Summer break is wonderful for so many reasons, but it also can be so hard for so many of our little learners. Many times the lack of structure, routine, and the many unknowns make it tough for them. Often times, students’ first response isn’t to pick up a book or play a math game. Parents sometimes want so desperately to help, but aren’t sure how to over the summer. By using a summer bucket list, we, as teachers, can easily put fun, useful, teaching tools in their hands over the summer.
Years ago, one of my wonderful teammates, Mrs. Hennessey, had an idea to create a summer bucket list of fun ideas for our students for their end of year gift. We put our heads together and brainstormed a big list of ideas. We started by thinking about what extra things we had in our classrooms and what we could get at our local Dollar Tree. We ran to our nearest Dollar Tree and looked around to see what we could get and spit up–packs of notebooks, packs of chalk, dice set, etc. We gathered what we could for super cheap. Then, our summer bucket list was born.
The bucket was filled with:
Here is a peak inside our summer buckets!
I put it all together by adding a tag to the front of the bucket and putting the contents inside the bucket, which I also got at Dollar Tree. (These days, you could probably round up many buckets from local thrift stores throughout the year if you love auto thrift shop!) The kids were thrilled to receive them and parents were armed with many ideas for their kids to be engaged in learning in a fun way throughout the summer with this summer bucket list!
Are you ready to build you own summer buckets for kids? I have made it simple for you with this FREE printable list of ideas and printable sight word pages that you can put in the buckets. You can choose which sight word list to include. Don’t forget to throw in a summer reading calendar if you’d like, or any information from your local library, too!
I’m a K-1 teacher who is passionate about making lessons your students love and that are easy to implement for teachers. Helping teachers like you navigate their way through their literacy block brings me great joy. I am a lifelong learner who loves staying on top of current literacy learning and practices. Here, you’ll find the tools you need to move your K-2 students forward!
58 Responses
I can not wait to do this project for my students’ end of the year gifts. Could you please place the information that is on “My Summer Bucket List?” I was unable to see the complete sheet.
The bucket list is included in the blog post. It is linked in bold, pink print. 🙂
Can you provide a copy of the sheet that you include in the bucket?
The bucket list is included in the blog post. It is linked in bold, pink print. 🙂
Hi! Loveeeeeeeeeeeee this! Can you please send the sight word lists to [email protected]
Sent!
If you use dolch words can you send them to me too, please? thank you!
Hi April! The lists are now available in the post. 🙂 You can grab the link there.
Hello!! I absolutely LOVE your bucket list idea! Would it be possible to send me the sight words lists as well? Thank you so much!
[email protected]
Hi Brittany! The lists are now available in the post. 🙂 You can grab the link there.
This looks great! Could you please send me the “My Summer Bucket List?” Thanks [email protected]
The bucket list is included in the blog post. It is linked in bold, pink print. 🙂
Can you send me the bucket list sheet? Thank you. [email protected]
The bucket list is included in the blog post. It is linked in bold, pink print. 🙂
LOVE your idea! Would you mind sending me the bucket list sheet? You have made my end of the year a bit easier! THANK YOU!!!! [email protected]
LOVE your idea!! Would you mind sharing your bucket list sheet? You have made my end-of-the-year a bit easier! Thank you!!!!! [email protected]
Could you please share the bucket list sheet? I can’t wait to make these for my students at the end of the year!! [email protected]
Hi Allison! The bucket list is already included in the blog post. It is linked in bold, pink print. 🙂
Great idea! Definitely going to use this!
YAY! I’m so glad!!
LOVE this idea! Could you send me the first and second grade sight words? Thanks!!
[email protected]
Done!
Thank you! Going to the dollar tree tonight!!
This is a great idea. Would there be any way to edit or change the sight word list to K and 1st instead of 1st and 2nd. I would love to use with my graduating Kinder kids.
Hi Gina! I would love to create an editable version, but right now I just don’t have time as I am wrapping up a BIG project! 🙂
Did you ever make an editable version? I would love to make a couple of changes so I can use it in kindergarten.
Hi Kim! I will not be making an editable version of the list. I think the editable version comment was about the sight word list. 🙂 I ended up just making several options available. 🙂
Love this idea!!! Where can I get your first grade and second grade sight word list? I would love to include it in my students’ buckets.
Hi Iram! Shoot me an email and I can send them to you! They are the Dolch list, just so you know. 🙂
Can you send me the first and second grade list? I love this idea thank you for sharing! My email is [email protected]
Done! 🙂
Could I get a copy sent to me of your first grade and second grade sight word list please
Sent!
Hey, Amanda! Can you send me your sight words lists, pretty please? I am totally doing the bucket for my first graders! They will be so excited! [email protected]
Hi Tiffany!! Of course! I sent them over! 🙂 Enjoy!!
I love this! I am so going to use it this year! Can you email me the sight word list?
[email protected]
Sent them over!
I did not receive them! Try sending them to [email protected].
Could you please send me the two sight word lists?
Sent!
Is it possible to get a non PDF format of the My Summer Bucket List? I would like to use this for my intervention students, but I have K-5. The 2nd/1st grade sight words won’t go over well with some of my older students 😉
Hi Amber! I’m sorry, but due to my TOU that is not possible at this time. You are welcome to create your own sight word lists to add for the other students. 🙂
Is there an editable version of the Bucket List? I am so excited to do this or my friends!!
Hi Amanda! There is not an editable format at this time. 🙂
Hi Amanda.
I love this idea! Could you please send me the First and Second grade word lists? Please and thank you!
Sent!
Such a great idea! Looking forward to using this. Would you be able to send me the 1st and 2nd grade lists? Thanks! [email protected]
Sent!
Love this! Could you send me the 1st and 2nd grade sight word list? Also, is this file editable? I teach ESL and would love to be able to translate it to my students native language. Thanks!
Hi Abby! This list is not editable at this time. 🙂
Hi Abby! The lists are now available in the post. 🙂 You can grab the link there.
Hey! Could you send me the sight word list? Thanks!!
Hi Katie! The lists are now available in the post. 🙂 You can grab the link there.