It's my birthday and I have a freebie for you!

Hello! It's been a long time since I've posted. This year with the pandemic and also going to IVF treatments has made me a VERY tired teacher! Also, I was just notified that my blog designs have been disconnected...I guess it's time for me to get a blog makeover soon. Anyways, I'm so glad it's May. We have one more day of school before summer break over here in Ohio! Yesterday was my birthday and I thought a great way to celebrate with you is to share this fun and easy gift tag freebie! The Freebie is at the end of this post!

I've been working on my end-of-the-year gifts for my students and sometimes I started doing it for about a year now, adding a sticker note on the inside cover with a QR code. The QR code links to a YouTube video of me reading the book aloud. I love adding this element to my gift because the student can listen to me read anytime and anywhere!

I chose to gift my students the book, On the First Day of Summer Vacation by Tish Rabe. I linked the book to Amazon if you wish to purchase it! I used my Scholastic Book points to purchase the books for my class. When I bought it, it was $1.50/book.

These book gift tags make this an easy and memorable gift for students! This year, I wrote my student's name at the top corner of the gift tag. Other times, I didn't write student names and just passed it out.

All of the instructions on how to make these personalized gift tags are in the Freebie. Make your own QR code, personalize your message, and there is space for you to add your own mascot or clipart. I used our school mascot, which is a lion. The link is connected to my Google Drive and it is a PowerPoint file so you can personalize the text with any font. Download the file and open it PowerPoint.

Click Here To Download Freebie!

Winter Holiday Class Gift Ideas

Do you give your class a winter holiday gift? Do you need more ideas on what to give? Giving 20-some gifts can get expensive. Here is what I am giving my students this year.

*None of the links are sponsored or advertised.

I used my Scholastic points to buy 10 books for $10. This year I got "There Was A Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow". 

Inside the book, I record myself reading the book and turn my video into a QR code for students to use. I love adding this in my books so kids can listen to me read to them whenever!

During Black Friday, I found 5 kid face masks for $5. What a deal! They are usually around $9 for 5 face masks. Here is the link for the Old Navy masks.

At Costco, these mini Playdohs come in a set of 50. The cost is around $20. You can also find them on Amazon. 

The cute winter gingerbread cookie ziploc bag is from Hobby Lobby. They come in a set of 30 bags. 

I made the scarf from anti-pill plush fleece from Jo-Ann Fabrics. They usually have good deals and I try to buy the fleece during Black Friday. All fabrics were 70% off this year! For a set of 18 scarfs, I bought 2.5 yards of fabric and cut the fabric into 5.5 inches. If you have students with longer names, I made the scarf 6 or 6.5 inches. These are super easy to make and the kids love wearing them throughout the winter months.

What have you given to students in the past? I would love to know!

Diwali Lamp Craft

Happy Diwali! 

Today is the first day of Diwali, which is also known as the Festival of Lights in India and for many people around the world who celebrate this holiday. When I taught in Chicagoland, I had an Indian-American student whose mom came into our classroom to share their culture and holiday with us. 

One of my favorite activities we did with her was making these lamps called diyas. This is a fun and easy craft to make with your students! I made these with my kindergarteners. What I love about this craft is how beautiful and unique each diya turns out. 

Here's is how we made them at school. 

*I posted links for easy access to the supplies I bought. This post is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Amazon or Michaels Craft Store.

Diya Craft

Materials:

• 4 oz. plastic Mason Jars (Michael's has them in a 10 pack)
• Mod podge
• Tissue paper in various colors, cut into small .5 inch or 1 inch squares.
• Battery-powered candle lights (I bought mine from Amazon)
• Small paper plate or small cup or tray (to put Mod Podge on)
• You can use paintbrushes but I find using your finger to be better.

Directions:

1. Prep: Pour a little amount of Mod Podge on a paper plate, tray, or small cup. 
2. Unscrew the tin lid and set it aside. I wrote the kid's names on the lid.
3. 
   Dab your finger into the Mod Podge and spread it around the jar and on the bottom of the jar. You can use a paintbrush but I found using your finger is better because it won't tear the tissue paper. *TIP: Hold the jar in one hand and use your other hand to spread the Mod Podge glue and put the tissues on the jar.
4. 
   Start putting pieces of tissue paper on the jar. Cover all the tiny spots.
5. 
   Then use the Mod Podge and spread it over the tissue paper. This will seal the tissue paper to the jar. Remind students they don't need a lot, just enough to cover the tissue paper because it starts to get soggy and clumpy if you use too much.
6. Let it dry upside down. 
7. Once it is dry, put the candle in it! And now you're done!

This simple craft turns out so cute and it is a fun keepsake for students to bring home. 

Thanks for stopping by!