Monday, May 27, 2013

Thank Yous and Summertime...

As the school year is wrapping up, there are a few things on my mind. 1. How can I thank the wonderful moms who have organized the volunteers for field trips and class parties? and 2. How can I help my students continue to grow, even after they leave me and begin a two and a half month long break? 

First, I've been thinking and exploring fun options to thank my parent helpers this year and landed with this one...a monogrammed etched glass mug, which I will most likely be filling with something sweet and colorful :)

For those of you wondering, etching is actually quite easy. I used Martha Stewart's etching cream, which I picked up at my local craft store. I used my handy adhesive vinyl and silhouette cameo to make the monogrammed letter and 'thank you' phrase. The tricky part was placing the stickers onto a rounded mug. They're not quite perfect, but still look great! Once I placed the negative space of the letter onto the mug, I generously brushed the cream on, let it sit for about 20 minutes, and finally washed it off. So easy and so cute!


Second, at the end of every school year I put a packet of review work together for the kids to work through over the summer. Anything to prevent the summer slide! This year, instead of putting together the usual pack of worksheets, I decided to create a fun, summer themed, colorful, hands-on pack, that the students might actually enjoy doing. Here are a few pics to show off some sample pages. Bonus: If you purchase this pack on TpT, you may distribute the pdf to each of the families represented in your classroom! Click here to check out this nearly 100 page pack of fun for your kindergarten graduate to enjoy this summer!
Until next time!
Adrienne

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

And the countdown continues...

We're continuing through our end of the year ABC countdown and the kiddos are having so much fun! Yesterday was Luau Day. We played 'pin the coconut on the coconut tree' and made sand pudding. Everyone agreed it tasted better than sand at the beach ;)
Sand Pudding: Start with vanilla pudding, crush vanilla wafers and sprinkle on top, add gummy worms if you wish (though the kids and i agreed that someone should invent candy crabs)
This week is also our Spring Concert, so the kiddos are beyond exhausted, as am I! So, before I head out and crash for the night, I want to show you all a picture of one of the fun activities the kids are loving in centers, from my Transportation Math Pack. Each hot air balloon has a number on the basket. The kiddos must solve the math problem on each part of the balloon and place it in the correct spot. I am SO proud of how comfortable they've become with addition and subtraction!

...13 days and counting! 
Adrienne

Monday, May 13, 2013

Q and U Wedding...

I am a little late in posting these pictures, but better late than never! A few weeks ago, we celebrated the wedding of Q and U. The boys came to school dressed as quarterbacks and the girls as queens. We had a blast! I used Growing Kinders Q and U Pack for the wedding details and activities then added in my own touches. I was feeling like over achieving so I made cupcake toppers for our wedding cupcakes. Definitely a touch I'm glad I added.

Here are my lovely queens and rough-tough quarterbacks (attending the wedding as letters of the alphabet).
What's the best way to end the year? ABC Countdown! This is my second year doing the countdown and the kiddos have THE BEST time! Last year, I created a digital page of pictures from each day and printed a photo book for each student. It was such a hit, I've got to do it again this year. Today was F, "Favorite Book Day."

20 days of school left and the crazies have set in! What can you do but roll with it?
Adrienne

Sunday, May 5, 2013

It's THAT time again!

School may be crazy right now, but don't worry, a SALE is about to go down! They always make me smile for sure. Click on the picture to head over to my TpT store and check out some fun goodies!

Adrienne