These Back-To-School Acrostic Poems are an incredibly fun way to get students warmed up for the new year! This activity can be used to introduce or review what an acrostic poem is, and get students excited about the new school year. The first poem is suited for students in grades 3-6, and the secon...
Beginning of the year ELA Assessments for SECOND GRADE. Are you wondering what your kids know? Should I spend time reviewing this? Is this too hard or too easy? If so, this PRINTER FRIENDLY product is perfect for you! These assessments are quick and easy to implement, even on the craziest of back to school days. Just print, staple, cut, and you are ready to go! Skills assessed include: *Counting Syllables *Long and Short Vowel Sounds *Blends and Digraphs *Reading Vowel Team words *Identifying Verbs, Nouns, and Pronouns *Making Words Plural *Writing Sentences *Real vs Nonsense Words Looking for Beginning of the year FIRST GRADE assessments? Check them here: MATH ELA/Phonics PLEASE NOTE **This product is in now way intended to be used as a diagnostic tool. Rather it is intended to be used as a survey to get to know your students' ELA/phonics abilities.
Looking for a fun craft for the beginning of the school year? This resource includes: Two pages (spells out Second) Don't forget to check out the other beginning of the year crafts in my TPT account and to leave a review for points towards your next purchase!
Need a new back to school read aloud or two? Today, I am sharing 15 books that are perfect for the beginning of the school year.
Discover hands-on beginning of the year science activities that will excite your students and build the foundation for future science lessons!
Life is SWEET in Second Grade This adorable bulletin board set is perfect for the beginning of the year or could be used as an all year classroom decor! What's Included: -"Life is Sweet in Second Grade" bulletin board letters - 8 different colored candies with 2 size options available (perfect for student names!) I hope you love this product and thank you for the support!!
Make math fun at the first of the school year with these 3 math beginning of the year activities perfect for 1st and 2nd grade. They will...
The Beginning of the Year Assessments has 12 assessments that include everything from letter naming to sentence fluency!
Summer is finally here! If you like to prepare for the next school year during the summer while you have more spare time, this may be som...
Discover hands-on beginning of the year science activities that will excite your students and build the foundation for future science lessons!
Is it too soon to be talking about ‘Back to School ideas’ already?
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.
Check this adorable back to school bus directed drawing art activity for kids. It includes easy DIY step by step instructions that you can download for FREE to use in your classroom today!
These second grade literacy centers make it SO easy to get centers or independent work time up and running at the beginning of the school year! The activities are simple and straightforward, so kids easily learn what to do. And they’re no prep centers, saving you tons of time! These back to school second grade literacy centers will help your students review and master key skill areas like decoding, spelling, fluency, comprehension, writing, and more! With these 112 activity pages, launching centers or independent work in second grade will be so much less stressful. The activities follow templates, which means that you can teach an activity once, and students can complete several different versions of it! And that means kids spend less time off-task and more time engaged in learning. Plus, all you have to do is click and print - saving you hours and hours during the busy back to school season! These materials will help your students: Master and review essential, Science of Reading literacy skills Improve their independent work skills Stay engaged and on-task, so you can focus on small groups! These centers are perfect for back-to-school, but since they don’t have a seasonal theme, they can also be used throughout the school year for review or intervention! Here’s what’s included in these second grade back to school centers: 7 Phonics Spin & Cover boards - Decoding words with initial blends, final blends, glued sounds, silent e, r-controlled vowels, vowel teams, and/or 2-syllable words 14 Decode & Match sheets - Vocabulary; decoding words with digraphs, blends, glued sounds, silent e, r-controlled vowels, vowel teams, and 2 syllables 7 Phonics Board Games with Recording Sheets - Decoding and writing words with digraphs, initial and final blends, glued sounds, -ing and -ed, silent e, r-controlled vowels, and/or vowel teams 10 Roll, Read, & Collect Decodable Sentences games - Reading sentences with common high-frequency words and CVC words, digraphs, blends, double final consonants, silent e, r-controlled vowels, vowel teams, and/or 2-syllable words 5 Funny Handwriting Practice pages - Letter formation 8 Mystery Word Spelling sheets - Spelling words with digraphs, initial blends, final blends, silent e, r-controlled vowels, vowel teams 12 Spell the Picture Word Chains - Spelling CVC words, digraphs, blends, glued sounds, silent e, and vowel teams 10 Sentence Scrambles sheets - Syntax/sentence construction, handwriting 5 “How To” Sequence and Write sheets with Writing Pages - Reading comprehension, sequence of events, informational writing 10 “Would You Rather?” Opinion Writing prompt pages - Opinion writing 5 Roll a Story sheets and writing paper - Narrative/creative writing 9 Back to School Reading Comprehension passages - Reading Comprehension, written response 10 Read, Color, and Write Grammar pages - Various grammar skills, sentence writing **Please take a look at the preview before you purchase!** You might also like: Simple, No-Prep Literacy Centers for Kindergarten | Back to School Simple, No-Prep Literacy Centers for First Grade | Back to School K-2 Simple, No-Prep Literacy Centers BUNDLE | Back to School
Use these number sense math activities to build number sense in first grade! Students will love these engaging, fun games too!
Discover hands-on beginning of the year science activities that will excite your students and build the foundation for future science lessons!
Math About Me, Back to School, Freebie
This is a lab booklet and instructions for the popular Save Sam activity. This is a great introductory activity for your science or STEM class at the beginning of the year. Students practice hypothesizing, testing their ideas, and working with others.
Are you like me and busy checking Instagram and Pinterest for Back to School ideas? Even though I have been teaching for many years, I get bored doing the same thing year after year. Pl…
It is so difficult to keep your students focused and engaged those last few weeks of school when they are already dreaming of summer and being outdoors. If you are looking for a fun end-of-the-school-year activity, you will want to check this out! I was checking out Pinterest when I saw this amazing version of Scoot from The Primary Gal. I knew it would be the perfect way to get my kiddos outside while still working on content. This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog. All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love. We have been working on elapsed time in our class, and it has been very tricky for some of my kiddos, so I decided to use this activity to give them a little more practice. First, I had each student create their own elapsed time problem on an index card. I checked their work and gave them a number on their card that corresponded to the answer key that I made with one of the sheets. Then I had the students take their card and NEATLY write their question using sidewalk chalk on a section of the sidewalk. After everyone wrote down their question, it was time to solve the problems SCOOT style. Each child moved from question to question answering them on their recording sheet. You can grab a free copy of The Primary Gal's recording sheet by visiting her blog post here. I love how versatile this activity could be! You can use it to review so many different skills. I am looking forward to trying this again with other subjects and skills. A few ideas I am thinking about include: * Practicing Long Division * Double Digit Multiplication * Math Facts * Perimeter and Area * Parts of Speech * Idioms and Other Figurative Speech What skills would you use it for? Before you go, head on over to our giveaway page to enter our current giveaway! Every week one lucky winner gets a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card!
Make your writing mini-lessons for the year successful! Follow a writer’s workshop lesson from beginning to end. Monthly writing lessons for Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade.
Get everyone onboard for exploring their reading life and creating a display for all to see.
How to writing is one of my favorite writing units to teach. My students just get it and they enjoy writing many, many pieces! Maybe it’s because my students think they know how to do everyyyytthiinngggg. 😉 If your students are like mine, let them run with the idea that they know it ALL and have […]
Just found out you're teaching second grade! Here's a quick start guide!
Number and Place Value are two Maths topics that I am constantly revising throughout the year – it may be a quick 5 minute game, or a whole lesson, but the importance of understanding place value can never be underestimated. When I am teaching these basic concepts I always have my High School Teacher Mum ... Read More about Understanding Place Value with 15+ Activities
With a new school year right around the corner, I wanted to share some of my favorite read alouds for teaching all about listening! Listening is one of those skills we teach right away in our classrooms and these 4 books touch upon different parts of being a good listener. Before I dive in, I […]
What does a reader do? What about writers and scientists? Let's help young kids develop positive behaviors with these classroom posters!
Class community building activities and ideas to build positive student relationships during back to school time.
Second grade multiplication lessons, second grade division lessons, multiplication and division situations, hands on learning for multiplication
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
Check out these 5 ESL Speaking Activities that can be adapted for different grade and proficiency levels to get your English learners talking
One of the best ways I found to line up students is in number order. Each student is assigned a number at the beginning of the year. It's their order for lining up. Each week there is a line leader and caboose so there are 2 students who aren't in the correct order. This stops all of the "he's cutting in line" complaints that you normally hear. Initially students may complain about the order. Once they figure out that everyone will eventually be the line leader and everyone will eventually be the caboose, they don't complain about the fact that #2 is always closer to the front of the line than #18. It is much easier to see if you are missing students when you pick them up from recess using this system. Your students will have the line order memorized before you will, so they will quickly tell you who is missing. We don't line up in number order to walk to our spots for the fire drill. But, once we are outside, we get in our proper order so we can see if anyone is missing. You can use die cut numbers or numbers from a bulletin board set like the ones in the picture. The red and green set are from Dollar Tree. I use calendar numbers for many different things in the classroom. Calendar numbers are colorful and small. Use these to add to your theme or to add some seasonal fun. Label coat hooks Label cubbies Label students' spot to line up You can add a little math when you line up your students if you tape numbers on the floor. This shows students where they are going to stand. Add a seasonal touch by changing the number order each season. I like to change the color, too! In the fall I used orange / yellow, in the winter use red / green, in the spring use pink / red, and at the end of the year use orange / green. Sometimes I use one color for each number. Example: in December all of the odd numbers would be red and all of the even numbers would be green. When lining up ask students with an odd number to line up first. Your students will quickly learn odd and even numbers. Another example: in February, make all of the numbers in the ones place red and all the numbers in the tens place pink. When lining up you can give different problems like: When lining up you can give different problems like: •If your number has an odd number in the tens place, you may line up. •If your number in the ones place is equal to 3 + 4, you may line up. •If your number is odd you may line up. •If your number is even you may line up. •If the sum of 4 + 2 + 3 is your number you may line up. •If today’s day is your number you may line up. Your students will quickly become mental math wizards! How do you line up your class? Click HERE to try out this FREE system. Sources to make my blog post graphics can be found HERE. Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.
Using positive classroom management is important in establishing a safe environment in which students can learn, collaborate, and create.
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.
Looking for some read-alouds for the new school year? Here are 27 books that encourage kindness and empathy and promote positive mindsets!
In the summer months, when I wasn't relaxing and having fun with family I often considered subjects such as drama games to grab your students' attention.
