Father's Day Festivities!

FATHER'S DAY FUN + FESTIVITIES 

We often go off-the-deep end in our celebration and honoring of the 'moms' in our life, rightly so. How much attention is showered on those unsung heros? DADS! 

I've gathered up some 'goodies' in honor of the men in our lives from my spring time Author-Illustrator school visits. I know how you appreciate looking over my shoulder as a skip about the countryside. Part of my mission while on site is to gather some goodies to share.

First up are these fantastic first grade portraits and writings. I never tire of children's art. As a former art teacher morphed into an illustrator, children's art is the great joy in my life. Children's art that honors the most significant people in their life? PRICELESS. These writings are to be filed away and treasured in a decade or two. They cut right to the heart. 

These goodies were on the bulletin boards at St. Paul Catholic school in Westerville, OH -- site of my end-of-the-year visit for the last decade! 

The part of these writings that 'gets-to-me' is the truth that children LUV LUV LUV the TIME that they spend with their parents. Pure and simple. Laughing together is memorable. 

This next little poem was on the drying rack over in southern Indiana. Heartfelt words. Painted tootsies. PERFECT for the younger crowd to give to their daddy on Father's Day. Preschool project for certain. I think Kindergarten fathers can also benefit from the occasional reminder. The days pass so quickly. 

This next oh-so-clever Father's Day Bulletin Board was happily displayed at my own WonderTwinzees (that's the grand-kiddos) Preschool in Pataskala, OH earlier this spring. The idea could easily be translated into a card for dad..... or a special person in any child's life.  

I had a great photo-magnet idea that I saw in Mrs. Jones Kinder-class in Hilliard this spring. The same idea could be equally as applicable as a gift for daddy on Father's Day. 

After today's article went to press I created a DIY Tutorial on the making of these photo magnets. 

To watch a step-by-step set of directions go to this future article. 

I hope that these ideas prompt and inspire you for heartfelt exchanges, sure to please! 

Next year I created this Father's Day "Subway Art" piece. 
Made it on Picmonkey of course! 
Easy peasy. 
I've got it as a FREEBIE to print. 
Just go over to our Early Education Emporium. 

Click picture to get Father's Day Subway Art as a FREEBIE Printable

-- Debbie --
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***I've just added this post to a blog hop on all things Father's Day sponsored by The Preschool Blogger Network. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to add these ideas. Go over to TeachPreschool to see all of the rest of the ideas. 

End of the Year Keepsakes + Rhymes

END OF YEAR FESTIVITIES 

Rainbows Reporting!!! I've made quite a few end-of-the-year school visits wearing my author-illustrator hat. I thought that I'd share some 'keepsakes' and rhymes that I have seen out on my circuit of "Music Lady" visits to conclude the year across the Midwest. 


These treasures were on the wall at Sutter Park Elementary last week. Above the teacher's desk it was  something of a walk-of-fame, like the Hollywood sidewalk. You know with the stars and handprints from the beautiful people. This wall had treasured mementos featuring the previous students. I thought you might appreciate seeing the poems included with the smiles of the classmates. 

Here's from an even earlier year as you can see. Same idea of including the photos of the classmates, this time just a slightly different format and a different rhyme. Since they're laminated they can serve as a permanent reminder of those very first school friends!

Here's what one of the classes was working on to send home this year. Heartfelt expressions of wishing well on the road to new adventures. Of course I LUV LUV LUV the color! And I never tire of handprints either!

Now from Preschool in central Ohio up to the edge of Detroit: Taylor, Michigan to be exact. Take a look at this series of rhymes, housed in the place of honor -- inside the school's showcase. So I'm taking the photos thru glass, but I think you can still get the idea. The elementary school that I visited is Blair Moody and their mascot is the eagle.... which you will see if you read to the end! 

I shared these two last week from my Fine Motor Friday continuing series, but it seems appropriate to have them housed in this round-up as well. 

This one is a 'scrambled'-up-and-rearrange project and I'm not sure that I got everything in the right order exactly, but I think you get enough to catch on -- or you can always adapt the idea for your own use. 

I shared this next one back in my popular Mother's Day post, 

but I think the rhyme is certainly suitable for 'end-of-the-year' (EOY) attaching a keepsake photo, too!!

Are you trying to remember the words in this ol' Faithful rhyme?
I was so excited to see that it is still in use! 

Every end of the school year implies the beginning of a new year is just around the corner. Every teacher I know is already contemplating how to get things started for next year. And now we have Pinterest as our ever present resource!

Here's my all-time favorite year-launching idea ever! 

This beginning-of-the-year greeting letter has been hanging here at WonderPeep Central on the refrigerator for almost a year now. You kinda get the impression that its well loved, don't you?

It seriously has to be one of my favorite pictures of the five of them. The photo was taken at a before-school starts screening, meet your teacher type event. Can you imagine my daughter's beating heart to be given this page, with this sentiment, with this pic of her crew? Yeah, Mrs. Davis!!! 

I wanna be clear. I didn't write the letter above and I don't know that Mrs. Davis did either. That's the thing about Pinterest and the internet and sharing great ideas..... I'm not certain who should get the credit for any of the written words above. Hopefully the authors of these sentiments are the type(s) that are happy to have their thoughts out and circulating even if they don't receive the credit. If these are your words, please let me know and I'll certainly give you the spotlight. 

In the mean time Happy End of the Year, Planning ahead!! 

P.S. Look what came home in WonderBoy's backpack today!!!! Yup that's Mrs. Davis with WB. The message 'below' is on the back of the photo!!

And here's her 'end-of-the-year' letter home as a keepsake.

It seems fitting to include a couple of EOY (End of Year) Bulletin Boards as well. 

Here's a couple of my favorites. 

***FLASH FROM THE FUTURE! You've been reading my RoundUP from 2012. I now have another article of 'goodies' from 2013. Please go to next year's article where I have a seriously-too-clever piggyback song for Kindergarten graduation to share. I also wrote a poem myself to be used as a certificate at 'graduation' or End-of-Year transition -- to be used as a keepsake for student scrapbooks.  

I have two songs that I have written and recorded that each get used for End-of-Year performances.

Click the pic and you'll go to my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  

I have now recorded music to accompany my EOY poem from a couple years ago. 

The digital zipped file is over at TpT. 

It includes the MP3 recording and the poem/lyrics for printing. 

I want you to get to hear the song and get inspired to create your own 

EOY slideshow from your own photos. 

Grab a tissue. There may be a tear or two.............. 

-- Debbie --

We are happy to distribute 

WOBBLE SEATS 

for flexible seating in your classroom! 

Click the pic to go to our website. Call my hubby for ?????

WE ACCEPT PURCHASE ORDERS!

 

Please follow my new little Teachers Pay Teachers store.

I am adding my songs into zipped files with support materials, by following you'll know when I add new products. 

Just added this to the EOY LinkUP at Minds in Bloom! 

Also added to Mrs. Wheeler's May Mash-up 

Kindergarten FIREWORKS: "Red, White and Blue"

MEMORIAL DAY FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA!!!
Yesterday I shared my deep appreciation for our men and women in the service of our country. (Click back if you missed the children's flags, bald eagles and statues of Liberty.) Let me conclude my thoughts on the observation of this holiday weekend with a star studded salute to all of those who serve and all of those who have sacrificed. Some of the favorite moments of my life have been spent in your midst and I am honored to share such an image as this one. Polka dots and camouflage. That's quite a combination!!

Debbie Clement Author Visit to US Army Base in Ansbaugh Germany, "Month of the Military Child"

My heart and prayers are extended to every family who has an empty chair at the table for today's picnic and tomorrow's breakfast. There are no adequate words in the face of your loss. Silence and reverence certainly, but I don't know how to convey that in a written tribute.

Red, White and Blue, I love you!

Know that from every corner and all across this amazing country we acknowledge and hold a deep respect for your daily bravery in the face of the unthinkable. Your family member's contribution to the legacy of our country is remembered and revered. May you treasure the memories of your loved one and know that we appreciate beyond measure their contribution. With my kindergarten friends, we salute their ultimate sacrifice. 

Strength and courage. Strength and courage. Strength and courage. 

Community Observation of Memorial Day in Westerville, OH: field of 3,000 flags in tribute to family members service

May this day of national observation also be some acknowledgement of the debt we owe the individuals who continue to serve far from home, with dignity and bravery. Your daily work makes us all proud of our finest who have risen up to protect and defend the ideals we hold as a country. We wish you strength in your journey.

Captain Mettle, my son-in-law, displaying Kindergarten Art in response to my picture book!

It has been my great good fortune to share my song and picture book, "Red, White and Blue" with families currently serving through the US Army stationed in Europe. I conclude today with some images of my travels in your midst as I wish you well in your continued service. 

 

US Army Base, Camp Darby, Italy

Yes, that's me in a Blackhawk Helicopter, Anbach Germany!

Poster for Month of the Military Child, Hohenfels Germany

Family Fun Night, US Army Base, Vicenza Italy

US Army Base, Camp Darby, Italy

US Army Base, Ansbach Germany

US Army Base, Hohenfels Germany

US Army Base, Vicenza Italy

US Army Base, Hohenfels Germany

Family Fun Night, US Army Base, Vicenza Italy

It is my hope that by sharing these personal photos with my reading audience, that I can put a "face" on those  currently serving our country half a world away. May we pause today to contemplate their service on our behalf. 

My song and its picture book format are full of waving flags and purple mountains, men in uniform and an array of children in a celebration of giving thanks .


The grand finale is fireworks!!!



Read along from the kindergarten wall. 

-- Debbie --


To read more about the FIELD of HEROES follow this link.


Just linked this to Itsy Bitsy Paper: