Have your students create a colorful arrangement of pencils. Provide students with pencils, green fabric and silk flower blooms. Help students wrap the pencils with the green fabric; use glue to hold the fabric in place. Cover the tops of the pencils with glue and place a silk flower bloom on top of each one. Have children decorate terracotta flowerpots with paint and markers and then fill them with marbles. Place a few erasers on top of the marbles and insert the pencils into the flowerpot; the marbles will help them stand up. Children can set their flowerpots on their desks, adding color to their workspace and allowing them to have pencils and erasers close at hand.
Have children create a supply of bookmarks that they can use for the upcoming school year. Cut pieces of cardboard into rectangles and distribute them, as well as wrapping paper, stickers, stamps and glitter glue to students. Help students wrap the cardboard pieces with the wrapping paper; glue the paper in place. Let them decorate their bookmarks with the stickers, stamps and glitter glue. Allow them to make a few bookmarks.
Turn shoeboxes into desktop storage organizers. Provide children with shoeboxes and help them cover the lid and the box with construction paper. Distribute empty and cleaned yogurt containers and jewelry boxes with lids and have them cover these items with construction paper, as well. Instruct students to decorate the containers and the box with markers and stickers. Set the lid back on the shoebox and glue the yogurt container, the base of the jewelry box and its lid onto the lid of the shoebox. Students can fill the containers with pencils, tape, scissors and other materials and they can place larger items, such as notepads and rulers, inside the box.
Invite students to create pictures that illustrate some of their most beloved summertime memories. Set out art paper, crayons, paint, markers, glitter glue, stickers, construction paper and any other art supply you'd like. Encourage students to use the materials to create their pictures. After making their pictures, allow students to share them. Hang the pictures on the walls of your classroom, where they will serve as friendly reminders of the summertime.