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By Kim Vij

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Teacher Appreciation Party

Do you have a “very special teacher” that you want to celebrate? Here’s a fun way to engage your child and their classmates into celebrating their teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week or an End of the Year Celebration.

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Themed Teacher Appreciation Party

All the caterpillar themed projects can be created in stations in less than an hour.

Encourage the teacher to sit back and enjoy while the students create keepsakes for the teacher’s classroom.

Grab some parent volunteers and let’s go have some fun!

Very Hungry Caterpillar Class Sign for Teacher Appreciation Week

Create a Handprint Caterpillar Class Sign

Very Hungry Caterpillar Accordian Book Idea for Teacher Appreciation Week

Create an Accordion Style Caterpillar Card

Make a Thank you card for the class by cutting out large green circles and then cut out smaller circles with their personal pictures on them. The same head is on both the card and the class sign. If you don’t have time to get a picture made of each child, just have each student draw a self-portrait.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Clothespin Gift Idea for Teacher Appreciation

Create Caterpillar Magnets

Using green and red pom pom have the student glue the head and body onto a clothespin. Then attach two eyes. Before they begin attach a magnet to the back so they can hang it on the fridge at home to remember the special party. Premake a set for the teacher.

Create a Caterpillar Pointer

Using the extra pom poms create a teacher pointer to help the teacher read stories with and use for teaching reading.

Class Book Signing…The Very Hungry Caterpillar  by Eric Carle

As a class buy The Very Hungry Caterpillar for your child’s teacher and then have all the student write their name on the front of the book for a book signing. You could include a class photo attached inside too.

Make a Class Book Very Hungry Caterpillar Book

What a fun way to remember a school year to be presented with a book of personalized teaching photos from your own classroom. Here are some suggestions for what to include but the ideas are endless as to the special things your child’s teacher does with the class.

A Very Special Teacher by ______ Class

  • On Monday  ____ read us a story.
  • On Tuesday ___ taught us to write.
  • On Wednesday ____ helped us count to 100.
  • On Thursday _____ took us to the playground.
  • On Friday ____ sang songs with us.
  • On Saturday _____ was writing her lesson plans.
  • On Sunday _____ was a very special teacher all year long!
  • Thank you _____ for all your hard work and dedication!

If you don’t want to take photographs you could always have each student create their own personalized page and create a book from it.

Have a Very Hungry Caterpillar Snack

While you’re presenting the book basket and listening to the Class Caterpillar Book you can enjoy a little caterpillar snack.  Cupcakes shaped like a caterpillar are fun!  You can also create a caterpillar from sandwiches. 

You can retell the story by cutting up fruit and poking holes into the fruit just like the story using straw.

Make a Bean Bag Toss Caterpillar

Plan an extra station for little hands that finish early and are waiting to switch stations. Draw the foods from the Story onto a large sheet of cardboard and have them try to get the bean bag into the holes.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Teacher Appreciation Party Ideas

Collect Books as a Teacher Gift to Build a Very Special Class Library

If parents want to buy something special for the teacher, encourage them to participate in a book basket to help build your teacher’s classroom library. They don’t necessarily have to be new, garage sales and used bookstores are a great resource. When you present the basket attach one red and 3 green balloons to it so it looks like a caterpillar. We attached thank you notes to the balloons too!

Need more of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Ideas?

Check out our Pinterest Thematic Units Board and Party Board.
Explore the World of Eric Carle here
Coloring Activity here
Activity Booklet and Poster here
Want Eric Carle to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to your child or class?  Click here

Hope you enjoy your “Very Special Caterpillar Party” with your child’s teacher and class!

At the end of the party the Teacher will have a basket full of books, a teacher’s pointer, caterpillar magnets for her board, a caterpillar thank you card, a personalized book about the school year, new copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar signed by her students and some delicious Caterpillar Themed Snacks.

The kids will love it and so will the teacher, what a special way to say thank you!

Planning teacher appreciate week that is themed Around the World
Teacher Gift Ideas for teacher appreciation week
Super Hero Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas for Planning

Here are More Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

  • Blueberry Gift Idea and  Printable
  • Videos for Teacher Appreciation
  • Gifts Ideas for all School Support Staff
  • Classroom Wreath Tutorial
  • Personalized Glass Vase
  • 30 Gift Ideas from Teachers and Parents for Teacher Appreciation
  • Roundup of Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

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Filed Under: Kids Activities Tagged With: Caterpillars, Kim, Teacher Appreciation, Teacher Gift Ideas

About Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing developmentally appropriate activities.

« How to Make a Spring Break Scrapbook with Kids
How to Make Your Own Star Shaped Stamp With Your Child »

Comments

  1. Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says

    April 25, 2012 at 8:59 am

    Thanks Deborah! And thanks for pinning this party! It's a great idea for interns too which is who we used this party for. A great way to build up a new teacher's classroom.

  2. Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says

    April 25, 2012 at 8:58 am

    Thanks! We really had a good time and the kids loved doing this together for their teacher.

  3. Deborah@Teach Preschool says

    April 24, 2012 at 10:57 am

    What a lucky teacher! Great ideas!

  4. Mrs. McKown says

    April 24, 2012 at 5:28 am

    Wow! I wish I could join you for this party! It looks amazing! Great job!

    ❤Mrs. McKown
    Little Literacy Learners

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Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim Vij shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing all kinds of easy kid crafts, activities, recipes and even travel ideas for families!
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