I co-taught with the special needs coordinator in our school. One year, we decided to celebrate May Day, a celebration we remembered very fondly from our school days!

some activities we did during the week prior to May 1:

• On the first day we discuss the History of May Day; and the purpose of the activities
   
• Paper plate baskets for "put ups" These baskets are hung on the children's desks and are to be filled with positive messages from each other. We have worked on put downs/put ups all year in social skills.
   
• May Baskets: Make and fill them with tissue paper, or colored paper flowers, and Easter grass. These baskets should be given away in the true spirit of May Day! The baskets are made with construction paper: weave 8 strips of paper through a 9'x12" sliced sheet of paper; glue edges down to secure. Roll into a cone shape. Staple the tip of the cone to hold the shape. Glue or staple a strip of paper t the basket for a handle. This activity is good for children with poor fine motor coordination.
   
• Poetry: The students write a class poem, and a group poem or individual poems about spring. Begin with a rhyming worksheet, sample:
       Because the sun did shine, the plants grew _______________ .
       Because it is spring, the birds will ______________.
       Children will play because it is _____________.

May Day! May 1st

• Deliver baskets to teachers/staff members' rooms first thing in the morning
• Gather together to do May Pole!
• Have May Day "Tea" - serve "tea", treats made during the week, and mints. Read "put ups" that are in the children's baskets!