Pumpkin Poop

I came across this funny Halloween poem on Teaching Heart and thought others could maybe use it as a cute/funny Halloween gift. There are other cute saying found there too, along with ideas for popcorn, hot chocolate and more.

Spider Pops

Need a treat for a Halloween party? Check out these cute Spider Pops. You could either have the kids make these treats or just send them home with the kids as a fun treat.

Graphing Activities for Halloween

I just came across this FABULOUS site that has all kinds of graphs that can be used during the month of October. Just to name a few, there are graphs for Dem Bones candy, Ghostmallows, and Lucky Charms with Spooky Marshmallows. If you are a teacher, you don't want to miss this site!!

There are more great Halloween ideas from this site (Teaching Heart), including glyphs, writing prompts,centers, crafts, writing and more. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page so that you won't miss anything!

Pumpkin Treat Bags How-To

Fill orange mini craft bags with candy. Twist the top of the bag up into a stem. Pull floral tape off roll and stretch it so it becomes sticky. Wrap floral tape around stem, starting at the top and moving downward. Rip off take, leaving 3 to 4 extra inches hanging on the bottom. Twist extra tape into tendril, wrapping it around finger until it curls.

Idea from Martha Stewart

Tomb of Gloom

As part of some of my Halloween parties in the past, I use to have what I called the Tomb of Gloom. I put a table in the hall with a sheet over the items so the kids couldn't see what was on the table. I then had a parent volunteer supervise the table. One at a time, the kids would stick their hand under the sheet and feel around. For example, one item they were to touch were "eyeballs", but they were really peeled grapes. The kids always had a good time with this and it was funny to watch their reactions and hear their guesses on what the items really were. If you are interested in incorporating The Tomb of Gloom into your party this year, here are some ideas that have been used before...

Eyeballs - Peeled Grapes
Fingers - Carrots/Baby Carrots
Teeth - Dried Beans
Ears - Dried Apricots
Intestines - Cooked Spaghetti Noodles
Stomach/Fat - Jell-O

The Tomb of Gloom always ended with a bowl or pot of warm soap water (to rinse their hands off). The kids were told it was a pot of acid or witch's brew (for the added effect.) Be creative and I am sure you can think of more items to add!

Spook-tacular Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels

Dipped in melted chocolate chips and decorated with a variety of spookalicious candies, these festive treats are a frightfully fun way to celebrate the haunting night ahead.

Wax paper
1 1/3 to 2 cups NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, melted according to package directions in 8- or 9-inch microwave-safe dish
1 bag (10 ounces) pretzel rods
A few NESTLÉ CRUNCH and BUTTERFINGER Fun Size Candy Bars, chopped
WONKA Halloween Candies such as Spooky NERDS, NERDS Giant Chewy Bumpy Warts and SweeTARTS Skulls n' Bones *
Line baking sheet with wax paper. Place each candy on separate sheets of wax paper.
Dip pretzel rods halfway into chocolate; shake off excess. Roll rods in candies (one candy type per pretzel rod); place on prepared baking sheet.
Place in refrigerator for about 30 minutes to harden. Once hardened, remove from baking sheets and store, covered, in cool place with wax paper between layers.
Makes 30 pretzels.

Estimated Times
Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooling Time: 30 mins refrigerating

*found in bags of WONKA Halloween Assorted Candies.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/30 of recipe): Calories: 130 Calories from Fat: 35 Total Fat: 4 g Saturated Fat: 2 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 130 mg Carbohydrates: 23 g Dietary Fiber: 1 g Sugars: 14 g Protein: 2 g

(Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com, used with permission. Recipe found HERE. )


*I have also seen a variation to this idea. Same concept, but dip the pretzel rods in green Wiltons candy melts (or white and add green food coloring) and add a almond slice to the tip of the pretzel. This makes a great witch finger! Or you can view HERE at allrecipes for a cookie recipe with the same concept.

Change up the color of the chocolate and add candy/sprinkles according to the season and these work for every holiday!

**Wilton's candy melts can be found at JoAnn Crafts, Wal-Mart, Robert's Crafts, Michaels, online, and I am sure many other places. These are just the places that I have found them before.

Math Halloween Games

Here are a few more Halloween games, focused on math. These would probably work best for older kids (2nd grade and up).

PUMPKIN WEIGHT – Purchase a 6-7 pound pumpkin, weigh it on your bathroom scale, and record the weight. Ask the children to pick up the pumpkin, guess the weight, and write down their estimates. The child who comes the closest to guessing the actual weight can take home the pumpkin or a mini pumpkin as a prize. (You may want to have a few favors on hand in case more than one child makes a close guess.)
PUMPKIN CIRCUMFERENCE - Modify the above guessing game by having the children guess the circumference of the pumpkin using pieces of string. (You'll need a ball of string and scissors to do this.) One at a time, ask each child to cut a length of string that they believe is the distance around the pumpkin. After everyone has cut a piece of string from the ball, wrap a length of string around the pumpkin and cut it to get the exact circumference. Ask each child to measure his or her string against the string representing the actual circumference, and determine the winner(s).
HALLOWEEN GUESSING JAR - Fill small jar(s) (mayo jar, baby food jar, etc.) with candy corn, plastic spider rings, or other Halloween items. Ask the children to write down the number of pieces they believe to be in the jar. As a group, count the pieces of candy corn in the jar. The child who's guess is closest to the actual number gets to take home the jar of candy.

Candy Corn Dessert

...without the candy corn taste. I'm not sure how you feel about candy corn. It seems it's one of those treats that people either love or hate. My sister LOVES it and can't wait for fall every year so she can stock up. I, on the other hand, could live without the stuff. I found this cute candy corn recipe that layers butterscotch pudding, banana cream pudding and whipped cream to give that candy corn look. What a cute and yummy looking treat!

Halloween Games

Here are a few Halloween games you can try out at your Halloween party this year. These ideas can be used for a class party, birthday party or a Halloween bash.

WITCH'S BREW – Cut about ten pieces of paper in Halloween related shapes, such as ghosts, bats, pumpkins, or spiders. The shapes need to be about the size of a Ritz™ cracker. Place the shapes in a pile beside a small bowl or witch's cauldron. Have straws available for each player, along with a stopwatch, or a watch with a second hand. Using the straw as a vacuum, have each child try to pick up the shapes and drop them into the cauldron. The player with the fastest time wins. (Ages 6-12)

PIN THE WART ON THE WITCH – Instead of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, try Pin the Wart on the Witch (or Pin the nose on the Jack-o-lantern). Draw a witch's face on a piece of poster board. Use little balls of green Play-Doh ™ or paper cutouts as the warts. Blindfold each child as his/her turn arrives, spin, point in the right direction, and watch your wicked witch become even more wartful! (All ages)

EYEBALL RELAY – Before the party, buy about 12 Ping-Pong balls. Using permanent markers, draw irises, pupils, and bloodshot veins on the balls. Divide your group into two teams and give one spoon to each team. The kids are to try to carry the "eyeball" from one side of the room to the other without dropping it. If they drop the "eyeball", they should return to the starting point and try again. (Ages 7 & up)

HALLOWEEN BINGO - You might be able to find Halloween Bingo games at stores during this time of the year. (Try Wal-Mart but I think I got mine at A Teacher's Closet). If you don't want to buy the game, you can make it or download/make a blank template and have the kids write in their own Halloween words. Use Smarties candy or other candy pieces as the markers.

There are other great Halloween games at Family Fun. Check it out!

Salt Dough Ghosts

The other day my daughter came home from a friend's house with a plate full of ghosts. They were all labeled on the back with the names of our family members and they have made a cute addition to our Halloween decor (minus the plate of course ;). Check out Family Fun for the directions and materials needed.

Halloween Spider

I have made these spiders for several 3rd grade class parties, but I am sure they would work for a variety of ages. The kids enjoy the activity and they turn out pretty cute. Once they are made, treats can be put inside the pocket and sent home with the kids.

Items Needed:
black spray paint
paper plates (1/child)
pipe cleaners (about 4"/leg)
puffy paint (mouth)
scrap paper (eyes and teeth)

Spray paint the bottom side of the paper plates(not where you would put food). When the plates are dry, cut them in half. Put 2 halves together (paint side facing out) and staple. Make sure that you staple the pipe cleaners in too! Yes, I know that spiders have 8 legs, so you might want to change yours a little from mine! :) Have items ready to decorate the spider and let the kids be creative.

Halloween Ideas...First of Many

Holy cow! A whole month has past since I have done anything with this blog. So sorry...life has been hectic with me returning to work and with the time devoted to recently running my first marathon. Anyway, I have noticed all of the Halloween decorations starting to come out and thought that I should suggest some Halloween ideas to anyone in search, so here it goes...
Festive Halloween Sugar Cookies from Good Housekeeping:

Glittered Pumpkins from Martha Stewart:

All kinds of ideas from Tip Junkie...too many to mention just one. If you click on the link, it will take you to all the Halloween ideas she has!

These darling candy corn cookies from Tidy Mom:

A caramel apple kit for anyone looking to give a gift. Thanks Mish Mash!

Skip To My Lou has plenty of great ideas too, including her paper witch shoe. Think of how fun this would be to give as a party favor!

I am excited that fall is here! Time to get ready for all the upcoming holidays. I will have more Halloween ideas to come...

Back-to-School Ideas

School started last week for my kids as I am sure it has for most of your kids too, or it soon will be. Today I was playing catch up on my Tivo-ed Studio 5 shows and saw some back to school ideas that might help someone out there.
The 1st idea is to throw a Back-to-School Bash for your kid(s). Several ideas were given and for a range of ages too.
There are five ways to prepare your child for a new school year. Find out what they are...
And finally, check out these clever Back-to-School Survival Kits. I am sure any child would feel special finding one in his/her lunchbox.
Oh and count on Bakerella to have a fun idea with cake pops...Candy Apples. Oh so totally irresistible.


I am sure it is no surprise that Tip Junkie has plenty of wonderful ideas. Have I mentioned before that I love that site?!?

I can't believe summer is over! It went by way too fast, but I am happy to get back into a routine. Do you have any back to school traditions you want to share?

A Gift Made From Crayons

Do you have left over crayons and pieces of crayons? I know at the end of the school year when the kids clean out their desks I always do, but the crayons go in the garbage. Well here's a cute idea I came across for a teacher gift, and I thought I would bookmark so it isn't forgotten. I found the idea over at testosteronetimesthree. Thanks for the creative thought!

Back to School Bulletin Boards & Themes

Back when I taught 3rd grade, my classroom had a bee theme. I will have to dig up some pictures so that you can get the feel for the way it looked, but it was simple and very cute. With the bee theme, I ended up making quite a bit of my items displayed in my room, but if you are looking to save money, that might be a way to go. My bulletin board outside my classroom read, "Welcome to Mrs. Smith's 3rd Grade Hive." This was written on 2 separate bee hives that I had blown up using an overhead transparency and tracing onto yellow poster boards. I then wrote each of my students' names on a small die-cut bee and stapled it around the hives. Like I said, I will get some pictures of my classroom out so if you like the bee theme, you can get ideas.
(This wasn't my door, just a picture I found and thought could help.)

As for now, I thought that maybe someone out there could benefit from getting some classroom decorating ideas. Here is what I have come across.
* AtoZ Teacher Stuff had a lot of GREAT ideas!!
* Look Who GREW in Kinder "garden". (This might be better for the end of the year, to compare how much each child grew, but still cute.)

* Here are some thoughts for decorating older classrooms.
* I found some more ideas HERE, but you have to scroll nearly all the way down the page to find the ideas. If you have a chance to look through this site, there are also management ideas listed. Anyway, to give you a sneak...here were some ideas they gave:
** Put up a palm tree and the words Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom look Who Is In My Room! I then have brown circles (coconuts) on the tree. The first day I take pictures of them and then cut them to fit on the coconuts. If you don’t want the picture idea just put their names on the coconuts. (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a popular children's book used for teaching the alphabet.)
** Hang a "fishnet" from a party store and put fish shapes with each child's name and picture with the title "What a Great Catch!"

Some other themes I have seen used for elementary classrooms, include M&M's , Snoopy, hot air balloons, safari, under the sea, bears, apples, animals, Harry Potter and cars. A theme doesn't need to be used, but I thought it made my classroom come together easier. It's also is a good idea if you can find something from the curriculum you will be teaching. (ie: If you teach about animal habitats, decorate with animals.) Do what works best for you and be creative! I am sure there are plenty more ideas out there (the ideas are truly endless), but I don't want to give an overload. Hopefully this can give someone the help they need to get the school year started.