Sunday, August 21, 2011

First Day of School Activities

     As I sit here planning for the first day, I'm remembering that I ALWAYS seem to over-plan.  Between wanting to make sure that I have every minute covered and forgetting just how long everything seems take in the beginning, I usually only get to half of what I have planned.  I thought I would share a couple of old favorites that I try to get in on the first day.
     The first is something that a lot of you probably do, too.  I have the kids draw self portraits of themselves on the first day of school.  It's a great way to assess their fine motor skills, name writing and attention to detail and it's something that all the kids can be successful at, regardless of their ability level.  I tuck away the finished portraits then we do a companion portrait on the last day of kindergarten.  I mount them on a large piece of construction paper, laminate them and send them home as a keepsake.  (Grab a copy below.)
     The second activity is a parent favorite.  I found a post on proteacher a few years ago about making a magnet to hang work on the fridge.  I made a little graphic with the poem and some clipart.  I photocopy onto cardstock and then have the kids each decorate one.  (They draw a little picture of whatever they want in the little paper - coloring pencils work best - and then color the rest however they choose.)  Then, I laminate the circles and hot glue a clothespin with a magnet onto the back.  Voila! Now you have a refrigerator magnet with a built in clip to hang papers.  If you want to give it a try, just click below the picture!
Have great night!

12 comments:

  1. Love that magnet! Wish I had seen it last week. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Kerri-
    I'm glad you like it and I'm sorry that I didn't post it in time for your first day. If you still want to make it, I could change it a little to say, "I made this special magnet to give to you today..." Let me know if you want me to post one with the change.
    Donna

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  3. I am brand new to this whole blogspot community, and must say, I love it! I hope to figure it out and explore more, but while I am here I just wanted to say "Thank You!" I just started student teaching yesterday and am getting my feet wet in a very busy, and diverse Kindergarten classroom! I love it so far, but in all my "prep" experience I've never done anything on the kindergarten level and feel slightly lost. So again, THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the sharing. I still feel somewhat overwhelmed, but I am so excited to have some ideas floating around in my head! Very appreciative <3

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  4. Great idea! I'm going to share it with my partner & might ask you to put "preppy K" on it since we are piloting a new transitional kindergarten with the young 4 year olds! I'll get back to you.
    Thanks!

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  5. Would it be possible to make one for 1st grade? I LOVE the idea!!

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  6. I love this idea! Would you be able to substitute first grade! Thanks so much! Just found your site!! ellenbel5@yahoo.com

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  7. I just found your site today through Pinterest and, holy cow, am I glad I did! I LOVE this idea as a project for the first day of preschool with my class. Is there anyway that you could (or could tell me how to) insert "preschool" instead of kindergarten? I would be so appreciative!!

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  8. Oops! My email address is kendra.underwood@gmail.com. Thanks!

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