Easter Crafts, Party Ideas and Foods

Earth Day Crafts

Wade through the Water....

It's almost April and here in Northern BC we're seeing signs of Spring....finally!! One sure sign is the endless mud and dirt everywhere! The road bans go up and even paved streets are covered with the grit of sand spread over icy, snowy streets of winter.

Of course, we have great "car washes" to drive through to help rid our vehicles of the worst of the caked on mud...not bad. The best puddles are the ones in the Mall and Walmart parking lots...my Hubby used to drive back and forth through those "lakes" before heading for the car wash to use the power wand to get the really tough mud off. One huge problem though, which I discovered yesterday.....where to park so you don't have to wade through the "lake" to get to the store???!!!

Easter Themes for the Classroom

Easter Themes for the Classroom

Whether you are celebrating chocolate bunnies and egg hunts, the first days of spring, or the Resurrection of Jesus; the Easter season is a time of hope and new beginnings. Here are some ways that you can incorporate Easter themes into your classroom.

1. Make your own Easter baskets

This can be a fun way to recycle and make a basket in which to keep Easter goodies. Have each student bring in an empty bleach or milk gallon jug. Cut away the top, and then cut a one inch piece from the top of the base to be the handle. Using a hole punch and brads, attach the handle to jug. Allow students to decorate the outside with rabbits, eggs, and chicks, while filling the inside with Easter grass or shredded paper. Now they are all ready for the egg hunt!

2. Onions and Eggs

This makes for an interesting science experiment. Have students write down what they think will happen before getting started. You will need a raw egg, raw red onion skin, and a nylon for each child, as well as a boiling pot of water to cook the eggs in. Students should wrap their egg in onion skin, placing it into the nylon. Securely knot the nylon as close to the egg as possible, and boil the egg until hard boiled. Allow the egg to cool, unwrap, and compare eggs.

3. Easter basket soccer

This is a good way to help students perfect their coordination and teamwork. Each team needs a balloon as their egg, and a hula hoop for the basket. Place the hula hoop in the middle of the floor, and have students stand back on either side of it. The goal is to get the "egg" into the "basket" without popping it by passing it back and forth. Teachers can make up variations, such as saying no hands or bouncing on the floor.

4. Easter egg math hunt

You can use the traditional Easter egg hunt as a way to review math skills. You will need several sets of plastic eggs in different colors. Label eggs with group numbers, or designate one color for each group (allowing students to complete the same number of problems). In each set of eggs, put a math problem (one math problem for each egg, but repeated for each set so that all students do the same problem). Hide the eggs throughout the classroom or schoolyard. Divide students into group, have them find all the eggs, and solve the problems found inside. The first team to find all the eggs and answer the problems correctly wins.

5. Egg hunting by the map

Hide eggs around the classroom or schoolyard, giving each student a map and directions to follow (walk 3 steps north, 2 steps east, etc.) to find their eggs. For an additional challenge, older students can hide the eggs and draw up maps and directions for other teams to follow.

6. Egg shell mosaics

Older students can learn the history behind mosaics before starting this project, while younger students will just get messy. You will need multiple egg shells that have been washed, broken into large pieces, and dyed. Give students a picture to fill in by gluing pieces of egg shell to the paper.

7. What came first, people or the egg?

You can use egg shells to create your own village. Have students decorate empty egg shells with faces to represent people. Fill the eggshells with potting soil and grass seeds. Eggs can be placed back into cartons while growing. Students can do things like measure the amount of water their grass gets, or how much "hair" their people grow.

8. Easter around the world

While many cultures celebrate an Easter or spring holiday, the actual customs can vary greatly. Assign students a different culture or country to research to see what their version of Easter is, and have them create presentations to share with the class.

9. What is in an egg?

Eggs are used in so many items and served countless ways. Have students take a look at the history of an egg and its different uses. How many recipes could not be made without eggs? Compare and contrast egg types and sizes - for instance, the ostrich egg and the hummingbird egg. Older students can take a look at the growth of chickens from fertilization to hatching.

10. White House Egg Roll

The White House egg roll has been a long standing tradition. Student can watch live footage of the current year's egg roll, and research how this wacky tradition got started.

With the arrival of spring and Easter, there are numerous themes that you can apply to the classroom. Use a little creativity and fun, and students can learn more!

Source: http://www.worksheetlibrary.com/teachingtips/easter.html

Remember you matter, educators make the world go around!

Cynthia Hughes & Carol Bailus (Newsletter Editors)

Worksheet Library Week of March 30, 2011

More Easter Theme Resources: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/easter.htm

Who Can Resist?

Unconditional love?? Well, I'm sure Mitzi our cat loves me, but I'll just say this right up front.....she sure can pout and give a cold shoulder when she feels like you haven't made her a priority....but I forgive her because she brings such laughter, love and companionship to our home. It took almost a year after rescuing her, for her to really settle in and show us love in return. Now she'll hop onto our lap when it's her own idea to cuddle, but my does she want to be the center of attention when it suits her and she feels neglected. Just coming home after being away for an afternoon can bring out her vocal side and she'll meow and meow until you give her some loving and then she's content to just snoop through bags brought in or boots taken off to see if maybe you brought home a treat. Oh the simple pleasure a furry cat can bring to our life :)

April Lesson Plan Idea

April Lesson Plan Ideas for You
Events, dates and celebrations that come in April.

1. National Mathematics Education Month : Lessons, Worksheets, Guide

2. National Autism Awareness Month - Guide

3. Phonics Awareness Month : Lesson Plans, Worksheets, Teacher Guide

4. World Inventors Month : Worksheets, Teacher Guide

5. April 1 - April Fool's Day

6. April 2 - International Children's Book Day : Lessons, Worksheets, Guide

7. April 8 - Ponce de Leon Day : Worksheets, Teacher Guide

8. April 10 - Encourage a Young Writer Day : Lessons, Worksheets, Guide

9. April 12 - (1861) United States Civil War began : Lessons, Worksheets

10. April 17 - Follow Directions Day : Lessons, Worksheets, Teacher Guide

11. April 18 - Pet Owner's Day : Lesson Plans, Worksheets, Teacher Guide

12. April 21 - Kindergarten Day

13. April 22 - Earth Day : Lesson Plans, Worksheets, Teacher Guide

14. April 23 - William Shakespeare's Birthday : Lessons, Worksheets, Guide

15. April 24 - Easter : Lesson Plans, Worksheets, Teacher Guide

16. April 29 - Arbor Day : Lesson Plans, Worksheets, Teacher Guide

The History Behind The Month of April

Complete List Of April Holidays, Events, and Celebrations For Teachers

Weekly Tips for Teachers Issue 559: March 28, 2011

About Weekly Teacher Tips
This newsletter is brought to you by teach-nology.com 

More Resources for April: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/aprilthemes.htm

This is the 1st day of Spring...right??

Well, the calendar says it's Spring, but up here in North-Eastern BC it is far from that!! We got a fair amount of fresh snow fall yesterday and through-out the night and it is still lightly falling. I hear that in other parts of BC tender green grass is poking through the winter barren ground and the first flowers of Spring are growing their way up to display their glorious blooms. Our school kids have started their Spring Break but as usual,unless they can fly away to warmer destinations, they'll have to entertain themselves with skiing, skating, sledding or just plan indoor things.

Spring Colours

Just a little fore taste of Spring, which is supposed to arrive next week. Here are some lovely colours to cheer up our day :) Hope these make you smile.

All Decorated for Spring

Lacquerized  

Hand Bags

Sole Shebang