Are you looking for ways to have classroom parent volunteers? Here is a list of 50 ideas to use parent volunteers int the classroom. #parentvolunteers #classroommanagement
You just found out you are teaching a split grade class next year. For most teachers the idea of teaching a split is overwhelming. You have twice as many
Fables are an important part of English Language Arts instruction. The genre, which often includes animals that act like humans and moral lessons, is perfect for targeted lessons in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and analyzing. Classic and modern fables are both entertaining and approachable. Fables also shed light on other cultures, characterization, and moral lessons. Most importantly, they're just plain fun to teach! Here are 6 easy ways to teach fables in your classroom... I LOVE giving students a chance to write their very own fable. I recommend starting with mentor texts so that students can become experts on the genre. Then, through targeted writing instruction, students can write their own story that includes a moral, animal characters, story elements, and illustrations. As students develop their stories, you can even have them "pitch" their stories to their peers acting as storybook editors. Once students have written a strong fable, take these lessons to the next level and let students create a children's book filled with illustrations. You could even have them share their fables with younger students. Check out this ready-to-teach Fable Writing Unit! Don't you just love lessons that meet a ton of instructional standards at once? Well, this fable unit does just that! It’s a 7-day unit designed around Aesop’s fable “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” and in it students read three different versions of the fable. After building background on each form, they have the opportunity to critically read and respond to the fable in prose, verse, and drama form. Through small group work, independent studies, and class discussions students will not only understand and appreciate the elements of a fable and each form of literature, but they’ll also develop a deep understanding of each text. Learn more about this unit here. Of course, fables are wonderful to read in the classroom. But, why just read a fable when you can also connect, investigate, write, and draw? I created this Foldable Fables resource with Art with Jenny K. to combine reading, writing, and illustrating. This resource is super engaging because students create an accordion-style booklet filled with their learning and creativity. It's fun and educational! The seven learning activities help students connect deeply to their reading. Check out the super engaging Foldable Fable here! I've found that fables are wonderful to add to learning stations focused on reading comprehension skills. For instance, in this sequencing centers resource, students investigate "Fox and the Goat" at one of the learning stations. At the station, they're tasked to read the fable and then put the fable in the correct sequence with an interactive shape. Since fables are often short and focused they're the perfect addition to reading comprehension learning stations! Fables lend themselves perfectly to plays. I've found that students respond really well to opportunities to perform short skits and plays in the classroom. In this theme mini-unit, students get to act out "The Four Oxen and a Lion." As a small group, they practice reading out loud, acting, and investigating theme. It's fun for students to get into different characters as they act out a fable! I'm a big fan of reading out loud to students. Often, I would read stories to students as they completed their daily warm-ups. My read alouds included novels, poems, short stories, and of course, fables. You might mix-up your own read alouds with fables from around the world or modern fables. Here are a few collections of fables that you might want to add to your classroom library... --- Aesop's Fables: The Classic Edition --- Buddhist Stories for Kids --- Filipino Children's Favorite Stories ------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope you've found some simple ways to teach fables in your classroom! Fables really are wonderful literature treasures for teaching reading, writing, investigating, performing, and more! Thanks for stopping by! Mary Beth P.S. My friend, Art with Jenny K., has another idea for adding fables to the classroom. Check out her post here. *This post contains affiliate links.
Your students will have so much fun writing with these Roll-a-Story boards. Their creativity will be flowing after discovering which super fun character, problem and setting their story will be about. This resource is perfect in helping students write creative and interesting stories while taking the ‘stress’ out of thinking of what to write about. To use the boards, students simply choose a board and roll a die three times to discover which character, problem and setting their story will be based on. There are 9 different boards, which means there are almost 2000 different story possibilities! Includes both a USA and AUS/UK version. A version is also included where the problem and setting begins with a lowercase letter. You may also like: Roll an Activity - Literacy Centers ♥♥♥ Follow me to be the first to hear about FREEBIES and updates ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ Earn TPT Credits when you leave feedback ♥♥♥ I welcome and appreciate any feedback, comments or suggestions. You may also contact me on [email protected]
Pencils - how do I loathe thee? Let me count the ways! If pencils are the bane of your existence too, you'll relate to the 6 pencil horror stories in this post! Then read on to find out how to tackle the pencil problem once and for all!
Co-teachers who take risks together, grow together.
Every new teacher has to go through the process of classroom observations on a regular basis the first few years of their career. Depending on the observer, this can be an anxiety-provoking time. But while it may feel uncomfortable to have an extra set of eyes in the room, classroom observations are a crucial part...
If you're looking for resources to supplement your current classroom management strategies in the secondary classroom, this is a great place to start! This product contains a nine page PDF: a teacher's guide, pause cards + blank template, reflection cards + blank template, a self-assessment + blank template, and a goal check-in + blank template. All resources are intended to help students develop the SEL competencies of self-awareness and self-management. As always, thank you for visiting my little shop! Feedback and follows are much appreciated! :) **Updated 7/17 to include blank templates in Google Slides for easier editing!**
Are you one of the many teachers who is struggling to teach summarizing? Summarizing can be a difficult skill for students to master. It requires strong reading comprehension since students need to be able to
ESL ELL EL EFL EAL ESL Newcomer Scope and Sequence. Year-Long Curriculum for EL newcomer students. Each month breaks down teaching into: Letters/Word Families Mini-Lessons Sight Words (DOLCH+) ****TPT Credits**** Leaving feedback gives you TPT credits to use for future purchases! Thanks in advance! ****File Details**** Please make sure you are able to open this file type before purchasing. ****Terms of Use**** These products were created by ©ELL Breaking Barriers and are copyright protected. Download for individual/classroom use only. Please purchase additional licenses to share with colleagues. Do not share or copy downloads. Products are not to be used for commercial use and by downloading the copyrights remain with ELL Breaking Barriers. This download contains copyrighted graphics. You may not sell, redistribute, recreate, or use in your own commercial creations. Pictures of my product are allowed, with credit included & a link to my store. ****SHARING with your department or team? You MUST purchase multiple licenses of the product, one for each teacher that will be using the resource. Thank you!*** ****Contact**** Website [email protected] Facebook Instagram ****Resources you might like**** ESL Progress Monitoring Newcomer Support Engaging Games and Activities Teaching Character Traits Enjoy!! ELL Breaking Barriers
Monologue rubric designed specifically to assess and evaluate a single students' monologue performance. Can be used with pre-selected monologues or student choice monologues. Excellent resource for the culmination of a monologue unit. ...
The first year of teaching can be a challenge! These 15 Teaching Tips for New Teachers are proven strategies to help new teachers survie their first year!
Teach your students to stop tattling with the 5 B's classroom management system.
I love teaching a split-grade class. I know this may not be a popular opinion in teaching, but there it is. In reality, many of us teach split-grade
A classroom escape room is the perfect activity to get your students engaged. Here's all the tips and tricks for creating an easy, inexpensive escape room!
Interested in getting started with Nearpod? Here are 5 ways Nearpod totally transformed my teaching and can change yours too!
I use this form to keep track of students who are not turning in their work. I also love this form because it forces students to think about why they don't have an assignment rather than just not turning anything in.
Teach students about push and pull forces with this push or pull sorting activity that includes push and pull examples on each card
This unit bundle includes the following: - a detailed 13 page, 6 lesson hip-hop dance unit plan - 12 hip-hop task cards - 12 hip-hop dance move names on cards - 6 breakdance task cards - Perform and Point cards You do not need to be an experienced dancer in order to teach this unit. The vast majority of the activities are student centered where the students are in partners or groups.
These engaging strategies to incorporate movement in the classroom are perfect for the fidgety students & kinesthetic learners in your class!
Gallery walks are a great way to get students out of their seats and moving around the classroom. Some teachers shudder at the thought of having all of the students out of their desks moving
So, I haven't posted in FOR-E-VER! (Every time I emphasize that word...this is what I think of...) If you think the same thing, then we probably had very similar childhoods. :) I still don't have much time to post (Parent-Teacher Conferences are this week...eesh), but I thought I would at least share a quick freebie! Our class will be working on descriptive writing next week. I'm going to read I Need My Monster to the class and then we will be writing our own monster descriptions and then drawing a detailed picture. Click on the images below to download the Monster Writing freebie from Google Docs. Squints: It's about time Benny, my clothes are goin' outa style. Yeah Yeah: They already are, Squints. Squints: Shut up.
Learn the difference between the two types of understanding and how to provide opportunities of procedural and conceptual questioning in your classroom.
Salut! Hi everyone! If you teach French, you know how tough it can be to find resources for your classroom. Of course, I'm talking about QU...
Does your day end in pure chaos? If so, check out my free tips, games, and resources for a clam and peaceful end-of-the-day routine.
If you're tired of digging into your own pockets to find ways to motivate your students, you need to check out these FREE reward coupons. You can even use the editable option to add your own coupons.
Check out this ultimate list of over 200 free speech therapy materials for all of your needs! Save your money for what really matters!
Ever felt like your students could benefit from slowing down and taking a moment calm? Well, you're in for a treat. Mindfulness isn't just a buzzword; it's a game-changer. It's about hitting the pause button, taking a deep breath, and diving into the magic of the present moment. And here's the kicker – it's not just for adults; it's for kids too! So, picture this: A classroom where calm reigns supreme, thoughts find their chill, and focus becomes a superpower. That's the power of mindfulness. And guess what? We're not stopping there. We're bringing you the tools to create a Calming Corner that'll turn your classroom into a sanctuary of serenity. Let's dive in! (GREAT NEWS! I've put together exclusive FREEBIES for mindfulness. Click here to receive them!) Mindfulness meditation is a way of focusing the mind so that it is fully attending to what’s happening right now, to what we’re doing, and to the space that we’re currently in. Cultivating mindfulness means to be present, to pay attention, and to be aware of our emotions and the way that we respond to them. Recent neuroscience research points to many benefits of mindfulness meditation: ➧ increased focus ➧ a sense of calm ➧ decreased stress ➧ decreased anxiety ➧ improved impulse control ➧ greater empathy for others ➧ improved conflict resolution skills Our students need opportunities to practice mindfulness mediation. Since the human mind often wanders from the present. Our brains have a tendency to become absorbed with thoughts about the past or the future. This kind of thinking makes us anxious. Academic pressure now affects kids as early as kindergarten, resulting in less time for play and other stress-reducing activities. Today’s students are faced with an unprecedented amount of anxiety. The pressure only grows greater in middle and high school. Surveys have found students reporting stress and fatigue as much as 75% of the time. What’s needed is a way to decrease anxiety and help students to manage their emotions. That’s where mindfulness comes in. Infusing moments of mindfulness in the classroom is not only powerful, it’s also quite simple. In general, to practice mindfulness, have students start by bringing attention to their own body. Then, have them breathe in through their noses and out through their mouths. When they notice that their mind has wondered away from the present moment, they should gently bring their attention back to their breathing. It’s also a great idea to intentionally plan moments of mindfulness in the classroom! Here are some simple ways to do just that… 1. A Mindful Moment At the beginning of class, or after a transition, have your students close their eyes and take several deep breaths. Ask them to pay attention to their breathing and what it feels like. 2. A Mindful Break Once or twice during a standard length class, just stop. Have your students stand up and stretch and then sit back down and do 30 seconds of mindful breathing. This takes no more than a minute, and it gives everyone a needed break. 3. A Mindful Quote Use motivational and inspirational quotes to help focus students’ minds during a moment of mindfulness. It’s as easy as sharing a quote, or you can download this free set of mindfulness quotes and put together a container to pull from all year long. If you'd like me to send you a free set of 24 mindfulness quotes and the materials to make a container like above, add your name and email address below: Yes! Please send me MINDFULNESS RESOURCES! 4. Attention Check During a long lesson, stop and ask your students to pause and “check their attention.” Is their mind on what is being done in class, or has it been wandering? This gives kids the chance to deliberately redirect their attention to the matter at hand. 5. Finger Labyrinths Traditionally, labyrinths are used for mediation and relaxation. Often, people walk through labyrinths. Give students the same sensation with finger labyrinths. I’ve made a collection of them that students can use when they need to focus their minds. Students simply trace the spiral paths as they practice mindfulness. Add your name and email address below to receive the finger labyrinths and mindfulness quotes in your email inbox! Yes! Please send me MINDFULNESS RESOURCES! 6. Mindful Closure At the end of class, have students close their eyes and focus on their breathing again. Ask them to think of what they have learned and perhaps congratulate themselves on their progress and accomplishments. As teachers. we have many opportunities to introduce students to mindfulness practices. Of course, one of the most important ways we can do this is by cultivating mindfulness in ourselves. If we, as teachers, are present and aware of our own emotions and responses, we set an invaluable example for our students. Many of these mindfulness activities work well in a Calming Corner in the Classroom. Add the quotes or labyrinths to the calming corner to help students when they need to take a step back and become more present in the moment. Find more ideas for creating a calming classroom environment here. Thanks so much for stopping by! Mary Beth
Get your students moving with active review games. Tons of fun ideas to review the standards while having fun in the classroom.
These absent form includes 3 different versions of a well tested absent form that has worked great for my students! Both a digital and printable version are included to give you options for what will work best in your classroom. The Google Slides™ version is also completely editable so that you can tailor it to your individual classroom needs! Includes: Editable Digital Version in Google Slides™ 3 Different Templates Want to learn more about this system, check out this Youtube video! You may also like: Digital Teacher Lesson Planner DEMO – Google Sheets (Editable) Digital Teacher Lesson Planner – Google Sheets (Editable) If you like this resource please leave a comment! If you have a suggestion for additional material, feel free to let me know. Enjoy elevating your Algebra classroom! Join my free resource library to get exclusive FREE resources-- including a partner picture activity and a digital escape room!! Let's connect: - Instagram: @algebraelevated - Youtube: Algebra Elevated
Looking for a way to get students to have fun learning new words AND remember them longer? Try these brain-based vocabulary activities.
I am back today for Week #2 of my Tuesday summer blog series called, "Getting Ahead of the Game." Each week I will give you a little project to help you be ready for August.
This year, I decided to make some modifications to my classroom decor, and I am thrilled to share this reveal with you all.
Tips for managing support staff in your classroom. It is important that we communicate often, but that's just the start. Learn more here.
Exciting ideas for your new class during transition days. From icebreakers to teamwork challenges, make it a memorable experience.
Come learn about my FAVORITE technology tools for digital communication and collaboration with elementary students. Use these tools with Chromebooks, laptops, computers and some can even be used with iPads. Global learning is making its way into the classroom and we need to make sure our students are prepared so they can make the most of these authentic learning experiences!
Beat the Teacher games are a great way to encourage positive behavior in the classroom. Here are a few digital beat the teacher versions that will allow you to incorporate these beat the teacher games into your virtual classrooms or brick-and-mortar classrooms. All Beat the Teacher games in this product are available in PowerPoint or Google Slides. The digital Beat the Teacher editions included are: Connect 4 Tic-Tac-Toe 10's Frame Tally Marks If you have another idea that you would like me to add, please email me at atrailblazingteacher.com! I also have a digital marble jar freebie available here if you are interested. Follow my TPT store to get notified of new products! I offer 50% off for the first 48 hours - Follow Me Here You can also follow me on social media --> @atrailblazingteacher I am not affiliated or associated with Google, nor do they endorse this resource. Don't forget to leave feedback! :) TPT offers credits that can be applied to future purchases! To earn credits, simply rate and comment on the product. This product is for personal use in a single classroom only. No part of this download may be copied, sold, distributed, or edited without the permission of the author. Additional licenses may be purchased from my TPT store. Please do not post this document online; however, feel free to blog or post on social media about the use of this product as long as you credit back to my TPT store with a link.
Don't know where to start when planning your calm down corner? Well, you can have my free calm down corner posters and more
Put your teacher observation fears to rest with lesson plan ideas to maximize student engagement. Discover what administrators look for the most!
Check out this adorable clipart freebie for all your classroom printable projects!
Each science escape room includes a PDF version for in-person learning and a self-checking, digital version for virtual learning.
When I started using timer slides for powerpoint, my life changed! Powerpoint slide timers truly are a time management must have for...
The Bathroom Ticket Challenge is a classroom management tool to enable you to manage who goes to the bathroom when and how often with minimal effort.
This package has some quick and easy drama or brain break activities that will keep your students smiling! This pack contains 6 activities: 1.) A Load of Emotions 2.) Monkey-See- Monkey-Do! 3.) Alternate Endings 4.) Give a Lil’ advice 5.) Body Movin’ Only! 6.) Skit Ready...Skit Set...Go Each activity contains printable cards that can be put into a jar (or container) for easy fun! Created by Kaitlin of K&C Love Grade 3 If you have any questions, please ask before purchasing. Thank you :) For more ideas and freebies, please visit us at: K&C Love Grade 3
