Tag: positive classroom

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Thinking Outside the Box

One of my kids’ favorite books is called Not A Box by Antoinette Portis. A small rabbit demonstrates just how many things a simple box can be and proves that it can be anything your imagination allows. “It’s not a box!” has become a favorite saying at our house any time we have an empty box that one of our kids wants to create something with. Kids are so creative and have the best imaginations, and it’s fun to watch what they can come up with. 

You don’t have to have an empty box to get creative, though! Creativity can be sparked with next to nothing. Sometimes all it takes is setting out some paper, scissors, and glue. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might throw in an empty paper towel tube, some string, or even some pipe cleaners/chenille stems. I’ve even handed my kids a paper with just a few different lines on it, and they’ve turned those lines into a masterpiece. Simply put, you really don’t have to go crazy to give kids an opportunity to get creative. It really doesn’t take a lot. 

My kids have all had the same kindergarten teacher, and she has a “creation station” set up in her room. In it are bins of scrap paper, stickers, strings, etc. that are open for students to use. My kids have come home with the coolest creations that they’ve made. If you have space in your classroom, perhaps you might consider setting up your own version of a creation station. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it would give students a place to create. If space is limited, or you have older students who might not be interested in gluing and taping paper together, consider providing some other kinds of creative outlets– coloring pages, color by number, origami, and so forth. You can also print off the circle and line art pages below and have them available for students to use. Or, if you’re a parent and need something to entertain your kiddos this summer, print off the pages and see what they come up with! You could even give it a try yourself!

Creativity is so important. Our brains were made to imagine, create, and problem solve. If we foster that natural need early on, and continue to do so, just imagine what kinds of amazing outcomes we will see! 

** These worksheets are for classroom or personal use only. Do not resell, re-post, or claim as your own. **

Circle and Line ArtDownload
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Classroom Supplies– What You Really Need

Now that the Fourth of July has come and gone, nearly every store has started to fill its shelves with school supplies. There’s still plenty of summer left to be had, but with school starting next month in many places, it’s a good time to start thinking about what you will need for your classroom this coming school year. 

A lot of schools will pay for and provide basic classroom needs, like pencils, crayons, glue, and scissors, and teachers are typically given a limited budget that they can use to purchase other needs throughout the year. However, many teachers still end up using their own money to purchase supplies and other things for their students. With supplies now being readily available and even on sale, it’s a great time for teachers to start purchasing what they will need, especially first time teachers. 

If you’ve never had to stock up a classroom, it can be hard to know what is essential, what’s nice to have, and what you can probably do without. Before buying anything, check with the principal or financial secretary at your school to see what will be provided for you and what kind of budget you have to work with. It’s also a smart idea to take inventory of your classroom– see what you have, what you’re running low on, and what you don’t have. A lot of schools have overstock rooms, too, where you might find some larger items like shelves, chairs, etc. that are up for the taking. Basically, do your research so you don’t end up spending money you don’t need to! Below are some ideas of supplies you might need to have a successful school year. 

*Not every teacher will need all of these items. Needs will vary from grade to grade and between content areas.*

  • Basic supplies: pencils, pens, glue sticks/bottles, crayons, markers, pencil sharpeners, construction paper, lined filler paper, erasers, pencil boxes, rulers, ziploc storage bags, and tape
  • Folders for each student to send homework and notes in to and from school and home
  • Spiral or composition notebooks for each student for note taking or journal writing
  • Dry erase markers and erasers– for the teacher and a set for students if you have miniature boards for your students to use
  • Colored marking pens or markers for grading papers
  • Sticky notes
  • Paper clips and binder clips
  • Staplers and staples
  • Push pins
  • Magnets– these are great to use for hanging papers on white boards! Magnetic hooks can also be helpful.
  • File folders and manila folders for paper storage
  • Some kind of lanyard or key ring for your school keys and ID card
  • Sticker labels
  • Sorting baskets for student work
  • Grade level books– a classroom library is essential, and can be useful in any grade or content
  • Timers– visual timers are great for younger grades. You can also find great timers on YouTube that can be displayed on your projector!
  • Cleaning wipes– nothing says “back to school” like a cold. Keep your room as germ free as possible by giving it routine wipe downs.
  • Student rewards– stickers, small toys, small candies, sticky hands, fidget toys, etc.
  • Clicker to connect your projector to your computer so you can easily wander the room while teaching.
  • Hall passes
  • Posters and other decor related to your grade level and content– make your room a fun, inviting place to be, and make it your own!
  • Air freshener or odor neutralizer– I especially found this helpful when teaching junior high! 
  • Paper lesson planner– it might seem silly in today’s digital world, but sometimes it just helps to have your plans written down somewhere!
  • “Emergency Kit” for your desk– keep your essentials close by: chapstick, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, antacids, hair ties, gum or mints, cough drops, bandages, extra feminine hygiene supplies, lotion, and quick snacks.
  • Desk organizer to keep your pens and pencils contained.
  • Other nice to have, but not necessary things might include a personal laminator, standing desk, or paper cutter.

Phew! What a list! As mentioned before, not every teacher will need all of these items. Always check your classroom to see what you need before you spend money. Setting up a classroom can be so much fun. Enjoy making your space your own, and be sure to make your room a safe, inviting place for your students to come to!

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Happy Birthday, America! 250 Looks Good On You!

I’m a big believer that birthdays ought to be celebrated and seen as a special occasion rather than treated like “just another day.” I mean, it’s a day to celebrate and honor the gift of someone or something being part of this world, so shouldn’t it be treated as something special? As we get closer to Independence Day, I’ve thought a lot about America and the fun things we do to celebrate her every year– fireworks, parades, festivals, concerts, barbeques with family and friends, and other kinds of get togethers with people we love. There are so many ways to celebrate our wonderful country!

Besides taking an entire day to celebrate America’s birthday, it’s fun to find engaging and educational activities for our students or kids to do in the days leading up to the Fourth of July. This year is even more special because America is turning 250 years old– and that’s really something to celebrate! Below you will find a collection of ideas you can use with your own children or with your students if school is still in session for you! These activities can be used and adapted for many ages.

  • Patriotic sensory bins- Use food coloring to dye white rice red and blue, then the three colors of rice together to create a red, white, and blue sensory base. Add in plastic stars, beads, coins, and miniature flags to make a fun patriotic themed sensory bin.
  • Print off and use the patriotic word scramble or I-Spy page found here.
  • Take a drive around town and keep tally of all the flags you can see as you drive. You could even create a “worksheet” to use before hand with space to tally how many flags you find of different sizes (small, medium, and large).
  • Teach your kids or students about the significance of the Declaration of Independence. For older kids, go into more depth about the meaning behind some of the most powerful phrases from the document.
  • Learn about the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
  • Have students write a “break up letter” from America to England, including what England did to cause the break up.
  • Research Independence Day celebrations from across the country. Talk about the different ways people celebrate the birth of our nation.
  • Read the words to the Pledge of Allegiance together and talk about what they mean. Do the same for the National Anthem.
  • For older kids, have them create some sort of artistic representation of what makes America who she is. Is it the people? The food? Music? Landscape? 
  • Create a timeline of events that lead up to Americans declaring independence.
  • Have students write a letter to America from England begging for forgiveness and to come back, including promises to change the things that had driven Americans away.
  • Take a look at this post to find more patriotic ideas!

Happy Independence Day! We hope you enjoy celebrating this great nation and that you enjoy the time with those you love!

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Read & Do: Practice With Following Instructions

One of the life skills that we teach and regularly practice with our students is the ability to follow either written or verbal instructions. Sometimes following instructions exactly is incredibly crucial– like when you’re doing an intricate chemistry experiment or assembling a bed, and other times– like when you’re making a peanut butter sandwich or coloring a picture, precision isn’t quite as necessary. Regardless of precision needed, learning to follow instructions is an important skill for all students to learn. 

To help your students practice this skill, I’ve created a set of four “Read and Do” worksheets. Three of the pages contain a picture and a set of instructions. Students read each instruction and complete the task. One page is a create your own “Read & Do” where students can write their own set of instructions, then trade with a classmate to have them follow the instructions. 

These worksheets give students a fun way to practice following specific instructions, simply for the objective of practicing following instructions. They provide a low-risk opportunity to practice this skill, as precision isn’t crucial. This activity is recommended for grades 1-3, but early readers could also benefit from its use. If you are wanting to have your students practice following verbal instructions, you can simply read them out loud to your class.

These worksheets are free to download, and are for personal or classroom use only. Do not resell, repost, or claim as your own.

Read & DoDownload
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Are Specialty Classes Really Worth It?

Learning to play the recorder in 4th grade was one of the highlights of my elementary school years (though I’m sure my parents weren’t quite as enthusiastic as I was). I remember proudly bringing home my instrument and music book, and squeaking out “Hot Cross Buns” every night as my family covered their ears and pretended to be impressed. I was sure I was going to be the best recorder player there ever was. Turns out I was definitely not the best recorder player, nor was I anywhere close to being so! But even though my recorder playing skills have greatly diminished, and I no longer have the need to play the instrument, the time I spent learning and practicing wasn’t wasted time. Rather, it was time spent learning a new skill, understanding basic music theory, and learning to devote time to practice every day. 

Every now and then, there will be a push to end all “specialty” classes in schools– classes like music and art. Usually the reasoning is lack of funding, lack of resources, or a shortage of qualified teachers. All of those are valid reasons to cut programs, but one must consider the impact of eliminating programs like these. Is it worth the fallout that comes when students don’t have access to these classes? Is the money that would be saved really significant enough that it’s worth putting these programs on the chopping block? I would guess that the majority of teachers would say that it’s not worth it, and that these specialty programs should stay. 

There are so many benefits to providing art and music education. Both areas have been proven time and time again to stimulate parts of the brain that simply are not reached as deeply by typical academic subjects. Music and art encourage creativity. They provide opportunities for students to express themselves. For many students, music and/or art becomes therapeutic. It becomes a way for them to express their feelings and emotions. Music and art are powerful tools. 

Many students don’t have access to formal art or music education outside of school. Extra curricular classes like these can get expensive, making it impossible for many families to provide those opportunities for their children. When these programs are available at school, however, it gives everyone an equal chance to learn in these areas, and that’s simply something that cannot be ignored. 

Art and music education also benefit students by crossing over into other content areas. Students who understand rhythm and beat might have an easier time learning poetry. Art education can stimulate the creative process, helping students think deeper and more critically. Art can also lean into history as students study different artists and styles of art. Various artistic techniques can be used when creating dioramas, presentations, posters, and models. Music can be incredibly useful as students memorize material for other classes by creating songs with the information they need to know. 

So yes, these extra programs do cost money. But the benefits far outweigh the costs. How can you put a price on something that does so much good? I don’t think you can. I don’t think you can accurately predict the lasting impact that these kinds of specialty programs can have on kids. They are invaluable, and absolutely should remain in schools. I cannot even imagine a world without art and music– both bring so much beauty to life!

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Summer Learning

Learning doesn’t have to (and shouldn’t!) stop over the summer. It’s always a great idea to keep kids’ minds attentive and active. Doing so gives kids a chance to review the skills they already know, learn new skills, and to take a break from screens. It doesn’t take much, and it doesn’t need to take a long time, but a little practice a few times a week can go a long way. 

Summer learning doesn’t need to be fancy to be effective. Reading practice can be as simple as reading a story together then talking about it afterward. Science practice can be done by stepping outside at different times during the day to observe the different positions of shadows as the sun moves. Math practice can be as easy as taking a walk around the neighborhood and counting and tallying how many trees, birds, bikes, etc. you see while you walk. 

I’ve created two resources you can use for math practice. The first is an Independence Day Count, Tally, and Graph, and the second is a Neighborhood Count, Tally, & Graph. These worksheets are easy to print out and use. Take them on a car ride with you, do them at home, or even sit under a tree in your yard while you do them. 

However you choose to do it, make sure to find time this summer to provide learning opportunities for the kids in your life. Learning time is never wasted time!

*** These resources are free to download, but are for classroom or personal use only. They cannot be sold, reposted, or claimed as your own. ***

Count, Tally, & Graph Independence DayDownload
Neighborhood Count & TallyDownload
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Once Upon A Time…

Story time might be the best time! Hear me out: your teacher calls you over to the rug, you sit criss-cross applesauce on your assigned circle, and you cozy in, ready to hear a story. As your teacher reads, she does different voices for each character, and suddenly the story has come alive, and you feel like you’re right there with the characters. It’s magical, and a core part of childhood. 

Happiness isn’t the only benefit that comes from being read to, though it certainly is a great one! Reading out loud to kids can help them in so many ways. These include:

  • Boosted brain development
  • Stronger vocabulary
  • Stronger social and emotional skills
  • Improved listening skills and focus
  • Stronger bonds between the reader and the audience
  • Reduced stress

Boosted Brain Development

When kids are read to, different parts of the brain are activated than are when they are reading independently and silently. Listening and making sense of what is being heard creates unique neural pathways, and causes the brain to really focus on what is being said.

Stronger Vocabulary

Reading in and of itself is a great vocabulary builder, but when students are read to, it gives them a chance to hear a new word, then immediately ask for a definition. They recognize that they don’t know the word, then take initiative to figure out what it means. This new word then gets added to their “words they know” list for them to practice using as they become stronger readers.

Stronger Social and Emotional Skills

When students can relate to characters in the stories that are read to them, their social and emotional skills are strengthened. They begin to gain empathy, and can learn that there are other people who feel the same feelings they feel. Students can see different social skills in action in stories– how to be kind, how to include others, good manners, etc., and can use the stories to recognize similar situations in their own lives. True text-to-self connections are made!

Improved Listening Skills and Focus

Listening and focusing are two separate skills that must both be engaged in order for students to get the most benefit from being read to. The brain will make connections as both skills are activated, thus helping students to make sense of what they are hearing. 

Stronger Bonds Between Reader and Audience

When a reader makes the story come alive by using different voices, inflections, and body language, it changes the whole atmosphere in the room. The audience is drawn into the story and becomes entranced by the magic of it. When the listeners become involved with the story, they start to form a trust and bond with the reader. Think about when you were a small child, and your favorite adult would pull you onto their lap, and you would snuggle in and listen to a story– there is a certain bond that comes through this. While teachers cannot pull all students onto their laps, they can still use literature to connect with their classes.

Reduced Stress

For some students, reading out loud to others can create feelings of stress and anxiety. They worry about messing up and saying words wrong, or if they are reading too slow or too fast. When they are read to, however, those stressors disappear. They can simply sit and listen to the story without fear of misspeaking. Even if a student isn’t bothered by reading out loud themselves, having the chance to be read to is such a calming, relaxing activity. Perhaps this is why so many adults enjoy listening to audio books!

I’m certain that there are other benefits that come from being read to, and I’m sure we could explore the above listed benefits even deeper. But the truth remains the same: reading is powerful and is incredibly beneficial to readers of all ages!