a creative idea book for the elementary teacher · a creative idea book for the elementary teacher...

a creative idea bookfor the

elementary teacher

written and illustratedby

Karen Sevaly

poems byMargaret Bolz

Autumn Idea Book! © Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company

Reproduction of these materials for commercial resale ordistribution to an entire school or school district is strictlyprohibited. Pages may be duplicated for one individualclassroom set only. Material may not be reproduced forother purposes without the prior written permission of thepublisher. For information regarding permission, write toScholastic Teaching Resources, 524 Broadway, NewYork, NY, 10012.

Copyright © 1990, 2001Teacher’s Friend, a Scholastic Company.

All rights reserved.Printed in China.

ISBN 0-439-49960-7 • TF1601


Table of Contents

LET’S MAKE IT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Who Uses This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8What You’ll Find In This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8How To Use This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Mobiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Clip Art Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Place Cards or Nametags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Poetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Stand-Up Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Bulletin Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Whatever You Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

AUTUMN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Autumn Time Activities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Autumn Bingo! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Autumn News! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Autumn Sequence Cards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Autumn Bulletin Boards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Corn on the Cob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Acorn Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Cattails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Mr. Scarecrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Autumn Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Flapping Owl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Creative Writing Leaf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

SEPTEMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

September Writing Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30September Clip Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31September Newsletter! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32September Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Labor Day! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34September Bulletin Boards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Apple Sequence Cards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Apple Fun Glasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Apple Time Activities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Apple Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Johnny Appleseed Character . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Stand-Up Worm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Matching Apples and Worms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Apple Cores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Grandparent’s Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Letters to Grandparents! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48I’m Special Mobile! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50


OCTOBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

October Writing Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54October Clip Art! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55October Newsletter! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56October Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57October Fun! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58Stand-Up Witch! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59Flipped-Out Pumpkin! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60Stand-Up Pumpkin Patch! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61Halloween Fun Glasses! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62Columbus Character! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63Ship Pattern! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64Halloween Mask Patterns! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65Matching Spider and Web! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70Four-Sided Pumpkin! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71October Bulletin Boards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Pumpkin Stories! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Popcorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Witch’s Brew! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75Spooky Mobile! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

NOVEMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

November Writing Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80November Clip Art! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81November Newsletter! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82November Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83Turkey Time! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84Turkey Napkin Ring! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85Thanksgiving Stories! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86November Fun Glasses! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87Thanksgiving Characters! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88Creative Writing Turkeys! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Matching Squirrel and Nuts! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94Stand-Up Squirrel! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95November Bulletin Boards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

FALL SPORT: FOOTBALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Football Bingo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100Football Player! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102Cheerleader! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103Football Fever! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Football Characters! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106Creative Writing Footballs! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108Football Booklet! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110Football Bulletin Boards! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111Design Your Team’s Helmet! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112


This book is dedicated toteachers and children

everywhere!


Notes:


LLLLeeeetttt’’’’ssssMMMMaaaakkkkeeee

IIIItttt!!!!


Let’s Make It!Children are especially responsive to the various holidays and themes associated with the fourseasons. With this in mind, Teacher’s Friend has published the “Autumn” Idea Book to assist teachers in motivating students.

WHO USES THIS BOOK:Preschool and elementary teachers along with scoutleaders, Sunday school teachers and parents all lovethe monthly and seasonal idea books. Each idea orcraft can easily be adapted to fit a wide range of abili-ties and grade levels. Kindergartners can color and cutout the simple, bold patterns while older students loveexpanding these same patterns to a more complex for-mat. Most of the ideas and activities are open-ended.Teachers may add their own curriculum appropriate forthe grade level they teach. Young children may prac-tice number, color or letter recognition while older stu-dents may like to drill multiplication facts or matchhomophones.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS BOOK:Teachers and parents will find a variety of crafts, activities,bulletin board ideas and patterns that complement themonthly holidays and seasonal themes. Children will bedelighted with the booklet cover, bingo cards, nametags,mobiles, place cards, writing pages and game boards.There is also a special section devoted to the sport of theseason!

HOW TO USETHIS BOOK:Every page of thisbook may be dupli-cated for individual classroom use. Some pages aremeant to be used as duplicating masters or studentworksheets. Most of the crafts and patterns may becopied onto construction paper or printed on indexpaper. Children can then make the crafts by coloringthem using crayons or colored markers and cuttingthem out. Many of the pages can be enlarged with anoverhead or opaque projector. The patterns can thenbe used for door displays, bulletin boards or murals.


Making mobiles is especially fun for all ages. Teachers may like to simplify mobile construc-tion for young children by using one of these ideas.

DRINKING STRAW MOBILE Thread a piece of yarn through a plastic drinking strawand tie a mobile pattern to each end. Flatten a paper clipand bend it around the center of the straw for hanging.The mobile can easily be balanced by adjusting the yarn.(Older students can make their mobiles the same way butmay wish to add additional levels by hanging othermobiles directly below the first.)

CLOTHES HANGERMOBILEMobiles can easily bemade with a wire clotheshanger, as shown.Just tie each patternpiece to the hangerwith thread, yarn orkite string.

YARN MOBILE Gluing the pattern pieces to a lengthof yarn makes the most simplemobile, each piece spaced directlybeneath the other. Tie a bow at thetop and hang in a window or fromthe ceiling.

CLIP ART PAGES:The illustrations on these pages may be used in classroom bulletins,newsletters, notes home or just to decorate your own worksheets. Copythe clip art pages, cut out the illustrations you want, and paste them toyour original before printing. The drawings may be enlarged or reducedon a copy machine. You are also free to enlarge the illustrations for otheruses, such as bulletin boards, calendar decorations, booklet covers andawards.

PLACE CARDS OR NAMETAGS:If possible, laminate the finished nametags or place cards after you havecopied them onto colored index paper. Use a dry transfer marker ordark crayon to write each name on the laminated surface. After the spe-cial day, simply wipe off the names with a tissue for use at another time.


POETRY:Children love simple, clever poetry. Use the poems in this book to inspire your students.You may want to have the students rewrite the poems for a timely record of their advancinghandwriting skills.

Each morning, copy one or two lines, or an entire poem, on the class board. Ask the chil-dren to copy it in their best handwriting. Instruct them to write the date at the top of thepage. Collect the poem pages and organize them chronologically in individual folders. Thisis a great way to show parents how their child’s handwriting has improved throughout theyear.

STAND-UP CHARACTERS:All of the stand-up characters in this book caneasily be made from construction or index paper.Children can add the color and cut them out.The characters can be used as table decorations,name cards or used in a puppet show. Severalcharacters can also be joined at the hands, asshown. The characters can also be enlarged onposter board for a bulletin board display orreduced in size for use in a diorama or as fingerpuppets.

BULLETIN BOARDS:Creating clever bulletin boards can be a fun experience for you and your students. Many ofthe bulletin board ideas in this book contain patterns that the students can make themselves.You simply need to cover the board with bright paper and display the appropriate heading.Students can make their own pumpkins for a classroom pumpkin patch or creative writingapples for a Johnny Appleseed display.

Many of the illustrations in this book can also be enlarged and displayed on a bulletin board.Use an overhead or opaque projector to do your enlargements. When you enlarge a charac-ter, think BIG! Figures three, four or even five feet tall can make a dramatic display. Usecolored butcher paper for large displays eliminating the need to add color with markers orcrayons.

WHATEVER YOU DO...Have fun using the ideas in this book. Be creative! Develop your own ideas and adapt thepatterns and crafts to fit your own curriculum. By using your imagination, you will be encour-aging your students to be more creative. A creative classroom is a fun classroom! One thatpromotes an enthusiasm for learning!


AUTUMN POEMCarve a pumpkin for Halloween.Two triangle eyes and a nose between,A smile with three or four lifelike teeth,Two above and a couple beneath.The inside pulp bakes into pie;Add cream and sugar, place oven on high.Fallen leaves I will be rakingWhile the autumn pie is baking.Winds blow kites in the harvest sky.I can’t wait to eat pumpkin pie.

COLLECTING LEAVESChildren love to collect autumn leaves.Many can be found on the ground butsome may need to be picked. Ask stu-dents to be extra careful when pickingliving leaves so as not to damage thetree or branches.

Instruct them to find leaves with unusu-al colors and shapes. A display can bemade in the classroom with signs not-ing the names of the trees. Studentsmight also like to examine the leaves with a microscope or magnifying glass.

CHART A TREESelect a deciduous tree on the school grounds. Have your students visit thetree in autumn, winter and spring noting the changes each season. Ask them todraw pictures of each change or take photographs and display them on theclass bulletin board.

SEASONAL IMPROVISATIONAsk your students to act out the life of a leaf. The children will love pantomim-ing the growth of a new leaf, blowing in the wind, changing color and floatingto the ground.

AAAAUUUUTTTTUUUUMMMMNNNN TTTTIIIIMMMMEEEE AAAACCCCTTTTIIIIVVVVIIIITTTTIIIIEEEESSSS¡¡¡¡


OH, GOLDEN LEAVES!Oh, golden leaves, come tumbling downTo make a carpet for the town,To fly above each busy streetAnd get beneath the people’s feet,To rustle as the cold winds blowAnd make a welcome for the snow,To leave the trees all brown and bareAnd clothe the cold ground everywhere.You looked so bright and green last spring,A bright vibrant living thing.You’re wrinkled, crinkled, brown and gold,You look as though you’re mighty old. You only last for weeks and daysBecause spring weather never staysBut leaves us when you’re turning gold,Then autumn comes with wind so cold. ‘Tis then you tumble all aroundTo make a carpet for the groundTo make a chilly atmosphereAnd shout to all, “Winter is here!”

AAAAUUUUTTTTUUUUMMMMNNNN BBBBIIIINNNNGGGGOOOO¡¡¡¡This game offers an exciting way to introduce students to the autumn sea-son. Give each child a copy of the bingo words listed below or write thewords on the chalkboard. Ask students to write any 24 words on his or herbingo card. Use the same directions you might use for regular bingo.

BACK TO SCHOOL BINGO WORDS

GHOSTSWITCHTRICK OR TREATCOSTUMEJACK O’ LANTERNSKELETONBATSBLACK CATFOOTBALLELECTION

TURKEYPILGRIMSINDIANSMAYFLOWERCOLUMBUSNINAPINTASANTA MARIAVOYAGEHALLOWEEN

PUMPKINSCORNACORNSAPPLESJOHNNY APPLESEEDSCARECROWTHANKSGIVINGFEASTCORNUCOPIAFAMILY

AUTUMNFALLSEASONHARVESTBOUNTYSEPTEMBEROCTOBERNOVEMBERLEAVESTREES


AAAAUUUUTTTTUUUUMMMMNNNN

BBBBIIIINNNNGGGGOOOO

FREE


AUTUMN NEWS!A NOTE HOME TO PARENTS!


AAAAUUUUTTTTUUUUMMMMNNNN SSSSEEEEQQQQUUUUEEEENNNNCCCCEEEE CCCCAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡


CAT-TALES!Have students make their own“cattails” or “cat-tales” fromthe patterns on page 20.Students can write their ownautumn poems or riddlesinside. Display the “cat-tales”with lots of green paper leavesto create an effective autumnbulletin board.

“NUTS!”Students will love displayingtheir own “nut” (or acorn) onthe class bulletin board. Eachchild can add his or her ownfunny face and name to theacorn pattern. Hang the nutsfrom a paper branch orautumn tree displayed on theclass board.

HARVEST THE FACTS!Liven up a dull classroomwith a ready-to-pick corn-field. Add your own mathproblems to the corn on thecob pattern and display sev-eral on the classroom board.Students can review theirfacts by opening each ear ofcorn and discovering the cor-rect answer.

AAAAUUUUTTTTUUUUMMMMNNNN BBBBUUUULLLLLLLLEEEETTTTIIIINNNN BBBBOOOOAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡


Cut this Corn on the Cob patternfrom colored construction

paper. Assemble with a brassfastener.

Corn on the Cob

Display a harvest ofcorn on the classbulletin board.


Use this acorn pattern for bookletcovers or a bulletin board display.

Acorn Pattern


Cattails


Mr. Scarecrow can be enlarged for aclass bulletin board or used in the size shown.

Mr. Scarecrow

Cut the scarecrow patternsfrom colored constructionpaper. Color with crayons orcolored markers. Assemblewith brass fasteners.

Cut out the crow and placehim on the scarecrow’sshoulder.


This type of craft can also beused to motivate children tocomplete assignments orchange behavior.

Award one of the scare-crow pieces each day tothe children that finishtheir work or improvebehavior. The studentswill look forward to com-pleting the crafts and tak-ing them home to showfamily members.


The autumn patterns can also beused as nametags or calendar

decorations.

Autumn MobileEach child can make his or her ownAutumn Mobile by cutting these pat-tern pieces from colored constructionpaper. (They may want to mount thefinished pieces on poster board foradded durability.)


Children can list theirfavorite autumn activitieson the hanging mobile

pieces.


Cut this flapping owlpattern and his twowings from brownconstruction paper.

Assemble with twobrass fasteners.

FlappingOwl

Display a largepaper treebranch on theclass bulletinboard andperch the owlsalong thebranch for a funautumn display.


Students can also be motivated tolearn various math facts by writingmath problems on the owl’s wingsand the answers inside.

Children might like to write their own poems orshort stories on the owl’s body.

Another idea is to have the students createoriginal autumn riddles. The riddle can bewritten on the wings and the answer written onthe owl’s body. The children can move hiswings to find the answer.


Write a poem or shortstory about autumn.

CreativeWritingLeaf


SEP

TEMBER

SEP

TEMBER

SEPTEMBER CLIP ART

SEPTEMBER AWARDS

LABOR DAY

SEPTEMBER BULLETIN BOARDS

APPLE SEQUENCE CARDS

APPLE FUN GLASSES

APPLE TIME ACTIVITIES

JOHNNY APPLESEED CHARACTER

MATCHING APPLES AND WORMS

STAND-UP WORM

GRANDPARENT’S DAY

I’M SPECIAL MOBILE


September Clip Art


SSSSEEEEPPPPTTTTEEEEMMMMBBBBEEEERRRR NNNNEEEEWWWWSSSSLLLLEEEETTTTTTTTEEEERRRR¡¡¡¡TEACHER: RM# DATE:

Type the name of yourschool, address andtelephone number

in this space.

SUGGESTIONS FOR A SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER:

• Ask for parent volunteers and home room mothers and fathers.

• Tell about the special things your class will be working on in the next few weeks.

• Outline the schedule of a normal day’s activities.

• Welcome all of your students to the first day of school. Make sure that you inform parents of the time school starts and what their child should bring with them that first day.

• Tell the students and parents a little about yourself.

• Briefly describe your goals and expec-tations for the new school year.

• Remind parents to send their child to school with a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast.

• List your classroom rules and homework policy.

• Tell about your student of the week program.

• Staple a September cafeteria menu to each newsletter.

• Ask your school principal to write a brief message that can be included with the September newsletter.

• Note the date of Labor Day and make sure that parents know which days chil-dren will not be in attendance.


SSUUPPEERR SSTTUUDDEENNTT AAWWAARRDD¡¡awarded to

for

Date

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Teacher

Teacher

Name

AWARDED TO

Date


LLLLAAAABBBBOOOORRRR DDDDAAAAYYYY¡¡¡¡SEPTEMBER’S LABOR DAYThis month summer will concludeFall comes with colder attitude.There’s a special holiday, remember?Very first Monday in September.President Cleveland thought it bestFor working people to have a rest,That a holiday be knownAs working people’s very own.Labor Day, a day of vacation,For picnics, parades and recreation.

LABOR DAYThis special day, observed on the firstMonday of September, is dedicated to theworking people of America.

You might use this time to acquaint yourstudents with the different workers at yourschool or in your neighborhood. You mightlike to ask the local dentist or auto mechan-ic to come and talk about their job withyour students. Labor Day will give you an

opportunity to introduce your students to many different jobs and careers avail-able in your community. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Ask the school nurse to speak to your class about careers in the medicalfield. She might like to teach the students how to take their own temperatureor pulse.

2. Plan a special “Career Day.” Invite parents or local merchants to come toyour class and talk about their occupations.

3. Children that are interested in agriculture might like to plant and care for aschool garden. They could even sell fresh vegetables during lunchtime.

4. Create a simple job application that can be filled out by your students forclassroom duties. They might apply for the position of chalkboard monitor orclass librarian.

5. Encourage some of your students to start a classroom newspaper. Studentscan assume the duties of publisher, editor, reporter, proofreader, artist, photog-rapher and printer.


BRANCHING OUT!Create a year-round bulletin boardby arranging a paper tree branchon the class board. Children cancut autumn leaves that can bepinned to the branch. Label theleaves with book titles for a librarydisplay or students’ names for a“Welcome Back to School!” greet-ing.

GOING, GOINGGONE!Display these colorfulapples for a sequentialautumn bulletin board.Emphasize the appletheme by making bakedapples or applesaucewith your students.

WE ALL FIT IN!Cut enough puzzle pieces fromone large sheet of paper sothat each child has a piece.Label each puzzle piece with achild’s name and have the stu-dents reassemble the puzzle onthe class board.

This clever idea will help stu-dents know that they are animportant part of the wholeclass.

SSSSEEEEPPPPTTTTEEEEMMMMBBBBEEEERRRR BBBBUUUULLLLLLLLEEEETTTTIIIINNNN BBBBOOOOAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡


AAAAPPPPPPPPLLLLEEEE SSSSEEEEQQQQUUUUEEEENNNNCCCCEEEE CCCCAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡


Children will love making and wear-ing these “Apple Fun Glasses!”

Apple Fun Glasses

Cut the pattern pieces fromheavy index paper and color with

markers or crayons. Attach the bows tothe frame by fitting them into the designatedslots.

Cut

Out

Cut

Out

A

A

B

B


APPLE TIMEStudents will love sampling different types ofapples in celebration of Johnny Appleseed’sbirthday. Introduce several different varieties toyour class, such as Golden Delicious, GrannySmith, Pippin, Rome Beauty and Mackintosh.Discuss the difference of each apple in terms ofcolor and size. Cut each apple into severalpieces and have the children sample each one.Ask them to describe the taste of each apple andlist descriptive words on the class chalkboard.

Write the following apple words on the classchalkboard. Have students write apple storieswith many of the words or ask them to look upseveral of the words in the class dictionary.Children might like to use the apple pattern onpage 40 for their work.

With the apple pattern in this book, create your own apple task cards usingthese suggestions:

1. Describe how you would plant an apple tree.

2. Write five words that best describe how an apple tastes.

3. Make a list of all the things containing or made from apples.

4. Describe how you would prune an apple tree.

5. List as many words as you can using the word APPLESAUCE.

6. Describe the difference between a forest and an orchard.

AAAAPPPPPPPPLLLLEEEE TTTTIIIIMMMMEEEE AAAACCCCTTTTIIIIVVVVIIIITTTTIIIIEEEESSSS¡¡¡¡

treestemcorepeelbranchblossombushel

graftprunedormantorchardpistilciderjuicy

fruitpietartMackintoshJonathanRomeBeauty

DeliciousGranny

SmithGoldenPippin


Mr.Apple


Apple Stories


Make this cute character from index paper. Color, cutout and fold. Bend his arms forward and staple or pastethe basket to his hands.

Johnny Appleseed Character


Stand-Up Worm

Cut the worm and apple patternfrom heavy paper. Write your

name along the worm’s body andfold along the dotted lines. Gluethe apple to the worm’s tail. Use

him as a desk nametag or a place card during family meals.


MatchingApples andWorms

Cutting several worms and applesfrom colored paper can make several matching activities. Mathfacts can be practiced by labelingeach apple with a problem and aworm with the answer. Studentsmatch the two together, insertingthe worm into the apple.

Other activities can includematching numbers, letters, vowel sounds, homonyms, etc.

Cut


Cut the apple pat-terns from heavypaper and color withcrayons or markers.Use a brass fastenerto assemble.

Apple Cores


This special day is celebrated on the firstSunday after Labor Day each September.Encourage children to express their loveto their grandparents and all older peo-ple with one or more of the followingsuggestions:

1. Ask each student to write a specialmessage to his or her grandparent. Theymight like to make a card or simple giftto express their affection.

2. Have children conduct an interviewwith their grandparent. They might liketo ask them questions about his or herchildhood. (Students without grandpar-ents can adopt a neighbor or familyfriend as grandmother or grandfather forthe day.)

3. Arrange a visit to a local retirementhome for your whole class. Children canmake cards or crafts and give themto the residents that seldom getvisitors. Students might like topractice singing a song andthen perform it for their newfriends.

Follow up with another visit beforeHalloween. The children can take acarved jack-o’-lantern orHalloween cookies to share.

Grandparent’sDay


My Grandfather is special because…

I like it when my Grandfather…

My Grandfather can do many things! I think he’s best at…

My Grandfather has a great smile! I like to make him smile by…

My Grandfather is smart! He even knows…

My Grandfather is as handsome as…

Signed Date

MMMMYYYY GGGGRRRRAAAANNNNDDDDFFFFAAAATTTTHHHHEEEERRRR¡¡¡¡

MYGRANDFATHER


My Grandmother is special because…

I like it when my Grandmother…

My Grandmother can do many things! I think she’s best at…

My Grandmother has a great smile! I like to make her smile by…

My Grandmother is smart! She even knows…

My Grandmother is as pretty as…

Signed Date

MMMMYYYY GGGGRRRRAAAANNNNDDDDMMMMOOOOTTTTHHHHEEEERRRR¡¡¡¡

MY

GRANDMOTHER


Letters toGrandparents!


Paste a picture of Grandmahere and write a message

inside the card.

Paste a picture of Grandpahere and write a message

inside the card.


I’m Special Mobile!

This specialmobile can easilybe made bymounting eachpattern piece toposter board.Color with crayonsor watercolormarkers. Childrenwrite their ownnames under “I’mSpecial!” Theymay also drawtheir own portraitin the framed pic-ture. All of thepieces are assem-bled with string, asshown. Studentscan also list theirfavorite things onthe hangingmobile pieces.

Hang the mobilesin the class win-dows or let stu-dents take themhome to hang intheir rooms.


Use these patterns with the “I’m Special!” mobile or as September nametags or calendar decorations.


OCTOBEROCTOBER

OCTOBER CLIP ART

OCTOBER AWARDS

COLUMBUS CHARACTER

SHIP PATTERN

STAND-UP PUMPKIN PATCH

HALLOWEEN FUN GLASSES

STAND-UP WITCH

HALLOWEEN MASKS

MATCHING SPIDER AND WEB

OCTOBER BULLETIN BOARDS

SPOOKY MOBILE


October Clip Art!


OOOOCCCCTTTTOOOOBBBBEEEERRRR NNNNEEEEWWWWSSSSLLLLEEEETTTTTTTTEEEERRRR¡¡¡¡TEACHER: RM# DATE:


in this space.

SUGGESTIONS FOR AN OCTOBER NEWSLETTER:

• Send a welcome note to a new student or a get-well message to a student that has been out ill.

• List several safety precautions that should be observed during Halloween.

• Ask each family to discuss fire prevention in observance of Fire Prevention Week.

• List the name of each student that was selected student of the week for the month of September.

• Note the dates of Columbus Day and Halloween. Make sure that parents know which days children will not be in attendance.

• Announce special programs being con-ducted by your school or in your classroom.

• Tell about something special on which your class is working.

• Staple the October cafeteria menu to each newsletter.

• Ask one of your students to draw several small pictures about Halloween to be used in the October newsletter.

• Ask your school principal to write a brief message that can be included with the October newsletter.

• Ask for parent volunteers or donations for the class Halloween party.

• Announce upcoming field trips, class plays, spelling bees or fundraisers.



for

Date

Teacher

Teacher

Name

STUDENT OF THE MONTHAWARDED TO

Date


OCTOBER’S OWNA pumpkin field’s an ideal placeTo visit, it has lots of space.Ripened pumpkins lie on the ground,Some are oval, some are round.You can pluck one off the vineAnd carve it in your own design.

FUNNY MASKSWhen I put on a funny mask,Everyone will surely ask,“Who is that? Who can it be?”I’ll laugh and say,“It’s me! It’s me!”

POPCORNWhen making popcorn, you’ll discoverThe pan you use will need a cover.No cover? Then you’ll need a broom.Popcorn will fly all over the room.Quickly you will understandKernels heated soon expand.Crunchy popcorn is delicious.Since it’s corn, it is nutritious!

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL POPCORN MONTH!

CREATE A WITCH!Ask students to close their eyes and imagine the face of a witch. Have themmake a list of her features on a piece of paper. They should list such things asteeth, hair, nose, eyes, mouth, skin, etc. Each student should then select anadjective descriptive for each feature and write it down. One description mightbe “evil eyes, crooked smile, twisted nose, spiked hair and green skin.”

After students have created a verbal witch, ask them to create a visual one.Suggest that each child draw a detailed picture of the witch they’ve described.The best witches along with their descriptions can be posted on the class bulletinboard.

OOOOCCCCTTTTOOOOBBBBEEEERRRR FFFFUUUUNNNN¡¡¡¡


Make this cute witchcharacter from indexpaper. Color, cut outand fold. Bend her armsforward and staple orpaste the broom to herhands.

Stand-UpWitch!

Use her as aHalloween centerpiece.


Younger students will enjoy making this pumpkinthat “flips its lid!” Cut the pumpkin from

orange paper and assemblewith a brass fastener.

Students can drawtheir own faces

on the pumpkin.

Flipped-Out Pumpkin!


Cut out the ghost and pumpkinsfrom heavy paper. Draw your own jack-o’-lantern faces on the pump-kins. Fan fold along the dotted lines. Glue the ghost to the firstpumpkin and stand on a desk top for a “spooky” decoration.

Stand-Up PumpkinPatch!


Cut the patternpieces from heavyindex paper and colorwith markers or crayons. Attach thebows to the frame by fitting them intothe designated slots.

Halloween Fun Glasses!Children will love making and wearing these“Halloween Fun Glasses” on October 31st!

Cut

Out

A

B

B

A

Cut

Out


Make the Christopher Columbus character fromindex paper. Color, cut and fold. Attach thespyglass to his right hand. Stand on a table fora special Columbus Day decoration.

Columbus Character!


Ship Pattern!Make three ships and label them the Nina, Pinta

and Santa Maria.

Cut two separate ship pat-terns from construction paper.

Fold along the dotted lines and gluethe bottom together. Staple the stern and

bow. Place two sheets of white typing paper inthe slots for sails.

Students might like to write their own poems or storiesabout Columbus on the sails.


Children will love making their own masks forHalloween using these mask patterns. Each maskcan be made in several different ways.

TIE-ON MASKSMask patterns can be copied onto coloredpaper and pasted to tag board or poster board.Cut out the eye openings and attach kite stringto both sides. Tie the string behind the child’shead to hold it in place.

STICK MASKSThese mask patterns can also be attached toa tongue depressor or Popsicle stick. Cutthe mask from poster board and simply tape the stick to the back of the mask. Thechild holds the mask in front of his or her

face.

PAPER BAG MASKSPaper bag masks can

also be made with thesemask patterns. Cut each mask

from colored paper and paste itto a medium or large grocery bag.

Cut out the eye openings and asmall opening at the mouth for the child to easilybreathe. Try these other ideas:

• Fringed paper can be added for a lion’s mane.• Paper feathers can be made into a collar for an

owl costume.• Pipe cleaner whiskers can be added to several

mask patterns.

HHHHAAAALLLLLLLLOOOOWWWWEEEEEEEENNNN MMMMAAAASSSSKKKK PPPPAAAATTTTTTTTEEEERRRRNNNNSSSS¡¡¡¡


Lion Mask

CutOut

CutOut


Bear Mask

CutOut

CutOut


Owl Mask

CutOut

CutOut


Cat Mask

CutOut

CutOut


Cutting several spiders and websfrom colored paper can make manymatching activities.

Write a question on the spider andthe answer on the web. Studentsmatch the two together to solve theproblem.

Matching Spiderand Web!


Make this easy party favor from orange con-struction paper. Draw a different face on

each side. Fold at the dotted lines and staplethe opposite stems together. Stand him on a

table as a name card or fill him withHalloween candy.

Four-SidedPumpkin!


HARVEST TIME!Inspire young writers with thisOctober pumpkin patch. Haveeach student write spooky storieson large paper pumpkins. Displaythem on the class bulletin boardalong with stalks of corn, a picketfence and a paper harvest moon.Use dark blue or black paper forthe background to create a mid-night effect.

POP TO IT!Children love popcorn! Makepopcorn in the classroom andthen have each child write aboutthe experience on large paper ker-nels. Display the best papers onthe class board.

You may like to glue popcorn ker-nels to poster board to form theword POP!

WHAT’S COOKING?Ask students to use their mathand writing skills to write cre-ative recipes.

Using the Halloween theme,have them write recipes for amagic potion or a witch’s brewon large circles of cut paper.Arrange the “bubbles” on theclass bulletin board along with awitch stirring her pot, as shown.

OOOOCCCCTTTTOOOOBBBBEEEERRRR BBBBUUUULLLLLLLLEEEETTTTIIIINNNN BBBBOOOOAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡


Write a spooky Halloween story.Pumpkin Stories!


POPCORN

Write your ideasabout popcorn using thispatterns as a booklet cover.


Witch’s Brew!


Each child can make his or her own“spooky” mobile by cutting these pat-terns from construction paper. Hang thepatterns using kite string or heavythread.

Spooky Mobile!


NOV

EMBER

NOV

EMBER

NOVEMBER CLIP ART

NOVEMBER AWARDS

TURKEY TIME ACTIVITIES

NOVEMBER FUN GLASSES

CREATIVE WRITING TURKEYS

MATCHING SQUIRREL AND NUTS

STAND-UP SQUIRREL

NOVEMBER BULLETIN BOARDS

THANKSGIVING CHARACTERS


November Clip Art!


NNNNOOOOVVVVEEEEMMMMBBBBEEEERRRR NNNNEEEEWWWWSSSSLLLLEEEETTTTTTTTEEEERRRR¡¡¡¡TEACHER: RM# DATE:


in this space.

SUGGESTIONS FOR A NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER:

• Ask your school principal to write a brief message that can be included with the November newsletter.

• Ask for parent volunteers or donations.

• Announce upcoming field trips, class plays, spelling bees or fund raisers.

• Send a welcome note to a new student or a get-well message to a student that has been out ill.

• List the name of each student that wasselected student of the week for the month of October.

• Note the dates of Veteran’s Day and the Thanksgiving holiday. Make sure that parents know which days childrenwill not be in attendance.

• List parent conference days and include necessary information.

• Remind parents of Election Day and ask them to set a good example for their children and vote!

• Announce special programs being con-ducted by your school or in your class-room.

• Tell about something special on which your class is working.

• Emphasize your classroom rules or homework policy.

• Staple the November cafeteria menu to each newsletter.

• Ask one of your students to draw sev-eral small pictures about Thanksgiving to be used in the November newsletter.



for

Date

Teacher

Name

STUDENT OF THE MONTHAWARDED TO

Teacher Date


TURKEY STUFF!All turkeys have a hollow space. In there, the dressing you can place.The dressing’s made of hard, dry breadOr cracker crumbs are used instead.

A tiny bit of water will doAnd salt and pepper and you’re through.Push gently all this mix insideAs if all this you want to hide.

Stuff the turkey plump and fat.A turkey looks quite good like that.Sew up the hole with string or thread.It won’t hurt him, he’s mighty dead.

We stuff the turkey to the brim.The stuffing looks real good on him.We stuff ourselves with pie and suchAnd all of us may eat too much.

The turkey looks like he will split,So good I ate too much of it.Now, I’m afraid that I will burstAnd I thought he would do it first.

I should have stopped when I’d had enough.Now, I’m the one who’s overstuffed!

Try one of these Thanksgiving activities:

• Have students create an alphabet dinner by asking them to write the names offood that they might have for a Thanksgiving dinner using each letter of the alphabet. An example might be:

A – Apple PieB – BiscuitsC – Cranberry Sauce

• Students will express a renewed interest in math by creating Thanksgiving math problems and then solving them Select a few students to plan a Thanksgiving menu and add up the cost of an actual meal. Others can calcu-late how many people will be attending and figure the number of chairs, forks, knives, etc. that will be needed.

TTTTUUUURRRRKKKKEEEEYYYY TTTTIIIIMMMMEEEE¡¡¡¡


Make this simple turkey Napkin Ring and NamePlace Card from construction paper. Cut onestrip of paper 2” X 9” and staple together to forma loop. Cut out the turkey head and tail and glueinto place, as shown. Paste the turkey to asquare of poster board. Roll a paper napkin andplace it in the loop.

Children will love making this cute turkey decora-tion for everyone in the family.

Turkey Napkin Ring!


Cut the pat-tern piecesfrom heavy indexpaper and color with markers or crayons. Attach thebows to the frame by fitting them into the designated slots.

November Fun Glasses!

Cut

Out

Cut

Out

A

A

B

B


Copy these cute “ThanksgivingCharacters” onto construction paperand cut them out.

Color the characters with crayonsor colored markers. Bend thearms forward and staple orpaste their Thanksgiving con-tribution to their hands.Fold the lower half alongthe dotted lines toward theback to make the charac-ters stand.

Thanksgiving Characters!


These Pilgrim and Indian characters canbe used as place cards for the family’sThanksgiving dinner.


Children can also have fun mak-ing a Thanksgiving centerpieceby arranging the characters in acircle. Face each character outand staple their hands together.

Students might like to use thecharacters to illustrate the storyof the first Thanksgiving.


Oh, no! It was Thanksgiving morningand the turkey was still frozen.

Creative Writing Turkeys!

Everyone in the family agreed not tohave turkey this Thanksgiving.

Instead, we had…

Just as everyone sat down to theThanksgiving table, the turkey…


Our family decided to have aThanksgiving dinner just like the

pilgrims.

Just as mom was taking theturkey out of the oven, something

unbelievable happened!

Here is my recipe for cooking aThanksgiving turkey.


Cut several squirrels and nuts fromcolored construction paper to make a variety of matching activities.

Matching Squirrel and Nuts!


Make this cute squirrel craft usingbrown construction paper.

Cut out the squirrel pattern andcolor with crayons. Fold hisarms and legs forward. Fold thesquirrel’s tail back and curl itaround a pencil. Paste or staplethe acorn to his arms. Standyour squirrel on a desk or table-top.

This squirrel pattern could alsobe used as a name place card.

Stand-UpSquirrel!


THANKFUL CORNUCOPIADisplay a large cornucopia on theclass bulletin board. Write eachstudent’s name on a folded pieceof construction paper and ask himor her to list what he or she ismost grateful for inside. Pin theseto the inside of the cornucopia, asshown.

3-D TURKEY!Cut three large circles and the turkeypattern from fall colored poster board.Cut a sponge into several small piecesand glue the pieces between the layersof the turkey. Let dry overnight. In themorning, pin the three-dimensionalturkey to the class bulletin board andhave students display their best workpapers on each side.

PIECE OF PIEThis is a great way to demonstratefractions to your students! Displayseveral large “pumpkin pies” on theclass board, each representing differ-ent fractions. Children can take apiece of pie and announce to theclass how much of the pie is left. Atthe conclusion of the activity, make apumpkin pie in class for everyone toenjoy!

NNNNOOOOVVVVEEEEMMMMBBBBEEEERRRR BBBBUUUULLLLLLLLEEEETTTTIIIINNNN BBBBOOOOAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡


Enlarge the cornucopia for the class bul-letin board. Place the name of eachstudent in the opening of the“horn of plenty.”

I’m thankful for…

Make a list of what you are mostthankful for. Cut pictures represent-ing those things from magazines and

glue them to the cornucopia.

NAME


TurkeyPattern!


FFFFOOOOOOOOTTTTBBBBAAAALLLLLLLL

FOOTBALL ACTIVITIES

FOOTBALL PLAYER

CHEERLEADER

FOOTBALL FEVER GAME

FOOTBALL CHARACTERS

CREATIVE WRITING FOOTBALLS

FOOTBALL BOOKLET

FOOTBALL BULLETIN BOARDS


FootballA football field is long and wideWith husky players on each side.The quarterback’s an important man.He runs with the ball as fast as he can.His teammates give him close protection.He’d never run in the wrong direction.But if he did and that player was you,Besides saying "Oops," what would you do?

Try these football activities:SPORTSWRITERWatch a football game on television taking notesabout the highlights of the game. Write a briefdescription of the two teams, team members and themost exciting moments of the game. You might wantto read your news story to the class, acting like asportscaster.

CREATE A TEAMMake up a name for an imaginary team anddecide from what city they might originate.

Choose their colors, mascot, uniform design, etc. Write a paper describing your new team and include a drawing of one of the players in full uniform.

GOOD SPORTSList three rules of good sportsmanship pertaining to the game of football. Youmight also want to list three rules of good sportsmanship for the fans, as well.

FFFFOOOOOOOOTTTTBBBBAAAALLLLLLLL BBBBIIIINNNNGGGGOOOO¡¡¡¡This game offers an exciting way to introduce students to football vocabularywords. Give each child a copy of the bingo words listed below or write thewords on the chalkboard. Ask students to write any 24 words on his or herbingo card. Use the same directions you might use for regular bingo.

FOOTBALL BINGO WORDS

time outhuddlepuntdefenseoffensequarterhalftimescoreteam interception

penaltygrassfieldgoal postkickgamecheerfanscheerleaderbench

off sidesthrowscrimmagecoachyardspointshalfbackfullbackrunning backuniform

footballtouchdowngoalrundownquarterbackcenterhelmetspiketackle


FREE

FFFFOOOOOOOOTTTTBBBBAAAALLLLLLLL

BBBBIIIINNNNGGGGOOOO


Make this cute football playerfrom index paper. Add your favorite number to his jersey.Color, cut out and fold.

Stand several players on atabletop and pretend toplay your own championship game.

Football Player!

Students might like tomake miniature footballplayers to use as gamemarkers for the game

“Football Fever!”


Make this cheerleader from indexpaper. Color, cut out and fold.Attach the pennant in one hand andthe pompon in the other.

Cheerleader!


1. 2.

9.10.

11.

12.

13.14.

15.

Football Fever!


Teachers: Two, three or four children can play this game. Make your own task cards or writemath problems on each football. Each problem must be solved before the player moves acrossthe board.

3.4. 5.

6.

7.8.

16.

17.


Enlarge these “Football Characters”for a fun and spirited bulletin boarddisplay.

Each student can make and label afootball that can be passed acrossthe board.

Football Characters!


Creative Writing Footballs!

The crowd roared with laughterwhen the whole team…

There were only 30 seconds leftin the game when…

The quarterback threw thefootball so far that…


During halftime, the mostamazing thing happened!

All of a sudden, the mascotfrom the other team…

Just then, the football wentflying in the air and landed…


FootballBooklet!


JOIN THE TEAM!Hang colorful paper pennants across the class bulletin board. Write a student’sname on each pennant. This is a wonderful way to welcome your students tothe start of school!

KICK OFF!Monitor your next PTA membership drive or fund raiser with this easy bulletinboard idea. Display a set of goal posts at one end of the board and a “place-kicker” at the other end. Mark the “field” to indicate the various goals to beaccomplished. Move the football down the field as your students collect pointsin the contest.

FFFFOOOOOOOOTTTTBBBBAAAALLLLLLLL BBBBUUUULLLLLLLLEEEETTTTIIIINNNN BBBBOOOOAAAARRRRDDDDSSSS¡¡¡¡


Create a fictional football team and design their special helmet.You might like to write a story about your team or make up an

original cheer. Perform your cheer along with several classmates.

Design Your Team’s Helmet!


a creative idea book for the elementary teacher · a creative idea book for the elementary teacher...

Documents

Transcript of a creative idea book for the elementary teacher · a creative idea book for the elementary teacher...