End of year pick me up: writing edition!

I'm ba-aack! Two blog posts in one week? Ahhh…it feels so good to be back in action! ;) I have missed y'all! 

Today I am sharing a few of my favorite end of year pick me ups…writing style. I totally remember how exhausting those last few weeks of school could be, but I always wanted to make them super memorable for my students. I definitely didn't want to spend my last few weeks fussing lecturing holding "classroom meetings" because they were tired, grumpy, and just totally ready for summer. Let's be honest…kids will be kids, and much like adults…those last few weeks they are dog-tired! 

Those last few weeks, I wanted to keep on keeping on, so I tried to schedule my writing blocks around things that would make us happy. We would always spend our last moments together reminiscing on our wonderful year together and dreaming about summer..which is just around the corner! 

So, if you are needing to add some extra "oomph" to your writing for the next several weeks, you can check out my Ultimate End of Year Writing Bundle below. It has pretty much everything you need to get you through these next few weeks of writing. 

These activities will definitely brighten your day…and your classroom. Hello neon paper! Neon just screams summer…am I right?!? 

Let's break it down! 

Just look at my future graduates from last year! How precious are they?!? I can not even begin to tell you how proud I continue to be of these kids! I love that they still call, text,   email, and visit with lots of stories about their 4th grade year. Absolutely love them to pieces!

I know our kids are still babies in our eyes, but they are never too young to begin seeing and experiencing the value of education! During this writing, we looked at several local universities, discussed possible career paths, and talked about the most important thing...when they can get their driver's license. ;) Last year, these kids were all about getting scholarships so that they do not have to pay the big bucks to go to school. Their parents will thank me later! :) This activity led to so many wonderful conversations and definitely had my kids dreaming BIG! Of course, they all expressed their interest in becoming millionaires along the way! :) 

Next up...What can be better than our plans for the future?!? Our plans for the SUMMER!

 

During this writing, the kids brainstorm their summer plans..

Then they write all about their summer dreams!  

That face though! #cutest

End of the year is the perfect time to bundle all of your memories up into one place for safe keeping. I have included time capsule contracts, poems, and much, much more to get you going. This can also be the perfect place to hold some of your writings from the year if you are still looking to put together some type of writing portfolio. I still pull out old writings from elementary school. Maybe it's the teacher in me, but I love a good walk down memory lane. 

And...my favorite...letters to next year's kiddos. I always display these on our "Welcome Back" night for my newbies to read. This helps your kiddos get a glimpse into what is ahead in the new year. Plus, it adds a little spirit to those empty walls at the beginning of the year. 

 Also included in this little pack is my Paper Bag Memory Books that I posted about yesterday. 

Love this end of the year keepsake...paper bag style. I also love that paper bags are so stinkin' cheap! 

All you need are paper bags and dollar store stickers to help your kiddos make these little scrapbook{ish} memories. Here is how our books turned out last year just in case you missed it yesterday...

There you have it! I told you this would keep you busy for the rest of the year! If you want to check this unit out on TPT, click on the picture below. 

If you would like to view all of my end of year resources, click on the banner below! 

Have a fabulous weekend my sweet friends! We are off to Washington D.C. with our fifth graders. I haven't been since I was a kid, and I have to say, I am super pumped! I'll be back to share our writing portfolios from last year later this weekend. 

XOXO! 

End of Year Paper Bag Memory Books

The end of the year?!? My goodness! This year has been a complete whirlwind for me, but yet the biggest blessing at the same time. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Ron Clark Academy, but I am BEYOND excited to make my way back into the classroom next year! Excited would actually be somewhat of an understatement at this point. I have missed it so much, and while many of you are on the countdown to the end of the year…I honestly can't wait for next year to begin. I am totally fine with you calling me crazy because that would describe me well. Seriously…leave the classroom for a little while and you will totally get what I am saying. I am so blessed that the Lord called me to be a teacher. Simply blessed! 

So…what and where will I be teaching next year?!? Stay tuned for further information. ;) 

Until then, I did want to share one of my absolute favorite end of year activities. These were way too easy, oh so cheap, kept the students engaged during those last few weeks of craziness (perfect), and most importantly…were a HUGE hit with my students. If you are looking for an easy memory book to help your kiddos remember what an amazing year you've had together, you will definitely want to check this out...

I love that they are cheap, easy, and cah-ute! :) Oh...oh...oh...by the way, these are made with the lunch size paper bags. NOT actual grocery bags! I have received lots of questions about where I found so many bags. I mean, I totally have connections at the local grocery stores...but even with that, I don't think they would give me 100+ bags! :) 

Here is how our memory books turned out last year…

And here is a little look at the entire project! 

A peek at the inside...

This unit is currently available in my TPT shop! You can find it by clicking {HERE}. 

Happy TGI{almost}F!

MEGA Giveaway: Keep Calm and Give Back

Just in case you missed my post yesterday, some of the sweetest bloggers out there have decided to team together to help an amazing family. 

The Senior family is in desperate need of a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Mr. Senior was injured in 1995 at the age of 23. Each day, he deals with a T12 spinal cord injury that has caused numerous health issues. However, he definitely does not allow this injury to slow him down. He is still very involved in the lives of his two sons, is a supportive husband, and enjoys being a part of many different community activities. (You can read more of his story here). As I am sure you can imagine, the transportation from place to place can pose some great challenges. 

That is where you come in!!!! 

Mr. Senior is currently in a contest where he can win exactly what he needs. All we need to do is vote him to the top. It is super easy and literally only takes a few seconds. The best part? We can vote every single day up until May 9th. 

We will be hosting a giveaway for the next 7 days where you can win over 15 units that will make these last few weeks of school a breeze! :) 

All you need to do to enter is…

Here's the details: 

You can actually enter 3 different ways: 

1) Vote for Mr. Senior {HERE}. Don't forget to answer the simple question before you cast your vote so your vote can count twice. 

2) Share the link to vote for Mr. Senior on your Facebook page and ask your friends to join the voting party! :) 

3) Share this giveaway on your Facebook page. You can share it from my page {HERE}. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We will be hosting a giveaway for seven days on seven different blogs. Be sure and vote again tomorrow so you can enter at…

Sunday: 

Here is the schedule for the rest of the week so you won't miss a day! 

Monday: 

Tuesday: 

Wednesday: 

Thursday: 

Friday: 

Thanks to all of the amazing bloggers participating in this giveaway, and MANY thanks to all of you for helping change the lives of this family. 

Now…go get your vote on! :) 

And once again, thank you for helping this family. 

MEGA GIVEAWAY: Keep Calm & Give Back

I am so fortunate to be teaming up with some of my favorite blogging buddies to help one of the most amazing families I know. As many of you know, my husband and I have spent our year working at the Ron Clark Academy. During this time, we have been so blessed to meet and get to know the Senior family. They are spectacular. So before I tell you how you can join us in helping change the lives of this family, I would like to introduce you to...

The Seniors

The Seniors might be one of the coolest families that I know. Their oldest son is currently attending RCA, and I love seeing them volunteer around the school, attend basketball games, and celebrate their sons' many accomplishments. 

Mr. Senior is an amazing husband, a dedicated father, a wrestling coach, a talented athlete, and much, much more. Among these qualities he is also an inspiration to every single individual that he meets. Mr. Senior was injured in 1995 at the age of 23. Each day, he deals with a T12 spinal cord injury that has caused numerous health issues. For many, an injury such as this would have been an injury that they could not overcome. But not for Mr. Senior. He remains active in the community, coaches his sons' wrestling teams, and continues to work on building his strength. You can read more of his story right here! As you can imagine, arriving from place to place can present many challenges for Mr. Senior, and he is in need of a wheelchair accessible vehicle so that he can continue to be involved in the lives of his boys and family. 

So…how can you help this precious family?!? 

Mr. Senior is currently involved in a competition to win a wheelchair accessible vehicle. This vehicle will allow Mr. Senior to spend time with his sons at school, continue coaching their wrestling teams, and spend time volunteering around the community…something he is extremely passionate about. All we need to do is vote…vote…vote! It is super easy to do and only takes a quick second each day. 

My sweet blogging buddies and I thought it would be a great idea to host a week of giveaways to help Mr. Senior. All you have to do to enter to win this gigantic pack of resources below is vote for Mr. Senior. Easy right? You can vote for Mr. Senior every day up until May 9th. Annnnnd….if you answer the question {and get the correct answer} before you place your vote, your vote will actually count twice! :) Here is a look at what you could win…

The week of giveaways will begin tomorrow, but you can begin by voting today! Remember…you can cast a vote each day. Once you have submitted your vote, visit the blog hosting the giveaway for that day to enter to win these wonderful resources. Here is the schedule for the week: 

Saturday: 

Sunday: 

Monday: 

Tuesday: 

Wednesday: 

Thursday: 

Friday: 

Thanks to all of the amazing bloggers participating in this giveaway! 

Myself, along with the Senior family truly appreciate each and every vote. This is definitely something that could change the entire future for this family. Thank you for being a compassionate community that continuously gives back to others. Many, MANY blessings to you all! :) 

Don't forget…you can vote every day! Voting ends May 9th!