeem thiscoupon and I’llclean my room____ times!

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Mot

her’s

Day

Cou

pon

Boo

kM

othe

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ayC

oupo

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ook

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SOCCER ACTIVITIES

SOCCER CHARACTER

SOCCER BOARD GAME

SOCCER BULLETIN BOARDS

CREATIVE WRITING SOCCER BALLS SOCCER

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SSSSOOOOCCCCCCCCEEEERRRR AAAACCCCTTTTIIIIVVVVIIIITTTTIIIIEEEESSSS¡¡¡¡SOCCERThe point of the game is the ball to the goal.Each team wants the ball in its own control.Most of the game is a run and a kick.Players’ legs must be active and strong and quite quick.

Don’t use your hands, just feet instead.You may use your shoulders; you may use your head.You may kick with your heels, insteps and toesto score a big win against the team you oppose.

You may kick with your left foot and also your right.Be sure your shoes are laced firmly and tight.One thing you don’t ever want to dois kick the ball and then off comes your shoe!

SSSSOOOOCCCCCCCCEEEERRRR BBBBIIIINNNNGGGGOOOO¡¡¡¡This game offers an exciting way to introduce students to soccer vocabularywords. Give each child a copy of the bingo words listed below or write thewords on the chalkboard. Ask students to write any 24 words on his or herbingo cards. Use the same directions you might use for regular bingo.

(Students might like to use some of the words in a creative writing assign-ment.)

SOCCER PENALTY AREA FIELD DEFENDERFOOTBALL KICK CHAMPION MIDFIELDERGOAL STRIKERS FOUL FORWARDPERIOD WINGS THROW-IN NETTEAM LINKSMAN WALL CHARGINGGOALIE STOPPER BALL CHEST TAPPENALTY SWEEPER OLYMPICS THIGH TAPTOUCHLESS PENALTY ZONE INTERNATIONAL FOOT TAPCENTER CIRCLE SAVE SCORE HEAD TAPGOAL AREA REFEREE POINTS PLAYER

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SSSSOOOOCCCCCCCCEEEERRRR

BBBBIIIINNNNGGGGOOOO

FREE

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TEACHERS: Make your own task cards for this game that two, three or fourchildren can play.

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KICK FOR

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THE GOAL!

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Make this cute characterfrom index paper. Color, cutout and fold. Bend his armsforward and staple or pastethe ball to his hands.

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SoccerCharacter!

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Creative WritingSoccer Balls!

He kicked the ball so high that

it went clear out of sight!

The score was tied when,

in the last few seconds,

the impossible happened!

Everyone laughed when aplayer from both teamsreceived a penalty for…

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The referee suddenlystopped the game when…

The team’s new mascot

made the crowd roar with

laughter!

The crowd went wild as the

goalie dove for the ball!

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GOALS FOR THE FUTURE!Motivate your students to examine their future goals with this easy bulletin board.Enlarge these cute soccer characters with an overhead projector and display themon the board. Children can write poems or creative stories about their goals forthe next school year or occupations they may wish to have when they are grown.

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KICK-OFF FACTS!Children can review their multiplication tables with this simple bulletin board.Display a large soccer ball made from black and white construction paper. Writemultiplication problems on each section of the ball. As a class, review the answersafter the students have worked the problems at their desks.

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