End of the Year Luau

This is a continuation from Darling Dolphin, Jennifer's post from Saturday!  I had an end-of-the-year luau (Survivor) for my kindergartners during the last few years that I was teaching.  I LOVED doing that theme at the end of the year because everyone's mind was on the beach and vacation, so it just seemed to fit.  

We decided to make this hallway display during my last year teaching.  On the plam trees, we added all the kids' cap & gown pictures (that we took ourselves) and then the hut made a perfect picture spot for parents' to take pics during our party!

I realized, in the middle of the night, that I should design a printable collection with a luau theme, so last night, I finished it my KINDER LUAU collection.   I still used some graduation hats, but I incorporated the island colors of hibiscus pink, marigold yellow, and sunset orange (are you envisioning Hawaii yet?)  :)  


So, here is what it looks like...

The price is $4.50, but you can still enter the code GRAD30 and receive 30% off for a new total of $3.15.  

*** UPDATE::  Check out this adorable invitation the Darling Dolphin, Jennifer, made to match all of our Luau printables...

It's available in the shop now, so go check it out HERE!!!

Theme Thursday {New Easter Unit}

Well, tomorrow, it will be April...WHAT??!?  Where did March go?  Anyway, April is one of my favorite months (probably because it is the month my precious boy was born), & I LOVE Easter!  I have such sweet memories of yummy Easter lunch at my Memaw's house, cute little Easter dresses (yes, I had a new one every year ~ Girly Girl here), egg hunts with my cousins, and special Easter church services.  


So, I wanted to introduce my new "E is for Easter" unit.  It is 32 pages of spring-y language arts and math activities.  Use it with Pre-K, K, & 1st grade!  


But first, I also wanted to share some fun Easter activities and treats I found recently...

Egg Games at Playing House

Jellybean Bark at Scissors and Spatulas

Coffee Filter Eggs at The Chocolate Muffin Tree

Peeps Cookies at The Sweet Adventures of SugarBelle

So, here's a preview of my new "E is for Easter" Unit.  

As usual, for the introductory week (until Thursday, April 7), you can receive 40% off by using the coupon code BUNNY40.  The regular price for the unit is $5.00, but with your discount, it will only be $3.00.  

Click HERE to purchase!

Theme Thursday

August is an exciting time for teachers and students.  This week "Theme Thursday" is all about the first day of school.  As teachers, we are always on the hunt for new ideas.  Here are some ideas for the first day of school!
        The FBU girls love themes!  If you have a theme for your classroom, planning activities for the first day centered around your classroom theme is always super fun!(If you do not have a theme and would like help coming up with one, please let us know!)  I like to do a school tour on the first day.  My classroom is bee themed, so I take one of my favorite bees and hide it.  Before hiding my friend, I take pictures of him so I can show the kids. Then I tell the kids about my bee , show them the pictures, and explain that he is missing.  We talk about what he looks like and sounds like.  We then head off on a hunt around the school looking for him. We visit all of the important areas of our school (office, library, gym, clinic, playground, cafeteria, etc.).  As we are learning about all of the different places and meeting some important people, the students ask if anyone has seen our special bee friend.  All of the staff are in on the hunt and have a clue sending us to our next stop. The kids get super pumped!  While we are hunting, my assistant brings my bee out of hiding and places him somewhere in the classroom.  The kids are super excited to make it back to the room and see him there!  
           Keeping with our bee theme-we talk about bees, make bees to hang in the hallway, eat bee shaped cookies, and draw pictures of the hunt for our bee friend.  When asking my students what their favorite part of their first day was, they always say hunting for the bumble bee.  
            Theme it up!  Carry it through your activities!  Your students will love how everything goes together!  Adding your theme to the first day is a great way to start the school year! 

 

This is Mr. Bumble!  On the first day of kindergarten, the classroom door was left open.  He buzzed out the door, and now we must find him!

Theme Thursday

It is time to head back to the classroom.  Right now, all around the world, teachers and students are preparing for a new school year.  As a teacher, I know how much time it takes to get ready for a new school year.  Here are a few tips to help you stay on top of things during this crazy time of year.

1.  Make themed lists.  Instead of making a huge "To Do" list, make smaller lists according to the tasks.  For example, have a "To Print" list, and "To Buy" list, a "Throw Away" list, a "To Make List", etc.  This will help you to not feel overwhelmed with one super long list!

2.  Sort work into two groups "School" and "Home".  Anything that can be done at home by you or someone else place in a basket,  and then everything that needs to be done at school put in another basket.  This way you are not wasting time at school doing something that could be done at home. Coloring, cutting, and gluing are great at home items!

    

   Okay now that you are organized and ready to go, lets talk about the students.  I like to give my students a little "welcome to class" gift.  There are lots of different options you can do.  You can put a couple cookies in a Ziploc bag, and then use our awesome "Welcome Back to School" bag topper.  This year, I did a bag of goldfish crackers and an apple juice box for each student.  I put them in a black paper bag and then added a gift tag.  A simple gift that looks FABULOUS! 

Welcome Back to School, Everyone!  Be sure to check out our freebies!  They will add a special touch to any back to school treat!