Summer Craft Time

Fleece Pin

This summer you may find the kids underfoot. Here's a simple craft to keep them busy.

Supplies:

Fleece in Two Colors
Pom Pom in a Third Color
Low Temperature Glue Sticks
Glue Gun
Scissors
1- Craft (Brooch) Pin


Directions:

-Take a piece of fleece and draw a flower with five petals. Take the second color and draw another flower only slightly smaller.

-Cut flowers out with scissors.

-Glue the smaller flower on the larger one with hot glue.

-Glue the Pom Pom in the center.

-Glue the craft pin on the back.

Keep logging onto The Teacher's Pet Place this summer. I'll have more easy craft projects.

Simple Pleasures

Hop on your bike today.



Today as you peddle down the sidewalk, through a park or along the lake think back to a simpler time in your life. The only thing you had on your mind was peddling as fast as you could to your best friend's house.

Remember! Stretch out before you throw your leg over that bike, or you'll feel it later.

Tips for Cooking with Kids

Time spent in the kitchen cooking with your children is time well spent. You can share the importance of preparing nutritious meals, while teaching your children cooking skills they will need, to prepare foods, in the future.



Here are a few tips:

* Always make sure children are well supervised in the kitchen.

* Only adults should use sharp utensils, plug in or turn on electric appliances or handle hot foods.

* Only assign tasks that children will have success with.

Even small children can participate in meal preparation - remember, make it fun and safe.

Summer Fun

If you're not teaching summer school and you're looking for summer fun on the beach, here are a few of my favorite places to visit.



Galveston, Texas: Warm sunsets will wake you up then lull you to sleep in this coastal town in Texas. Hunt for sand dollars while you watch sailboats.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Enjoy Southern hospitality as you listen to the roar of the Atlantic and the cry of gulls.

Destin,Florida: White beaches greet you as drive through this gulf town. Spread out your towels and enjoy the sun and surf.

Build a sand castle, catch a wave and don't forget the sunscreen!

End of the Year Clean Up

If anyone has "STUFF" to organize and throw out, it's a teacher.



The school year is finally over and your classroom is not the tidy, organized room it was at the beginning of the year.

These last couple of days of school clean out your classroom. Throw away forgotten papers, knobby crayons, and stubby colored pencils. Reorganize files, bookcases and cupboards.

Planning and getting your classroom ready, next year, will be much easier when everything is clean and already organized.

Gifts For the Teacher

Still trying to decide what to give that special teacher? Here's a couple of ideas....



A Journal

Many teachers travel during the summer. A journal is the perfect gift to record memorable experiences about a special trip, write down thoughts while flying or driving across country, or just to jot down ideas for the following school year.

A Photo Album

Teachers take photos of their students throughout the year. It may be to catch a fun Halloween party or take individual portraits for a writing project. A photo album will come in handy to organize those photos.

A Scrapbook

Every school years brings new memories. Pictures and cards from students, certificates or awards from parents or school districts, can be saved in a scrapbook.

An Assortment of Coffees or Teas

A cup of tea or a hot cup of coffee is just what a teacher needs on a cold fall morning - especially after playground duty.

A Gift Certificate

You can never go wrong with gift certificates. Maybe a day at the spa, tickets to a movie or dinner at a nice restaurant - all will be appreciated.


Whatever you choose, it's really the thought that counts, when you give that special teacher a gift, at the end of the year.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day is a day to remember those whoe died in our nation's service.



Officially proclaimed on May 5th, 1868 by General John Logan, Memorial Day was first observed on May 30th, 1868. Flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1873 New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday.

Relax, Renew, Recharge

Whew! It's a three day weekend.



Take time this weekend to relax with a good book, bake your favorite dessert, or have dinner at your favorite restaurant.

Renew your relationships with either your children or your husband. Take time to sit down to a meal together or take a walk in the park.

Recharge your worn down batteries, from the non-stop pace of school. Sleep late, get a massage or just watch the sun go down.

You've made it through the last days of school, it's downhill from there!

Gifts for the Teacher, Candy Gram for the Teacher!

There are so many great teachers out there dedicated to their students. Nothing makes them happier than when a parent recognizes their efforts.



Candy Gram for the Teacher!

This a sweet poem (no pun intended) you can copy, embellish with candy, then present to that special teacher in your child's Life.

Because your smarts help our school run - Smarties@ Candy

Because your positive attitude keeps everyone in a good humor - Laffy Taffy@ Candies

Because of your commit-mint to our school -York MintPatties@

Because your school spirit makes you a great "roll" model - Toostie Rolls@

Because we think you're a shining star - Starburst@ Candies

Type this poem up on a bright colored piece of card stock. Tuck it into a pretty basket filled with these candies.

Craft Time, Tempera Painted Rainbow Fish

Yesterday you read the Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister. A fun craft to make, and one that complement this story, is a rainbow fish created from a paper plate,then painted with tempera paints.



Directions:

1. Take a paper plate and cut the border or edge (usually about a 1-inch border around the plate) off of the plate.
2. This edge is for the fins. Cut this edge into two pieces -make one fin longer than the other.
3. Take the paper plate and cut out a pie shaped piece (about 1-inch wide) to create the mouth of the fish.
4. Paint the plate and the fins with tempera paints. Have students mix colors to create the aqua greens and sky blues in the Rainbow Fish. This paint is creamy and hides mistakes easily.
5. Let painted pieces dry then have students paint a black dot for the eye. Let dry, then glue fins to plate.

This rainbow fish projects turn out beautifully because tempera paint is bright and bold and easily mixes – so new colors are created easily.

Reading Aloud

Teaching kids about sharing is something teachers continually do throughout the school year.



THE RAINBOW FISH, by Marcus Pfister illustrates why sharing is important.

After reading this book talk with your students about how sharing helped the Rainbow Fish. Then, let them talk about ways they share at school and home.

Follow up today's lesson by having your students make their own version of the Rainbow Fish. Just provide an outline picture of a fish they can color. Or, let them glue different colors of papers to create scales on their fish picture.

Tomorrow I'll have a neat craft the kids can make using tempera paints.

Teacher's Prayer

Grant me the things that I will need
To do my job and always succeed.
Help me to know what to do and to say
To help those few students who refuse to obey.
Teach me how to love every child
Those who are busy and those who are mild.
Show me the gifts you've placed in each one
Help me to mold them to be like your son.
Give your eyes to see all their fears
Give me the words to bring them good cheer.
Make me your servant and help me to serve
Allow me to give them all they deserve.
Keep my heart humble in all that I do
And help me to teach them to be just like you.
Thank you for caring and hearing my prayer
And thank you for always being right there.

-Holly Sonnenshein

Cooking With Kids, Fruit Smoothies

The end of the school year is winding down and both you and your children are dragging yourselves out the door to work and school.



Today, have your kids whip up Fruit Smoothies for breakast, while you sleep in.

Ingredients:

2 Oz Pineapple or Apple Juice
1/2 Frozen Banana (Make sure you peel it before you freeze it)
6 Pieces Frozen Fruit such as Peaches, Strawberries, or Blueberries
2 Tablespoons Honey
2 Cups Crushed Ice

Mix all, then blend in a food processor or blender. Enjoy!

Teacher's Lounge, Broccoli Salad

The battle of the bulge is not just a historical battle, it was my mantra when I walked into the teacher's lounge.



I loved it when someone brought a salad, rather than a carb loaded dessert, to share in the teacher's lounge.

Broccoli and noodle salad it a crowd pleaser with its different and refreshing taste. Make sure to have some breath mints handy, this salad has onions in it!

Ingredients:
1- Package (16 Oz) Broccoli Slaw
1- Head Broccoli Broken into Florettes
2 Bunches Green Onions - sliced
1- Large Red Pepper Chopped
1- Cup Sunflower Seeds
3- Packages Oriental Noodles

Dressing:
1/2 canola oil
1/2 sugar
1/3 white vinegar
seasoning mix from oriental noodles

Mix up dressing then add noodles. Let noodles soak in dressing for 24 hours in the refrigerator. Toss vegetables together then add noodles. Serve

Keep 'em busy !!!

Are you getting ready to pull your hair out?



The school year is winding down and the kids are restless. You're tired and ready for summer break but learning must still take place.

Here are a few suggestions to keep 'em busy, for thirty minutes, at the end of each day.

1. Take a power walk around the playground.

2. Read aloud the last thirty minutes of each day.

3. Review math facts and the names of the fifty U.S. states.

Pizza Bread

Yesterday I introduced a book about pizza, one of the world's most popular foods. Today, I'm going to show you how you can make a simple version of pizza for your students right in your classroom. You will need a microwave, something many teachers have these days because they have become so inexpensive.

Recipe For Twenty Children:

3- Large Loaves French Bread
3- 12 OZ Jars Pizza Quick Sauce@
3- 6 OZ Bags Grated Mozzarella Cheese
1- Bag Pepperoni Slices, Optional

With serrated bread knife cut French bread into 1-inch thick slices. Smear about two tablespoons of pizza sauce on each slice, then sprinkle cheese on top of this. Microwave till sauce is hot and cheese is melted. IT'S THAT EASY!

I recommend you ask each child if they want Pepperoni slices. Today, many students are vegetarians. Also, many children are allergic to red dye, present in many brands of Pepperoni.

Many times I ask each child to bring a couple of dollars to school to help pay for classroom snacks and special parties. You may want to do this if you decide to have Pizza parties.

Reading Aloud

School is just about over and you're probably doing everything you can to keep the kids busy.




THE PIZZA BOOK, by Stephen Krensky is a fun book to read aloud to children. It explains the history behind pizza and recipes for dough and pizza sauce to make homemade pizza. It's also a good book to teach food groups to children.

Sign on tomorrow and I'll have a recipe for pizza bread you can make in your classroom. It will get the kids out of their seats and keep them busy for awhile.

Happy Mother's Day

Let your children pamper you today. If they want to cook, what the heck, even though you know they'll probably burn your toast and create a disaster in the kitchen.



And, check out these links to articles for Mom today:

Renee Kirchner writes about her idea of the Perfect Mother's Day

The Three Angels Gourmet Co. offers a beautiful Mother's Day Poem

Read an article about moms who want to start their own business by work-at-home mom, Carrie Lauth at the Working Writer's Coach blog

Beat the Sugar Blues With This Fruit Medley

Hooray, summer vacation is just around the corner. And yes, you're probably working on getting off those extra pounds you put on last winter. And, today you're suppose to bring treats to the teacher's lounge.



You're probably not the only teacher watching her calorie intake, so today substitute a fresh, fruit medley for the usual carb fare.

Fruit Medley:

3 - Large Bananas
1 - Quart strawberries
1/2 Cantaloupe
A large bunch of seedless grapes
1 - Large can chunk pineapple


Drain pineapple, reserve juice. Dice fruit (except grapes and pineapple) into bite size pieces. Toss together in a large bowl.

Glaze:

1/4 Cup Flour
1/8 Cup Splenda@ sugar substitute
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/8 Cup orange juice
Reserved juice from pineapple

Blend all ingredients well with a whisk, then bring to a boil in a saucepan. Then, add two tablespoons of butter, mix well.

Let mixture cool. Pour over fruit, mix and chill.

Fruit is full of vitamins and has natural sugar. You won't experience the sugar blues you get from high carbohydrate foods!