Free posters for your classroom!

We’ve been hard at work for the past three months on a project that we’re happy to announce is finally ready for launch! CertificateStreet.com now has a sister site that hopes to do for posters what it does for certificates!

Poster-Street.com offers hand-drawn, free posters for your school, work place or home. The posters are in PDF format and can be easily downloaded and printed from your home computer. You can also save the posters on a USB drive and take them to your nearest print shop if you’d like to get a better quality print.

Got a favorite quote? Leave a comment, email or Tweet us and we might just create a poster out of it!

Thank you for the encouraging emails you continue to send us. We invite you to browse the site and let us know what you think… and don’t forget to tell all your friends!

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Free Valentine’s Day Mini Card Templates

You asked for it - you got it! Here are some free Valinetine’s Day Mini Card templates that you can download and print from your home, office or school computer. The cards are in pdf format and are saved as zip files. To use these just click on the free mini card template and it will pop up a message asking if you want to save it to your computer. Once it’s saved to your computer, find the file and then ‘unzip’ it. You can then click on the file and it should open up in Adobe Reader. You can then print them out the Valentine’s Day Mini Cards on heavy card stock or high quality paper.

We’ve been experimenting with various formats so please let me know if this works for you!

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My Mini Bucket List

Ah, how we try and yet fail. I had such grand plans to blog over the holidays and somehow family and friends pushed every thing on my to do list way down…which is perhaps as it should be. January is a time for new beginnings and so I thought I’d share something with you that I’m trying this year.

Why a “Mini” Bucket List
I usually tend to be a new-year resolution person but I made no grand resolutions this year - a first for me. I’ve always liked the idea of bucket lists but the idea of “before you die” seems awfully long to me! Instead this year I decided to make a ‘mini bucket list’ - a short list of things I’d like to do in the next 3 months. I find that giving myself a shorter time, helps me be a bit more realistic about my goals and I stand a better chance of accomplishing them.

Things to Include on My Bucket List
Typically bucket lists for me are either projects or tasks that ‘must complete’ before the end of the quarter. However on my first mini bucket list for 2010 I included two habits - get up early and eat a proper breakfast. There are tons more that I’d like to include like exercise and blog more but I’m just picking two for now. I’ve heard from various sources that if a person can continue something for 21 consecutive days, there is a higher probability of it actually becoming part of that person’s life style. I am on Day 9 right now (late start for various reasons). I’m hoping that now that I’ve posted this for the world to see, that’ll give me an increased sense of motivation to actually get to Day 21 (and beyond!)

Bucket List Buddy
Another thing I’m hoping will help me stick to my list is the fact that I’ve kept it very short AND perhaps most importantly, a friend and I have shared our lists with each other. We’ve promised that we’ll do a check in on and off throughout the year to help each other stay on track. Yes, she’s a geek too and I love her for it!

So that’s it. That’s my grand first post for 2010. It seemed way more daunting until I actually started to write it!

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
- T.S. Eliot

Happy New Beginnings!

Image: sunshinecity

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Free Character Education Certificate Templates

Yes, I know it’s very “American” to reward students with certificates for “awesome attitudes” or “perfect attendance.” My sister (who teaches in the UK) and I have very interesting discussions about how the UK and US education systems vary when it comes to things like classroom management and behavior (or behaviour, as she would spell it!)

Regardless, I’ve had some wonderful comments from teachers who have used some of the character education certificates including ones that recognize students for bringing up grades, trying harder, leadership, teamwork, bright ideas, being helpful and community service.

Here are some ideas suggested by teachers:

A bug-themed template for ‘bring up grades’ (B.U.G - get it?)
A horse-themed template for “galloping to greatness”
A star award certificate template for being a super star or all star
A space or rocket award template for being “Out of this World”
…Perhaps a little corny but you get the idea!

Feel free to browse through our blank or school certificate template section - just use your imagination, be creative with the titles and you’ll have a unique award certificate template that will make your students smile!

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An Attitude of Gratitude - Tweetsgiving 2009

CertificateStreet is happy to be involved with Tweetsgiving this year -  a global celebration that seeks to change the world through the power of gratitude. Scheduled to be held between November 24 – 26, 2009, the 48-hour event created by US nonprofit Epic Change will encourage participants to express their thanks using online tools and at live events like gratitude parties.

Along with Avi Kaplan and Elizabeth Rosas, we designed two simple posters called the “12 Days of Tweetsgiving” and “12 Days of Epic Thanks” to help people get involved in this wonderful idea that’s supporting students in Tanzania.

For some creative ideas on ways to include gratitude as part of your Thanksgiving celebrations this year click here.

To learn more about how you can get involved in Tweetsgiving click here. If you’re on Twitter and would like to join in the celebration simply tweet what you’re grateful for and tag your tweets with the hashtag #Tweetsgiving.

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Being Thankful

This past year has been a particularly difficult one for me, as it has for many people I know. Family issues, financial strains, and illnesses are just a few of the hardships we have had to struggle through. It’s easy during those times to become discouraged and overwhelmed. But that’s when we need to be thankful most of all.

No matter how hard life can be, we can still find something to be grateful for. Even if it’s just for another beautiful sunrise, we can be thankful that we were there to see it. On the darkest days, if you have another day with your loved ones, you can be thankful.

One of the best ways to remind yourself to be grateful is to write it down. Find a small notebook and write the date at the top of the page. Then, write down five things you are thankful for. There must be something, even if it’s just that you have something to eat today; there are many people who don’t. Write in your journal every day.

What does being thankful do? It changes you from the inside out. It takes you from being stuck in a mindset of “poor me” to one in which you are able to help someone less fortunate than yourself. Do you have a warm bed to sleep in? Be thankful, and donate some blankets to your local shelter. Are your children healthy? Be thankful, and send a small gift to a child you know who’s in the hospital. Do you have a car to drive? Be thankful, and give an elderly neighbor a ride to the store.

No matter what problems you face, if you can keep a heart of gratitude, you’ll find your spirits lifting and your focus changing — another thing to be thankful for.

Guest Blog Post by Samantha Bell

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Thanksgiving Chain

Here’s a Thanksgiving activity that will get your students thinking.

Supplies:

• Construction paper in fall colors, such as red, brown, orange, and yellow
• Stapler or tape
• Markers
• Scissors

1. To begin, provide each student with two or three sheets of construction paper and a pair of scissors. Have students cut the paper lengthwise into 1″ - 1 1/2″ wide strips.

2. Instruct the students to think of all the things they can be thankful for. Have them write one item on each strip of paper. These will be the “links” in the chain. Provide more paper if necessary.

3. Once most of the students are finished, have them look at their items again. Is there anything else they can think of? Most probably mentioned their families, homes, friends, pets, school, etc. Help your students think beyond their immediate surroundings. What community helpers will come to their aid in an emergency? What conveniences do they enjoy, such as buying food or clothes from a store? What freedoms and opportunities do they have that people in other countries to not?

4. Finally, begin making your chain. Ask the first student to name something written on one of the papers. Have that student staple the ends of the paper together, forming a link.

5. Ask the second student to name something written on one of her papers. It must be something DIFFERENT than the first student mentioned. Thread that paper through the first link and staple the ends together, forming the second link.

6. Continue around the room until everyone has added a link. No two links should list the same item.

7. After everyone has added a link, start around the room again. For added fun, try to make the chain as long as you can. Is it long enough to go around the whole room?

For variation, you might break the students up into small groups or have them work on chains individually. Which group can create the longest chain?

Guest Post - Samantha Bell

Image - kelanew

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Quotes from the past: on students and ‘new technology’!

I found these quotes in a presentation by Martin Bean given at the School of the Future World Summit. I just had to share them with you.

Students today can’t prepare bark to calculate their problems. They depend on their slates which are more expensive. What will they do when slate is dropped and it breaks? They will be unable to write!

- Teachers Conference, 1703

Students today depend on paper too much. They don’t know how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. They can’t clean a slate properly.  What will they do when they run out of paper?

- Principal’s Publication, 1815

Students today depend too much upon ink. They don’t know how to use a pen knife to sharpen a pencil. Pen and ink will never replace the pencil.

- National Association of Teachers Journal, 1907

Students today depend upon store bought ink. They don’t know how to make their own. When they run out of ink they will be unable to write words or ciphers until their next trip to the settlement. This is a sad commentary on modern education.

-  Rural American Teacher, 1928

Students today depend on these expensive fountain pens. They can no longer write with a straight pen and nib. We parents must not allow them to wallow in such luxury to the detriment of learning how to cope in the real business world which is not so extravagant.

- PTA Gazette, 1941

Ball point pens will be the ruin of education in our country. Students use these devices and throw them away. The American value of thrift and frugality are being discarded. Businesses and banks will never allow such expensive luxuries.

- Federal Teachers, 1950

(Image -Tobyotter)

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Thanksgiving Project Idea - The Thanksgiving Tree

If you have an empty bulletin board or a blank wall space in your classroom this season, then you have the ideal spot to “plant” a Thanksgiving Tree. Here’s what you’ll need:

Large piece of brown butcher paper, or 5-6 pieces of brown construction paper

Red, yellow, and orange construction paper cut into 4 squares (1 sheet for every student)

Markers

Scissors

Masking Tape

Tree identification book (optional)

Actual fall leaves (optional)

To begin, make the trunk and branches of your tree from the brown butcher paper or brown construction paper. You can make your tree as tall as your space allows. Add bare branches at the top.

Next, provide each student with four squares of the red, orange, and/or yellow paper. Have the students draw a leaf shape on each paper, making the drawing big enough to fill up most of the paper. They may want to use a tree identification book to find a leaf shape they like, or they could use leaves from the trees outside as a reference.

When the students have finished drawing the leaves, have them cut the leaves out. Instruct the students to choose one leaf and write on it one thing they are thankful for. Do the same for the other three leaves. Have the students write their names on their leaves as well. 

When everyone has finished, it’s time to add a little color to the tree!  Have the students go up one at a time, reading their answers aloud to the class before heading to the tree. Using a piece of tape for each leaf, have them stick the leaves to the tree.

By the time everyone has had a turn, your Thanksgiving Tree will be in its full autumn splendor. Not only will you a colorful symbol of the season, but also a gentle reminder that there is much we have to be grateful for.

Guest Post - Samanth Bell

Image - Adria.Richards

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Make a Gratitude Journal

This Thanksgiving season, your students can enjoy making their own gratitude journals. To make the journals, you’ll need:

Colored cardstock (one piece per student)

Plain white copy paper (3 per student)

Hold punch

Yarn or brads

Scissors

Markers, pens, or crayons

Old magazines (optional)

1. To begin, have each student choose a piece of colored cardstock. This will be the cover of the book.

2. Next, fold the cardstock in half, making it 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″. Do the same for the copy paper.

3. Slip the copy paper into the cardstock, creating a “book.”

4. Using a single hole punch, punch 2 holes along the folded edge of your book, one at either end.

5. Cut a piece of yarn per student approximately 30 inches in length. Have the students thread the yarn through the holes, running it through twice. Tie the two ends together and cut any excess yarn.

Or, if you prefer, you can use brads instead. Simply slide a brad through each hole and fasten them from the back.

6. Have the students decorate the cover of their journals with markers or crayons. Encourage them to be creative in their designs. Since this is a personal gratitude journal, instruct each student to create a design that represents him or her.

7. On each page, have the students write about things they are thankful for. They might include illustrations with their writing; they might write a poem or a descriptive paragraph. Younger students can search through magazines and cut out pictures of things they are grateful for.

Remind your students that no two journals will look the same — they will all be as individual as the students themselves!

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