Mother's Day Projects

Technology Ideas that will make Mom Smile!

May 6, 2007 Beth Lynne

Short projects that are manageable for Mother's Day are presented.

Many teachers are scrambling for Mother’s Day ideas that can be worked into the demands of the curriculum. Something fast, cute, and heartfelt that will ensure that every child in the class has not forgotten Mother (or a special aunt, grandmother, foster parent, or teacher; always be sensitive to the needs of individual students!). Below are some suggestions that can be completed by the age levels indicated, with adjustments possible (such as extra help) for students who need them.

Pre-K to First Grades: Design an “I Love Mom” Poster or T-shirt

Using a digital camera, take a picture of each child against a solid background (use a blue sheet or large piece of fadeless paper—this color flatters almost everyone). Upload the pictures to the class computer. Have students type “I Love Mom, Love, {name of child here}” and then insert the picture of the child into the document. Choose a border together and print (hopefully there is a color printer on hand). If a laminator is available, then laminate the posters or use a heavy cardstock on which to print (glossy photo paper is also attractive). A variation on this project is to have each child bring in a white t-shirt. Using t-shirt iron-on transfers, print out the students’ posters and iron them on the t-shirts (the teacher might want to bring these home or iron during lunch or prep; but be careful with the iron around the small children).

2nd to 3rd Grades: Recipes for Mom

Can second and third graders cook? Quite possibly, but they need recipes to follow. Using their imagination, have students think of their mothers’ favorite foods and then write a recipe for the food. Of course, in most cases, the recipe will be a mess, but this is a teachable moment, in which “does this measurement make sense?” may come about, and it is certainly the thought that counts. Have students type their recipes onto a Word document with clipart of the food and print out into a small enough section to paste onto an index card (or the section can be printed onto the index card directly). Laminate if possible.

4th to 6th Grades: Write a Poem or Essay Telling Why Mom is the Greatest

It is difficult to get children to write poetry, but breaking the steps down may help the success of this project. Have students brainstorm rhyming words to “Mother”, “Mom”, “Mommy”, “Ma” (“Granny”, “Nana”, “Aunt”, etc.). Discount some of the ones that may be inappropriate for the age group, but will be yelled out anyway. Have students begin to write couplets and then combine them. The students may surprise their teachers with very coherent poems. If they find poetry impossible, then have them write an essay, telling why mom is the greatest. Have students type the poems/essays into Publisher, using the greeting card options, then decorate and print.

The copyright of the article Mother's Day Projects in Teacher Tips/Training is owned by Beth Lynne. Permission to republish Mother's Day Projects in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.