Summer is almost upon us, and that usually means less structure and less of a schedule. And let’s be honest, that’s a blessing and a curse. It can be tricky to find a good balance between order and chaos. If you’re like me, you find yourself hitting panic mode right about now because how are you going to entertain the kids all day and get your work done and keep up with laundry and dishes and keep your kids’ brains from turning to mush?? It can be a lot. Let me take some of the stress off with a few helps! I’ve made a couple of summer reading resources that you can use. I’ve created a summer reading challenge with fun ideas of places to read and different kinds of things to read. I’ve also made a reading tracker. Both are available in color and black and white. You can decide if you want to have an end reward for completing the challenge and tracker!
Some kids will just automatically pick up books over the summer and will read for hours on end. Others need a little more encouragement. Either way, I hope these resources help your kids stay on track and keep their minds active over the summer.
Teachers, feel free to print this out and hand it out to your students before they leave your classroom for the year.
** As always, these resources are meant to be helpful. Please do not sell them, modify them, or claim them as your own. **
Trying new things is scary and hard sometimes! It doesn’t matter your age— the unknown can be intimidating. Picture books have a great way of teaching kids (and adults!) life lessons, including lessons about facing fears and having courage to try new things. While looking for some other books at the library the other day, I stumbled across a whole section of children’s books dedicated to this theme.
So if you’re like me (or some of my kids) and need a reminder that sometimes being brave is scary, these books just might be for you!
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires
Lou is always up for big adventures with her friends… until they suggest that they play pirates up in a tree. Lou has never climbed a tree, and isn’t so sure about it. She finds all kinds of excuses to avoid climbing up to her friends, but when they all exclaim that the pirates need help, she knows she must give it a try. So she does, and she fails. After convincing herself that it’s not that she can’t climb the tree; it’s just that she doesn’t know how to yet. She decides that she will come back the next day and try again!
This story is perfect for talking to kids about being brave and trying again if it doesn’t work the first time. The illustrations are cute and well done.
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi and illustrated by Lorena Alvarez
This book follows a young girl who just can’t seem to figure out how to ride a bike. She keeps trying, and keeps failing. She wants to give up… until the magical Yet shows up. With Yet, she can start to see that her dreams will come true, for Yet is a dreamer, maker, and one who finds a way. Yet is patient and encouraging when failures happen. Yet doesn’t give up! With Yet by her side, she learns to keep pushing forward and eventually gets to be where she wants to be.
This book is written in rhyme format, and is catchy and fun to read. The words flow well, and the illustrations are magical. It gives you the perfect dose of courage, knowing that your own personal Yet is right by your side as you try new things.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari, his dad, and little sister head to the pool. Jabari tells his dad that he is going to jump off the diving board today. His dad offers encouragement and cheers him on. As Jabari gets closer to the diving board, he realizes how high it really is. He begins to come up with excuses and reasons to not try. His dad gives him a pep talk and tells him to take a deep breath and tell himself he is ready. Jabari follows his dad’s advice and begins the climb up the ladder. He got to the edge of the board, took a deep breath, and told himself he felt ready. He took the leap and discovered it was really fun! The book ends with him telling his dad that he’ll do a double backflip next.
The pictures in this book are wonderful, and the story line is perfect for teaching kids about how to work up the courage to try something new.
Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari is back, but this time, he is determined to make a little machine that can fly across his backyard. Everything he tries doesn’t work. He’s getting frustrated and wants to give up. When his dad comes and gives him a little pep talk, he tells Jabari to “gather up all his patience, take a deep breath, and blow away all the mixed feelings inside.” Together with his little sister as his helper, Jabari gets the courage to try again. He gives it one more try, and this time, it works! He is proud of himself for not giving up and for having the courage to finish what he started.
One of the most important lessons to learn as a child is to have courage and be brave. We’re all faced with tricky situations, but being brave can change everything. These picture books all do an excellent job of illustrating just that. These books would be great to read with a class at the beginning or end of the year as kids head into a new season and part of their life!
How many times did you answer the question, “What do you want to be when your grow up?” as a kid? Can’t count all the times? Neither can I. It’s a common question to ask kids and teens, and it’s often a question that kids don’t know the answer to. There are so many jobs to choose from, and when your knowledge is limited, it’s hard to make a choice. Thank goodness the jobs we might have chosen as ten year olds weren’t set in stone, and we had the chance to change our minds. I mean, I’m pretty sure if they had been set in stone back then, the majority of my fifth grade class would have ended up being marine biologists— because that was a big thing in the 90s!
Kids and teens all seem to know about the community helper type of jobs— police, fireman, nurse, doctor, and teacher. What they might not know, are the subcategories under those jobs as well as so many other kinds of careers out there. Providing kids with knowledge about various career fields will empower them to choose a job that suits them best and fits their interests and skills.
While kids need this knowledge, we can’t just expect them to know where to go to get it. As teachers, parents, and leaders, we need to provide opportunities for them to learn about all kinds of jobs. So how do we do this?
First, we can make it part of our curriculum when kids are young. If you’re teaching a unit on human body systems, you can include a little bit of information about the different kinds of jobs people can do that deal with body systems. If you’re teaching a unit on recycling and caring for the Earth, invite a sanitation worker to come in and teach about garbage pickup and recycling. For a music unit, invite a musician to come in and talk to the kids.
Second, as kids get older and start to think more seriously about their careers, it might be a good idea to have a unit on different types of jobs and the kind of education you need to do them. When I was teaching junior high, my school held a school-wide career exploration day. People from the community would volunteer their time to come teach students about their profession. We had a wide variety of careers represented, making it an experience that every student would be able to benefit from. Students had the chance to choose four classes that they wanted to attend. Each rotation was about 20 minutes in length, and presenters used that time to talk about their job, what they do, what kind of education they obtained, and so on. Students were then given a chance to ask questions. With career presentations from bankers, authors, EMS personnel, business owners, animators, IT, and beyond, it was always a huge success.
Third, when appropriate, and at the right age, students can participate in a job shadowing experience. This is helpful because it allows them to see first hand the daily tasks and responsibilities of the job in which they are interested. This kind of hands on experience will provide more insight than simply reading an article about a job.
Another thing we can do to help students know more about potential careers is to have them take a career aptitude test. Typically, these are more beneficial once a student is a little older and has more of a grasp on their interests. I spoke with a vocational counselor, and he recommended My Next Move, which I tried. I also tried Career Explorer. Both assessments asked similar questions, though Career Explorer seemed to go a bit more in depth. Both gave career suggestions at the end of the survey, with links to click on to learn more about that career. Not surprisingly, my results on both tests suggested that I become a teacher or a healthcare worker, both of which I have done in the past, and both of which I have very much enjoyed.
When we provide kids with options and resources to explore potential careers, they are able to make more informed decisions. Do they have to have it all figured out right now? No. But it never hurts to have a little head start!
I was mindlessly scrolling social media when I came across a reel that had the caption, “What I won’t forget about being your teacher.” The caption grabbed my attention, and I was partly expecting to hear a story about students who caused such havoc that the teacher would never forget them. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the opposite. The teacher in the reel recounted two different stories where students stepped up and stepped in. So there I was, sitting at my table eating my lunch, suddenly crying about these kids I’ve never even met! Teaching is like that— you become part of a community of people with shared experiences, and your heart is reminded of the things you also experienced as a teacher. It’s really quite beautiful.
In the first story shared, the teacher shared of a time when he allowed students to pick their own seats for the last term. As the kids settled into their new seats, he noticed that there was one boy left at a table by himself. He wasn’t sure how he was going to handle this without embarrassing the student or creating a scene. Thankfully, his worry was calmed by another student who saw the need, and quietly went to sit with the lonely student. Together, they spent the last term of chemistry class at that table, just the two of them. Crisis averted, and no one was left alone.
In the second story, he shared a story about when he was chaperoning a high school dance. He looked down the hall to see a girl, sitting on the floor, completely alone, and looking quite distressed. Again, worried about how to approach this, he contemplated what to do. However, once again, another student saved the day. Another girl, by her own choice, came to the rescue, approached the girl on the floor, and spent the next little while talking with her.
In addition to being deeply touched by these two stories that he shared, I was reminded that, so often, teenagers get a really bad rap. And while there are some kids who are the reason that bad rap exists, there are a ton others who prove the bad rap to be incorrect. Teenagers really are cool kids, and have so much to give.
I was reminded of a time during my years teaching when I asked students to pull out a piece of paper and a pencil. Students hurriedly rifled through their backpacks and binders to find what they needed. One student, typically disheveled and unprepared, sat there, looking a bit panicked. Without hesitation, the girl next to him quietly and kindly set a piece of paper and pencil on his desk, turned back around, and sat patiently while she waited for my instructions.
Another time, I asked students to get into small groups to complete an assignment. I watched as they quickly formed their groups, with the groupings being exactly as I had thought they would be. Unfortunately, there were a couple of students left out, clearly feeling out of place and not sure what to do. Thankfully, there was a group of boys who saw a need and acted. They invited the un-grouped kids to join their group, and everyone was included.
One experience that comes to mind is a personal one. My family moved to a new state as I was entering my junior in high school, and I often found myself feeling very alone. This was amplified when I was somehow put into a U.S. Government class full of seniors, non of whom I knew. I was so grateful for the students who sat near me who took it upon themselves to make sure I was included, seen, and heard. I don’t remember their names, but I do remember their kindnesses toward me.
Time after time, I saw things like this happening in my classroom. Time after time, I was reminded that teenagers really aren’t all they are made out to be. Sure, sometimes they are a bit aloof and unkind, but that’s because they are teenagers. They are still learning how to be people. But underneath it all, they are kind, thoughtful, and observant. The future is in good hands with this generation of kids!
I remember my first year teaching— I was an intern, and I honestly was flying by the seat of my pants most of the year. I was still finishing up my college courses and trying to run a full schedule of 7 periods of junior high English classes. It was a lot. Ok, maybe that’s an understatement. It sometimes felt like I was drowning in a sea of teaching responsibilities, and the only thing being thrown at me to attempt to help me was a scraggly little piece of thread that kept breaking anytime I’d try grab on to it.
However, In the midst of all of the chaos and learning, I learned to prioritize my students and my relationship with them. I didn’t want to just be a warm body standing at the front of the room; I wanted to be someone my students knew they could trust, learn from, and enjoy school with. I wanted them to know that I truly cared about them and their well being.
Part of this process was learning about their interests, hobbies, and lives. It meant remembering to ask how their football game went, how play auditions went, and if they were going to try out for the basketball team. For one student in particular, it meant accepting an invitation to attend a horse-riding show she was going to be in. I will never forget how excited she was when I walked into the arena to watch her compete, nor will I forget how much it meant to her parents that I was there.
As I continued my teaching experience, I attended many other school sponsored competitions, plays, games, concerts, and performances. I didn’t do it because I was bored or didn’t have anything else to do; teachers are busy people with lives outside of school. I did it because I valued my students and their interests. I prioritized building relationships and trust with them so that they knew I cared and that they would feel safe in my classroom.
Now, as a junior high teacher, I had well over 200 students each year. There is no way I could possibly attend every event that each student had. But I did what I could, and made sure to be aware and ask questions so that they knew I cared, even if I couldn’t be there in person.
Obviously there is a line to be aware of—avoiding attending events at a student’s home, or situations where you are one-on-one with a student is a good rule of thumb, as well as avoiding only picking one student to attend events for. You’d never want to put your job at risk— there are other ways to show your students you care about them. However, if the event is in a public place, and is a public event, attending their things can be a good way to show you care.
Teachers do so much for their students inside the classroom, and it’s important to remember that there are ways to support them outside of the classroom as well. If your circumstances permit, try it. Buy a ticket to the school play and watch the amazing students perform. Grab your significant other and head to the homecoming football game. Take your sister or brother with you and grab a seat at the next orchestra concert. It will be well worth your time, and I can promise you that, even if they don’t show it, your students will be so happy you came to support them. Investing in the people you care about is a great way to spend your time and energy, and the pay out is immeasurable.
Mother’s Day is just a few days away! I love it when my kids come home from school with handmade little gifts that I can hold on to and cherish. If you need an idea or two for your students to do, I’ve got you covered! I’ve also included a few free printable files at the end of this post to make it even easier for you!
Shrink art- You can purchase this at any craft store, at Walmart, or on Amazon. Have your students write a little note or draw a picture for their mother or mother figure. Punch a hole at the top, bake to shrink, then make it into a keychain.
“All About My Mom” survey- these are especially fun with younger kids. Ask them the questions and write their answers.
Print, color and cut out a Mother’s Day bookmark. Laminate it to make it last. (See the printable at the bottom)
If you teach older kids who aren’t super into making cute little crafts or pictures, have them write a letter or note to their mother or to a mother figure in their life. A note from a teenager is truly a cherished gift!
Print off (onto cardstock) the blank puzzle templates at the bottom of this page and have your students draw a picture of them and their mom doing their favorite activity. Have them cut the puzzle into pieces, then mom can put it together!
Pressed flowers- Use the free jar printable at the bottom of this page for this activity. Have your students collect and press wild flowers (if allowed and you have some near you), or make small paper flowers. Glue the flowers onto to jar, then use clear contact paper or laminator to seal them onto the paper.
Book about Mom- Have students draw a picture for a few prompts about their moms (favorite food, favorite color, favorite thing to do, etc.), then put the pictures together into a book.
I recognize that not all students will have a mother present in their home, so you could encourage them to create something for a friend, neighbor, teacher, or other family member that is a mother figure in their life.
As the school year draws to a close, most schools will be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week sometime during the month of May. Teachers love to feel appreciated (doesn’t anyone, though?!), because too often, the amount of work they do goes unnoticed and unacknowledged. Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time to celebrate the amazing teachers you know and to let them know that you do notice all the work they do!
Here are a few ideas for simple ways to show your gratitude:
A heartfelt note from you and/or your child. I still have a file of all the kind notes that were given to me over my years of teaching! They are some of my most treasured possessions.
A gift card to their favorite restaurant
A gift card to the movie theater— teachers deserve a break!
Their favorite snack, treat, or drink
If they like to read, a new book might be a great gift.
School supplies are always needed and welcomed!
A gift basket with some summer essentials— a beach towel, sunscreen, and some treats!
A gift card to treat themselves to something at their favorite store or online shopping spot
Print out a cute tag that goes along with a little gift (Pinterest has SO many to choose from). I’ve added one at the bottom of this post that you’re welcome to print out and use! Just attach to a small reusable tote bag, and you’re set! I left the bottom corner open so you can write your child’s name on the tag.
From a teacher’s perspective, here are a few things to maybe think twice about before gifting (not because we’re not grateful— we are! But because some of these things can be very specific to each individual person):
Anything scented— some people are sensitive to scents or prefer certain scents over others.
Mugs— most teachers have enough mugs to fill an entire cabinet!
Homemade food or treats— some teachers have food allergies, and without knowing if the food contains any allergens or if there is cross-contamination, they may be hesitant to enjoy the treat.
Live plants or flowers— they aren’t for everyone, and not everyone has a place to plant them or put them.
Whatever you choose to do to show your gratitude, I’m certain it will be gladly and happily accepted. It doesn’t have to be a huge, lavish gift. A simple note goes further than you might ever know. Be sure to thank the amazing teachers in your life!
