Happy Father's Day

 

Happy Father's Day weekend to all of you Dads who are great role models, coaches, supporters, listeners, leaders, buddies, snugglers, readers, wrestlers, comforters, and most importantly teachers to our children.  

This little guy wants to be just like his farmer and engineer daddy one day!  I sure hope he's a good daddy like his daddy too!

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Ocean Explorers: Diving Deep Into Science

Studying the ocean is a favorite among students and teachers alike.  The beauty, vastness, variety, and mystery make oceanography an amazing science unit for all ages.  With water covering over 75% of our planet, it's important for children living on the coast or far from it to know about these marvelous ecosystems.

Get the Ocean fun started with some adorable projects we found on Pinterest

1. These beautiful sea horses are made from colored popcorn, check it out what a fun idea from ~CRAFT

2. Make your ocean unit come alive with this adorable octopus. Made from styrofoam cups and some construction paper. ~ Danielle's Place 

3. Practice those ocean themed sight words using a tray filled with sand, Have students trace their word in the sand. ~Mrs. Ricca's Kindergarten

4. Make I Spy Ocean sensory bags, add a few shells, small ocean animals, glitter into a baggie filled with gel. Students can find hidden items and write down what they find. ~Simply Sprout

5. Make an aquarium and have students label their fish ~The Kinder-Wife

6. Have students depict what lives in each of the three zones of the ocean.

~Beg Borrow and Steal

Check out all of these ideas and more on our Ocean themed PINTEREST Board

We are super excited to release our first Simply Science kits for the primary and intermediate classrooms.  These Ocean Explorer kits are an underwater adventure of hands on science, writing, reading, vocabulary, and more.  They're eye catching for students, but full of standards based learning for the teacher's to dive into.

Check out our

Primary Simply Science Kit:

Ocean Explorers

 

 

This Primary Kit includes 115 pages of Thematic Ocean Fun!

Kit Contents:

Writing Prompt

Ocean Habitats: Fill in the Blank with Ocean Vocabulary
(provided in color and bw copy)

Fish Discovery Writing Activity
(provided in color and bw copy)

Ocean Animal Discovery Pages
(provided in color and bw copy)
clam, crab, dolphin, jellyfish, octopus, seahorse, shark, starfish, stingray, whale

Ocean Animals: Can Have Are Activity Pages

(provided in color and bw copy)
clam, crab, dolphin,fish, jellyfish, octopus,sea turtle, seahorse, shark, starfish, stingray, whale

Ocean Animal Exploration Graphic Organizers
(provided in color and bw copy)

crab, shark, dolphin

My Ocean Book (Cut & Paste activity Book)

(provided in color and bw copy)
clam, crab,fish, octopus,shark, sea turtle, whale

Vocabulary Word Wall Headers A-Z

Ocean Themed Vocabulary Cards

Intermediate Simply Science Kit:

Ocean Explorers

 

This interactive and standards based science kit is a valuable resources for the intermediate classroom.

 The Ocean Explorers kit includes:
Ocean Habitats: Fill in the Blank with Ocean Vocabulary
(provided in color and bw copy)

Fish Designer Science Activity
(provided in color and bw copy)

Ocean Animal Discovery Pages
(provided in color and bw copy)
clam, crab, dolphin, jellyfish, octopus, seahorse, shark, starfish, stingray, whale

Under the Sea: A Study of Endangered Ocean Life

Simply Science Lab: Why Saltwater Doesn’t Freeze

Simply Science Lab: Water Displacement

Science Reading Comprehension and Questions: How Do Fish Float and Sink

Science Reading Comprehension and Questions: A Living Reef

Comparing and Contrasting Sharks and Dolphins

Seven writing prompts
A combination of narrative, expository, and persuasive writing prompts
(provided in color and bw copy)

Ocean Animal Exploration Graphic Organizers
(provided in color and bw copy)

Vocabulary Word Wall Headers A-Z

Ocean Themed Vocabulary Cards

We hope you take a dive into our latest resources for the classroom!

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Father's Day Printable

These seem like simple sentences, but become ones to cherish when little ones fill them out about their Daddy.  Many schools do similar lists for Mother's Day, but sometimes fathers get left behind because of the school being out for the summer.  Right click on image, copy, and paste into a Word document.  Looking forward to filling these out with the boys for years to come!

Be sure to grab this cute printable banner for Father's Day

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Recycling Bin Robot

Theme of the Week: Re-purposing

This week's theme is expensive, Earth friendly, and creative.  Yes, my friends we are re-purposing around here.  Bringing new life to things that have seen their better days.  Our first project was to head to the garage and pay a visit to the recycling bin.  My son did a great job of helping pick items that would make "an awesome" robot.  In my classroom I've challenged students to create bugs out of litter, and art work solely from the scrap basket, so why not a robot made of recyclables!  All I had to do was be the keeper of the hot glue gun, but design work (I love his little crayon scribbles!) was up to him.  

Visit our Teachers Notebook store for this FREE writing activity to add some umph to your Recycled Robot creation!

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Good Job Jars: Printable Tag

Theme of the Week: Responsibility

Now that summer has officially started, relaxation can begin right?  Marcy and I are like polar opposites when it comes this (and it's why I adore her!).  She takes things as they come, doesn't need a schedule (in fact loathes them), and surely does not need a set routine in the summer.  I on the other hand relish in organization, consistency, and knowing what is around the bend (or at least thinking that I do!).  She sounds a lot cooler, right?!  So now that summer break is upon us, I told her that our household would be instituting "themes" for each week.  She probably laughed on the inside, but was kind enough to smile on the outside.

I tried to think of themes that were educational, character building, and ones that I could use at home and in my classroom.  This week's theme is RESPONSIBILITY.  Having a two and a half year old at home will cause you to laugh a lot, and also want to pull your hair out.  With long summer days ahead, and a new baby at home, I thought it was important to start out with this theme.

There is a lot of redirecting going on around here, and at times I feel as if I only say, "No" or "Don't do that". However, there are a lot of great things that our toddler does as well.  So we made a Good Job Jar.  Each time our son does something that warrants significant praise, he gets a pom pom put in his jar.  We have had many discussions about good decisions and responsible choices.  We have the jar out for display, so that he is reminded that he does great things throughout his days.  When he fills his jar we will celebrate!

This is probably against a thousand and one child psychologists' recommendations, but it seems to really motivate one little boy.  Teachers have used this concept for years in their classrooms, and praise is a powerful tool.  I love when my students (and child) receive compliments from others.  It makes us teachers (and mamas) beam with pride!

Right click on the tag below to copy and paste it into a Word document.  Then you can adjust the size to fit the jar of your choosing.

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Summer is Sizzling with Fun

You have probably seen by now tons of cute ways to kick off the summer with a great bucket list of ideas.  The idea is simple, keep kids busy!  The actuality is quite the opposite.  It's week one of summer vacation, and this mama is already scratching her head.  A little brainstorming ahead of time, can help alleviate the "I'm bored" statements of tomorrow.  Sit down as a family and think of some fun, educational, out of the box, near and far adventures that you can do over these dog days.  Whether it be a trip to a local museum, a BBQ at the pool, or a scavenger hunt at home, you'll be sure to make some fun summertime memories.

Decorate a bucket and allow the children to add their submissions.  This will be your go to for outings with your family and friends.

Since learning doesn't take a vacation, make your memories count with this colorful and fun Summer Bucket List Journal.  A great daily or weekly activity that will become a wonderful way to cherish this summer for years to come.

 

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Graduation Time is here!

 It seems like this school year has just flown by, we have already entered the Graduation season, some schools have just let out and a few have a few more weeks. However much time you have left you want to make those last few days as memorable as you can for your students. Take a little time out of your schedule to create somke memories, check out a few of our favorite projects below.

1. Create one of a kind invitations for your little graduates, these can be made out of round cardboard boxes, found at most craft stores and some scrapbook paper, Visit Clean and Scentsible for a great tutorial!

2. Yummy Diploma cookies from Land of Lakes, these would be a great treat for an after graduation reception.

3. A great way to remember all of your little ones in your class, take a few minutes to have them think about what they want to be when they grow up. Ask them individually so you get some genuine answers. Class Photo

4. Have your students create self portraits of them with their cap on, this would make a great display for graduation day! 

View more great ideas on our Pinterest Boards

Grab your FREEBIE below. We have two simple activities that will keep your students engaged those last couple of days, The first one has your little ones thinking about their future profession, this would be a great writing piece to compliment the pictures featured above, add it to a class book, or laminate it with the students picture to send home as a keepsake. The second activity in this kit is a class newspaper, have your current students interview each other and record highlights from their grade level, favorite lessons, field trips, lunches memories etc. Then have them edit their articles to create a newspaper, decorate the title, add headlines and articles and have one sitting on each desk during next years student orientation. Your upcoming students will love getting a message from last years class!

 To get the FREEBIE click the image below to go to our store.

 

This mama shed a few tears this year at Pre-K graduation, hard to believe my little one will be off to Kindergarten next year.

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Teachers help Support the Victims of the Oklahoma Tornadoes

 To the Families in Oklahoma, while nothing can replace what has been taken by this devastating disaster we hope that you feel the love and support, from teachers and educators around the country. Our hearts and prayers are with Oklahoma!

Simply Sprout has teamed up with our friends and colleagues at Teacher's Notebook to create the biggest teacher created relief bundle ever! Teacher's notebook authors have donated items from their shops to create a bundle of activities and materials for teachers.

 The bundle of donated products will be available on the site, just follow the link below. They are priced at $20, $25, $50 and $100. Regardless of the amount a member contributes, they will have access to all of the donated products, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this bundle will go directly to local relief efforts in Moore, OK. Your contribution is vital to the success of this relief effort and will go a long, long way for the victims. It will provide food, supplies, clothing and much much more.

The bundle will be available until Tuesday night, May 28th to those members who purchase the bundle, at which point it will no longer be available for purchase. 

Our goal for this relief effort is to raise as much money as possible for those people who have suffered such a horrible tragedy. They need our help. We are reaching out to everyone we can and we need your help in spreading the word about this relief effort.

Our hearts are saddened for all of the families affected by this devastating tragedy. We are asking our community of teachers and educators to join forces to help restore homes, churches, and schools. Together we are strong, we are teachers. Some of us are moms or dads, and can't even imagine the incomprehensible pain and suffering the families of Oklahoma are going through. So let's help in a big way. Please help Moore OK. and show your support. Share! Share ! Share!

Simply Sprout Team

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Kid Friendly Crafts for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is almost here and while flowers, chocolates and breakfast in bed are always nice gestures if you ask any mom what it is they truly want it is simple....to have a few moments by themselves to take a shower, go to the bathroom in peace and quiet and to make a phone call without having to wave their finger and make scary faces trying to convince a screaming child to leave them alone. We actually have very simple needs. So Dad's this post is for you, save your money on the roses and give mom a break while you take a few moments to get crafty with the kids! Mom's feel free to leave this open on your desktop or forward to that amazing man in your life.

There is nothing more rewarding on Mother's Day to look back over the years and watch how your children have grown. Hand print crafts and such a simple way to document your child's growth. Here are a few of our favorites that we have found. You can visit our Pinterest boards to see the entire collection.

1. Simplicity is sometimes best, I just love a good hand print craft, they are only this little for a while, what a great keepsake!
2. These adorable handpainted spaghetti jars are so adorable use items from around the classroom like a pencil eraser (or from home) like a wine cork. to adorn the jars with beautiful flowers.
3. Use chalk paint to cover a glass jar or bottle, have your little one add a special message to Mom.
4. We love a good Mother's Day writing project. Have kids trace their hand, on each one have them write a sentence or two about why they love their mom. On the vase write the words I love mom because...
5. Tissue paper flowers in a handmade vase, we just love a good recycling project check out how to make a colorful vase using a tin can. 
6.We just love the ideas from Kindercraze this adorable hand print flower bouquet is just precious!

If you really want some brownie points with mom print the image below, 

Have your little one write a few words about mom. 

Share a picture of them holding it on 

Instagram using #simplysproutmamas

Right click the image above to save and print

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A little Thank You goes a long way

While teachers love getting gifts for teacher appreciation week sometimes the most memorable gifts are the ones that come from the hearts of students. Each of the students at my daughters preschool were given a piece of card stock to decorate for teacher appreciation week, these heartfelt creations will adorn the hallways as teachers arrive at school this week.

This simple art project lets little ones express their creativity and creates something frame worthy for the halls.

On a piece of cardstock use white crayon to write a message, I love mixing different styles of writing. Then have your little one get creative with their watercolors, my daughter wanted to create a rainbow, simple color blocked lines create a one of a kind piece of artwork that any teacher will love!

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