and
Packing school lunches is not my favorite job as a mom but then, it’s more fun when you add a little flair. As you might imagine my idea of flair also comes with a learning agenda. Yep, lunchbox notes packed with sight words! When 3M asked me to share a back to school idea in a sponsored post using their products, of course I had 1000 ideas because I use Post-it® Notes like crazy (seriously, here’s the proof). But then, I settled on this simple idea because my daughter loves lunchbox notes.
Step 1: Gather your materials.
You will need:
A lunch to pack
A marker
Post-it® Super Sticky Notes (I’m currently obsessed with the Miami Collection & Rio De Janeiro Collection)
Scotch® Expressions Washi Tape
Step 2: Next, refer to the Dolch sight word lists for your child’s age group. I created these notes using the lists for Pre-K and Kindergarten:
Have a great day!
I will see you soon!
Jump for joy it’s lunchtime!
Eat and play and have a good day!
I <3 you! I will see you soon.
To-do list. 1. Eat up! 2. Run, play, and jump!
Eat up yum!
Smile, it is a good day!
If your school doesn’t use Dolch lists, accordingly use the lists they do provide. The note doesn’t have to only use sight words but try to have at least one per note. The goal of writing these notes with sight words in them is to give your child that many more chances to read and practice these words. Naturally, and of course, with a little help, they can make it stick!
Step 3: Finally, after you write out your note, add a little Scotch® Expressions Washi Tape. The note will stay on without it, but it’s a fun way to add more color and make sure that your child notices and reads the note!
As you can see, I had fun with the different colors.
All in all, I can’t wait to send these little notes to school with my daughter. Be sure to head over to Staples to pick up some more Post-it® Notes and Scotch® Expressions Tape (in all varieties!) for the school year.
Can you think of other sayings for the lunchbox notes to help make sight words stick?
Project created by Allison McDonald of No Time For Flash Cards for Scotch® Brand and Post-it® Brand.
Rosa says
I don’t have children of my own but I do spoil my nephew like crazy. I usually try to write loving notes in his lunchbox. I have started writing some of his spelling words in witty sentences this past school year. It did help him get those 100% scores on Fridays tests
Leslie says
I will stick with words she knows for now: Have a good day. I love you! Love, Mom
Sunshine says
I always tried to write notes that interested my son, but I love the educational aspect. I’d probably find a way to combine sight words and Pokemon/power rangers/fire fighters like “be a super trainer and catch the best day ever”
Savannah Billings says
I would put a joke, riddle or question and the next send him with another post it note with the answer.
Anna H says
We havea kindergartner starting this year and I’m weirdly excited about packing his lunches! I’m sure I’ll get bored by October but will prep the post its and washi tape to help spice it up!
Sarah Robinson says
You are a star!
P says
I love you!
Marcia says
I would include a knock knock joke since she is really into them right now.
sks says
Have a super duper day! Kiss, mommy
Lori says
I would write:
“You are my sunshine!” and I’d draw a little smiley face sun next to it.
Then “XOXO Love, Mama”
The only word she’d have trouble with would be ‘sunshine’ but with the drawing I would hope she could put it together. 🙂 Like many mamas and their kids, “You Are My Sunshine” is our “I love you song” (that’s what she calls it).
Heather says
You are a star!! I Love you!
Joanna says
I love writing notes in my son’s lunchbox! I always write notes marking a special day like the first day of school, a class field trip, class party, etc. He loves reading the notes and even keeps them as memories of those special days at school 🙂
On other days, I would write “I love you!”, “Have an awesome day!”, “Happy Monday!” because Mondays can be a little rough and “Happy Friday!” because everyone loves Fridays 🙂
katherine says
Love this idea! I would write “jump for joy, it’s lunch time!”
Maureen says
I think it would be fun to mention an activity for after school, like “Get ready to dance today!” Or “I will hug you when you get off the bus!”
Tac says
For my grandson I would write “here are good eats for a good day”
Tina says
I homeschool my soon to be kindergartener (6 yrs old) and I leave him notes in his bathroom, bedroom, dining table and we have a mail box we made to exchange words and stick figures.
Cait says
I think it would be fun to put a little drawing with the note for particularly tricky words (and because I like to doodle).
Barbara says
Kids don’t hear enough positive messages, give them a fresh thought everyday:
You are smart! You are a talented artist! You are a great supportive friend!
I think as they get older they need it even more, as the negativity they hear gets louder and greater.
Amanda says
I usually write a joke, tell them how proud I am of them and tell them I love them! Sometimes I even draw a picture!
Josie Allen says
We put jokes in our son’s lunch box every day so he can share them with his friends. 🙂
Leah Crone says
What I wrote would depend on what they needed to see. Maybe a simple “have a great day” or a crazy, goofy face. Sometimes it might be the countdown for the next break from school (we all have those days)!
Jan Messali says
I’d write “You are the apple of my eye!” and use an apple sticker on the note. I love the Scotch brand Washi tapes you used. I need to get some of those. 🙂
Nancy Bruce says
Jump for joy you little boy!
Becky Tezkol says
What a great idea – love this! I would write – Mommy loves you!
Deb says
This is a great idea. I just have a toddler in preschool but next year she will have lunch brunch Wednesday. I think I would write “You are special and keep up the good work!” Thanks for the idea!
Cindy says
My son is going to first grade and I’ll write questions that he can answer by writing back or drawing pictures. Questions like, if you could paint your room what color would you pick and why, what’s your dream, if you can invent something what would it be?