I'm so LUCKY to have you in my class!

When I first started teaching I wondered  how challenging the students would be. I heard how difficult your first couple of years are. I was blessed with an awesome group my first year. The following year I got even luckier! Eight years later and I cannot say I've experienced "the worst" year of teaching. Don't get me wrong, I've had difficult times but they had nothing to do with the students and everything to do with the "politics" of education.  I love giving my kids this gift to let them know how lucky I feel.

March is the perfect time to give your students a cute gift to express how important they are to you.  I recently attended a staff development where we had the phenomenal Dave Weber express the importance of relationships with your staff and students. This is the perfect opportunity to build that relationship with them. You can do this with any age group. Even though 6th graders act like they are too cool they really love it! I also made some for my kids teachers. My 3 boys attend my school so it was nice to build that relationship with my peers as well.

                   Materials:

• Snack size ziplock baggies
  Lucky Charms cereal
  Label for students
  Label for a buddy teacher
  Label for child's teacher   

What is Luck...

Spring break BABY! That's right, I get a week off to enjoy some "me" time and rough it up with my 3 boys! Unfortunately our spring break falls during St. Patrick's day so we miss out on some fun. Nevertheless while it's a bit early, I still sneak in a couple fun activities. My favorite one is a quick poem about "What is Luck." While we learn about different poems, I allow my students to create a lot of free verse poetry to express their thoughts or like I tell them, "Write from the heart."

This is a simple writing piece where students simply make a list of reasons as to why they feel they are lucky. It's a writing piece that can be done at any grade level. While kindergarten children can draw pictures of what they feel makes them lucky, I have my sixth graders write about it.  It will blow your mind with the things they say. I love getting a sneak peak at the inside of their minds. It's an affirmation that my kiddos are still young at heart.



Here are some examples that I have saved.

Valentines Letter

I'm so excited to share this idea that I do every year with my sixth graders. The only warning about this project is that you have to make sure that your 5th grade partners don't do this activity or it spoils the surprise.  I have to say that I did not come up with this idea. I actually cannot even tell you where it came from. All I know is that I work at the most amazing school where everyone shares everything and somewhere throughout all the sharing, I came upon this amazing Valentines project!

With the busy lives that most of us live, we sometimes forget to stop and take a moment to tell our children how important they are. For that reason, I stress how this will be the most important homework assignment that I will assign for the year. You can read the attached letter for more specifics. I gather some basic materials and tell my parents/guardians that they are to create a Valentine for their child. I simply supply parents with a colored sheet of construction paper, a few Valentine stickers, and a doily, however most letters return with so much more. They are elaborately decorated with so much more including extremely powerful words that have my sixth graders, boys & girls bawling!


CAUTION #1* You may want to have an early return date to give yourself room in case you need to call and remind a few parents. I've had years where some students do not receive anything. Have a few pre-made envelopes from you so you don't have anyone feel left out. 

CAUTION #2* Have some tissue handy! I have students ask me to read their because they are so proud of what their parents have written.


Here is what you need:

Materials

• 9" x 12" Manila envelope
• Red construction paper
• Valentines stickers
• Heart shaped Doily
• Parent Letter
• Cover letter

 If you try this, you have to let me know how it goes!