Teacher Idea Factory

Teacher Idea Factory

BIRTHDAY BASH – CLASSROOM + BAINBRIDGE-STYLE

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In honor of Mrs. Bainbridge’s AWESOME Bloggy Birthday Bash & Giveaway, I decided that it was the perfect time to jump start a classroom birthday celebration discussion.  What do you all do in your classes to celebrate your kiddos’ special day?  Here’s a little sneak-peek at what happens in good old Room 13 when we have a b-day in the house . . .

Our beloved b-day cape . . . keep reading to find out more.
First and foremost, the kiddos always walk into a decorated desk.  I put out my cupcake chair cover (similar to the photo below), personalized b-day certificate, crown, and my little gift the night before so I don’t forget.  I always give out rainbow pop-a-point pencils as my present . . . what do you all give?  
We save the BIG part of the celebration for the end of the day (I know better than to tap into this too early).  We begin by breaking out the all-mighty birthday cape – the best photo of this is at the top of this post.  This little birthday cake ditty is perfectly kid-sized and they cannot wait to wear it. Although you can find these on Etsy, I purchased my cape HERE.

Next, I put on the Birthday Boogie song by Intelli-Tunes.  It is a classic and it get’s everyone movin’, shakin’, and celebratin’!  During the long intro I make a big deal about putting the cape on slowly and crowning them.  When the beat picks up, the rest of the kids connect to the birthday boy or girl to create a conga line. It’s a for sure giggle-getter!

Push play to start Birthday Boogie sample and pause to stop!
CLICK HERE to download the song for only 99¢!

If the birthday kiddo brings in cupcakes or other goodies, we take them outside to the playground (weather permitting) and sing the official b-day song out there.  Once they finish their cupcakes, my students typically have about 10 minutes of extra recess time and then we go home.
That’s my routine and I am stickin’ to most of it.  However, I would love to spice it up just a bit more.  Would you care to share a gem of a birthday idea?  I’d love to hear it!
On another note, I owe a HUGE thank you to Lindsey over at The Teacher Wife. I was shocked to learn that I was her big winner in the Shabby Apple Giveaway. This may go down as one of the best contests in the history of contests.  Sure, I love winning school supplies as much as the next guy, but this time I won CLOTHING.  **SWOON** This site is UH-MAY-ZING and I am still trying to narrow down my choices.  Click on the screen shot to see what I mean…
Alright, so I am almost outta here, but I wanted to give one more shout out to my birthday bloggy buddy, Christina (it was a b-day theme around here after all).  Be sure to check out Mrs. Bainbridge’s Class for details on her heart-stoppin’ giveaway . . . there’s oodles of fantastic stuff up for grabs (even something from little old me).  You don’t want to miss out on this one.  Merry Friday gang and thanks for visiting.  I’ll see you tomorrow.

Comments

  1. Lisa R. says

    Those birthday ideas are great! I love the birthday song!! The cape is super cute– I made a birthday shirt for students to wear that day from Vistaprint, but but I like that cape WAY better! I give out the birthday balloons with pixie sticks attached, certificate, pencils & sticker. Those crowns are adorable though & I'm going to have to check out Creative Teaching's website, because those are the cutest crowns I have seen in a while. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your ideas!
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

  2. Amanda says

    I agree- that cape is just too cute!!!!!! I definitely want to do more for birthdays this year. I would put some goodies on their desk and blow up a balloon that they would get to put on the back of their chair. One thing I do though is celebrate half birthdays too. I was always a summer birthday and it was a bummer not having it during school. Now as an adult, I LOVE having my birthday in summer! I always get my birthday off! 🙂

    Amanda
    Ms. Wilkie's Second Grade Class

  3. Primary Paradise says

    Your birthday ideas are adorable. I'm participating in Christina's give away too. I'm so glad I found your blog, I'm a new follower.
    Stop by mine if you get a chance.
    Tammy
    primaryparadise.blogspot

  5. Tammy says

    We do a shared writing for the birthday person. If they're turning 7 it's called "7 Reasons Why We Love _____" Then we list the 7 reasons on the chart paper. The birthday person gets it when we're finished.
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

  6. Christina Bainbridge says

    How cute! I have one of those hamsters that was all the rage several years ago- you push his foot and he sings and moves to a birthday song by *I think* The Beatles!

    The b-day kid stand on a chair and we scream "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" and we make them a book for morning work!

    🙂
    Christina
    Mrs. Bainbridge's Blog

  9. Katie says

    OMG. I feel so bad about my class birthday celebrations after reading yours! I totally want that cupcake cover now. We don't too much in my class, but it's changing next year! haha. I gave out birthday goodie bags last year (with a few pieces of candy, pencil, gift certificate). The kids have their name announced on morning announcements and get to go get a book from administration. (All 600+ kids at my school get this.) We usually celebrate and go outside at the end of the day. Recess is not encouraged at my school, so it's a very special treat to go to the playground 🙂

    Katie
    Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans

  12. teacherideafactory says

    I did it last year (when I taught K) and skipped it this year. I felt bad after the fact, but I simply forgot all about it. Must be because my b-day is in October 🙂 I really like the idea of celebrating half-birthdays . . . from Amanda's comment up top. I crammed them all at the end of the year before and it was cupcake overload. Thoughts?

    Kelley Dolling
    Teacher Idea Factory

  13. Angie says

    I am in LOVE with that cape! I feel bad too for my lack of celebrating! (Especially this year as "we" banned food… so no cupcakes/treats and also no food to send home! A lot of kids did not give out anything…) That's going to have to change a little next year! Thanks for adding more to my list to try to get done this summer! 😉
    Angie
    Rulin' the Roost

  14. Jessica says

    I definitely need to step up my birthday celebrations! I love the birthday cape and the cupcake chair cover. They are so adorable! I have a puppet that I pull out for each birthday. The students love the visitor.
    Jessica
    applesandpapers.blogspot.com

  15. Stephanie says

    Wow, I want to celebrate a birthday in your classroom!! I especially love that chair and cape! I let me kids pick a pencil, they get a certificate and a sticker that let's everyone know it's their birthday and parents bring in treats. But this post just inspired me to kick it up a notch next year!!

    ❤ – Stephanie
    Falling Into First

  17. Storie says

    Cute birthday ideas – they put mine to shame! I give a cupcake-shaped birthday card (I think they're made by Carson Dellosa or Creative Teaching Press), birthday pencil, a Ding-Dong cupcake with a candle, and the class sings to the birthday boy/girl. Kids are not allowed to bring birthday treats in for the class at our school.
    Storie
    Stories by Storie

  18. Jenn Long says

    I love your birthday ideas! Birthdays were a little low key for me this year as I had a student/family who didn't celebrate birthdays and I HATED asking him to leave each time we celebrated. I love your ideas…as well as everyone else's! I can't wait to make birthdays a little more special in my room next year! Thanks for getting me thinking!

    A Pirates Life for Us

  20. Kate says

    Congrats on winning the Shabby Apple contest! Because of YOU, I just won a contest from your blog designer, Sour Apple Studio! I thought your blog was very cute, so I investigated who designed it… and while I was on her site, I entered her blog design contest… and won!! Thanks for helping me win a contest without you even realizing it! 🙂

    PS: Love your birthday festivities!

    Kate
    EduKate and Inspire

  21. Tara says

    I love the birthday boogie- too cute! I can't wait to meet everyone in Vegas either. I don't know if they'll be able to get us to leave!
    Tara
    Little Minds at Work

  25. Tammy says

    I just wanted you to know that I blogged today about a birthday cape my aunt made for my class all because you inspired me. I linked to your post, so I hope you get some visitors. Thanks for the inspiration!
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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