Family Projects

Family projects are a great way to keep the school/home connections active. Pick one project to do each month. I utilize seasonal and monthly take-home projects throughout the year. All family members are encouraged to assist. I usually send the project home on a Monday and have it due in 10 days. The children then share their projects orally. It helps to develop skills for speaking, listening and questioning. Remember to be sensitive to those shy children. If encouraged but not pushed they will eventually share. 





August/September
*All About Me: Baseball Holder Style!
Each child takes home a baseball card page with clear pockets.
They fill up the pockets with information, pictures, drawings, stickers, etc about themselves and their family. You then compile all the pages in an album. The album is placed in the classroom for all to see and share. Some teachers may want to have it as a sign-out book to go home on a rotation.

* Me Bags:
Each child takes home a plain paper bag (lunch size). They decorate the bag and then place something in the bag that is special. They bring them back to school and takes turns sharing the contents telling why it is special. Of course, allow questions and comments from the audience.





October
* Fire Safety Map:
Children create a map of their house. They tell how to get out in case of a fire. Be able to tell what your address is and who to call to get help.For extra credit show 2 ways to get out.



November

Pilgims/Native Americans:

Send home a paper doll shape and have the children choose which (pilgrim or Native American) they would like to make.They cut clothes and glue them on and then write a description of their person to read as part of the sharing.

*We Are Thankful Quilt:
Each child takes home a 9"x9" square of white construction paper. They are instructed to illustrate and tell about something for which their family is thankful.
These are connected as a class quilt to be displayed in the classroom.

<*Leaf Families:
Families use leaves to make leaf people that represent the members of their family. The leaf people are glued onto a large piece of construction paper and labeled. Illustration

January
These are projects that can be used at anytime of the year.

*Comedy Club:
You will need a collection of joke books or access to some from the media center or library. Put the books out in the classroom library for a few weeks. Each child picks a joke to take home and memorize. They return on a specific day to tell the class during Comedy Club Afternoon.




FebruaryMarch
*Hearts:
Children decorate a bag or shoe box (or other similar sized box) for receiving Valentine's cards from classmates. We wil all need this project with handmade or purchased valentines for each of your classsmates.

*My Love Flower :
The children trace their hands and create a flower that has a picture of the different people in their family. Add a center circle and write how they love their family.


March

*Career Report:
The children write a report about what they want to be when they grow up and bring in a picture of themselves looking like that person. Or...how about coming to class in costume.


April

Grandparents Project:
Children are instructed to Interview their grandparents. They are also encouraged to bring in a photo and something special the grandparent gave them. (i.e. stuffed animal, toy, book ) If possible a grandparent could visit the classroom for the special presentation day!


Extra
*Family Quilt :
Each child will make a quilt using squares of construction paper (or fabric if families are able). I would suggest sending home 12 8"x8" squares. The quilt only use 9 squares but some may wish to use more or may need some due to mistakes. On each square, they illustrate something special to tell about/introduce their family. The squares are bound together using yarn or ribbon to form a quilt. The quilts are displayed for "Family Night" or Open House. It is a great way for the children to get to know each other and the things the different families value.




May
*May Flowers:

The children make a basic diorama made in a shoe box of one of the habitats you study - ocean, forest, desert, polar, etc.
It has to include two examples each of plants and animals.

*Animal Report:
Instructions go home to make a file folder repor

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