Writing Crafts for a Year: 50 Fall, Winter, Spring, & Summer Projects & Prompts

You’re like most time-starved, elementary teachers. You love classroom crafts. But you don’t have all the time in the world to cut perfectly-sized, construction paper for them. And let’s be real. You don’t have the patience for it, either. Especially when the projects require 7 different colors in various sizes. This yearlong craft bundle with writing prompts will solve all that for you.

As someone who used to co-teach in elementary classrooms, I understand the need for a fun and engaging craft project that looks great on your hallway bulletin board. Oh, and be sure that it still targets learning goals. That’s where the writing prompts come in.

Children are more apt to write when they’re emotionally invested in the content you’re teaching. Pairing writing with a craft achieves that.

With this bundle, children can:

• Reflect on how peer pressure can lead to bad choices and what they can say and do to help their friends stay drug-free (Red Ribbon Week)
• Write a short story about a bad dream from the point of view of a monster (Halloween Monsters)
• Think about equity in their school community with Martin Luther King Jr. as the context for that conversation (MLK Day)
• Explain 5 facts about sunflowers (Sunflowers)

These are just some of the writing prompts that your class will engage with during the year. They’re designed to touch upon different types of writing (informative/explanatory, opinion writing, and narratives).

HOW TO USE THIS CRAFT BUNDLE

If you’re racing to figure out what project to quickly put up in the hallway, look no further. Students can complete each craft in one class period. And you can use the accompanying writing prompts to post alongside them.

Basically, each child receives a copy of the template. Then, they color everything, cut out the parts, and glue it together. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

Don’t have time to walk them through the steps? Push out the included PowerPoint files onto student devices and let them follow at their own pace.

These craftivities also come with a PowerPoint files with step-by-step pictures and simply written directions for young children. Use it for either whole group or small group instruction. Or, assign it to students via Google Classroom, Canvas, etc. so they can work independently.

Are you going to be absent and your substitute won’t have access to technology? No problem! Use the 1-page all-in-one step-by-step picture directions. Every craft comes with this page. Just print it out and include it with your sub plans. And then do nothing. Yes, nothing, because I’ve done it all for you!

WHY THESE SEASONAL AND HOLIDAY PAPER CRAFTS?

• 51 paper crafts for all four seasons, special school events, and most major holidays, so you don’t have to struggle pulling it all together last minute.
• Three versions of each craft, so kids have a choice in what they create and you can differentiate their instruction.
• Quick and creative bulletin ideas, so each display features work that isn’t formulaic where the crafts aren’t all the same.
• Step by step directions in PowerPoint for every project to reduce the friction that comes with doing classroom crafts with kids.
• Two unique writing prompts for each craft project, so you can pump up your kids to write about the theme related to their project.
• Color and Black & White versions, in case you don't have time for the kids to color.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What crafts are included? These projects and writing prompts are from my “Build A…” line of resources. There are 51 in total from my Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter bundles. Additionally, both Spring Break bundles, both of my Christmas bundles, and the Winter Games craft. BONUS: I’m also including the rainbow craft as a freebie.
2. How many sheets of paper does this use? These resources require one or two sheets of copy paper per child.
3. Each resource shows 3 different versions of the crafts. What am I supposed to do with the other versions? You may decide to assign each table a certain version or you may decide to print a handful of each and let students pick the one they like the best. Having 3 options will make your bulletin board display more creative!
4. What materials do I need? Kids will need scissors, crayons, and glue. And in a few instances, a single sheet of construction paper to glue the pieces onto.

YOU WILL RECEIVE

• 50 Non-Editable PDF Printable Crafts – Each activity in this Year Long Craft with Writing Prompts Bundle includes a teacher guide, a step-by-step handout for substitute teachers, craft templates in color and black and white, writing prompts, and blank writing paper pages.
• BONUS: I've also included my Rainbow Craftivity as a complementary gift to you.
• Google Drive Access Link, so you can assign paperless versions.
• Non-Editable PowerPoint Slideshow – Includes large, step-by-step picture directions and text for each craft so students independently and you can reclaim valuable class time to work with needy students.

Created by Amie Bentley, © Glitter Meets Glue Designs, LLC