MILK JUG EASTER BASKETS

This project started with the students drawing Easter pictures and designs on milk cartons.  (I had parents cut the cartons into the shape needed.)  Then, we started making the traditional Easter Bunny Basket.  All baskets looked more or less alike.  Finally, we extended the project to students having a choice of which basket to make.
We would do one type of basket a day.  The students who wanted to make that basket would meet in a center with a parent volunteer.  It might take a week to complete all the baskets.  Once the baskets were complete, we planted grass.  You can make this into a science project.  The grass needs about 5-6 weeks to grow.  It helps the seed germinate, to put the baskets in plastic bags (from grocery stores) for a few days.  Watch that you take the bags off before the project gets moldy.  I used grow lights on cloudy days.  On nice days, we put the baskets outside.  I would monitor the baskets.  If some weren't growing, I would add grass.  If it gets too long, let the children used scissors to give it a "haircut".  They love this concept!

DIRECTIONS FROM THE INTERNET:

Gather your supplies and start about three weeks before Easter.  We started earlier to make sure everyone had Easter Grass.

Find a shallow container that's just big enough to fit inside the basket you want to use. (Make sure the pot has drainage holes.)

Fill the container with potting soil and sprinkle grass seed on top.  I asked the nearest garden shop what to use.  Some years, I would even get the material donated!

Place it outdoors in the sun or on a sunny windowsill.

Water it daily.  We used a spray bottle.  Each child was in charge of spraying their own each day.

Wait until the grass has grown a few inches high and then tuck the container into a basket and let the Easter Bunny fill it with springtime treats.  See DECORATIVE EASTER EGG posting.

NOTICES SENT HOME:

~ Please send in 3 or more blown eggs by March 1^st.  We plan to work on our eggs the week we take the ITBS.  We will make cascarones from the eggs and put them in our Easter Basket.

~ Please send in gallon plastic milk jug as soon as possible so we can get them cut for our Bunny Baskets.

~ We need parent volunteers to help us make our Bunny Baskets the week of ITBS.  If you can help please let me know.

EASTER GIFT CARD

When you need to send a card/cards to someone in a hurry, this idea is quick and cute.  Use a large cutout for the center picture, give the students a 2x2 piece of paper to make a fingerprint picture.  For ideas, use Ed Emberley Print Books.  Emberley is best known for his children's book work - particularly instructional drawing books. Emberley believes that everyone can learn to draw. His drawing books for children feature clear step-by-step instructions employing numbers, letters, and shapes graded to the early elementary school level.  Emberley has illustrated or contributed to over 50 books, many of which were first published between the 1960s and 1980s.   You can find the books at any bookstore.

APRIL BULLETIN BOARDS

The first bulletin board is showing off student work.  The next two are listing student names.  The final board is vocabulary for science and writing.

I LOVE POETRY

This is a simple way to make sure your students are exposed to poetry even though you have a full curriculum and very busy days.   Gather some poetry books and them put on a shelf or in a crate.  I actually put the books in a picnic basket and then stored them that way when we were not using them.  Make sure you have all of the Shel Silverstein books.  Children love that poet.  Copy at least a weeks worth of the worksheet and put out near the poetry books or where you put papers for your students to access. Do one with the students to show what you expect of them.  I would always demonstrate with one of my favorite childhood poems by Robert Louis Stevenson: 'The Swing'.  Below is a sample with out the student drawing.  Expectations for students:  neat handwriting, detailed drawing, and neat coloring .  This could be worked into a great center area if you wished.  I assigned one a day during the month of April - National Poetry Month.  This gave my Third Graders extra penmanship practice with cursive handwriting.  You might end up with 20 completed for each child at the end of the month.  This makes a nice booklet to send home or even a nice Mother's Day Gift.

HOME ENERGY SURVEY

Let the class see how much energy is being used at certain times of the day and by what appliances.  Com-pile into a class book.  At the end of the year put the survey in the Journal/Memory Books.  Great activity for EARTH DAY.

OUTDOOR QUOTIENT OF YOUR COMMUNITY

 By answering a few simple questions you can decide what kind of quality outdoor resources your community has.  Great for EARTH DAY. Makes a fun Class Book to put in the Book Corner.  At the end of the year remember to put the child's test in the Journal/Memory Book.

FIRST GRADE IS BLOOMING!

This project could be put in the hallway as early as April and stay until the end of the year.  Each child will get a paper plate with their name written vertically.  They need to think of a word or phrase that shows how they have grown in school this year.  If you think this may take too long, send the assignment home for students to discuss with their parents and write on a 'sloppy copy' paper.  Then students can copy onto their paper plate.  Cut out eight petals for each plate.  Students can choose their color from Spring Colors.  Show students how to run a circular bead around the back, flat area of their plate.  Then show how to crinkle the flat side of each petal and press to the glue.  Or if you are fortunate to have a parent volunteer, have then do this part and then put the wall up for you!  Add any art that has been completed like birds, butterflies.  This is a very striking hallway.

SECRETARY DAY CANDY GRAM

Ask each child to bring a dollar from home so you can get the candy bars.  Write and glue bars on a poster board for a special message to your secretary.  Frame the poster board with bulletin board borders and have students sign their names.  Present this gift as a whole class on Secretary's Day.

 CANDY GRAM:
You are so EXTRA special.  I could go from____ to MILKY WAY and not find a secretary as great as you.  On a scale of ZERO to ten, you SCORE. On PAYDAY you may not feel that you are work PEANUTS, but to us you are worth 100 GRAND.  You are my BIT-O-HONEY,
my LIFESAVER when I need love.  Your are the best secretary BAR NONE!  You're a WHOPPER of a lady. From Your WHATYOUMACALLITS, Your Little SUGAR BABIES and Your_____

OTHER CANDY GRAMS FOR ADDITIONAL IDEAS:

#1 As you begin the next decade in your life, consider these important questions: Are you active? Can you walk down (5th Avenue) with (Mr. Goodbar) or do you prefer to play (tic-tac) toe or with your (Kit Kat)? Do your friends (Snicker) as your bones (Krackel) and (Crunch) ? Do your (BUN) sag? Does your hair fall out in (Mounds)? Are you getting a little (Chunky) in the middle? Are you clumsy, things fall through your (Butterfinger)? Does your (Whatchamacallit) still work? Can you still (Skor)? Is it (good and plenty) and do you need (S’more)? Or do you (rolo) over and go to sleep? As you ponder your life, do you stare out into the (Milky Way) looking for (Mars)? Do you want the heavens to throw you a (Lifesaver)? Does your checking account have a (Big Red) (Zero)? Do you wish for another (Payday)? Would (100 Grand) help? Love and (Kisses) (Three Musketeers)

#2 All (eyes) are on you as you celebrate your birthday on October 13th. The ____ family knows that we can always count on you to provide (Good and Plenty) of rock and (Rolo) music from both (Now and Later), including songs from the (Turtles). But if you think this card is going to stay (Sweet), you’re not too (Smarties). Instead, ask yourself these important questions: When you go out on a date, do you (Skor), get a (Bit-O-Honey), or get (Zero)? Do you prefer your (Chiclets) to be (Nerds), (Airheads), have (Chunky) (Buns), or look like (Barbie)? Do you want your (Baby Ruth) with huge (Mounds) or just be a (Crème Savers)? Can you put a woman into (Orbit) or do they just (Snickers)? Does your (Tootsie Roll) go (Big Red) or is it (Tiny Size)? Does your (Reisen) (Tootsie Roll) and (Wonder Balls) shoot (Milk Duds) or does it drive her (Bonkers)? Does her (Starburst) and does she hear a (Symphony)? Do women on the street refer to you as a (Sugar Daddy) with (Gold Rocks)! or as (Mr. GoodBar) with (Hot Tamales)? Our two pieces of advice to you are: First, if you put your (Nutrageous) (Twix) her (Crackle), you’ll end up with (Sugar Babies). Second, use a (Reese Cup) to protect your (Ding Dong) or it will go (Crunch). As your birthday present, we’d like to send you to a nudist beach where your (Whatchamacalit) can get (Sunkissed). Love and (Kisses)

#3 All (eyes) are on the volunteers at _____ as we pay special tribute to you during the month of April. It is so awesome to see your (Smiley Faces) as you walk down the (Halls) of _____. We all know you have worked until your (Body Smarts) and that some days there wasn’t even time for a (Fast Break). Whether you were delivering mail, selling (Mounds) of (Beanie Babies) or baked goods right after (Pay Day), stuffing envelopes with (Whatchamacallits), crocheting lap robes or counting (Change) in the cafeteria, your (Extra) effort was obvious. You never once (Krackel) under the pressure or called any of us (Nerds), or (Smarties). To many of us you have been (Lifesavers) and you (Skor) a perfect ”10”. We can’t even begin to list all of the (Improvements) we have made over the years as a result of all the ($$) you have so generously donated. We would like to give each of you ($100 grand) for a shopping (Spree) or tickets to the (Symphony), but our checking accounts have ! a (Big Red) (Zero)! They could search the universe including (Mars) and the (Milky Way) and they could never find any volunteers better than you (Sweet Tarts). You should be proud of all of your (Accomplishments) and know that you have made a big difference in many people’s lives!

#4 Dear (Baby Ruthie), The (Riesen) for this card is to acknowledge your many (Accomplishments). You start your day by driving down “31(5th Avenue) to see what (Treasures) await you in the (Halls) of the _____. Some days you must think you work in the (Sour Patch) with a bunch of (Nerds), (Runts), and (Crazy Dips). Our hats are off to you for not getting out your (Bazooka) and shooting us into (Orbit) or the (Milky Way). We know you are (Good and Plenty) busy with (Mounds) of paperwork. Both (Now and Later) you are a (Lifesaver) as you (Dove) in to help people get out of a (Crunch) with their (Whopper) projects and their unexpected (Postponements). When Linda calls with one of her (Airhead) computer questions cause she can’t get her (Whatchamacallit) to work or type with her (Butterfingers), you never once give her (Snickers) or funny (Squintz). Day after day you work your (Buns) off and get a (Fast Break) or a (Tiny Size) lunch. With all of the (Improvements) you make here, you (Skor) a ! perfect “10” for Secretary’s Day. We’d like to give you an (Extra) (Payday) or (100 Grand), but our checking accounts have a (Big Red) (Zero). You’ll have to settle for this spare (Change). Happy Secretary’s Day. (Hugs) and (Kisses), the (Three Musketeers)

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS BULLETIN BOARD

INTERACTIVE BULLETIN BOARD.  This board allows students to review one syllable word families.  It also gets students out of their seats and moving in a purposeful way in the classroom.The bulletin board needs a blue background.  Make 4 inch circles and label with your word families you have studied: ing, ot, ug, ed, ow, ad, in, an, iik, ar, at, ow, ad, .  To make sure you have enough raindrops to fill each petal, write on the back of the circles all of the words that can be made:  ad - b, c, d, f, g, h, l, m, p, s.  This can also be extended to more than one letter gl, br.  Make enough raindrops and attach velcro to each raindrop tip and to the petal.  Make flower stems and leaves, staple the empty petals onto each stem, staple your raindrops all over the sky and you are ready.  Title APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS.  Then let your students "work" the bulletin board.  This could be a CENTER if you do them, or free time.

TORN PAPER BUNNY HEAD

An easy project that can be completed in a short amount of time.  Every student gets a piece of pink construction paper.  Guide the students while they tear the bunny face.  This is the most difficult part of the project.  Have students tear the eyes and nose from purple  paper, the whiskers and inner ears from black and the teeth from white.  Place all the pieces where they should be and then glue one piece at a time.  Back onto dark construction paper.  Add to this project with a poem or story.  If this rabbit is made smaller it is a cute front to an Easter Card.

BUNNY BOUNCE PROGRAM

This program turned out to be delightful and easy to put together. Students make bunny masks to wear during the program. Each child gets a part to say during the program. All students learn the Rockin' Rabbit Song. Add a few other songs with movements from the students and you have your Spring Program.The hutch for the bunnies to hide in is so easy to make. It can be used year after year. Take 3 Science Tri Fold Boards, spray paint sky blue, trim the bottom with construction paper grass, add 3-D daffodils (see posting: DAFFODIL BULLETIN BOARD), and use bulletin board letters to write THE BUNNY BOUNCE on the front of the hutch. The three boards do not need to be attached. The tri fold holds them in place.

BUNNY BAKES

EASTER COOKIE

LARGE SPRING BASKET TEMPLATES

These make cute Spring Baskets.  Make as large as you wish.  Help the students place the template on the folded construction paper.  I stapled the construction paper closed so it would not move as the students were cutting.  Make sure they understand not to cut the folded edge sections.  Choice of colors should be spring colors. Once the student is finished tracing their basket, set up another student.  Monitor the students as they cut out the basket.  It is the most difficult part of the project.  Have students write a poem to go along with the basket.      

JELLY BEAN TREAT

Copy this sheet on colored paper or tag board.  Cut out and attach to ziplock baggie.  Buy Jelly Beans (large bags can do 60 baggies).  Place one red, green, yellow, orange, black white, purple, and pink jelly bean in each baggie.  If I ran out of a certain color, I would go to the grocers and buy what I needed from the jelly bean canisters that are in the store around Easter.  If you have access to the cutouts below, you can have students make the Jelly Bean Basket and write a short Easter thought on it.

DAFFODIL BULLETIN BOARD

This makes a wonderful bulletin board to use as a backdrop for student work you would like to display.  I used cupcake liners as the center of the daffodils for a nice 3D look.

WALLPAPER BUNNY BASKETS

This is an ADORABLE PROJECT that is very easy for students of all ages.  Younger students need the patterns cut out, ready to trace and cut.  Older students can be given the pattern page and directions.  You will need several wallpaper sample books.  Cut the paper out of books so students are not waiting












to look for wallpaper.  Encourage students to lay everything out prior to gluing.  Ask if the different wall paper chosen makes a nice picture.  You can choose to give this as a gift or display it on a wall.  You can also have students write a Spring Poem to go with this project.  Frame the art project with black construction paper that is pinched at each corner.