It's the beginning of the year, and you have a whole new class that is sitting in front of you. You don't know them besides the information you got on the student information card. You know the first few weeks are getting to know them. Both personally and academically. You also know the first few
Discover hands-on beginning of the year science activities that will excite your students and build the foundation for future science lessons!
Back to school activities make the beginning of school go smoothly for everyone! Build a sense of community, get organized, and reward positive behavior with these ideas for the start of the year.
If you're just starting out as a new Pre-K teacher, here are some practical ideas, printables, lessons for beginning the school year in Pre-K or
When teaching the scientific method, it's important that you also teach the scientific process skills. Check out these science activities to help you get started and grab a freebie!
Name games are a great way for you and your students to remember everyone in class. They also build community, vocabulary and connection!
This is a 2 sided twist on the typical All About Me activity to be used in the beginning of the school year to get to know your students. All questions are engaging and science themed to get your students excited for their year ahead with you! For example, instead of asking what a student's favorit...
Check out these beginning of the year science activities to get you started! This post has lots of science ideas and a freebie to engage your students.
I'm the kind of person that likes to get ready for the next year before the end of this year. I know. You can call me crazy. It's ok. I understand. But it's the way I am. So what am I getting ready? Forms to send home during Meet and Greet: My Parent Survey (it's free!). I keep this in my communication folder. This is what I send home so that I can take pictures for my blog. I know it has my information on it, but if you need it for something else, then maybe you can use it as a template. Click HERE to download it. And I send this home so that I can show some movies that are apparently PG. Click HERE to download it. Click the picture below to get all these forms in my {TPT store} I'm also restocking my calendar bins for next year! Head over to {THIS} post to see how I organize all of my monthly calendar-type activities. I already have my calendar pieces done...but I'm getting ready all the pages that I want to use IN the calendar bundle. Check out my post on the calendar bundle HERE. Our monthly poetry covers are printed up for the year. Find out how I use poetry in the classroom and download the covers for free {HERE} I also have our monthly writing journal covers ready to go... the journals themselves aren't done yet, but hopefully I'll have a wonderful parent volunteer next year to do them for me. See how I use the journals and download the covers for free {HERE}. I've also sent my Spelling Journals to the Print Shop. I'm opting to use these this year instead of doing my phonics notebook, only because it's my first year in First grade AND at my new school, so I want to see what they can handle before I dive in full force! haha. But I used my Phonics Notebook this year and LOVED it...You can check that out HERE. I've also sent my Vocabulary Journals to our print shop (I like send things to the print shop because they copy off a whole class set, with a cover and back cover AND bind them with a spiral thingy.... to me, NOT having to do it is worth me paying for it! lol) Check out my vocabulary Journals HERE. I also have copied off all the writing pages and family notes for our Monthly Family Projects! IF I have enough time, I might even get frisky and run off all the templates for the crafts! I'm also getting ready our Memory Books for next year... as we're finishing up this year's Memory books! lol You can read more about them {HERE} There are "All About Me" pages for the beginning of the year and the end of the year, so you can see the difference between the 2 times of year. It's always so fun to see the changes! Then, there are monthly writing pages, so the students can write about what they learned that month. The kids have really been having fun with this. Check them out in my TpT store {HERE}. You can grab a FREEBIE from these memory books {HERE} I have also printed out and laminated my personal behavior charts that I use from Rachelle. You can read my post on how I use them {HERE}, although, I must say, I am thinking of changing the plan...again! haha! I've also printed up my name tags for next year - I love that I don't have to go on a hunt to buy them every year! They have everything I want on them! You can download them for free on {THIS} post. I've had my wonderful parent volunteer trace and cut out my jerseys for me. In the beginning of the year, the kids decorate their jersey with their number on it and I leave them up all year. Why do they have numbers? FOR SO MANY THINGS! I have a post on what I use numbers for {HERE}. And last but not least, I got all planned out for next year! I came across Traci's curriculum planner, and I knew it would be perfect for me since I don't use the district adopted series. I have my whole year planned out! This is such a beautiful sight. I wish I had this for this year as a first year 1st grade teacher. but now I won't be so "lost" next year - haha! Check it out on Traci's blog {HERE}! WHEW!! That's a lot! And I still have more on my list to do for next year! And, um, this year isn't even over yet - haha! Oh well. I will be thankful next year in the beginning of the year.
Welcome your students back to school with this incredible first weeks of school science bundle! You'll receive plans for the first 3 weeks of school with this amazing back to school themed download. There are 5 back to school science experiments, 8 scientific method or nature of science lessons, and 2 science board games combined to create the easiest back to school season for you!
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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! :-)
Liven Up Classroom Activities And Learning With This Colorful Magnetic Spinner Wheel! Use this affordable, dry erase, magnetic spinner wheel to select prize options, brain break movements (jog, hop, stretch, etc.), skills practice (multiply numbers by the number spun), or anything else you can think of. The entire back of the wheel is magnetic. It will be your go-to tool year after year.*Affordable Magnetic Spinner: This magnetic spinner wheel will be a favorite classroom tool!*Multiple Uses: Keep your classroom lively with this programmable spinner wheel that can be used for play or work. Use it to select prize options for games, to select brain breaks or movements (jog, hop, stretch, etc.), or to enliven learning, like having kids multiply by the number the arrow lands on, or add numbers until they reach the number spun. Youll come up with tons more uses!*Durable Dry Erase! The colorful, dry erase spinner gives you flexibility in constructing learning or play options. The entire back is magnetic, so it will stay in place. Plus, its durable, and will last through years of steady use.Liven up learning and classroom activities with this versatile, dry erase, magnetic spinner wheel! 1 magnetic spinner wheel * Write Again wipe-off laminate * with 10" spinner pin * Size: 17" round
One of the best ways to stop attention seeking behavior is to share those expectations with your students and following these tips...
In Acts 2, we read about the beginning of the church on the Day of Pentecost, where God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to the church. Free printable Bible pack for preschool kids at home or at church. Worksheets, crafts, coloring pages and more.
Set a friendly tone in your classroom with these 30 "Get to Know You" games perfect for back to school or when welcoming a new student.
These up-and-coming influencers share amazing ideas for teaching our children through art, nature, and play.
This graphic featured on Rosemary D’Amato Karas’s Pinterest site caught my eye. It looks like this list originated as a brainstorming exerc...
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool includes a study called: Beginning of the School Year. Here is a poster to represent this study! Use this as a poster, "focus banner/wall" poster, divider for materials, label for the study, etc.! The Creative Curriculum for Preschool study posters BUNDLE: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Curriculum-Study-Posters-5855858
These are great to print at the beginning of the school year. I keep them hanging on my door for a variety of line up chants and songs to sing while getting students quiet for the hallway. A total of 9 songs/chants included! Enjoy!
Beginning of year special education forms - As an inclusion intervention specialist, your first week of school can get hectic fast. You are playing the...
Would you like access to some AMAZING FREE resources?? You would!! Read on… Pop this in your cart, follow the prompts to check out…. access your FREE Resource Library!! Simple! This Resource Library is jam packed full of resources and is absolutely FREE, you will not be charged anything at check out. You will just […]
Discover hands-on beginning of the year science activities that will excite your students and build the foundation for future science lessons!
Want something to send home to your parents in the beginning of the year?? I store this in my communication folder in a plastic sleeve and store all the notes I get from parents behind this…. Come on over HERE to snag a copy. Would you like to have your printables ... Read More about Parent Survey for Beginning of Year
These super fun Back to School Science Stations and First Week of School Science Experiments are perfect for your beginning of school year science activities. They are a great way to celebrate the first week of the school year while introducing academic activities your students will love. Your upper elementary students already love science stations, so why not add some back to school science experiments to those science stations!
Back to School is right around the corner for us and I am SUPER excited to kick of this school year with some fun, hands-on and engaging resources for The
Newly revised Manners and Expectations Posters. Creating clear and consistent expectations is a vital part of your program throughout the year and specifically at the beginning of the school year. I have always enjoyed helping children develop socially acceptable behaviors with gentle role-modeling and encouragement, always focusing on the desired behavior and prevention where possible. […]
Basic vocabulary, like knowing prepositions, is necessary for beginning readers. Teach prepositions with this simple game.
A simple way to teach your students classroom procedures and expectations at the beginning of the school year
Do you find yourself answering questions about the directions that you just gave your class? Does your voice get hoarse from repeating yourself? Do you feel like you have tried everything but still your students aren't listening? Observe your class during their lesson with the librarian or school counselor. Look for signs of active listening. Sometimes we assume that our students are actively listening when they are quiet. This isn't always true. Listening is a skill like reading or playing soccer that you need to practice in order to improve. You can promote and practice active listening when giving directions for an assignment: Engage your students when giving important directions. Example: "Boys and girls hold up one first and repeat after me, the first step of this assignment is ____", (class repeats while holding up one finger), "Now class hold up 2 fingers and repeat, the second step of what I will do is _____", (class repeats while holding up two fingers), continue until all of the directions are given. If your class is sitting at their table or desk, you can ask them to stand up when they repeat what you say, and sit down when they listen to you. Movement helps engage them and with the wiggles. Sponge activities that improve listening skills: Teacher or student leader says: If you can hear me tap your chin. If you can hear me jump 2 times. If you can hear me flap your arms like a chicken. If you can hear me touch your left elbow. Mental math: teacher or student leader gives math problems to the class. Great activity to use when class is waiting in line. 4 + 2 + 6 + 1 = __ 7 + 5 + 5 + 8 + 2 = __ In order to actively listen, students need to concentrate on what the speaker is saying. This skill requires stamina. Practice! Practice! Practice! Assessing listening skills can be done formally and informally. You will notice that you have to repeat directions less often as your students' listening skills improve (informal assessment). It is helpful if you have a baseline of where your students begin to see how they improve during the school year. Listening skills can cause academic and behavior problems for students. This is one more tool to add to your teacher toolbox. Listen and Draw is an activity that is a non-threatening way to assess your students' listening skills. I recommend doing activities like these at the beginning of the year and at least once a month throughout the year. It is helpful documentation for parent-teacher conference, R.T.I., and other times when you are looking at behavior or academic issues. Listening skills impact many areas in the classroom. I have a FREE sample that you can use with your class. Click HERE for a FREE sample. Listen & Draw - PLUS: includes additional materials that the other files do not include. These materials include: QR Codes, MP3 files, assessment tools, brag tags, and happy notes. Listen & Draw - Inferences & Superhero lessons are a big hit with students! Listen & Draw - Fall / Autumn Listen & Draw - Winter Listen & Draw - Spring Listen & Draw - Summer Listen & Draw - BUNDLE (includes the files above) Listen & Draw - Christmas Listen & Draw - Ocean Listen & Draw - CVC Words Listen & Draw - R Controlled Words Listen & Draw - Poetry - FREE Listen & Draw - CVC Words - FREE Listen & Draw - R-Controlled Words - FREE How do you promote active listening? Sources to make my blog post graphics can be found HERE. Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.
Woot woot! This post was featured on the TpT blog! You can see it here. Never underestimate the importance of teaching routines. In every classroom and every grade level... but ESPECIALLY in Kindergaten. And in Kindergarten,
Character training in preschool and elementary children helps lay a foundation for character training in the teen years. And while this may sound a little intimidating, let me show you how to gently begin this
Listening and following verbal or oral directions is an important skill that many students lack. You may relate to Charlie Brown's teacher after going over step-by-step directions. Students often hear the sound the teacher's voice is making, but fail to tune into the meaning of the words. When students aren't actively listening, they miss important information that can impact their academic AND behavior in the classroom. One way you can help your students practice active listening so they will follow directions is with a fun activity called Listen and Draw. Listen and Draw is a great activity to do with your class at the beginning of the year when you are teaching class procedures. Include these with your plans after breaks as a warmup plus a good reminder about practicing listening and following directions. Grab a free copy of FREE Listen & Draw - Following Directions Activity. Sources to make my blog post graphics can be found HERE. Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.
Kids need movement to improve their ability to focus. Easily use these movement activities as part of your daily learning routine.
