![\"MS-fun\"](\"http:\/\/www.itselementary.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/MS-fun.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBalloon Countdown<\/strong> <\/p>\n I Admire You Because…<\/strong> <\/p>\n T-Shirts <\/p>\n Class Awards<\/strong> <\/p>\n Summer Bucket List It was a Banner Year!<\/strong>
\nHang inflated balloons<\/a> from your classroom ceiling with colorful ribbons<\/a>. Inside each balloon tuck a fun activity for the next day. Hang enough for your allotted time (1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, whatever you choose) At the end of each school day, kids get to choose one balloon and pop it, to find out what fun the next day holds. Some ideas: PJ Day, Hat Day, Math Olympics (or other fun learning game), Movie Day, Treat Day, Picnic Lunch Outside Day, etc. Use your imagination to come up with activities that will give them something to look forward to each day.<\/p>\n
\nHave kids create a booklet of all the ways they are admired, and remembered. Give each student enough pieces of paper to write a positive message to each classmate. Tell them to write something nice, something they admire or remember about each classmate. Each child can staple their papers together to create a book of wonderful things about themselves. This activity is a great way to boost self esteem in all students and to help all kids become more aware of the people around them.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Have a t-shirt<\/a> day, kids decorate their shirt and have their friends sign the back. Have kids bring in a shirt, or get cute t-shirts<\/a> with your school name, mascot, logo or classroom slogan. Decorate the shirts with tie-dye<\/a>, or freestyle with fabric markers<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nRecognize each student for something they excel at. Create enough categories so that each student receives an award and recognition. For extra fun have the class vote for each category. Hand out certificates<\/a>, pins<\/a>, pencils<\/a>, or any small token to recognize and reward each child.<\/p>\n![\"Summer-Shovel\"](\"http:\/\/www.itselementary.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Summer-Shovel1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>Summer Shovel Treat\u00a0<\/strong>
\nMake these cute shovel<\/a> treats for your kids, fill a small plastic bag or some clear cellophane<\/a> with a treat of your choice, and attach it to a shovel<\/a> with a ribbon and cute tag. They make a perfect end-of-year favor (for even more fun, give them a bucket <\/a>too and attach a tag, “Hope your summer is buckets of fun!”).<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Help your kids write a Summer Bucket List. Encourage creativity, and realistic goals. Include some fun ideas as well as brain building activities, like reading “X” number of books, counting sea shells on the beach, measuring rainfall, etc. Attach their list to an actual sand bucket<\/a> and shovel<\/a> and send home with them on the last day as a good year\/good-bye favor.<\/p>\n
\nMake a banner for the new class coming in next fall. Your kids can share their messages with them. Start with a blank vinyl banner<\/a>. Using poster markers<\/a> or paint pens<\/a> write something like “Welcome 7th Graders” and then have your kids write a short message, tip, advice or memory from the year to welcome the new kids next fall.<\/p>\n
![\"700-0-ESUMME-Summer-Fun-Fun-Pack1-000\"](\"http:\/\/www.itselementary.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/700-0-ESUMME-Summer-Fun-Fun-Pack1-0001.jpg\")
<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n