My Favorite Back to School Activities!

I can't believe back to school is just around the corner! With my new art gig, I am really going to miss doing some of my favorite back to school activities! These activities all come from my Back to School Mega Pack! It's 28% the rest of the day (along with everything else in my store!) with promo code BESTYEAR.

I always like to start the year with bucket filling. You can read more about it here. I am trying to figure out a way to incorporate it in the art room, because I think it is SO important and really helps build a positive classroom community. It also really helps cut down on behavior issues!

After reading Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, we would always make our class name graph where we would graph the syllables in our names. Then the kids would make this cute little craftivity about their names!

After reading I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont, I would have the kids do this response sheet. 

This getting to know you activity is always a hit! The kids love making this adorable iPad craftivity, and it's so fun to get to know your new kiddos! (You purchase this craftivity separately from the pack by clicking here).

It is really bittersweet leaving second grade after nine years. I am going to miss doing activities like this. But I will say, it is kind of nice not having to get ready for open house, putting names on everything, and all of the other "normal" back to school stuff. However, organizing the art supplies has been quite the task! :) But I am so, soooo excited for this new adventure, and to be able to focus on art all day! 

I hope you all are finding some great deals at the sale! Be sure to check out my monthly centers! I've got August-October posted. Buy now, save money! Click on each cover to check out each pack of centers!

Word Sort Center

I just had to share one of my absolute favorite purchases from the Target bargain bins!

 I purchased 4 of these babies for $2.50 a piece this past summer, and I am praying they will sell them again when it's time for back to school stuff!!! (They sold out fast though!)

Every week my students will visit the word sort center. They each grab a table top chart and a baggie that includes 15-20 words and the patterns we are working on (underlined). Then they sort their words on the chart (as seen above). They usually need to use both sides of the chart. Once they finish sorting the cards, they record it on a very simple template I made on Word.

It takes very little prep on my part-- only 5-10 minutes to write the words/patterns for 3-4 students. (Next year I won't have to prepare them though! Woo!) The kids know exactly what to do in this center, and enjoy it much more than a word sort worksheet!