Sunday, July 28, 2013

Everyone needs accessories to wear in kindergarten: Freebie #3


So it is time for the next freebie and I decided to give you a preview of a packet I am working on that I know you will love. I see many children over the course of a day and found it difficult to manage all the paper work that came with each class. Emailing parents became an effective means of communicating but I found "message bracelets" thrilled my students and parents were quite responsive to them. These bracelets can be used in a variety of ways and I have given you just a few so you can try them out.
Before you go wacko on me and think this is just another job, hang in with me and let me explain. Nobody needs another project, particularly me! Check out how simple this actually is.
Once you have given these to parent volunteers to cut apart (send home stacks of them with a short explanation and a sample) you can store them in a Target mini pocket chart right by the door. I know you bought a zillion of them once you found them in the Dollar Spot. As the kids leave for the day wrap that puppy around their wrist with a hit of tape and now you have given them special jewelry to wear home. Trust me, parents notice it and read the message. Does it help? Try it and let me know. I love stuff that works.Leave a comment if you want to suggest other possibilities. My students love these and yours might  too. I am over them dropping notes on their way out or better yet never putting them in their homework folder. Communicating with parents can be a challenge when you put it in the hands of a five year old. Click here to get this freebie or on the picture! I love comments... just sayin'

at

25 comments:

  1. Lyn GoffJuly 28, 2013 at 7:05 PM

    I love this idea. It is perfect for my pre-K class. Thanks.
    Lyn
    Mrs. Goff's Pre-K Tales

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fran KramerJuly 28, 2013 at 7:35 PM

    Lyn,
    I just posted the file so grab it so you can use it when school starts!
    Fran

    ReplyDelete
  3. EmilyJuly 28, 2013 at 7:50 PM

    Love them!! What a great idea! No more lost notes. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Peterson FamilyJuly 28, 2013 at 8:53 PM

    I love using bracelets as parent reminders, especially for things like open house, literacy night, field trip tomorrow, etc. I quickly got over printing and cutting them all (no parent volunteers here)and started just using construction paper strips and address labels - the label has a short message and then is used as adhesive to close the loop.
    Now that I'm moving to a new school, maybe I'll give the print and cuts another try!! As always thanks for sharing!

    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fran KramerJuly 28, 2013 at 9:03 PM

    I did labels for a while but it got so expensive that I finally let go of it. It is definitely easier to peel and stick but I hated the expense. The kids think this is jewelry so I get better results.We should make a list of all the ones we would never dare send home. That would be hilarious! Open House is a good one. I usually do the letter to mom and dad but this is quick and dirty! Thanks for the ideas. Look for the packet in the near future and thanks for stopping by!
    Fran

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mrs.GarciaJuly 28, 2013 at 9:52 PM

    Thank you! These are great!

    ReplyDelete
  7. LJJuly 28, 2013 at 10:42 PM

    Thanks! These would be great as reminders for filling out and returning permission slips for study trips. Some of my parents never look in the folders. These would be bright and colorful and hopefully get their attention.

    ReplyDelete
  8. beckyparkesJuly 29, 2013 at 7:21 AM

    Great idea! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. JaniceJuly 29, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    Another brilliant idea, Fran! How about Grade One is fun as well.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJuly 29, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    OMG this is the best idea ever! Why didn't you invent this 12 years ago. lol This is so much better and cheaper than safety pining notes to kids shirts. I love it!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kelly M.July 29, 2013 at 7:52 AM

    I love these! I will be using them in my classroom!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kelley DollingJuly 29, 2013 at 9:52 AM

    Frannie . . . these are brilliant!!!! Thanks so much for the freebie . . . I can't wait to see the big pack :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. BeadboardJuly 29, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE! Thanks for sharing your talents. You are so generous. These will get great use!

    ReplyDelete
  14. kkaberleJuly 29, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing the cute bracelet idea! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownJuly 29, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    These are a great idea!! Thanks for the freebie! Some other possible reminder bracelets are: No School tomorrow (for those random days off); half day tomorrow; field trip tomorrow.

    Thanks again!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. youngprekteacherJuly 29, 2013 at 8:07 PM

    Wow! These are awesome! I've made my own, but never this cute and efficient. I would suggest the following; field trip tomorrow, you owe lunch money, need permission slip, book order due, fundraiser $$ to be turned in, show and tell day, library books due, star of the week, happy birthday, picture day, open house, no school, your turn to bring a snack, _____ (school supply) is needed, pta meeting tonight, book fair, track and field day, Donuts for dads, muffins for mom, send $$ for______, please send in an extra change of clothes and of course an editable one for all the other things that come up. As for the ones you shouldn't put on a child, here's a few; your child broke/destroyed ___ please send in $__, your child was a bully today, your child was sick today, keep him/her home next time, you owe me chocolate for dealing with your son/daughter today, and last but not least your son/daughter is my favorite student. Thanks again for the freebies and I look forward to seeing the packet on TPT!

    ReplyDelete
  17. JulieRJuly 29, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    Oh my gosh, I love these! What a fun way to start the year. I will definitely use them. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fran KramerJuly 29, 2013 at 9:38 PM

    PreK Teacher,
    You could totally be my friend. I posted the nasty ones on Facebook just to entertain my friends but you owe me chocolate is freaking hysterical. I have some of your suggestions but you rocked it out with ones I didn't think of. Love your personality lady!How about Your child loves to reinvent the truth.
    Fran

    ReplyDelete
  19. TariJuly 30, 2013 at 5:34 AM

    Fran, I love this!!! I am overwhelmed with application ideas....upcoming dates, when a child (who is difficult) has an especially great day, heck....for every child who has a great day! For birthdays, for fun class activities or reminders about snack or even lunch money!! Every child in my class will go home on the first day of school wearing one of these!

    ReplyDelete
  20. RebaJuly 30, 2013 at 6:26 AM

    Fran, you are brilliant. How about swapping out wine for chocolate on the bracelet...and a good one at that. Also a bracelet you would never send, "Actually, your child does not know the alphabet." Thank you for all of your support and making us smile. Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  21. Fran KramerJuly 30, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fran KramerJuly 30, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    Rebecca,
    This post needs to stay up forever! I am laughing out loud as I read your comment. We could call these bracelets "keeping it real" jewelry. Thanks for this. I wish I could send home that bracelet but I might not have a job the next day!

    ReplyDelete
  23. tynetotsAugust 2, 2013 at 9:21 AM

    Thanks again Fran for a wonderful idea. The comments on here are cute. Thanks for sharing and giving us a laugh. Maybe we should have them for our principals too. "You need to respond to my e-mail". For the janitors too "There is a mess in the corner."

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousAugust 3, 2013 at 10:11 PM

    I so love this idea!

    Terri
    KinderKapers

    ReplyDelete
  25. kteacher2August 29, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    Thanks for sharing these. Such a great idea!!

    I was wondering if you use a SMARTBOARD? If so are there any smartboard blogs. I'm having a challenging time finding worthwhile, independent activities for the kids to use.

    Thanks in advance!!

    Dawn

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment.