May Festivities: Mothers Day and Kindergarten Graduation!

END-of-YEAR! Month-of-May! 

How is it possible? How can we be in the winding down mode, when it seems to me that we were just launching the new school year a heartbeat ago? Check the calendar and you'll see that I am not making this up! Debbie Clement here with a visual EOY EXTRAVAGANZA of ideas and inspiration! 

No matter what your school year has involved, if you follow the 'traditional' school calendar, it is getting time for the big transition and saying farewell. I have done my best to round up ideas that are perfect for the month of May! I am working on a new 'slide share' program that will house all of my various favorite quotes in one place. Not quite done, but I want to reward your hard work with a taste test. {When I get it done, I will insert the link! I promise.} 

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN! YEAH TEACHERS! 

"A teacher is a compass!" 

My long time readers know that I have been nurtured and fed by my mentor, Mimi Chenfeld for well over the last two decades. I HAD to include one of her thoughts! {I took this picture in Germany, while on my European Author-Illustrator tour to our US Army bases.} Mimi, her thoughts and her encouragement are as solid as rock -- so this seemed to be a fitting meld. 

If is May, then Mother's Day hovers on the horizon in the US. I just put together an article at my own blog last night, with a Letterman-like countdown of the Top 10 Reasons that WE LOVE MOM! As reported by these ten preschool artists. If you are a fan of children's drawings or are intrigued by what they have to say, you owe it to yourself to go take a look at how these Mother's Day Keepsakes were created! 

The moral to that story? Every mommy is thrilled with new and unique, original and AUTHENTIC artwork from their child on Mother's Day. True dat! To have their thoughts transcribed about LOVE in the midst of their drawings? PRICELESS. Teachers, you have enough time to pull this one off. It is the time factor and the planning that will bring tears to every mommy's eyes! 

I have quite a few articles at my blog from over the years that include projects to make for mom (or GeeGee or Nana, or Grannie, or MeeMee, or DeeDee or the sweet neighbor next door whose children have moved away.) I have transported all of those images into today's article, but you still may want to click back to my blog for the linkie of additional ideas! 

One of the most clicked images from my blog is this next one, with the photos of a whole class of Kinder kids glued onto dollar store 'clear pebbles'. I did a tutorial and made some myself so I could walk you through it personally. Simple-as-pie! Anything with a child's photo and a magnet is going to be a certain winner in the "Kid Craft for Mother's Day Contest!" 

Mother's Day Magnet Close-UP

Mother's Day without a painted Hand Print and Rhyme?

Impossible! 

I have quite a few for your selection! 

Here's an oh-so-clever variation on the gift certificate for mom. 

Look at these promises. 

I know she'll be appreciative of your own adaptation.

Are you planning a party? 

Here's an anchor chart variation of a piggyback song! 

UBBER FAVE! 

Back to painting fingers! 

Or thumbs. 

Get a whole bunch of tiles from the hardward store. 

Some permanent paint! 

VOILA! 

Here comes another one that is tearing it up on Pinterest! 

Would you be kind and pin your favorite(s) as you read along? 

Most of our readers arrive via that resource! 

These kindergarten drawings covered an entire bulletin board. 

What a warm welcome to moms as they enter your building! 

I wrote a little bittie-dittie that you are welcome to print. 

Then you have the rhyme already on the page ready for art! 

Here's a 'subway' piece that I put together on Picmonkey. 

Hope that it brings a smile to your face! 

Or print it out and give it to your favorite mommy! 

WHEW! That was a lot for Mother's Day. 

Now let's shift our attention to the END-OF-THE YEAR Festivities! 

Planning ahead. Having some inspiration. 

That is my hope to offer you the ideas for your adaptation. 

Here are some bulletin boards. 

First Preschool Graduation. 

And here's a bulletin board for Kindergarten graduation! 

Here's a decorated classroom door that celebrates the end-of-year: 
A PICTURE REVIEW! 



You can never go wrong with a quick survey of 
WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP! 

I have three different bulletin board styles to choose from. 






I was just in Tennessee and visiting Kindergartens across Nashville. 
LOVED this CAREER Bulletin Board from A to Z! 



I was so psyched to see that I made two of the 26 choices: 
Quilter
and
Illustrator!
Too bad they didn't use M for Musician! 
I'd have hit the trifecta! 




By the way, my song, "You're Wonderful" is the perfect performance piece for both Mother's Day and Graduation! I'm not just making that up, and saying so myself. Read the feedback at Teachers Pay Teachers for yourself! 

Zipped file with 2 Mp3's included! 

Last year right about now, I was writing this little poem. 
I thought you could get it copied and include it on the back of a photo of you/teacher with student. 

It is in a pdf and can easily be printed for FREEEEE.
Go over to our Early Education Emporium to get your copy.