Tag Archives: teacher

Aug28

Back to School Fun

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Back to School Fun

I have many joys of being a mom but one I particularly enjoy is having an occasion to become crafty. Back to school is one of the many excuses that I use to go all out with my crafting senses. From school pictures, personalized labels, teacher survival kits, classroom favors and even gifts for those that aren’t always recognized like the librarian, music teacher and principle.

This week as my girls start their first week back into the school routine with the privilege of the whole week being FREE DRESS I’ll be sharing some of the things that we’ve done and hope you’ll find it inspiring to create your own…..

Here’s to Making Life Memorable one school year at a time!!

HAPPY 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR!!

JZEEday1

Sep16

Flashcards

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Flashcards

In an effort to help Jennah learn her vocabulary I resorted to an old and ancient technique despite all the “modern” methods I have read about online (eg. My previous post Spelling & Vocabulary).
Index-Vocab

 
The first thing I did was go to our area stationary store…. Fun Fun Fun!!! and I bought “special” Vocabulary requirements.

They include different colored index cards, markers and highlighters. It was hard to control myself and not buy anything else.

I just had to keep reminding myself to stay focused on why I was there!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

index-vocab WORDS
I had written all the vocabulary words on one side of the index card, made it fun by using different colors.

We then spoke and demonstrated each word to each other using different actions and memory triggers. That way she had a visual of me every time she read one of her words. It was almost like a weird game of charades.
I had written all the vocabulary words on one side of the index card, made it fun by using different colors.
 
Ind-VocaWrite
 

After practicing and talking about each of her vocabulary words for a little while I had Jennah write the corresponding meaning of each word on the reverse side of the Index.

The prepping of the index cards ended and we then went to traditional Flash card technique.
 

I would show her the word while the reverse side was facing me. She just had to tell me the answer and I could easily check it since it was facing me.

I’m proud to say that this technique is 100% effective because she did really well on her vocabulary test.

One test down and many more to go!!!

With a little more effort I managed to transform studying into Making Life Memorable by studying creatively.

Sep4

Class Gifts

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Class Gifts

Like many things that I do to myself I’ve always given teachers “first Day” gifts and something little for the class.

Last year I made the Popcorn Treats for the girls’ classmates and a Teacher’s Survival kit for the Teachers. (Click on link to see last year’s gifts)

This year I stuck with the cookie theme for both the teacher’s gifts (which I posted about yesterday) and the kids gifts.

The girls and I decided that we were going to bake chocolate chip cookies that Jennah said her friends were going to think it was “Choowy Goowy” because they were so tasty.

While the cookies were cooling it was time to make labels…. We went with a basic Polka dot label that I had found for free online on www.teacherspayteachers.com a site that I intend to post about soon!

CookieTags

I downloaded the set, I was so excited to see the selection of colors and sizes this pack had. All for Free!! I love FREEEEEEE!!!

I plugged the best size for our labels into powerpoint and just added the text.

Jennah chose to go with a sophisticated font called Pristina while Zeenah went with a more playful font called Crayon. Both of which I downloaded off of the internet for FREEEEE…

Each Tag had “You’re going to be one smart cookie!! Good Luck in KG1” (or Grade 3 in Jennah’s case) and their name.

The girls insisted on printing the labels on yellow paper. It would have been much easier to print them out on Sticker labels but then that’s just what I get for getting them involved!!

What’s another 20 minutes spent on cutting the labels and putting double sided tape on each and every label 42 to be exact!!
cookieGirls2
 
 
 
By this time the cookies had cooled down and we started to bag them individually.

This was really fun to do because usually I spend most of my time doing it and the girls are now old enough to do it themselves…. So much fun giggling with them. It really brings out the child in me (not that I’ve grown up!)

 
 
 
 

As much as I wanted them to continue helping me I had to stop them because the labels had to be stuck on perfectly and I knew it would be double the work if they participated. That’s when I pulled go play in the playroom because it’s almost dinner card.

cookieJ

So having the girls help me with these just makes the experience even more meaningful.

Here’s for sharing the experience and teaching children ways of Making Life Memorable.

Sep3

Teacher’s Gift

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Teacher’s Gift

I love gifting and this love drove me to going into business of making gifts. I own The original basket boutique which is part of a Canadian franchise. My physical store can be found in Kipco Tower- Kuwait City. We basically specialize in making gift baskets but are not limited to that. We have a huge range of gift items, baby, themed items and gourmet selection.

I almost always have a theme going on every month and with everyone going Back to School it’s only appropriate that September at the store would represent exactly that!

With my own girls going back to school I had them come into work with me and choose what they wanted to give to their teachers.
cup3
 

Jennah chose a Travel Cup and a cookie while Zeenah chose one of the many Teacher’s mugs we have at the store and the same cookie Jennah chose.

I think they really enjoyed walking around and trying to decide what to buy. It’s probably one of the first time they got to do something like that without being guided and controlled by me.

We then wrapped it up in a simple School themed bow and I added a label on it that read “I’m going to be one smart cookie with you as my Teacher”

 
 
 
 
 

Here’s to lasting impressions and Making Life Memorable.

Sep3

Teacher’s Survival Kit

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Teacher’s Survival Kit

The first day of school is a challenge for EVERYONE! Parents, Students and Teachers all have to get back into the routine and face whatever curve balls that crosses their path.

COVER

Just like I want the kids to enjoy their first day back I like to make sure the Teacher’s also happy….

You may call it whatever you want brown-nosing, kisses up or any other term but I want to make sure the person that’s going to spend most of their day with my child is “HAPPY”!

This year I started my gift giving a lot earlier than usual, I kicked of the first day with a “Teacher’s Survival Kit”

The first thing I did was design the covers for each box. I made the girls pick the borders and I did the rest using powerpoint, printed them out on A4 and laminated each.
The next step was getting all the goodies. That’s the REAL fun part…..
Kit_supplies1

I used a Plastic container that’s about 35cm x 22cm then I basically went to town with supplies.

Here’s what went into each container:
Colored paper clips, rubber bands, binder clips and push pins
Decorative mini clothespins and mini erasers
A collection of large and small smiley board magnets
Mini & Large colored post it notes
Pagemarker strips
Motivational Stickers
Colored Markers
Pocket notepad
As I was buying all these supplies I decided that I had to buy something special FOR the teacher so I added
Hand sanitizer, Band Aid, Actifast Panadol, Chapstick, mini chocolates and leamon & honey herbal tea.

Full-J

 

Then it was just a matter of putting it all together.

I tried my best to make it as organized as I could. It was almost like putting a puzzle together with all the different sizes and shapes of the supplies.

Then the final touch that made it personal. I stuck the laminated cover onto the lid with glue dots.

All ready to be handed to the teacher hoping it’ll “Make life Memorable” to them.

 

TSK2016