Monday, July 1, 2013

Monday Made It: July 1, 2013



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 Don't you just love that sweet little popsicle bunting! I've been a bit bunting obsessed lately!!!! AND was totally inspired by Paper Source and their amazing popsicle bunting hanging in their store front; so I decided to make my own. :)

Anyways...I wanted to talk to you about how birthdays are celebrated in my classroom.  Between my third graders thinking they were too cool for a birthday crown and my district's rule about no edible birthday treats (allergy concerns). I was a little stumped as to how I could make my little sweeties birthdays still special in our class.  So, I 'm linking up with Tara's Made-it Monday to share what I've made with all of you!  

Since edible treats are not allowed at my school, students who were still interested in celebrating their birthday with the class were allowed to bring in non-edible treats (pencils, stickers, temporary tattoos). However, in my class I REALLY played up the idea of gifting the class a book for our classroom library.  Students were encouraged to bring in a new or gently used book to donate to the class.  They have the option of bringing it wrapped or using the birthday gift bag I keep on hand.  At some point during the day, the birthday student gets to sit in the teacher chair and open up the gift they brought for the class.  We OOOO and AAAHHH and then I place this label sticker inside of the book!  

I was surprised this past year with how many books were donated as birthday gifts!  I had students that showed up with piles of books to donate!!! One of my students even told me how her mom gave her $5 to pick out books as the local Goodwill; such a great idea! 

To add to the festivities I also decorate the birthday student's desk with a sprinkling of confetti and a birthday pencil.  However, this year I'm also adding this....
a HOMEWORK PASS!!!!  Everyone deserves a night off on their birthday! I just know this is going to be a hit!  You can download both the birthday book labels and homework passes for free at my TPT store! 

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the ever-fabulous Tara and her link PARTAY! 
 

22 comments:

  1. Erin! Great idea! Love that! So different and I think the kids would love it:) We had students (that wanted to) bring in a book at the end of the year for a book swap school wide:) They really enjoyed it and then got a book to read for the summer:) Thanks for linking up:)

    4th Grade Frolics

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  2. I love this idea!! I am definitely using this! Thanks!

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  3. What sweet ideas for birthday treats!! I really love the "no edibles" rule... I cannot tell you how many times my Writer's Workshop was overruled by birthday cake. ACK! :)

    Abby
    Third Grade Bookworm

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  4. Love your homework pass for bdays! Glitter popsicles...darling!

    Lizzy from *The Teacher Chick*

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  5. Love both ideas! We have the same policy in our district. Thanks for sharing! :)
    Cathy :)
    C is for Cookies, Cakes, Children, Classroom, and Crafts

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  6. Those popsicles are adorable!
    ❤ Karen
    flamingofab@gmail.com
    Flamingo Fabulous in Second Grade

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  7. Great idea to use donated books as birthday gifts!

    Cyndi
    Lacy's Letters

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  8. I like the birthday book idea. Way to be creative!
    Jessica

    Wild & Fun in Pre-K

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  9. I love the birthday book idea. I am in need of birthday ideas for my own classroom this year.
    Jennifer
    Darling Little Learners

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  10. I LOVE the birthday book donation! What a CUTE idea!! Love that!

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  11. I love the book idea! I'm going to do that next year!!

    Becky
    Lesson Plans & Lattes

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  12. So Glittery and Bright, JUST LIKE YOUUUU! I love those popsicles! Did you see that horrid mural in my classroom on my blog? Well, I am thinking about painting it chevron and put some bunting up... Thanks to your lovely inspiration. That's why I LOVE YOU!!! <3

    -Jessie
    Lil Bit Country In the Classroom

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  13. What a great idea! Love the gifting of books!!

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  14. Love the idea of birthday books for the classroom... our library does the same thing, they can buy a book for our library and they get to be the first to check it out! The glitter bunting is just adorable!!
    Karen :o)
    Mrs. Stamp's Kindergarten

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  15. Cite bunting!!! My 3-year-old's school does the library donation thing too! It's such a great idea and fun for the kids to know they contributed.

    Janaye
    Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes

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  16. What a great idea! I love the idea of a birthday book. :)
    Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog. I wanted to let you know, in case you are not aware, that you are a no-reply blogger. When I tried to respond to thank you for your kind words, it wouldn't let me. :( So I tracked you down and came over here. :) I'm following via Bloglovin now. :)
    ~Brandee
    Creating Lifelong Learners

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