Springtime Classroom Projects Made Easy with a Die-Cutting Machine

7 projects that will save you time while you find ways to celebrate springtime 

Springtime is a beautiful season of rebirth and growth. It’s the perfect time to get creative in the classroom, and these crafts and projects will engage and benefit your scholars. As educators, we look forward to craft projects, but let’s face it—they can be very time-consuming. Die-cut machines are an incredible time saver while also helping you to create materials that look polished and beautiful.     

1. April Showers/May Showers Display Board

One of the best ways to shift the mindset and focus in your school or homeroom is to create a visual display that communicates the change. This display is a creative way to show that Spring has sprung. To make this board, start by grabbing your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine. You will use this to cut out the Flower-Woven Die Cut, the Flower Stems Die Cut and an alphabet die cut set of your choice. Begin by cutting at least one flower for every pair or group of scholars in your class. Then cut lots of weaving strips in spring colors. Next, ask students to weave strips into the flower shapes. Once these are created you can add them to display on the bulletin board as shown. You will then add the cut out words, “April Showers brought May Flowers!” This display is a celebration of the changes that spring brings about and the kids will love having the chance to add their own bright flowers to it. 

2. Rainbow Paper Plate Craft

The next project is an exciting hands-on craft that can get scholars talking about the weather they might experience in the spring. You will need to buy a set of paper plates that you will need to prep by cutting them in half. You will also need to use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to cut out 5-6 of the small Raindrop Die-Cut drops. Lastly use a single hole-puncher to make spots for the children to tie string into as well as punch a hole at the top of each raindrop. Then you can give students creative freedom to make their own rainbows, decorate their drops and tie them onto the plate. If you are working with older students you can have them write facts about Spring on each of the drops as well. 

3. Spring Flower Craft

These adorable flowers will be a blast for students to make and take home. To prepare for this project you will use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to cut out the elements of the Flowers & Leaves #4 Die Cut. Cut out the flowers and leaves using the construction paper or cardstock of your choice. Allow students to pick out the colors they want to use. They can then color or paint their toilet paper rolls green for the stem. Next they can glue their flowers and stems to the roll to complete their craft. They can make these for a family member or staff member or they can keep them for themselves. 

4. Build A Flower

Another idea would be to have scholars build a 2-D flower. These can be displayed, used for a gift or added to a lesson about Spring. They could write a fact or two on the flower pot and bring them home to share their learning with their families. Begin by using your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to cut out the parts of the Build A Flower Die Cut. Use a variety of colors so that kids can get as creative as they would like to with this project. Students can glue or staple the parts together. Using the die cut machine will make these flowers look polished and professional while also letting students add their own elements and designs to make it unique to who they are. 

5. Spring Teacher Notes

One of the most rewarding things for students to receive positive feedback from their teachers. Families also love to see how their child is doing. These Spring Notes are a creative and fun way to share your feedback. Your students will love to take these home and display them on their refrigerator, wall or bedroom door. Create these and pass them out throughout the spring season as an extra-special touch to your positive notes home. To make these you will need to use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to cut out the flower and leaves from the  Flowers & Leaves #4 Die Cut. Glue the leaves to the back of the flowers and have piles of these ready to write notes whenever you see fit.  The students will love them and you will have something to showcase to your administration that shows your positive communication with students and families.

6. Rabbit Hats

One of the most adorable spring creatures is of course the rabbit. We see them on decorations and displayed in stores. Adding a little rabbit fun to school is perfect for springtime. These would be a great addition to your first-day-of-spring celebration. Kids can wear them throughout the day and then take them home as keepsakes for their parents. This is an activity that could take a lot of prep work if you were to have to make them freehand. Using your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine is a great way to save time and have them all look uniform and adorable for your learners. Cut out the elements of Hat-Rabbit Die Cut and have them spread out for your scholars to pick from. Once they have all their sections, have them glue them on and they can write their name on it to use as a nametag or they can write Hello Spring or Happy Easter if that is something your school promotes.  

7. Spring Book Reading Challenge

A great way to add a little spring fun to reading would be to make these raindrop book logs for their spring reading as a class. To make these book challenge logs you will once again need to use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to cut out 10 to 12 drops from the Raindrop Die-Cut. Create a single hole-punch through the top of each drop and assemble them together using a 1” binder ring. Pass out a book log to each student and have them add a title page which should include their name. Each time they read a book, have them write the title on a new raindrop. At the end of spring, they can take these home and share their reading progress with their families.

All of these projects will not only save you time but you will also have elegant and beautiful crafts that students will be proud to post, showcase or share with their families. These crafts will give students a chance to be creative and hands-on with their learning while celebrating the beauty and brightness of spring! You can also take these projects and add academic elements to them to help connect dots between your scholar's learning and the changes happening in the world around them during this season of growth and rebirth.  

Written by Amy Pinegar.