Start the New Year with Squirrel's New Year's Resolution To start the New Year with a bang, I suggest using the fun book Squirrel's New Year's Resolution. (You can grab it here on Amazon.) It is such a fun way to talk about and resolutions in a way that little learners can understand. Integrating holidays and ELA is such a great use of time in the classroom. This sweet book is about a … [Read more...]
Gingerbread Learning Ideas
Gingerbread week is here and it is packed full of amazing learning activities to integrate the curriculum across as many subjects as possible. Check out these reading, math, science, and even art learning activities for Gingerbread week. Rhyming Words Let's start with these rhyming word gingerbread men. You can use some or all of the words to create a fun center or skill building activity. … [Read more...]
Christmas Books Kids Love
A staple in every lower elementary library could be a bin of timeless, fun, and beloved Christmas themed books. These books can be read once, or time and time again to help teach a lesson of traditions, giving to other, and to spread the magic of the season. Theses Christmas books are great for one on one lesson, small group reteaching methods, and even those whole group “we gotta get this … [Read more...]
Simply “Love”ly Tile Gift
Here is a Simply "Love"ly Tile Gift each parent will love to receive this year. Every teacher is packing in the arts and crafts this week to get the holidays gifts prepped for their students' families. Teacher love finding simple, easy, lovely, and cheap crafts their students can help create from their hearts. Here is a simple craft your pocket book will LOVE but not nearly as much as your … [Read more...]
Gifts Teachers Want
Parents, I have a secret to share with you concerning Christmas gifts. First, teachers do not expect gifts at Christmas. I have gone many years without getting a single gift. We are truly and completely moved if we do get a gift. First and foremost, my most meaningful gifts have been notes written by parents expressing their feelings. I personally save these messages and read them on the … [Read more...]
Student Christmas Gifts
Christmas is a fun time in every classroom, but the finical stress of what you as the teacher can get each and every student in your classroom isn't something that should be adding to your stress factor this year. Here are a few ideas for Student Christmas Gifts that are easy and do able for teachers. Dollar Books from Scholastic Use Scholastic points to get $1 book for each students. I save … [Read more...]
Easy Toy Soldier Ornaments
Christmas time is approaching and it is important to make fun, cheap ornaments. Make these easy toy soldier ornaments with your students or personal children. It will be a simple, cheap, and FUN ornament children will love to create and parents will love to display. You Will Need: -9 mini Popsicle sticks per desired ornament -glue gun-black, blue, and red marker -gold glitter glue -ornament … [Read more...]
Share the Magic of Christmas
Christmas season brings about a special magic of wonder, amazement, and imagination. I love watching little ones. Here are some fun ways to share the magic of the season of Christmas with little ones and yourself. Let's look at some fun ways to Share the Magic of Christmas. Share the Magic with an Email from Santa Check out this free website called emailSanta.com This site has many FUN … [Read more...]
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell
This time of year is too crazy to try to put together amazing lesson plans by yourself. Let's face it... this month is crazy! Recess is going to be inside, specials are going to be canceled, and you are most likely going to be sick and need a sub at some point. I am here to help with this There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell Literacy and Math Unit. If you need some of these books, … [Read more...]
Wants and Needs {with a FREEBIE}
Each December I teach a unit to my Kinders on Wants and Needs. Since we discuss thing we WANT to get from Santa, it is so important for our little learners to understand how blessed they are to have so many things that they NEED already. We do a pocket chart sorting activity to put things we WANT and NEED. And yes... I have a freebie for you... keep reading. This is always FUN to … [Read more...]
Read, Find, Cover
Read, Fund, Cover... Game on for learning fun! Picture this: The last day of school before Christmas break. Daily 5. I am working with students. My students are reading three and four letter words and matching them to the picture. This is the exact activity we were doing from my Polar Express Plus unit. My kids don't want to actually read the letters and put together … [Read more...]
Christmas Time Cheer is Here!
We officially have 7 more days of school before Christmas break. And I don't want to teach a letter or a word family or ANYTHING but Christmas! Seriously... I am ready to mix it up a little more in my room and make my kids work hard... but on the topic they are already thinking about and talking about. So, what does a teacher do when she KNOWS that Christmas Time means cheerful … [Read more...]
