Hi everyone! I am stealing this idea from my son’s new Kindergarten teacher! These were sitting on a table. So cute!
Cup, plaster, and pencil!
Take a little cup – here she used little sample sized playdoh containers but I am sure anything plastic will do – fill with plaster of paris, and insert a pencil! So simple and easy and cheap!!
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Hit the Beach! Fun Ocean-Themed Outdoor Games for Groups
In the Sea, On the Shore
Lay a rope on the ground. Children all stand on one side of the rope, parallel to it (facing sideways, not toward the rope). Leader calls out “In the Sea!” and kids jump sideways to the other side of the rope in one jump. Leader then calls “On the Shore!” and the kids jump back. Leader does this several times except starts to deliberately trick them by saying things like “On the Door!” or “In the Tree!” etc. and also by going faster and faster! Children can only jump when the correct command is given! If they make a mistake, they must go sit down. When only a few are left, start over.
Port and Starboard
In a long open space area designate one side as Port and one side as Starboard. Have children start on Port side. The Captain calls out orders to run to one side or the other and then whistles to stop them and then gives a command for a position they must assume for fun. If they run in the wrong direction or act out the wrong position they are out.
Positions to call out:
• Beauty on the beach! (hands on hips and wiggle)
• Muscle Man on the beach! (arms up flexing muscles)
• Shark in the Water! (pretend to swim frantically)
• Surfers! (pretend to be on a surfboard)
• Man Overboard! (lay on ground, waving hands and feet)
EXAMPLE: Children are on one side of the yard, Captain calls out STARBOARD!
Everyone starts running to the other side and then Captain blows the whistle and shouts MAN OVER BOARD! Everyone drops and starts waving hands and feet. Anyone not doing it is ‘out!’
Sealife Scramble
In a large area, designate a starting line and a finish line. All children start on one line, and the Captain calls out various animals – zoo animals, jungle animals, birds, pet, as well as sea life. Any time a sea life animal is called the children RUN to the other side while the Captain tries to tag them! First one tagged trades places with Captain and it starts over.
Sardines
This game is like Hide and Seek but one person hides and the others seek! As each child finds the hider, they join him and hide in there together like sardines until the last person finds them. He then becomes the next hider.
Octopus
Kids in groups of at least 4 stand in a tight circle, shoulder to shoulder. They thrust hands forward and join hands with the other children making sure not to get the same person’s hands twice or the hands of the person directly next to them. Then try to untangle going over, under, or through the other players (teaches cooperative problem solving!). They must NOT release their grips EVER! For extra fun, have 2 groups doing it at once and see who can get untangled the fastest! If they are really truly stuck, have them start over.
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Here are some fun ways you, your children, fellow parents, or students can honor the teachers in your life, either for Teacher Appreciation Month in May, or as end of the year gifts. Don’t forget the dance or music teachers, preschool teachers, or directors, too! Anyone who works with children would love to be thanked in a special way! Need a last minute Mother’s Day gift? Some of these would work for that as well!
Flowers — If teachers were like flowers I’d pick you! Thanks for all you
do.
Plant — Thanks for helping our students grow. We appreciate all you do!
Ice Cream and Scoop — Here’s the “scoop!” You’re the best teacher around!
Favorite Soda — YOU are Soda-rific! Or… I just “soda” want to tell you how great you are! You are simply the best!
Nice Pen — “Jot” this down….We think you’re the greatest teacher around!
Keep up the good work!
Bites Candies (Reese’s, Kit Kat, York’s, etc) You took BIG BITES out of a huge job and you continue to do so each and every day. Hooray for YOU!
Nutter Butter Cookies — There’s “Nutter Butter” teacher around. You’re the best! Thank you!
Goldfish Snack — You do a “snack-tacular” job! Way to Go!!
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups — There are many “Reese’s” why we think you’re a great teacher!
Cheese grater (or a magnet miniature) — YOU are a “grate” teacher!!
Notepad — To a “Noteworthy” teacher!!!
Donuts — “Donut” you know you’re the best teacher around! Thanks for all you do!!
EXTRA Gum — You always go the EXTRA mile. We appreciate all you do for our students.
Mints — You have “mint” a lot to our students!
Watermelon Jolly Ranchers or slices of watermelon — Teacher, you are one in a “melon”.
ANY TREAT — Teachers come and teachers go, but you’re the best I’ll ever know! Thanks for always being there!
Amazin’ Fruits — You’re “amazing” when it comes to teaching! You’re the best.
100 Grand Candy Bars — You’re worth a Million, but all I could afford was a Hundred
Grand. ?
Poster Idea – Glue the candies and write this text onto a large poster board and hang in the hall way:
FOR A SWEET GROUP OF TEACHERS
Thank you, teachers! You are all (SweetTarts) for everything you teach our children. You deserve (100 Grand)every (Payday). We know sometimes our kids act like (Airheads) and (Nerds) or like they’re from somewhere beyondm the (Milky Way) (us parents, too!). You bring them such (Almond Joy) when you teach about the (Whatchamacallit) and ignore their (Whoppers). It must be hard to contain your (Snickers) when those little (Sugar Babies) tell you (Mounds) of (Nutrageous) stories. Sometimes it must seem that all you do is (Skor) papers. Most days you probably want to make like (Baby Ruth) and just run home! Thanks, teachers, for (Raisin) our children to a higher level. You are the (Riesen) they’re (Smarties) instead of (Dum Dums). You are (LifeSavers) ‹ you’re worth a (Mint) to us all, and we (Treasure) all you do. We couldn’t (Chewz) a better group of teachers than you!! Have an (Extra) (Carefree) weekend. ………. With (Hugs) and (Kisses), (School Name)”
Some other sayings that can go with candy:
(Mini Mounds Bars)
Mounds of Thanks for All You Do!
Mounds of Learning!
Mounds of Fun!
Mounds of Work!
Mounds of Love!
HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION MONTH!
(Any candy with gold foil wrapping)
Our Teachers Have Hearts of Gold!
(Hershey Hugs and Hershey Kisses)
Some hugs and kisses just for you!
You deserve some hugs and kisses!
Your commitment to caring never misses.
For your eagerness to lend a hand,
We have to say you’re simply grand!
You’ve earned this special thank-you treat
For being someone extra sweet!
HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION MONTH!
(Little baggie of mints)
TEACHERS ARE WORTH A ³MINT²
Thanks for your Encourage-”mint!”
Thanks for your Involve-”mint!”
Thanks for your Invest-”mint” of time!
Thanks for making each day an Enjoy-”mint!
Thanks for helping to create a nice Environ-”mint!”
HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION MONTH!
(chocolate Treasures minis)
WE TREASURE YOU!
It’s great that we can count on you
To handle all the tasks you do.
We appreciate the way you share
Your commitment, effort, skills, and care.
Having you here is truly a pleasure
Thanks for being such a treasure!
HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION MONTH!
Poems:
FOREVER IN YOUR HEART
Although you’re not their mother
you care for them each day.
You cuddle, sing and read to them
and watch them as they play.
You see each new accomplishment,
you help them grow and learn.
You understand their language.
You listen with concern.
They come to you for comfort,
and you kiss away their tears.
They proudly show their work to you,
you give the loudest cheers!
No, you are not their mothers,
But your role is just as strong.
You nurture them and keep them safe,
though maybe not for long.
You know someday they time may come
when you will have to part,
but you know each child you cared for
is forever in your heart!
The Hand Holders (Childcare)
There is no job more important than yours,
no job anywhere else in the land.
You are the keepers of the future;
you hold the smallest of hands.
Into your care you are trusted
to nurture and care for the young,
and for all of your everyday heroics,
your talents and skills go unsung.
You wipe tears from the eyes of the injured.
You rock babies brand new in your arms.
You encourage the shy and unsure child.
You make sure they are safe from all harm.
You foster the bonds of friendships,
letting no child go away mad.
You respect and you honor their emotions.
You give hugs to each child when they’re sad.
You have more impact than does a professor,
a child’s mind is molded by four;
so whatever you lay on the table
is whatever that child will explore.
Give each child the tools for adventure,
let them be artists and writers and more;
let them fly in the wind and dance on the stars
and build castles of sand on the shore.
It is true that you don’t make much money
and you don’t get a whole lot of praise,
but when one small child says, “I love you,”
you’re reminded of how this job pays.
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