Delicious Beef Rissoles, the perfect quick and easy family dinner. Make a big batch to freeze, ready for a rainy day!
Top 3 Units for Middle School General Music. Organized Chaos. Ideas and resources for project based learning with middle school general music students. World music, composition, and careers in music.
The biggest challenge with teaching middle school is the race against the clock! Ideas for how to structure a 60 minute class period.
Don’t get me wrong — I love candy. And, a jolly rancher, a tootsie roll, or a starburst can work wonders in the classroom for student motivation and enthusiasm. So can pizza parties, and cupcake days, and brunch, and…I’ve had so many types of food parties I can’t even keep track! Recently, however, I’ve been […]
Here are six essential back to school lessons I’ll be using in my classroom this back-to-school season.
I really dislike icebreakers. They make me cringe. When I became a teacher, I swore I would spare my students the torture of icebreakers. That being said, I also realize how important it is to buil…
Student rewards don't have to be expensive or complicated! Incentives for middle school students just have to be fun and consistent.
Use one of these systems to help get your middle school students engaged!
The best "icebreaker" activity for high school students (who hate icebreaker activities). Get a jump start on creating a bond with your students.
A great rubric to use for any assigned poster project!
Too many classroom icebreakers require students to take big social risks with people they barely know. Or they don't really help students get to know each other. Or they are just plain cheesy.
Get ready to kick off the school year in style as we unveil three exciting games that will set the stage for a dynamic learning adventure. %
The pencils are sharpened, your classroom is clean and the bell rings…gulp…here they come! My feelings on the first week of school are conflicted. On one hand, it’s one of the most important weeks. Explaining and practicing the class procedures and expectations sets the tone for the rest of the school year. Success is vital. On the other hand, I’m so excited to start teaching my historical content that waiting until all the expectations are explained requires a lot of patience! Every teacher has their own plan of action for that pivotal time. Here are 5 things I can’t live without during the first week of school: One: An Icebreaker. I aim to try and make kids feel comfortable in my classroom on day one. One of my favorite little activities is Fact or Fiction. Each student receives a small slip of paper and they’re instructed to write one fact and two fictions. Then each person (including myself!) introduces themselves and we all try to guess which statement is the fact! It’s a great way to quickly learn about each other. Two: Classroom Information and Expectations. This is every teacher’s staple, I know, but it had to go on the list because it’s a must-have! When you’re making your own, spell everything out – from the obvious grading procedures and late work policy to how to pass back papers and when to sharpen pencils and go to the bathroom. Trust me, leave no stone unturned. Your classroom will function much better if you set the tone from day one. (Oh, and don’t forget a seating chart!) Three: Fun and Games. On the second day of school, I love to start class with a little game. It’s a great way for the kids to start practicing our classroom procedures and expectations while getting familiar with their teacher and classmates. Here are some of my favorite games that I use during the first week of school: (P.S. Some of these activities can be found in my Back to School Activities resources! Click the grade level you’re teaching to check them out: Sixth, Seventh, Eighth) InstaFriend: This activity gets students moving around the room and interviewing fellow classmates! Their InstaFriend paper has a series of descriptions and characteristics. When they find a student who matches the description, they write their name in the box. Each name can only be used once! Right or Wrong: I love skits. LOVE THEM. I like to introduce students to the idea of skits during the first week by allowing them to create their own based on our class expectations. I first divide students into small groups of 2-3. Each group then randomly receives one of our class procedures or expectations. As a group, they have to work together to create two mini skits – one showing the RIGHT way to follow the expectation, the other showing the WRONG way. They get to be silly and I get to reinforce my class expectations. After each skit I happily point out all the positive behaviors as well as each time a class policy was violated. It’s a light-hearted way to grab their attention and create a positive atmosphere all while practicing the laws of the land. Classmate Bingo: I love to play this game at the end of the first week. I give each student a blank bingo board with a large selection of personal characteristics, hobbies, etc. at the bottom. The students choose 16 off the list and create their customized board. Then, I randomly select characteristics from the list. If a student has that characteristic on their board, they have to write down a student’s name that matches the characteristic – but no cheating! They have to use what they’ve learned about others during their first week of school to try and win the game. Four: A Pre Test. After a few days of class information and fun, it’s time to start getting down to business. Each year, I make a short pre-test on the information they’ll learn about that year. It gives me a chance to see what the kids already know and gives them a feel for what subject matter they’ll be learning about in the coming weeks. FYI: Your pre-test probably won’t take the whole class period. Make sure to have plans for other activities, too, on the day you give your pre-test! Five: A Writing Activity. True fact: when I tell kids they’re going to do a writing activity, they groan every time. It’s a signal that the “real work” is about to begin. Luckily, they’re always relieved when I assure them that this activity will require very little research because it’s about a subject they’re experts in – themselves! I have a few different activities to choose from each year. Here are some suggestions: Student Survey: What are your strengths? Weaknesses? What do you hope to learn in this class? These are just some of the questions I ask students in the survey. The more I know about my students, the better I can help them achieve success in my class. Write Away: A staple of many: write a letter to a future you! I ask students to write goals for the year, dreams they wish to see realized, and questions they want to ask their “End of the Year” self. I tuck these letters away and revisit them during the last week of school. I’m Ready: Like every middle school history class, we do a lot of writing and students always have to back up their reasons, statements, etc. with evidence to support their claim. In this writing activity, students have to identify which class rule or expectation they believe is most important and provide evidence to support their claim. This activity both reinforces my classroom policies and secretly gives me a preview of their writing proficiency. Have I left anything out? If you have any fun plans for the first week of school, share them in the comments. I’m always looking for new ideas for my classroom!
Top 3 Units for Middle School General Music. Organized Chaos. Ideas and resources for project based learning with middle school general music students. World music, composition, and careers in music.
In a self-paced classroom, each student is given an appropriate level of challenge and grows at a steady pace throughout the school year. Here's how it works.
Classroom hacks that actually work in a special education classroom setting. Tried and true methods from actual teachers. Read to learn more.
Here’s a few classroom procedures that have worked well for me – and a couple awesome ideas I’ve run across since I’ve stepped out of the classroom...
Try these middle school drama lessons and ideas.
Be a great social studies teacher with these use-tomorrow, science-backed teaching strategies.
This project produced “out of this world” results! (OK, Bad pun, I know!) We began this lesson with 3 days of Galaxy Painting using watercolors. The techniques I taught the kids were loosely titled…
When students enter our classrooms on the first day of school, we know that more often than not, they didn’t necessarily choose to be in our class. The first day of school is our opportunity to make…
I am incorporating many of the amazing ideas that I have come across on Pinterest and this is one of them. It's a missing assignment form, which you have students turn in when they do not have an assignment. I thought it would make it much easier to keep track of those who did not do something versus those who are absent. So here it is!
Here's a resource to help you teach your children about the people in the Bible. This Bible People printable will help you do just that.
Middle School classroom routines are so important! Check out these ideas for classroom routines to end class in middle school.
Having the right tools for dysgraphia is vital if your child is to improve their handwriting. This list features the best 15 tools around.
I love using interactive lapbooks in the classroom. They are fun to create, engaging and can be used throughout the year to review skills taught. I finally completely my Lapbook Bundle and I am happy to share the lapbooks included with you. Whether you think your learners will enjoy creating all of the lapbooks, if you
WOW! 300,000+ Second grade worksheets, free printable games, and 2nd grade activities to make learning math, literacy, history, & science FUN!
I started back to school this past week with my kids on Tuesday. I had such a great first week and I am so excited to be back making music with them. We spent our first few days going over music room rules and procedures (click here to see rules post), emergency drills, and jumped right into making music. Can I just say that I LOVE pinterest! I found so many great ideas for back to school games through Pinterest as well as from Susan during Level 3. I thought I would share some of the really fun ones that the students enjoyed our first few days back: "Up The Ladder" is a great game for learning the names of your new students. "Down, Down Baby" is from the Amidons. SO FUN! Apparently this is a favorite, because it's being sung on the bus! Hickety Pickety Bumblebee is a fun one to use with K/1. In first grade you could review four voices with "can you sing (whisper, call, speak) your name to me". With kindergarten, it might be a bit intimidating to ask them to sing their name to you on day 1 of music, but let's be honest we are still learning all their names several weeks into the school year. Pull this out with them a little bit later (maybe after you have presented the four voices) and do this then. Mamalama: I learned this in Level 3, and we take it a bit faster than in this video, but it is SO FUN! I even had a student get the last part after just a few listenings. CRAZY! What are some of your favorite first day songs and activities? Still looking for ways to set up and decorate your room? This music room decor catalog will give you lots of idea, plus a back to school tip on each page!
Google Sheets Assignment Tracker Spreadsheet Template, College Assignment Tracker, Textbook Tracker, 2 in 1 Student Planner School Digital Assignment Tracker Template for use with Google Sheets includes 4 tabs: - Read me sheet with simple instructions. - Simple setup - Assignment Tracker - Textbook Tracker Each template includes: - Auto-calculating formulas to easily see your progress - Auto updating charts - Fully functional checkboxes drop downs. *Comes with BONUS EXCEL Version! This Digital Student Planner, Google Sheets Assignment Tracker does not require any editing and can be used right away. Additionally, the template can be downloaded, saved for offline use, or even printed. You will be provided a PDF with an access link to the Google Sheets Template immediately upon purchase. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to me here on Etsy. ------------------------------------------------------------ Prefer Pen & Paper? Check out my printables below or visit my shop and use the search feature. For Habit Tracker Printables visit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NicsCreativeChaos?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&search_query=habit+tracker For Weekly Planner Printables visit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NicsCreativeChaos?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1516336207§ion_id=42416176 For Other Planner Printables visit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NicsCreativeChaos?ref=profile_header§ion_id=42154359 ----------------------------------------------------------- Please remember that colors may vary slightly when printed, due to monitor calibration settings, printout settings, ink and paper or material type. ----------------------------------------------------------- Custom Orders If you are looking for something customized or personalized, please reach out to me here on Etsy. I am currently accepting requests and would love to work with you to create a customized design! ----------------------------------------------------------- Refunds & Terms Every digital and instant download purchase is non-refundable, per Etsy policy. If you have any questions or concerns about your order, please feel free to reach out to me anytime. This artwork is copyrighted by Nics Creative Chaos. This purchase is strictly for non-commercial, personal use only. You may print and design in your home, business, or a public place but may not resell, reproduce, distribute by electronic means or profit in any way from the design.
Want to save some time during that first week of school? Check out these 5 back to school songs that your elementary music classes will love!
This is a pack full of activities for new fifth graders at the beginning of the year! It incorporates the number 5 into many different kinds of activities, including icebreakers, getting to know you, creativity, word building, math, and writing skills. These are great activities for students to work on the first week in class to interact with each other, as well as good independent activities if you need time to collect supplies or get things in order. Activities included: - FIFTH GRADE Making Words: Students can manipulate letter cards to come up with as many words as possible using the letters in FIFTH GRADE. Letter cards included for extra support in color and printer-friendly b/w. - FIND FIVE Activity: A Scattergories type activity where students need to think of 5 things to fit in each category. (2 pages) - FIVE FACTS (about math!): A math fact practice sheet focusing on multiplication and division facts and some challenge work including multiple operations. Also has space for students to create pictures to support their answers. (2 pages) - FRIEND FINDER: Find 5 friends that fit in each category. This encourages students to talk to and interact with each other, while finding out new information about their classmates. (2 pages) - 5th GRADE FURRY MONSTER: An activity where students can use their creativity to create their own drawing of a class pet (monster) out of 5 lines, then write about what they created. - PENTAGON PUZZLES: A four-part math activity that reviews pentagons. Activity 1: Students must circle only the pentagons in the group of shapes. Activity 2: Students will cut out the pentagons and create a puzzle/picture with the shapes. This is like creating pictures with “Tangrams” – only they are all pentagons! Challenge 1: Students can draw their own five-sided shapes to create a picture using ONLY five-sided shapes! Challenge 2: Students can create “Pentagon People”. They can make different sized pentagons, develop characters, and write a story about their “Pentagon People!” All activities include teacher directions and different ways to play. Check out the preview for a sample look at some of the pages! Be sure to check out our other grade level Back To School Packs! Back To School Second Grade Activity Pack Back To School Third Grade Activity Pack Back To School Fourth Grade Activity Pack
All students can benefit from learning and practicing executive functions. This 5-step system makes it possible without taking time away from class.
My school day and year is more successful when I have taken the time to make the most of my homeroom. Here are ideas for your homeroom!
Looking for a fun vocabulary activity? This extension is perfect for middle and high school to help encourage critical thinking and associations.
These three icebreakers for teens will make the first class, youth group, or club fun for everyone, even the introverts.
Why I don't review the syllabus on the first day of class in high school and what I do instead. Fun first day of school activities and icebreakers!
Struggling with difficult behaviors? These classroom management strategies will help transform your middle school classroom!
First impressions are powerful. Make your first statement to your students a positive one.
