O"fish"ally a 1st Grader!

Today is our Open House/Registration day.  I get to meet my students and their parents!  It's kind of the moment that makes the idea of this next school year a reality.

Registration day is usually a mix of long, slow empty stretches dotted with sudden influxes of families.  Everyone always seems to come in one big wave and it's just a whirlwind!  This year we found out that we only have 3 forms for the parents to fill out in our classrooms rather than our usual 8 or so.  I always felt bad for the parents having to fill out all those papers! Now they will be doing most of the registration on computers.  I'm so excited about this!  I'm hoping it's a sign of a smoother start to the beginning of our year.

The best part of Registration Day for me is always meeting my new students.  Some are shy and hide behind their parents.  Some talk your ear off right off the bat!  This year I got a really cute idea from the goody bags I made for my daughter's 2nd birthday a couple of weeks ago.  I made these cute little candy bags using the satchel shaped cellophane bags, nerds, and Swedish fish!  Here's what they looked like:

I thought it would be a fun way to welcome my new class to give these out at registration too, so I changed the tag closure at the top to say "O"fish"ially a 1st Grader!"

These are the things you'll need.

Here's how you make them:

1. Print the top closure tags on cardstock paper.  (Get them here.)
2. Cut out closure tags so that you have enough extra paper above the words to fold over and double up in the back.
3. Cut the closure tag with a scalloped or wavy edged scissor (with card folded).
4. Pour some Nerds into the bottom of the cellophane bag to simulate aquarium gravel.
5. Add a few Swedish fish.
6. Tuck in and fold over the tops of the bag, slip it between the folded cardstock, and staple!