Directions for Your Last Week of Writing Plans- Done!

Are all of your end of the year checklists written?  End of year testing, files, meetings, celebrations, field trips...and the list continues on.  There is so much to do, but what do you do when you get to that moment when all the assessments are done?  You know you need to keep some sort of routine, BUT all you want to do is have fun and enjoy your last few days with your students???  I have one answer for you and it is a gift that each of your students will cherish for life.
I've done this writing project for a couple of years now and my kindergarten students just adore it and I'm sure older students would as well.
It is "Letters to Me from My Kindergarten Friends".  I have each student write a letter to each other student in the class.  You can set your own parameters, but I always say they need to tell each friend 3 things they like about them or will always remember about them and they come up with the sweetest things and they are oh-so-honest and kind which is what I love. 
One year I had a little girl write to another little girl (who just might have had a little trouble getting along with others): 

"Even though you were mean, I know you really didn't want to be, and I will just remember the times when you were nice." 

Ha ha...so sweet...turning a negative into a positive!

All you need to do to make these books for your students is:

• Create a cover
• Create a writing page for each student that includes their picture
• Create a checklist that has each students name (you WILL want this because this projects takes days and students WILL NOT remember who they have already written to and will waste so much time looking for their writing in the book OR write to them again). 

It's really easy to whip up, BUT, if you'd rather have it all made for you, you can go get it from my Teachers Pay Teachers Store all ready to print and go (just the way I like it!).  Writing plans for the end of the school year? Check!


Be sure to follow Mrs. Miner's Kindergarten Monkey Business or LIKE it on Facebook (both available in left sidebar) so you don't miss out on the HUGE giveaway below.  Contact me if you are interested in being a sponsor in this HUGE event with over $1000 worth of prizes already specifically for kindergarten teachers!  Don't miss out!

Smellies! Smellies! Get Your Smellies! Freebie

We love smellies in Mrs. Miner's kindergarten classroom!  What are smellies you ask?  Head over to PreK and K Sharing's blog where I write a monthly article to find out.  Just in case you are totally sold on the benefits and uses of smellies, I have decided to share a freebie with you so you could create your own Smelly Starter Collection OR give one to your favorite teacher or childcare provider as an end of year gift or, even better, a "just because I like you" gift.

Just choose which color/design you want and print it out onto 4x6 photo paper and affix it to a container filled with a variety of "smellies" and voila!  you have wonderful gift for someone or a great collection for yourself!

Be sure to follow Mrs. Miner's Kindergarten Monkey Business or LIKE it on Facebook (both available in left sidebar) so you never miss another FREEBIE or informative article.

End of the Year Party and YOU"RE Invited!

My blog friend Colleen from one of the very first web based teacher sites, Teaching Heart, invited me to join in for her end of the year celebration and guess what?  You could win big for joining in, too!

Visit www.teachingheart.net/blog to get in on the action.

You could win a $100.00 Amazon Gift Card and many other products and prizes.

When? May 21st to May 25^th 2012

at Teaching Heart's Blog
Please visit http://teachingheart.net/blog/2012/05/end-of-the-year-party-coming/
to learn more about the party.

Who? Be sure to visit the sponsors of this party:

1.) Mrs. Miner’s Kindergarten Monkey Buisness - http://www.mrsminersmonkeybusiness.com/

2.) A Teacher’s Treasure - http://www.ateacherstreasure.com/

3.) Miss Kindergarten - http://www.miss-kindergarten.com/

4.) Empowering Little Learners - http://www.empoweringlittlelearners.blogspot.com/

5.) The Clever Classroom - http://allfreeteacherresources.blogspot.com/



End of Year Celebration Freebie

What do you do for your end of year celebration?  I guest blogged over at Really Good Stuff's Teaching Blog and gave all of the details of my closing celebration...head on over to read that, but make sure you come back to grab your freebie to help move your planning ahead!

I made one for K-2 for you to use for your classroom.  I hope you enjoy it and feel free to share!

Gone are the days of the pomp and circumstance, but
we still need to find ways to celebrate the end to a great year.

Be sure to follow Mrs. Miner's Kindergarten Monkey Business or LIKE it on Facebook (both available in left sidebar) so you never miss another FREEBIE or informative article.