Tag: elementary

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Physical Activity is Crucial for Growing Minds

There are many factors to consider when thinking about the overall well being of students in a classroom. All areas of health and well being are important— mental, emotional, social, and physical. Some are easier than others to address in a classroom setting, but all are equally crucial to a child’s well being. As teachers, it is important that we are taking time to provide opportunities for our students to grow in all areas. Physical health is an area that can be a little trickier to incorporate into a classroom, especially a secondary classroom. It’s not impossible, though! Below are some fun ideas for integrating physical movement into your classroom, regardless of the age or grade you teach. 

  • Brain breaks: Have students stand next to their desks and stretch, shake their arms and legs, or jog in place for 30 seconds. Put on a Danny Go episode and have students follow along with the actions. These kinds of quick, simple activities can help students get their wiggles out and clear their brain so that they can more easily focus on what they are being taught. 
  • Take your class outside (weather permitting) and play a relay game, such as transporting an object from one side of the field to the other. 
  • Take your class on a short walk around the perimeter of the building. If weather doesn’t allow for that, take a walk around the halls of the building, adding in the extra challenge of seeing who can be the quietest. 
  • Play PE Bingo, where each student must pick five activities to complete off their Bingo board— and the activities chosen must be in a row to create a Bingo (You can use the free resource below if you’d like.)
  • Do a “name workout”, where each letter of the alphabet is a different exercise, and students must complete the exercises for each letter of their name. (Ex: A- 5 jumping jacks, B- 30 second jog in place, C- 5 pushups, etc.)
  • Play “4 Corners”. Think of a series of multiple choice questions. On paper, create posters with A, B, C, and D on them. Place the papers in the four corners of the room. As you read each question and answer options, students must move around the room to the corner that corresponds to their response to the question. This not only creates a good opportunity for physical activity, but also helps students to see what they have in common with others in their class. 
  • For secondary students, have a class period where you play “old school” playground games— kickball, four square, hopscotch, or wall ball. You’d be surprised at how much fun teenagers have with these kinds of games (even if they put up a front that they are too old for such silliness).

Physical movement is so important for growing bodies and minds. It promotes healthy habits now and encourages kids to continue those healthy habits throughout their lives. Students of all ages need to see that all different areas of health and well being are important, and that there are simple, accessible ways to take care of each of those different areas. 

**Feel free to use the free PE Bingo card below. It is intended solely for classroom or personal use and may not be sold, reposted, or claimed as your own.**

PE BingoDownload
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Halloween I Spy Printable

It’s time for another fun Halloween print & go activity for you to use in your classroom! These kinds of activities are great for early finishers, quiet table work, or even as an activity for your class party! Today I have a fun Halloween I Spy worksheet that you can print out and use. For those who want options, I’ve included both a black and white version as well as a color version. 

Have students count each Halloween picture, then write how many of that picture they find at the bottom of the page. 

Parents— this is also a great activity to print off and keep in your quiet bag and may give you some peace during a wait at the doctor’s office, on a longer car ride, or if you just need a minute to breathe during the day! Laminate it or throw it into a sheet protector, and you’ve got an activity your kids can do again and again.

** As always, please do not sell, repost, or claim as your own. This printable is intended for classroom or home use only. **

Halloween I Spy-2Download

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Halloween Activities for Language Arts

It’s no secret how much I enjoy holiday-themed activities! They just bring such a fun element to a lesson and spark so much creativity. Even though we typically think of holiday themed activities as being targeted toward elementary aged kids, you can easily bring them into any content area and any grade level simply by modifying the difficulty of the activity.

Thought I can appreciate all content areas, English/Language Arts is my favorite, since that is what I spent many years teaching. And since we are nearing Halloween, I thought it would be appropriate to share some fun Halloween themed Language Arts activities! 

(Most of these will be geared more toward junior high aged kids, but can be modified for other grade levels as well.)

  • Read some “spooky” stories or poems. Edgar Allen Poe is always a good option for this time of year. In particular, “Tell Tale Heart” is a stellar choice for junior high students. Other options include “The Hitchhiker” by Lucille Fletcher, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, or “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. Did you know Roald Dahl even has some spooky short stories?!
  • Ask students to write a descriptive paragraph or two giving detailed descriptions of a haunted house. Have them trade papers with a classmate and have them create a physical model (drawing, painting, cut and glue, etc.) of the haunted house using what is written.
  • Have students write a personal narrative about their favorite Halloween or a favorite family Halloween tradition.
  • Have students write and illustrate a simple Halloween children’s book.
  • Have students write a persuasive piece defending their right to still trick-or-treat.
  • Using the free “Roll A Story” printable below, have students write a short story using the elements their dice rolls choose for them.

Play some fun Halloween music while your students work on one or more of these delightful Halloween themed activities, and you’ve easily set up a fun work environment for your students to work in! Teenagers might put up a front that they are “too old” for things like this, but deep down, they love it and will eat it right up when given the chance! 

** This printable is free, and is intended for home or classroom use only. Please do not resell, repost, or claim as your own. **

Roll A Story HalloweenDownload
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Parent Support– Yes, Teachers Need It!

One of the coolest parts of being a parent is the chance to be an active participant in their education. I love knowing what is happening in my kids’ classrooms, hearing about their days, and getting to know their teachers. But… my all time favorite ways to get involved are by going on field trips and volunteering to help with class parties. They both offer such a fun glimpse into where my kids are all day and who they are with. 

Volunteering serves a few purposes for me— first, it lets me connect with my child and lets me get to know their peers, and second, because I have personally been a teacher, I know how valuable parent support is, and I want my kids’ teachers to know I support them and am willing to help shoulder some of their already too heavy load. My third reason is, admittedly, a little bit selfish: I love going on the field trips because it is a fun way to experience different fun things around my community that I might not get to experience otherwise. Sure, I could take my family to the aquarium or the pumpkin patch, but when I get to go with the school, there is almost always an educational class or presentation for the kids to participate in. I enjoy learning new things, and find it fascinating to hear what they teach the kids. 

Just yesterday, I got to walk with my son’s kindergarten class to a local donut shop, where we got to see where the donuts are made, watch the machinery in action, and hear all about the donut making process. It was an hour out of my day that was well spent, and I know the teacher was appreciative to have extra hands to help with students. 

Volunteering has allowed me to learn really cool things at the farm, the aquarium, museum, zoo, donut shop, dentist office, post office, dinosaur museum, children’s museum, police station, and more. 

From a teacher’s point of view, parent support is crucial. Knowing that your students’ parents have your back makes such a difference. Every classroom has different needs. Many, especially secondary classrooms, don’t have much need for in-person volunteers. Elementary classrooms, however, often have great need for in-person volunteers. Regardless of what kind of help teachers need, the support parents can give is immeasurable and is so appreciated. 

Parents, if you don’t know how to support you children’s teachers, might I suggest a couple of ways? 

  • Send an email letting them know you are thankful for what they do for your child. CC the principal on the email.
  • If finances allow, add a container of cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, or box of tissues to your next grocery order to donate to the classroom.
  • Volunteer for class parties or field trips. If you can’t be there in person, offer to donate supplies for activities.
  • Learn the teacher’s favorite snack or treat and send one to school the morning of Parent-Teacher Conferences (or any random day!). 
  • Volunteer to help assemble learning packets, cut lamination, grade papers, or to come in and help with reading.

It doesn’t take a lot to show your support for the teachers in your life. They are overworked, underpaid, and often completely exhausted. A little appreciation or support really does go a long way!

And teachers, if you find yourself barely surviving, don’t hesitate to reach out to the parents of your students and ask for help. I guarantee you’ll have at least one willing volunteer to help shoulder your load and make your job easier. 

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Fall Fun for the Classroom

It’s officially Fall! The leaves are changing where I live, and the morning air is crisp. It’s a beautiful thing! New seasons bring all kinds of changes, and those changes create great opportunities for exciting learning opportunities as well as lots of fun, creative art activities. Below you will find a few suggestions and ideas for some Fall fun in your classroom! Feel free to modify any activity to fit your students’ needs.

Science:

  • Learn about the life cycle of an apple from seed to fruit. Taste test different kinds of apples.
  • Learn about why the leaves change their colors. Talk a walk outside and see how many colors of leaves you can spot.
  • Investigate why the temperatures start to drop. Discuss the Earth’s rotation and position this time of year.

Art:

  • Go outside and gather some leaves from the ground. Use them to create leaf rubbings, stamps with paint, or press them and make a bookmark.
  • Draw a fall scene.
  • Gather small leaves from outside. Draw a tree trunk and branches on paper, then glue the leaves onto the tree.

Language Arts:

  • Read some books about Fall.
  • Write an acrostic poem using FALL or AUTUMN.
  • Write a descriptive paragraph describing a fall scene.

Math:

  • If available in your area, collect fallen acorns or pinecones. Sort and count in several different ways.
  • Conduct a class-wide survey about favorite Fall activities. Create a bar graph with the results.
  • Use fall themed candy as math manipulatives.
  • Print out and have students complete the Fall Find and Count printable at the end of this post.

Students learn best when a learning experience is engaging. And honestly, from a teacher’s perspective, teaching is much more enjoyable when the material you are teaching is fun and engaging. Play into the seasons, holidays, and other special occasions— I bet you’ll have as much fun as the students do! 

** Feel free to download the free Fall Find and Count worksheet— it is only for personal and classroom use. Please do not distribute, sell, or use as your own.**

Find & Count- Fall Fun!Download
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Who Knew There Were So Many Kinds of Schools?!

When I was growing up, there never really was any question about which school I would be attending— whichever elementary or secondary school I was living in the boundaries for is the one I would attend. There weren’t many other options; if there were, they weren’t widely known and weren’t talked about much. The thought of having a choice to attend anything other than a traditional public school was foreign to me. 

Fast forward many years, and there are a plethora of options for parents and students to choose from. While the majority of students today attend a traditional public school, there are many who choose otherwise. Not all schools are created equal, thus providing opportunities for  unique learning experiences for all kinds of learners. 

So what even are the differences between the various types of schools? We’ve got public, charter, private, magnet, boarding, parochial, and home schools. That’s a lot! Until I became a teacher, I honestly didn’t really fully understand the differences between each of these types of schools. If you find yourself in the same boat, look no further— I’ll explain!

Public Schools

Traditional public schools are the most widely attended across the United States. These types of schools are open to the general public, and service all children within their geographical boundaries. Students are not charged tuition, but sometimes are required to pay fees. Schools are funded by taxpayer dollars and other government funds, and are held to certain standards set by school boards and education departments. 

Charter Schools

Charter schools are a type of public school, but unlike traditional public schools, they are free from many of the regulations and rules that traditional schools are held to. They also do not have the weight of the school board’s scrutiny over them. They do not charge tuition. Charter schools are open to the public, and are typically founded by parents, teachers, organizations, or for-profit groups. Charter schools are known for being more rigorous than traditional schools, and often push the boundaries on how learning is structured and delivered. They also often require a uniform and have a strict dress code. 

Magnet Schools

Magnet schools are fairly new to the education game, and are becoming more popular. These kinds of schools are a type of charter school, but they specialize in specific areas, such as STEM, arts, music, etc. Students must still receive general education, but the main focus of study lies in how the school is specialized. Magnet schools tend to be very competitive and very selective about who they let into their programs. Since magnet schools are a type of charter/public school, they are tuition free. However, because they are specialized, they can require students to be at a certain aptitude level to be admitted. Magnet schools tend to have higher standards for their students, expecting great things academically. Magnet schools are really cool in that they give students a chance to be surrounded by likeminded peers who all share an enthusiasm for learning the particular area of focus for the school.

Private Schools

Private schools are as they sound— private and very selective. Private schools often require an entrance exam of some form, and students must apply to be let in. These schools are funded through tuition as well as other grants and donations from private entities. Typically, private schools require a uniform and are also quite rigid in their standards and expectations for their students. 

Boarding Schools

Boarding schools are a type of private school where living arrangements are provided on site. Students live, eat, and learn on campus. 

Parochial Schools

Parochial schools provide a private education that is heavily influenced by religious beliefs. We typically see these kinds of schools run by Catholic parishes, Protestant denominations, or other religious groups. Religious teachings are integrated with general education subjects.

Home Schools

Homeschooling has gained more popularity over recent years, with a large surge in interest happening after the COVID pandemic of 2020. Home school is as it sounds— students are educated at home, typically by a parent. Requirements for home school vary by state. Some states are very strict on how home school is run, requiring the parent to be a credentialed teacher and have regular check-ins with the school district. Other states are very lax in their requirements, not even requiring notification that a student will be homeschooled. Most states will fall somewhere in the middle. Homeschool offers a unique opportunity for students to be taught at a slower pace in the comfort of their own homes. Parents and students can join forces with other homeschool families and create cooperatives to allow for more opportunities for homeschooled children. Many students participate in a hybrid school experiences, where some of their subjects are taught at home or online and others are taught in person at a school. 

It’s incredible that there are so many kinds of schools to pick from! There truly is a type of school for every kind of student. Having so many options allows for students to thrive as they attend the type of school that suits them best. There is no wrong or right type of school— all provide educational opportunities, and all give students the chance to challenge themselves academically and prepare for their future!

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Brain Breaks & Challenge Cards

We’ve all been there as teachers— we plan the perfect lesson or activity, anticipating that it will fill as much time as possible… and then it doesn’t, and suddenly, you’re left with time to fill. A few minutes of “free time” at the end of class isn’t so terrible, but too much time? You’re going to end up with chaos and mayhem! 

If (when) you find yourself in a situation like this, or find that you need a short brain break in between tasks or activities, it’s always good to have an idea or two in your back pocket to quickly pull out for your class to do. 

Sure, the Internet is teeming with ready-to-go brain breaks and time fillers, but sometimes, you just need something that is not tech related and is still fun and engaging. I remember playing “Heads Up, Seven Up” or “Silent Ball” and having so much fun. If there is an element of mystery or challenge to the game or activity, it makes it even more fun. 

I’ve created a fun “Challenge Game” full of different kinds of challenges to engage students and targeting several areas of learning. As a teacher, you know how much time you have available, so you can choose the type of challenge— some are super quick, while others take more time. Choose a challenge card, then pick one (or more if you have time) challenge activity and have your students complete the challenge. Split them into groups or do the challenges as a whole class— whatever fits your needs! 

Have fun and enjoy connecting with your class. Parents, you can use these challenge cards, too! We all know that sometimes you just need a few minutes to reset at home. These are even great to cut out and keep in your car! Tuck them into your purse and pull them out while you wait for your food to come, the doctor to see you, or to keep the whining to a minimum when they claim they are bored.

As always, the printable is free, but is intended for classroom or personal home use only. Do not sell, distribute, or repost as your own.

Challenge GameDownload