At my school we call them learning buddies but you might know them as reading buddies or big buddies/little buddies. Whatever you call them, some times it’s hard to think of activities to do with them. I often found myself planning things on the fly so I decided to compile a list of activities that […]
One of our writing assignments for the story Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis was this: How is the suitcase a symbol in the story? What does it stand for? What does he keep in it?I cut paper bags to make "suitcases" for the writing/project. The students decorated the outside. On the inside of the suitcase the students had to put pictures,items or drawings that actually represented the things that were most important to Bud. You can see his rocks and the blue flyers here. We also had fun typing the writing assignment and creating a wordle of Bud's character traits.
At my school we call them learning buddies but you might know them as reading buddies or big buddies/little buddies. Whatever you call them, some times it’s hard to think of activities to do with them. I often found myself planning things on the fly so I decided to compile a list of activities that […]
This Buddy Activity Pack is perfect for little/big buddy get to know you. Product has 5 activities that include drawing, favorites, compare/contrast venn diagrams for 2 or 3 buddy groups, mad libs, and a challenge checklist that will have any buddy group laughing and having fun! Grab this product to...
Fun STEM activity for outdoor play and makes a great science lesson! (Includes a printable rocket template).
This is my first year teaching in a Dual Language program and, to be honest, I was a little nervous. With all the “requirements”, student movement and team-teaching it seemed really ov…
Fun STEM activity for outdoor play and makes a great science lesson! (Includes a printable rocket template).
This is the time of year when teachers are busy setting up their classrooms and preparing for the new year ahead. The focus is on designing welcoming spaces and thinking about ways to create a positive learning climate. In addition to the content preparation, student background and decorations, teachers need to focus on ways to develop positive, healthy relationships both with and among their students. These relationships are at their best when they are built on a foundation of trust. In Building Trust in a Classroom I shared four ideas for making this a reality: rarely use the word wrong, develop an atmosphere of trust rather than simply talking about it, demonstrate emotional consistency and foster a joyful classroom. However, it is often so much easier to talk about these ideas than it can be to actually do them. I am often asked HOW. Teachers may fully understand the concept and want to do this successfully, but they seek to learn the best activities for building trusting relationships. “The best activities” is subjective. Any expert teacher can suggest their favorites. And of course we should share these ideas widely with one another. But what makes any activity the “best” is a combination of a teacher’s personality and teaching style, student personalities, the dynamic between students, preparation and a myriad of other logistic factors. I frequently share the activity in A Lesson to Build Relationships as it is terrific with older elementary students, middle school students and teens. Here is another activity designed for young elementary and preschool-aged children. Buddy Walk to Build Trust Design a simple obstacle course with objects and items that you have readily available. Teach the word/idea trust to students. Demonstrate the obstacle course to the children. Pair children and explain that they will need to trust their partner to help them through the obstacles. Have children work through the course. Teacher should float through the activity using the language of trust to encourage, support and assist students as needed. Pairs switch so the other partner can go through the course. Bring group back together and reflect on the experience, highlighting the ways that trust was successful and brainstorming ways to improve where trust was more challenging. Variation: For slightly older students (grades 3-4), one partner can be blindfolded as the other leads him/her through the course. Do not blindfold any student who is fearful. Again, the "best" activity for your classroom will be the one you work hard to plan, think through and enjoy along with your students. What are some of your favorite activities for building trusting relationships? Never miss a post from Removing the Stumbling Block:
Learn how to make a kaleidoscope in this fun STEM/science activity and craft for kids. It’s such a fun way to explore light, reflections, and symmetry! Follow our Science for Kids Pinterest board! *This post was originally published 2/2/16 and has since been updated. Last week I made these super fun kaleidoscopes with my …
Covid-19 didn’t stop us from celebrating St. Martin’s day, so we had to make lanterns! In art class I wanted to work following the example of a famous artist with my fifth graders . The…
Make learning an adventure.
Simple paper bag lung project for kids helps explain how do lungs work for kids with an easy human body project for kids of all ages.
Are you looking for some Bud, Not Buddy Teaching Ideas? You've come to the right place. Get a book unit sample and writing ideas here.
This listing is for a PDF PATTERN ONLY for the Pelican + Seagull Chubby Buddy. This is NOT A FINISHED PRODUCT OR PHYSICAL ITEM. - P A T T E R N --- Included in the instant download is pattern instructions (written in ENGLISH, US terminology) on how to make your own Pelican Chubby Buddy (and free bonus pattern for the Seagull Chubby Buddy). - F I N I S H E D . S I Z E --- approximately 5.5" tall - P A T T E R N . L E V E L --- advanced beginner to intermediate - M A T E R I A L S --- 6.5mm hook-- super bulky weight (6) yarn (used in the photos is Bernat Blanket Yarn) If you have any questions about this pattern, please do not hesitate to contact me via Etsy or Instagram (@thecosystitch). COPYRIGHT:Pattern by The Cosy Stitch © 2024.You are not allowed to sell, distribute or republish this pattern, in full or in part. You may sell finished products made with this pattern, giving credit to The Cosy Stitch when listing or sharing on social media, @thecosystitch.
Introducing the perfect addition to your workspace - the DeskBoard Buddy Desktop Whiteboard with storage and a phone stand! Its sleek glass surface allows for easy writing and erasing, while its storage compartment keeps your markers and erasers within reach. The built-in phone stand ensures you never miss another notification while you keep your daily notes and to-do list on the whiteboard surface.
Happy December, Y'all! This is Chandra from Teaching with Crayons and Curls! This year my firsties have LOVED LOVED LOVED spending the day with a stuffed animal. Our class uses a classroom economy similar to this one from True Life I'm a Teacher and they use their money to purchase coupons. The 'Furry Friend' (spending a day with a stuffed animal) coupon is one of their favorites, so I knew I had to use this to my advantage! Meet our class Behavior Buddies- Listening Lion, Happy Hippo and Positive Pig! Aren't they adorable!? Students earn these Behavior Buddies when they are showing positive behavior! I usually choose one student per day to spend the day with each stuffed animal. Usually, they are chosen at the end of the day and they get to spend the next school day with that Behavior Buddy. The furry friend stays with them throughout the day in OUR classroom. They don't go to recess, specials, or lunch. Just makes things a little easier (and cleaner!). We've been using them for a few weeks now, and my students have started nominating each other to spend the day with a Behavior Buddy! I mean, how adorable and KIND is that!? It all started with one sweet little firstie saying, "Mrs. Dills, I think Sarah should get Listening Lion because she has been such a great listener today!" Yep, I made a HUGE deal about that! When students earn a Behavior Buddy for showing positive behavior, I also want to make sure that this is communicated to their families! So, I created certificates that the student can bring home to show their family! It's a great way to build that positive school-to-home relationship! I ordered all of my furry friends off Amazon. But, you can grab stuffed animals anywhere! Wal-Mart, Target, and the Dollar Store. There are many different animal options in my pack! Since it's so close to Christmas, I thought it would be fun to introduce holiday themed Behavior Buddies. You can grab this pack for FREE in my Teachers Pay Teachers store! Just click here or on the image below! I hope these cute little friends help promote positive behavior in YOUR classroom!
Learn the 7 highly effective instructional practices to increase student engagement and impress your principal. Are you using them?
Last week was finally our first week of school. It was great!! I was thinking about posting some of the cool things we did and realize...
Perfect for gift giving, the cuddly Polar Bear Buddy is a fun pattern to work up during the winter season. I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn in color soft white. Such a great versatile yarn that is perfect for this little guy! Finish off your project by giving your Polar Bear Buddy a cute
In this robot craft and STEM activity, children will color a free printable robot and turn it into a gliding robot toy. This fun activity combines creativity with scientific thinking. Follow our Free Printables Pinterest board! We have been having all kinds of robot-themed fun in my kindergarten enrichment class! The kids loved our latest activity- …
Reuse an old CD to make a spinning top- an easy craft for kids and a great science lesson on physics! This STEM / STEAM activity if perfect for kids of all ages and meets the NGSS for Kindergarten on pushes and pulls!
FUN, hands-on shape activity for kids with pattern block printables! 20+ shape puzzle template cards
This blindfolded maze game teaches obedience to children. My kids loved playing this game, wanting to try completing the maze over and over again. Teaching through games speaks volumes to kids. The concepts resonate with them because kids learn through play. Some people are questioning whether obedience is outdated. They don’t want their children being...Read More
Are you looking for tips and tricks for working with partners in the classroom classroom? Read on to learn all the hacks!
Have a chatty class? Do your talkative students get louder and louder during small groups until it feels like chaos? Do they talk when you'r...
The Buddy Bears Free Knitting Pattern makes a great project for a beginner. There are also lots of pictures to show what each stage should look like.
Make some adorable sea otters with some brown paper lunch bags and our free printable sea otter template. Perfect for an ocean or sea life unit!
Print out this free starfish template and invite your child or student to create a beautiful starfish craft. Children can use various art materials and art techniques to create all kinds of colorful sea stars! Follow our Art for Kids Pinterest board! This post contains affiliate links. Looking for a simple and easy …
This year, my Grade 4's are Big Buddies to a Grade 1/2 class. We try to meet every couple weeks, usually on Friday afternoons. We do the "traditional" Buddy meeting where we read to the "Littles" and vice versa, however, we are trying to mix it up with some S.T.E.M Challenges. If you are unfamiliar with the term, S.T.E.M stands for: S - Science T - Technology E - Engineering M - Mathematics More recently, the acronym has been changed to S.T.E.A.M. in which the "A" refers to art. Kids use a skill set in S.T.E.M/S.T.E.A.M Challenges that they don't necessarily get to use throughout the regular school day. They can increase their teamwork skills, critical thinking and motivation. We have completed two S.T.E.M. Challenges so far this year. The first was Spaghetti and Marshmallow Towers. In groups of two (one Big and one Little) students received a handful of spaghetti and 20 mini marshmallows. They also had one scooter to use as their tower base. The task was to build the tallest tower in 30 minutes that fit on the scooter base and was stable enough to move to a judging area. The kids were really eager to get going on this task. I was so impressed with how well they worked together. We ask the kids to pick a new buddy each time. I was also really impressed that no one ate any marshmallows as they worked! I know that was pretty tempting for some. Students who made a triangular or square base seemed to have the most success. Also, those with cross-bracing did better too. What I loved most about this challenge was that the grade 4's were equally as engaged and tested as the 1's and 2's. The second challenge we did was Gingerbread Men Traps. We did this challenge on the last day of school before Christmas break. It was the perfect alternative to a hectic class party. We split the classes in half. I took half to do the challenge first, while the other half decorated gingerbread men in the Little's classroom. After about 45 minutes we switched. We had asked the students to bring in a few recyclables ahead of time. Some brought water bottles and boxes, others had tin cans and gum containers. We also gave them access to Popsicle sticks, yarn, Dixie cups, straws, cotton balls and tape. The final item we gave everyone was a gingerbread cut out. We found it in this excellent free package from Smart Chick Teaching on TpT. Before they could gather supplies and get going, every Buddy group had to sketch out a plan on a blank paper. After they presented their plan to me, I gave them whatever they needed. What I loved about this challenge was that every group had a completely different end result. They are so creative! Pin this post.
These easy Elf movie decorations will help bring the magic and whimsy of the holiday classic directly into your living room (or even your next Elf Holiday Party or Elf Movie Night). Welcome back to Festive Christmas Ideas! I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite bloggers to bring you 4 weeks of creative Christmas
Build a simple speaker from a paper plate, some magnets, and wire.
Flowers, insects, and sunshine! Just in time for the month of May, and these Transitional Kindergarten May Worksheets! These printables have been a life saver for me! In the midst of distance learning, I have been sending these electronically to my parents to help my TK students continue their learning at home. You can also...
Back to School Preschool Worksheets with all kinds of great activities for preschoolers to use all year round. Counting, letter recognition and much more.
