Every teacher needs a few fun, fast, easy, tricks up his/her sleeve. Here are a few easy classroom management tricks I've picked up over the years. Need a Second to Get Ready for the Next
Do not let your interactive notebook setup overwhelm you. They can be set up quickly and easily for a new school year. Read for tips and must-haves.
Are you looking for ways to make learning more meaningful in your Secondary ELA Classroom? Check out these twenty five creative project ideas that I have found to be meaningful and successful while also motivating for learners.
Getting ready for the first day of the new school year? Here are 11 first day of science class activities for your middle school class!
These free focus mats have been created to help you get your students ready for standardized testing or other stressful days in your classroom.
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.
A perfect activity for encouraging temwork in the STEM lab or a regular classroom. All you need is string and a little imagination!
Here's a fun way to pass the time on a road trip, while waiting at the doctor's office, or justf for fun. Find all 12 differences in these pictures?
Today I am brining you the perfect combination of back to school ice-breakers and games for those first days of school! Back to school is a crazy time and we all want to hit the ground running. There are routines and procedures to teach and we are ready to get to them the second those kids walk in the door. Building community and getting to know
Tips for starting out as a new school psychologist
I am officially on Spring break! Two whole weeks off to rest and get ready for the home stretch of this school year! :-) I am so excited to catch up... on chores, seeing friends I haven't seen since Christmas, blog stalking, and so much more! Here is one of my very favorite art/writing projects we do all year!!! They always turn out adorable and they never fail to get some laughs from the adults! I got the idea from Patty at Deep Space Sparkle. If you haven't checked out her blog, you SHOULD! It is full of amazing (and doable) art ideas for your classroom (even if you aren't very artistic like me!) She even has them organized by grade level! So...the kids first did their writing about what they would be in 20 years. Here's the template we used: You can get this {HERE}! Here's a completed one: "In 20 years I will be 28 years old. I will live in a college dorm. I will be a police officer and I will take bad guys to jail. I will still love my family and I will still love meat loaf. I still won't want to eat spinach. And most importantly, I will be happy." The writing always turns out absolutely adorable! Then they drew what they would be in 20 years. They used an example I purchased from Deep Space Sparkle (from the "Fun with Self Portraits" pack!) Then they colored it in with markers and outlined their self portraits with a black marker. We painted the backgrounds, and a parent volunteer mounted them on construction paper and attached their writing. We had: Police officers (love the handcuffs!) Race car drivers (love the 'stache! And the braces!!!) Marines (so grouchy!) Ballerinas (adorable!) Artists (too cute!) And football players (not just football players- quarterbacks!) among many other things! Like I said, these are always a hit, you can keep them up as long as you want (i.e. until the end of the year because you're too lazy to change your bulletin boards LIKE ME!) because they're not holiday-ish (??? not a word! I know) and the kids love creating them! Check back soon...I'm thinking give away in celebration of Spring break! :-)
33% of my students with speech IEPs work on very basic 1-3 word utterances (verbally or non-verbally). One of the many ways that I work on their speech goals is to engage them with play-based speech therapy. What is play-based therapy? I use my own approach to therapy, loosely based on Floor Time. A box
How do you assess if students know your expectations? These FREE classroom management strategies will help ensure that students know your expectations!
What vocational targets for students with Autism do you need to hit in your class to make them job ready? Read on… and FREE Materials to help!| NoodleNook
Writing Worksheet – Writing a Synopsis (PDF) Writing a synopsis can be a great way to get really clear about the story you’re telling. In the One Page Novel Course, I suggest it as the next step after brainstorming, but these worksheets can help even if you’ve already finished your book and are getting ready…
When students get bored their minds drift. And while some settle on daydreaming, tile-counting, and general inattentiveness, other students are drawn to more…ahem…destructive pursuits. For where there is boredom, there is misbehavior percolating just under the surface, ready to pounce. Although there is a ... Read more
Learn about five different biomes as you color and read key facts about with free printable Biome Coloring Pages for Prek-4th graders.
A dinosaur theme is a sure fire way to capture little one’s interest and curiosity. Just talking about dinosaurs with toddlers is so much fun! Our week was filled with names to learn, questions to answer and hands on activities to try. Here were our plans for Dinosaur Week: And here are the details of […]
Sensory Integration Strategies and Tips are useful for children with sensory processing disorder. Check out these strategies that can help kids cope with sensory processing disorder.
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...
Bell ringers are warm-up activities that students complete at the beginning of class—when the bell rings—while teachers get ready for their day.
Hi there, parents! Have an exciting treat in store for your young ones: free worksheets that make learning about day and night exciting! Dra...
I have a confession to make. During my years in the science classroom, I was never able to sustain a long-term warm-up or bell-ringer routine with my
It's the first day of school. Whether you've welcomed students into your classroom for many years or it's your first year ever, it's always exciting (and sometimes a bit terrifying!) to meet so many new students at the start of the year. You know you're going to spend the next year together and making a good first impression is the key to getting started on the right note. Here are 5 ideas to take with you into the new school year: Tip #1: Over Plan In one of my first years as a teacher, I made the mistake of under planning for the first day of school. I worked so hard to make everything perfect but I didn't anticipate how fast some of the activities would be completed. As a result, I found myself looking up at the clock and seeing 15 minutes left of class staring back at me...along with 22 faces waiting to see what I had planned for them for the rest of class. Oops. I quickly added a small review game, but I felt so disorganized. I had put so much thought into the first day of school but had made a classic rookie mistake. With that in mind, my first advice for you is to over plan. Have a back-up activity or two already prepared in case you find yourself with some wiggle room at the end of class. If students see that you have fully prepared for their arrival on Day 1, you'll already be off to a great start. Tip #2: Make a Seating Chart I'm sure there are some benefits in allowing students to sit wherever they'd like on the first day of school, but it is definitely not a strategy that works for me! There are two big reasons I have a seating chart posted right when they walk into the classroom: it establishes order and parameters on Day 1 and I can call them by their name when we start our activities. I love seeing student's faces when I call them by their name within 5 minutes of entering my classroom. It immediately starts establishing the positive classroom community I strive to create in my classroom. They know my name and I know theirs! It shows them that I care about them as individuals. (And yes, I do keep a seating chart in my hand or nearby so I can discreetly refer to it during class - it takes me a few days to memorize all those new student names!) Having a seating chart also demonstrates that the classroom is organized and a plan is in place for their learning. It sets the stage for a great school year right away. Tip #3: Change it Up I've made the mistake of spending half the class period (or more!) discussing my syllabus, classroom rules, procedures, etc. Talk about a BORING first day for the kids! Now, I change it up and make a point to select 3 or 4 different activities for an hour-long class. I usually start with a small icebreaker that doesn't put kids on the spot. Then I give kids my welcome letter which introduces them to the class and review over the parts I think are most important on Day 1. Then, we review some class rules and end with a few games / activities to get them talking and moving around. I spread out my classroom rules, procedures, syllabus, etc. over the first 2-3 days of school so as to not overwhelm the kids with too much information all at one time. They will appreciate you for it! P.S. If you're looking for some fun digital activities for the first week of school, check out some of my favorites here! Tip #4: Choose a Game (or two!) I love to host a game or two on the first day of school! Also called icebreakers, these fun little games or activities encourage students to communicate with each other and helps you learn more about their personalities right from the start. Side note: Icebreakers can make...or break...a child's confidence in your class on Day 1. Seriously. I love a good icebreaker, but never want to put a child in a position where they feel uncomfortable on the first day - this is the opposite of my goal of building a positive classroom community! This means I make sure to choose icebreakers that aren't going to put a singular student "on the spot" (like a solo skit/charades or solo public speaking role). Ultimately, it depends on the class and you know your students best, but sometimes those types of icebreakers are better left for later in the year when students know each other better and feel more comfortable in your classroom. That being said, here are some of my favorites. (Some of these can be found in my Back to School Activity resources on TpT!) Check them out here for sixth, seventh and eighth grade: InstaFriend: This activity gets students moving around the room and interviewing classmates! Their InstaFriend paper has a series of descriptions and characteristics. When they find a student who matches the description, they write their name on the box. Each name can only be used once! Right or Wrong: This activity is perfect for a class who loves skits. These skits are centered around our class rules, expectations and procedures. 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. Hilarity ensues when showing the wrong way to follow a class rule. After each skit, I point out all the positive behaviors as well as reinforce the correct ways to conduct ourselves in the classroom. Online Games: Something new I tried last year was a great success: taking the classroom rules, procedures, policies, syllabus information, etc. and turning them into a fun online review game at the end of the week! The kids LOVED the games and it was a fun way to review. Some of my current favorite game websites are Blooket, Quizlet, Kahoot and Gimkit. Tip #5: Dress for Success Every individual teacher has their own preference for clothes, so this is not a tip about wearing particular types of clothes or styles on the first day of school - just advice recommending that you dress to impress in a way that fits your style. When students walk into the room, they are making a first impression of you. What will it be? I make sure to dress teacher-professional that day because I want my students to see not only my classroom neat and organized, but also my appearance. My main goal is to convey that I take my time at school and their learning seriously and that I am organized and will conduct myself as someone who is approachable and professional. What you wear conveys your personality - both on a personal and professional note - to your students. They are watching carefully! There are SO many things to think about as you prepare for the first day of school. If you were creating your own list of 5 things every middle school teacher should do on the first day of school, what would it say? Add your thoughts to the comments section to help other teachers ace that first day, too! :)
Learn about the human digestive system for kids twith this memorable digestion experiment. ZANY human body project making poop!
As a teacher, those same free educational websites for kids make for a fantastic addition to your classroom! They're excellent practice for early finishers
Create a classroom of writers with these fun writing activities for middle school students! There's something for everyone!
Do you struggle with finding interesting ways to teach ESL listening skills? Maybe you have an activity or two already but you want to be able to mix it up and keep things interesting. By the end of…
So, you're ready for the big leagues, huh? Kidding! Creating an editable PDF is one of the easiest things you can do and it's totally painless, promise. Let's get to it! First, in Powerpoint, go to Fi
Middle school math coloring worksheets offer a unique and engaging way for students to practice and reinforce essential math skills. These worksheets combine the academic rigor of math concepts with the creativity of coloring, making learning enjoyable for middle school students. Designed to cater to the needs of students in grades 6 to 8, these worksheets cover a wide variety of topics, including fractions, decimals, algebra, geometry, and more. By incorporating coloring into math practice, these worksheets provide an effective means of keeping young minds focused and motivated.
Establishing a good morning routine for kids is so important. These tips will help to create a realistic morning routine.
Enjoy the Ten Commandments for Kids filled with easy-to-understand explanations, fun activities, and crafty ideas. Turn learning into a blast in a world where ancient wisdom meets playful learning!
Added 7/30/17: You asked for it … You got it! Another Year of Homeschool Crafts is ready for the 2017-18 school year. Go HERE to check it out! I am the Queen of Good Intentions. Every new school year I decide that THIS is going to be the year when we do weekly homeschool crafts. My youngest [...]
We're sharing 10 things NOT to do on the first day of school. If you're a teacher wanting a smooth start to the school year, look no further. This post will show you what mistakes to avoid so that you have the best classroom management practices in place from the beginning!
My grad school professor and I were recently talking about one of the best ways to engage students: games. As you know, many of our children are going home and spending hours with their eyes glued …
Dive into magnets and magnetic force with these STEM challenges, activities, and videos for 3rd grade science. Discover how magnets work and get hands-on with these magnet activities that align to NGSS.
This 7 minute animal themed HIIT workout for kids improves emotional regulation and reduces meltdowns. Loved by OTs, teachers, and parents alike!
Are you getting ready for back to school and looking for a fun and engaging way to teach essential lab safety skills in your science class? This print-and-go lab safety escape room breakout activity teaches lab safety rules, lab safety equipment, safety symbols (WHMIS/GHS/Hazard Communication Standards) product labels, and safety data sheets. These eight escape room challenges may be a perfect addition to your science teacher toolkit! This lab safety activity includes eight escape room challenges, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. How to use this with your students: (several, flexible options) • One activity a day, throughout the unit • As a complete, end-of-unit review activity (over several, continuous class periods) • As bonus work for students who finish early • As a homework activity to assess student understanding of the concepts. Each activity can be completed individually or in conjunction with one another, depending on the time available in your planning. The challenges could be used as individual, pair or small group activities. A detailed and thorough teacher instruction page has been included. This is a print-and-go resource, requiring only pencils or pens, scissors, glue sticks. The Scenario: Help! Your science class is looking forward to doing experiments, but all of the supplies have been locked up. In order to access the supplies, all students must first demonstrate their knowledge of lab safety. Successfully complete the eight lab safety challenges to unlock the supply closet! Challenge #1: What’s Wrong Using a lab safety image provided, students must correctly identify seven safety errors being made within the picture. Challenge #2: Lab Rules Students must unscramble the missing words to correctly complete the lab safety rules. Challenge #3: Picto-Maze Students must follow the maze and correctly match the hazard pictograms with the corresponding hazard classification. Challenge #4: Map It Students must sketch a design of their classroom layout. They will then cut out the safety equipment symbols and glue them on the map, indicating the location of the safety equipment in the classroom. Challenge #5: Match It Students must match lab safety scenarios with the appropriate safety equipment that should be used in the scenario. Challenge #6: Product Labels Students must refer to a product label and correctly answer multiple choice questions about safe product handling to correctly solve a code. Challenge #7: Safety Data Equations Students must refer to a Safety Data Sheet and correctly answer multiple choice questions about safe product handling. They must then input the results in a series of equations to solve a code. Challenge #8: Safety Search Students must complete a word search for safety equipment, and use the resulting puzzle to solve the combination.
FREE printable preschool assessment sheet for teachers and parents to record children's progress. We also reviewed the Mother Goose Time preschool curriculum which is an all-inclusive, low-prep monthly program that is conveniently delivered in a fun box full of hands-on learning and discovery.
