Storytime & Artmaking: Our Class Is a Family

Take inspiration from Shannon Olsen's book Our Class Is a Family to create a postcard of positivity. (While this activity is inspired by a book, you do not need to read the book to do the activity.)

About the Book

Teachers do so much more than just teach academics. They build a sense of community within their classrooms, creating a home away from home where they make their students feel safe, included, and loved. Our Class Is a Family is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it's safe to be themselves, it's okay to make mistakes, and it's important to be a friend to others.

Getting Started

Do you have a favorite subject in school?
Who’s your favorite teacher?
If you could mail anyone a letter, who would it be?

Materials

Paper or cardstock (8.5 x 11 inches)
Pencil
Scissors
Markers, color pencils, or crayons
Optional: Envelope, stamp

Artmaking Activity

Thank your teacher for all of their hard work getting the school year ready for their students!

To make a notecard:

1. Cut 8.5 x 11–inch paper/cardstock in half widthwise. (Save the other half for the postcard.)

2. Fold paper in half widthwise.

3. Decorate the cover.

4. Write a message inside.

5. Optional: Mail your notecard using an envelope and a stamp!

Send your teacher a postcard so they can learn a bit more about you, their new student!

To make a postcard:

1. Take the other half of the paper and cut in half widthwise.

2. Decorate the cover with fun facts about yourself.

3. Flip over and draw a line dividing the paper in half lengthwise. Draw a square in the top-right corner. (The left side is for a message and the right is for an address.)