See You Later Alligator

I sent out these cute thank you notes to my students this year.

I bought these alligators (actually crocodiles) from US Toy Company for $1.48 for 12 (with no shipping cost).

This year I used spray adhesive to attach them to the card (other years I've used glue dots but I didn't have any at home).  Very simple but very cute...especially because my kiddos love Dr. Jean's Good-Bye Friends song that we call See You Later Alligator.  I also include a self-addressed note card, with the promise that I'll write back, to encourage them to write to me during the summer.

I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolicc's Made it Monday Linky Party.

Thank You Candy Bars

       Last year my kindergarteners delivered candy bars to all the people who had helped us during the year (specials teachers, principal, secretaries, other teachers, volunteers, lunch ladies, etc.).  I made these candy wrappers with a free template I found online.  I printed them and then simply wrapped them around candy bars that I had bought at Trader Joe's (the ones that are sold in a pack of 3 near the cash registers).  I didn't use Hershey Bars because the wrappers they come in now aren't wrapped around the candy.

Summarizing the Year with Our Pre-K ABCs

      This is yet another idea that I got from Dr. Jean.  During the last week or two of each year, I work on an ABC book with my kiddos.  For each letter of the alphabet be try to think of several people or Pre-K activities that start with that letter.  This year I did the book a little differently.  I decided to only include things that we had photos of (other years we've included favorite books and songs).    Because I wanted to print the book in color, I printed 2 pages per page and then cut and folded the pages so the fold was on the outside which made for a very study little book.  The kids loved reading their ABC book and can't wait to share it with their families tonight. 

I went back and added captions to each picture by hand before copying the book. I was having too many problems typing the captions on the crowded pages.

Today the kids brought home their pre-K portfolios.  Very exciting!

22 Reasons I Love My Class

             I have this list on my refrigerator door and it makes me happy every time I see it. I gave it to my class on Valentine's Day (in addition to adorable dinosaur valentines I found on Pinterest).  I've also done something like this at the end of the year.  Another version that I did with my own children was a 70th Birthday Present: "70 Reasons We Love MumMum."  Everyone likes to know that they are loved (and why).