PUZZLE PIECE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT PARENT GIFT

 Every year I like to try out a new craft that can be used as a student-made parent gift for Christmas.  I like to find something that is simple, cute, and cheap for students to make.  This year I decided on these puzzle piece wreath ornaments!

I enlist the help of my four year old son Landon to test out the craft to see how easy it would be for first graders to make and also find the perfect step-by-step process to use with my students.  He loves being my helper!

The front of each ornament will have each child's picture on it.  (Here we used a picture of Landon with his twin sisters.)

The back of the ornament has each student's information such as their name, the date it was made, how old they are, and/or the grade level they are in.

Below are the step-by-step directions on how to make these puzzle piece wreath ornaments.  You simply need puzzle pieces, green spray paint, green glitter, Mod Podge, ribbon, and red pom-poms for this craft!

Step 1: 

For this craft you will need a puzzle with at least 1000 pieces (or more depending on how many students/wreaths you are making).  You can find 1000 piece puzzles at Wal-Mart for around $10.00.  You can even use old puzzles with missing pieces or ones that you can find at garage sales!

Step 2:

Find an old carboard box or anything else you can spray paint on.  Tape wax paper down on top of your cardboard so the pieces don’t stick after you spray paint them.  Next, spread the pieces of the puzzle out.  Make sure you turn all the puzzle pieces going the same direction.  I like to turn them all picture/smooth side up.

Step 3:

Use a can of green spray paint to paint the pieces of the puzzle green.  I make sure as I’m painting the pieces to spray all the parts – even the sides.  Let the puzzle pieces dry really well before taking them off and putting them in a bag.  If they aren’t really dry the pieces will stick to each other.

Step 4:

Print the wreath templates (found HERE) on cardstock paper.  Give each of your students one of the wreath templates.  Have them use a green marker to color the circle green.

Step 5:

Next, have your students cut out the wreath template.  They will need to cut out the middle circle as well.  To cut the middle circle have your students slightly fold the template in the middle and make a single cut.  From that single cut they can go around and cut the remainder of the circle out.

Step 6:

Using bottle glue have your students glue a single layer of puzzle pieces on their wreath template.  Let this single layer of puzzle pieces completely dry before adding additional layers to the wreath.  If it’s not completely dry the puzzle pieces will slide all around making it hard to glue more on.

Step 7:

You can have your students add as many layers of puzzle pieces to their wreath as you would like.  Just make sure the glue of each layer is completely dry before adding another layer.  I like to have my students do four layers of puzzle pieces for their wreath.  For each layer I have my students add a puzzle piece in between the two puzzle pieces below it for a fuller look.

Step 8:

Once your students have completed their puzzle piece layers and the glue is completely dry it is time for them to add Mod Podge.  I have my students use a sponge brush to paint Mod Podge all over their wreath.  The sponge brush allows them to get down in the hard to reach spots as well.

Step 9:

While the Mod Podge is still wet have them sprinkle green glitter on top of the Mod Podge.  They can sprinkle as little or as much as they want.

Step 10:

Once the Mod Podge and glitter is dry it is time to add ribbon to the wreath.  You will need one piece of ribbon (about 5 inches long) to create the hoop the ornament hangs from.  You will also need to tie a bow out of the ribbon.

Step 11:

For this step I glue the hoop and bow on each student’s wreath ornament using a hot glue gun.  I like using hot glue for this step because I think it holds better.

Step 12:

Once you have added the ribbon it’s time for your students to add red pom-poms on their wreath.  You can use any size balls for this.  They can place single medium size balls around their wreath or they can group a couple tiny size balls together like pictured here.  Just make sure your students use a good amount of glue so the pom-poms don’t easily fall off.

Step 13:

Next, it’s time to add each student’s picture in the wreath frame.  I used wallet size pictures and they fit perfectly.  Just tape whatever picture you would like to the back of the wreath.

Step 14:

Using the name plaque template (found HERE) fill out each student’s information like their name, the year, and what grade they are in.  Tape the name plaques on the back of the ornaments.

Step 15:

The ornaments are now complete!  Have your students wrap their parent gifts and send them home!  These ornaments make for a simple and cheap parent gift!  You can grab this cute snowman gift bag that your students can make to wrap their parent gifts in by clicking HERE!

Click HERE to download the printable snowman gift bags from my TpT store!

Another fun spin to this craft is to have your students use puzzle pieces that have green on them instead of spray painting the pieces green.  Let students dig through the puzzle pieces finding the pieces that have green on them.

Here's an example of how the ornaments turn out.

Both versions turn out super cute!

Click HERE to download the step-by-step teacher instructions, the wreath templates, and the editable name plaques for FREE!

Daily Take Home Folders

At the beginning of the school year I make each student their own daily folder, also known as their "Take Home Folder."

This folder is a communication devise between home and school.  The folder is brought home every night and is returned to school the very next day.  It houses important information such as school notes, homework, graded work, and monthly classroom newsletters.

My student's daily behavior is also noted in their take home folder on the monthly behavior calendar.

At the end of each school day my students mark either a green, yellow, or red dot on the appropriate date on the calendar.  This dot communicates to their parents the behavior color card they earned that day.  If the color yellow or red is marked on their calendar I write a brief description of the negative behavior they displayed.  The purpose of this is to encourage a discussion between parents and their child over the misbehavior.

Parents are asked to sign or initial each night on the appropriate date on the behavior calendar.  This communicates to me that each student's parents saw their take home folder and the information inside of it.

The take home folders are brought home every day and are returned to school the very next day.  Any notes from home, money, homework, etc. is to be placed in the take home folder so I will receive it - because we all know how sometimes things get lost in a child's backpack. LOL

I have my students turn in their take home folders into the tub each morning.  When they turn them in they place them in numerical order.  This makes it easy for me to flip through and see who is at school, who forgot to turn their folder in, etc.

Here's a peek inside my take home folders!

Here's the steps on how I put together my folders at the beginning of each school year:

Step 1:

I always use plastic brad folders to make the take home folders.  The plastic ones hold up much better than the paper ones.

Step 2:

I pick a cover with a different clipart character for each of my students.  I add their name, their student number, and my class information to the cover.  I print each cover and laminate it.

Step 3:

I attach the covers to the front of my folders.  You can use staples, tape, Velco dots, etc. to attach the covers.

Step 4:

I add additional pockets to my folders.  I use these plastic pocket sleeves I purchased at Wal-Mart.  I add them to the brads of the folder.

Step 5:

I use the 1" x 2 5/8" labels to label the behavior calendars and homework pockets.

Step 6:

I use the 2" x 4" labels for the graded work pocket.

I go over the labels with clear tape to ensure the labels stay on and do not get damaged.

Step 7:

I place additional important handouts (like our school calendar) in a clear plastic sleeve and add it to the brads of the folder.

Step 8:

I pick out different left and right pocket labels for my folders.  I print, laminate, and cut out the labels.

Step 9:

I attach the labels to the left and right pockets of the folder by stapling them on.

Step 10: 

I also add a pencil pouch to the brads of my take home folders for money, small notes, etc.

I take the pencil pouches and plastic sleeves out of each student's folder at the end of the school year so I can reuse them year after year.

Step 11:

 I add the behavior calendar to each student's folder.  The monthly behavior calendar also has school events, classroom events, due dates, test dates, etc. on it as well.  This helps parents easily see what's going on at our school and in our classroom.

Step 12:

I send home these introduction notes the first time I send home the take home folders.  The notes explain what a take home folder is, what is inside the folder, and the guidelines to take care of it.

The folders are then complete and ready to use all year long!

You can grab everything you need to make your own Take Home Folder by clicking HERE!

Farmhouse Themed Classroom Decor {Wooden Shiplap}

Looking to update your classroom theme with a Farmhouse style look?

Check out these printable posters and labels you can grab from my TpT Store!

These posters come with an editable white stripe.  You can change the white stripe to match your classroom colors.

For example, here's the white stripe changed to purple.

Alphabet Posters

There are many different posters to choose from!

ASL Alphabet Posters

 

Shape Name Posters

Number Posters

 

10 Frame Number Posters

 

Touch Point Number Posters

Color Name Posters

Need labels to label your classroom storage bins, containers, carts, and more!

Check out these labels that come in a variety of sizes and colors.
 All labels are EDITABLE so you can add your own text!

Small Square Labels

Grab these Monday-Friday labels for FREE by clicking HERE!

 

These labels fit perfectly on different storage bins like these magazine holders!

Great to use to label and organize all of your classroom books!

Label your books by grade/reading level.

Organize your books by theme.

Use these labels to make student book bins.

 

Or even label your classroom supply bins! 

Small Rectangular Labels

These labels fit perfectly in the Really Good Stuff Label Clip Holders

These label holders clip on any type of basket, storage bin, etc.

 Use to label student book baskets.

Label each group's supply bin.

Label turn in baskets and more!

Book Bin Labels/Supply Bin Labels

Use these labels to organize your classroom library.

You can even use these labels to organize your classroom supply tubs.

Rectangular Labels

These rectangular labels are great for labeling many different storage bins in your classroom!

Center Tubs

Supply Bins

Turn in Baskets

3-Drawer Sterilite Labels

Add these labels to a regular size Sterilite 3-Drawer storage container.

These are great when organizing your teacher paperwork!

They are also great for supply bins.

3-Drawer Mini Sterilite Labels

Use these labels on the mini 3-Drawer Sterilite storage containers.

Label your crayon bins, pencil bins, and more!

3-Drawer Medium Sterilite Labels

These labels are great on the medium size 3-Drawer Sterilite storage containers.

10-Drawer Rolling Cart Labels

If you want to transform your 10-Drawer Rolling cart then these labels work perfectly!

Pick and choose what colors you would like and add your own text to your labels.

5-Drawer Rolling Cart Labels

Pick your colors and add your own text to these 5-Drawer Rolling cart labels as well.

5 & 10 Drawer Rolling Cart Labels

Grab my Label  BUNDLE from my TpT store by clicking HERE!