Time 4 Kindergarten

Start the Year Strong with an Alphabet Boot Camp That Works!

2025-06-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

The first few weeks of school are all about building routines, establishing expectations, and laying a solid foundation for learning. And when it comes to early literacy, there’s no better way to kick off the year than with an Alphabet Boot Camp!

If you’re looking to teach the entire alphabet in the first 26 days of school, I’ve created the perfect resource to guide you every step of the way—and it just might become your new back-to-school favorite.

What is Alphabet Boot Camp?

Alphabet Boot Camp is a systematic, student-friendly approach to introducing one letter per day for the first 26 days of school. It’s fast-paced, engaging, and packed with hands-on learning experiences that reinforce letter names, sounds, handwriting, fine motor skills, and more.

With this routine, you’ll:

Build student confidence from Day 1
Establish a strong daily structure
Introduce ALL 26 letters in less than a month
Lay the groundwork for future phonics and reading instruction

Whether you're teaching TK, kindergarten, or working with early learners, this resource helps you kick off the year with intentional, engaging alphabet instruction.
What’s Included in the Alphabet Boot Camp Bundle?

This resource features 10 daily alphabet activities for each letter of the alphabet—yep, that’s 260 activities total!

Here's what you'll get for each letter:

Alphabet Phonics Readers – Easy mini-books for practicing letter sounds
Letter Sound Sorts – Cut and glue sorting activities for beginning sounds
Alphabet Posters – Visuals to reinforce uppercase/lowercase letters and sounds
Alphabet Hats – Fun crafts to wear and show off letter learning
Play-Doh Letter Mats – Hands-on fine motor fun with letter formation
I Spy Beginning Sounds – Visual discrimination and sound matching
Handwriting Practice Sheets – Uppercase and lowercase tracing and writing
Letter Mazes – Each maze is shaped like the letter of the day.
Pattern Block Puzzles – Build each letter with manipulatives
Tap and Read Activities – Support early decoding with phonemic awareness

How to Use This Resource

One of the best parts? It’s flexible and works in a variety of settings: Morning work tubs
Whole group instruction
Small groups or RTI
Literacy centers
Fine motor or sensory stations
Home-to-school connection activities
Early finishers

Whether you’re doing one letter a day as a class, rotating through centers, or building individualized supports for learners, this bundle gives you the structure and variety to meet all your students’ needs.

Want to Try it for Free?

I’m giving away all 10 of my Letter A activities so you can see exactly how Alphabet Boot Camp works—no prep stress required!

📥 [Click here to sign up and get your Letter A Freebie Pack delivered straight to your inbox!]
(Includes: A phonics reader, poster, hat, Play-Doh mat, handwriting, I Spy, and more!)
Ready to Grab the Full Bundle?

If you're loving the idea of starting strong with a letter-a-day routine, the full Alphabet Boot Camp Bundle is ready for you with everything prepped and organized:

👉 Get the Full Resource on Teachers Pay Teachers

Let’s take the guesswork out of the first month of school and replace it with confidence, consistency, and creativity!

Here’s to a strong start and a year full of learning,

How to Build Stronger Readers with CVC Word Mapping Activities

2025-04-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

🌟 How to Build Stronger Readers with CVC Word Mapping Activities

If you're teaching Kindergarten or First Grade, you're likely spending a lot of time helping your students become confident readers. You teach the letter sounds, model blending, use decodable readers—and yet, some students still guess at words or struggle to sound them out. Sound familiar?

The missing piece might be orthographic mapping—a powerful (and research-backed) process that helps students make the connection between the sounds they hear and the letters they see.

And the best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Today, I’m going to share how a simple, four-step CVC word mapping routine can make a big impact in your classroom.

🔤 What Is Orthographic Mapping—and Why Does It Matter?

Orthographic mapping is how the brain stores words for future retrieval. It’s the process of connecting phonemes (sounds) to graphemes (letters) so that words become instantly recognizable.

When students practice mapping sounds to letters in CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words like cat, fin, or hop, they build the foundation for fluent reading and spelling.

Without it, students often rely on memorization or guessing—two habits that don’t support long-term success.

✋ Try This Strategy: Say It, Tap It, Map It, Graph It

One of the most effective ways to support orthographic mapping is through a multisensory routine. Enter: Say It, Tap It, Map It, Graph It.

Here’s how each step works:

Say It – Students look at a picture and say the word aloud (e.g., fin).
Tap It – Students tap each sound they hear using their fingers or by pointing to sound dots on the worksheet.
Map It – Students use those same dots to identify and map out the individual phonemes. Each sound gets one dot.
Graph It – Finally, students write the word by matching each sound to its corresponding letter.

This routine is quick, consistent, and helps build confidence by giving students a structured path from spoken word to written word.

Want a free printable to try this strategy with your students?
Grab a free sample of my CVC Word Mapping worksheet and see how quickly your students start connecting sounds to letters!

👉 Click here to download your free CVC word mapping sheet!

📚 Why This Works—Especially for Early and Struggling Readers

It’s visual and tactile – Perfect for young learners who benefit from hands-on learning
It supports phonemic awareness and phonics at the same time
It helps students slow down and really listen to the sounds in words
It builds spelling skills by reinforcing the correct sequence of sounds and letters
It’s aligned with the Science of Reading and supports structured literacy practices

Whether you're working with beginning readers, students receiving intervention, or English Language Learners, this strategy meets them right where they are.

📝 Ready-to-Use Practice with CVC Word Mapping Worksheets

When I introduced this method in my own classroom, I saw the most success when we used it consistently—just a few minutes a day made a big difference!

To make it easier for other teachers, I created a set of CVC Word Mapping Word Work Worksheets that walk students through each step of the routine.

Each printable includes:

A picture cue to help students say the word
Sound circles to tap it
Boxes to map each sound
20 pages of CVC word practice for year-round use!

No prep required—just print and go! These are great for morning work, literacy centers, small group instruction, or even homework.

👉 Grab the CVC Word Mapping Worksheets here on TPT!

How to Teach Plant Parts in Kindergarten with an Easy Science Craft That Sticks

2025-04-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

How to Teach Plant Parts in Kindergarten with an Easy Science Craft That Sticks

Spring has officially sprung, which means it's the perfect time to dive into plant science! But let’s be real—getting kindergarteners to remember the difference between a stem and a leaf (and not just color everything green) can be a bit of a challenge.

If you've ever caught your students drawing a flower with the roots growing into the sky, you're not alone! Teaching young learners about plant parts doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, it can be fun, visual, and even a little crafty.

Let’s dig into a simple and engaging way to teach plant parts that your students will actually remember—without adding hours of prep to your plate.

🌱 Why Teaching Plant Parts Early Really Matters

Introducing plant parts in kindergarten or first grade lays the foundation for science learning down the road. Here’s why it’s worth the time:

It builds vocabulary and comprehension around scientific concepts.
Students develop observation skills and learn how living things grow and change.
It creates cross-curricular opportunities to tie in reading and writing.
And let’s not forget—it supports Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for life science!

🎨 Make It Hands-On (Because Worksheets Alone Don’t Cut It)

You already know young learners thrive with visuals, movement, and interaction. A hands-on activity like a labeling craft:

Reinforces plant vocabulary in a memorable way
Gives students a chance to show what they’ve learned visually
Works beautifully for English Language Learners (ELLs) and visual learners
Doubles as a cute and purposeful bulletin board

Add in a little glue and scissors, and suddenly, you're not just teaching science—you’re creating an experience.

✏️ Add Writing for a Science-ELA Crossover

Looking for a meaningful way to bring writing into your science block? After labeling the plant parts, invite students to write about what each part does and what plants need to grow.

This is a great opportunity to build vocabulary, strengthen sentence structure, and help students make real-world connections.

Use simple sentence starters like:

The flower is...
The stem helps the plant...
The leaves give the plant...
Plants need water to...
Plants need sun because...
Soil helps the plant by...

These prompts make it easy for early writers to express their understanding while reinforcing key science concepts. Plus, their finished work makes a wonderful display or portfolio piece!

...make it accessible for early writers, and you’re sneakily adding more literacy practice into your day.

Bonus idea: Pair the activity with a read-aloud like The Tiny Seed or From Seed to Plant for extra impact!

🪴 The Craft That Makes It All Click

Last year, I introduced plant parts with this Parts of a Plant Informational Craft Writing activity. The results? My students not only loved creating their flowers, but they were also using vocabulary like "stem" and "soil" weeks later during centers and read-alouds.

It’s a printable resource that includes:

A simple, visual flower craft for labeling plant parts
Clearly labeled pieces for water, sun, soil, stem, leaves, and flower
A writing page with lines designed for young writers
Kid-friendly images and easy-to-cut pieces
Perfect for bulletin boards, science notebooks, or spring science units

You can use it in a whole group lesson, science center, or even as an assessment tool. Best of all? It's low-prep and print-and-go!

🌻 Ready to Try This in Your Classroom?

Give your students a chance to learn, label, and love the plant parts this season.
👉 Grab the Parts of a Plant Craft and Writing Activity here!
It’s simple, engaging, and guaranteed to brighten up your science lessons—and your classroom walls!

Building Number Fluency to Ten with Hands-On Math Activities

2025-03-17T15:04:00.000-07:00

Building Strong Number Sense with Hands-On Math Activities

Helping young learners develop strong number sense is one of the best ways to set them up for success in math. One simple and engaging way to do this is through hands-on activities that let students explore and interact with numbers in meaningful ways.

Why Composing and Decomposing Numbers Matters

When kids learn to break numbers apart and put them back together, they start to see patterns and relationships between numbers. This helps them build confidence in solving addition and subtraction problems and sets the foundation for more advanced math skills down the road.

A Fun and Simple Activity for Number Fluency

The Shake, Spill, Count activity is a great way to reinforce number sense. By repeatedly working with number pairs in a hands-on way, students start to recognize different ways to make ten without even thinking about it. This kind of repeated practice strengthens student's mental math skills and problem-solving abilities.

How You Can Use This in Your Classroom

This activity is perfect for:
🔹 Math Centers – A self-directed, engaging way to practice number skills.
🔹 Small Groups – A great way to guide students through number relationships.
🔹 Early Finishers – A meaningful math activity that keeps learning going.
🔹 Intervention & Support – Extra practice for students who need it.

What Makes This Activity So Effective?

✔ Hands-On Learning – Students shake, spill, and count to explore number pairs.
✔ Composing & Decomposing to 10 – Helps kids see different ways to make ten.
✔ Supports Visual & Tactile Learners – Perfect for kids who learn best through movement and interaction.
✔ Flexible Use – Works well for independent practice or small group instruction.

Try it out

If you're looking for a simple, effective way to help your students build number fluency, this activity is a great addition to your math routine. Learning math should be fun, and hands-on activities like this make it easy to keep students engaged while strengthening their skills!

5 Easy and Fun Valentine’s Day Activities for Kindergarten

2025-01-29T05:00:00.001-08:00

5 Easy and Fun Valentine’s Day Activities for Kindergarten

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to bring joy, creativity, and learning into your kindergarten classroom. These easy-to-prep Valentine’s Day activities are perfect for keeping your little learners engaged while celebrating the holiday. From hands-on crafts to educational games, these activities will make Valentine’s Day a memorable experience for you and your students.

1. Heart Matching Game

This Heart Matching Game is a fantastic way to develop fine motor skills, pattern recognition, and color matching. Simply cut out hearts in various colors and sizes, then cut each heart in half using zigzag or curved patterns. Students match the halves by color, size, or pattern.

Prep Needed:

Print or cut out hearts from construction paper.
Use zigzag scissors for added fun!
Laminate the hearts for durability and reuse year after year.

Why It’s Great: This game is simple to set up, and it provides a fun way to strengthen problem-solving and sorting skills.

2. Valentine Card Station

Encourage creativity and thoughtfulness with a Valentine's Card Station. Set up a table with pre-folded blank cards, stickers, crayons, and stamps, and let students design their own Valentine’s cards for classmates or family members.

Prep Needed:

Gather blank cards, markers, crayons, and Valentine-themed stickers.
Add fun extras like heart-shaped stamps, glitter glue, or doilies.

Why It’s Great: This activity fosters self-expression and teaches students the importance of kindness and sharing. Plus, it doubles as a fun keepsake for families.

3. Counting Hearts

Make math engaging with Counting Hearts! For a hands-on counting activity, use conversation hearts or foam heart stickers. Provide numbered mats on which students place the correct number of hearts.

Prep Needed:

Print number mats (laminate for reuse).
Gather conversation hearts or heart-shaped counters.

Why It’s Great: This activity combines sensory play with foundational math skills, like number recognition and one-to-one correspondence.

4. Valentine’s Day Bingo

This Valentine's Day bingo game gives bingo a Valentine’s twist! Students can use conversation hearts as markers for added fun or color in each picture as

Prep Needed:

Print the Valentine’s Day Bingo Boards.
Provide crayons, conversation hearts, or other small items as markers.

Why It’s Great: Bingo is a classroom favorite that reinforces visual matching skills while creating an exciting group activity.

5. Heart Art Collage

Unleash creativity with a Heart Art Collage! Provide students with paper hearts in various sizes and colors. They can arrange and glue these hearts onto a larger piece of paper to create their own Valentine’s masterpiece.

Prep Needed:

Pre-cut hearts from construction paper in different sizes and colors.
Supply glue sticks and large sheets of paper for the base.

Why It’s Great: This open-ended art activity encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and self-expression. Plus, it’s easy to prep and clean up!

Tips for A Stress-Free Valentine's Day in the Classroom

Prep in Advance: Gather and organize all materials a few days ahead to minimize stress.
Use Stations: Rotate students through activity stations to keep things manageable and fun.
Ask for Help: Recruit parent volunteers to assist with set-up and supervision.
Keep Cleanup Simple: Use disposable tablecloths and have trash bins ready for quick cleanup.

These activities are not only fun and festive but also educational and developmentally appropriate for kindergarteners. Incorporate these into your Valentine’s Day plans, and your students will be engaged, happy, and learning all day long!❤️

Looking for more classroom ideas? Subscribe to our newsletter for additional seasonal activities, tips, and inspiration!

Boost Language Skills and Creativity with a Grocery Store Dramatic Play Centers

2024-12-05T17:11:00.000-08:00

Dramatic play centers are a great way to foster language development, imagination and creativity.

Creating dramatic play centers can be simple or elaborate. It all depends on how much time effort and money you want to put into it. No matter what you create, the outcome is worth it.

The grocery store dramatic play center is a classroom favorite. To create, I used some simple play food items, the grocery store set from Melissa and Doug and created some labels and signs for the center. I also added a cash register and some shopping lists.

How to Set Up a Dramatic Play Center

Designing a dramatic play center can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Whether you’re working with a items you already ownor purchasing additional items, the benefits far outweigh the effort. These centers provide endless opportunities for role-playing, vocabulary growth, and social skill-building.

Classroom Favorite: Grocery Store Dramatic Play

One of the most popular options for a dramatic play center is the grocery store theme. This idea is a hit with students and easy to set up. Here’s how you can create your own:

1. Gather Materials

Use simple play food items, such as fruits, vegetables, and packaged goods. I incorporated the Melissa and Doug Grocery Store Set purchased on Amazon, which adds a professional touch.

2. Add Essential Props

Include a cash register, shopping lists, and grocery bags and baskets to make the experience more immersive. These items encourage problem-solving and reinforce math and organizational skills.

3. Add Custom Labels and Signs

Make the center more realistic by adding labels and signs for various sections like “fruits,” “vegetables,” and “meats.” This not only enhances the experience but also builds sight word recognition. You can also use pretend coupons, shopping adds and shopping lists.

Why Dramatic Play Matters

Dramatic play centers, such as a grocery store, are more than just fun; they’re a critical component of early childhood education. They support language acquisition, help children learn social interaction, and stimulate creative thinking. As a bonus, these types of centers give your English language learners an opportunity to practice and use academic vocabulary.

By incorporating dramatic play into your classroom, you’re giving students the tools to practice real-world scenarios, build confidence, and expand their vocabulary—all while having fun.

You can purchase my Grocery Store Dramatic Play center from TeachersPayTeachers

7 Ways to Celebrate Student Success in the Classroom

2024-09-08T19:31:00.000-07:00

Celebrating student success in the classroom is an important way to recognize and reinforce positive behaviors and achievements. Here are some ideas on how to celebrate student success in the classroom.

Verbal praise: One of the simplest ways to celebrate student success is to give verbal praise. This can be as simple as saying "well done" or "good job" when a student has completed a task or answered a question correctly.
Positive Notes or Certificates: Write a personalized note or certificate congratulating a student on their success. This can be a powerful way to acknowledge their hard work and dedication.
Class-wide Celebrations: Use a whole class reward system. When students reach the goal, celebrate. Rewards can be simple, such as extra recess, a special snack, or a movie.
Showcase Student Work: Display a student's work on a bulletin board or classroom wall. This not only celebrates their success but also inspires other students to strive for their own success.
Reward System: Create a reward system where students can earn points or tokens for their success, which can be redeemed for a prize or privilege. A simple reward system could be marbles in a jar or draw a stem and add petals to create a flower. Whatever you do, make it easy to use.
Parent Communication: Communicate with parents about their child's success, either through a phone call or a note home. This not only celebrates the student's success but also reinforces the importance of parental involvement in their child's education. I send home Positive Notes. I have a stack printed on bright-colored cardstock. Each day I try to write a note and send it home with one student.
Share on Social Media: With permission from the student and their parents, share their success on your school's social media platforms. This can not only celebrate the student's success but also promote your classroom and school.

Remember, celebrating student success is not only about acknowledging good grades or high test scores, but also about recognizing effort, improvement, and growth. By celebrating student success in various ways, you can create a positive classroom culture and motivate students to continue striving for success.

Unlocking the Power of Reading: 5 Books to Explore the Science of Reading

2024-06-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

Reading is more than just deciphering words on a page—it's a complex cognitive process that opens doors to knowledge, imagination, and understanding. For educators, parents, and anyone fascinated by the art of teaching reading, diving into the science behind this essential skill can be both enlightening and transformative. Here are five must-read books that delve deep into the science of reading or (SOR), offering invaluable insights and strategies for effective instruction.

5 Books to Read About the Science of Reading (SOR)

1. Differentiating Phonics Instruction for Maximum Impact Authored by Wiley Blevins, this book is a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing phonics instruction to maximize learning outcomes. This book not only explores the theoretical underpinnings of phonics but also provides practical strategies for differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners. Whether you're a teacher in the classroom or a parent supporting reading development at home, this book offers actionable advice backed by research.

2. A Fresh Look at Phonics In this book, Wiley Blevins shares lessons, routines, word lists, and tips for English Language Learners and advanced learners.

3. Speech to Print This book can help fill the gap between teacher instruction and classroom practices for those whose preservice program failed them. This book is written by the renowned author Dr. Louisa Moats. Serves as a good framework for reference.

4. Shifting the Balance In this book, the two authors encourage educators to reflect and examine their beliefs about teaching reading. Each chapter is reader-friendly and guides the reader through each shift, as well as offering ready to use strategies and activities

5. Strive for 5 The perfect book to get your students talking. It offers a simple framework to support classroom conversations and the language comprehension strand of Scarborough’s Reading Rope. The authors offer a simple framework for engaging children in rich conversations to boost their vocabulary, understanding of language structures, and verbal reasoning skills. As a bonus this book offers children's book suggestions, teaching ideas, and demonstration videos.

Purchase any of these books through my Amazon storefront.

Differentiating Phonics Instruction for Maximum Impact: How to Scaffold Whole-Group Instruction So All Students Can Access Grade-Level Content (Corwin Literacy)

$34.95

19%

A Fresh Look at Phonics, Grades K-2: Common Causes of Failure and 7 Ingredients for Success (Corwin Literacy)

$34.95

Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom

$42.95

Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers

$44.95

21%

Strive-for-Five Conversations: A Framework That Gets Kids Talking to Accelerate Their Language Comprehension and Literacy (The Science of Reading in Practice)

$35.99

Why Read These Books:

Understanding the science of reading is crucial for anyone involved in literacy education. These five books not only provide deep insights into the cognitive processes involved in learning to read but also offer practical strategies and approaches that can be immediately applied in the classroom.

By exploring these texts, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of how reading develops, the role of phonics in literacy instruction, and effective strategies for promoting reading proficiency. Each book contributes a unique perspective to the broader conversation about literacy education, making them essential additions to any reading list.

Reading is a skill that unlocks countless opportunities for learning and growth. By delving into the science of reading through these five influential books, you'll not only enhance your understanding of effective literacy instruction but also contribute to creating a generation of confident and capable readers. Whether you're looking to enhance your teaching practice, support your child's reading development, or simply deepen your knowledge, these books offer a wealth of information and inspiration. Happy reading!

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Understanding The 5 Components Of The Science Of Reading

2024-06-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

What is the Science of Reading?

The Science of Reading refers to a body of research that focuses on how people learn to read and issues related to reading and writing.

This interdisciplinary research spans several decades and includes findings from fields such as cognitive psychology, neuroscience, education, and linguistics. The Science of Reading provides evidence-based insights into the processes involved in reading development, the causes of reading difficulties, and the most effective methods for teaching reading.

5 Key components of the Science of Reading include:

1. Phonemic Awareness: The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. This is a critical skill for learning to read.

2. Phonics: Understanding the relationship between written letters (graphemes) and spoken sounds (phonemes). Phonics instruction helps children decode words by sounding them out.

3. Fluency: The ability to read text accurately, quickly, and with proper expression. Fluency is important for reading comprehension because it frees up cognitive resources to focus on understanding the text.

4. Vocabulary: Knowing the meanings of a wide variety of words. A strong vocabulary supports reading comprehension and overall literacy development.

5. Comprehension: The ability to understand and interpret what is being read. This involves skills such as making inferences, summarizing information, and connecting new knowledge to existing knowledge.

The science of reading emphasizes evidence-based practices, such as systematic phonics instruction, to ensure effective reading instruction and intervention. This approach aims to support all learners, including those with dyslexia or other reading difficulties, by providing a structured method for developing reading skills.

Overall, the Science of Reading aims to improve literacy outcomes by aligning teaching practices with research-based evidence on how children learn to read.

If you want to learn more about the Science of Reading, I have compiled a FREE list of webinars, webpages, and resources to support your learning.

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5 Benefits of Audiobooks and Listening Centers for English Language Learners

2024-03-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

5 Benefits of Audiobooks and Listening Centers for English Language Learners

In today's diverse classrooms, educators face the exciting challenge of catering to students with varying backgrounds and learning styles. Among these students are English Language Learners (ELLs), who bring unique perspectives and abilities to the learning environment. To support English Language Learners' academic journies, teachers are increasingly turning to innovative tools such as audiobooks and listening centers. These resources offer a multitude of benefits that enhance the learning experience for ELLs in primary education.

5 Reasons to Use Audio Books in Your Classroom

1. Improved Listening Skills:

Audiobooks help ELLs improve their listening skills by exposing them to spoken English with correct pronunciation, intonation, and pacing. This exposure helps them develop a keen ear for the language, improving their ability to understand and interpret spoken English accurately.

2. Enhanced Comprehension:

Listening to audiobooks allows ELLs to focus on understanding the content without the added challenge of decoding written text, leading to improved comprehension.

3. Increased Vocabulary:

Audiobooks offer ELL's the opportunity to encounter new vocabulary in context, which aids in language acquisition and retention. Increased exposure to vocabulary correlates with enhanced reading comprehension skills.

4. Cultural Exposure:

Audiobooks offer ELLs exposure to diverse cultural perspectives, stories, and experiences. Through listening to narratives from various cultures and backgrounds, ELLs gain a deeper understanding of different societies, traditions, and values, fostering cultural awareness and appreciation.

5. Independence:

Audiobooks empower ELLs to engage with learning materials independently, promoting self-directed learning and autonomy in their academic journey.

Where to Get Audio Books

Your local library is the best place to get audiobooks. Most libraries have a large variety of audiobooks that can be checked out and then used in a variety of apps such as Hoopla, and Libby

PBS for Kids brings a variety of books to life.

Epic fiction and nonfiction offering books with optional Read-to-ME

Download a Free Listening Center Response Sheet

Audiobooks and listening centers play a pivotal role in supporting the learning needs of English Language Learners From enhancing language acquisition and accessibility to promoting cultural relevance and independent learning, these resources offer a wealth of benefits that enrich the educational experience for ELLs. By integrating audio-based tools into classroom instruction, teachers can create inclusive and engaging learning environments that nurture the diverse talents and potential of every student.

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Boosting Fine Motor Skills in the Classroom: Engaging Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten Students

2024-02-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

Fine motor skills are crucial for children's overall development, influencing their ability to perform everyday tasks such as writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils.

Fostering fine motor skills is a cornerstone of development for preschool and kindergarten students. By integrating engaging tools and activities into the classroom, educators can enhance motor proficiency while making learning enjoyable.

In this blog post, we'll explore 5 creative ways to implement fine motor skills in the classroom.

5 Fine Motor Tools to Use in the Classroom

1. Tongs

Tongs are versatile tools that can transform simple activities into exciting learning experiences. Encourage children to use tongs to pick up and transfer small objects such as pompoms, beads, or cotton balls from one container to another. This activity not only strengthens hand muscles but also promotes hand-eye coordination and concentration. Turn a sensory bin into a center activity and fine motor activity. Fill a sensory bin with various items and center task cards. Let students use tongs to retrieve the items, or center cards.

In the Activity below, students use pompoms to spell high-frequency words.

2. Scissors:

The coordination required to manipulate scissors helps refine hand-eye coordination and strengthens the muscles in the fingers and hands. As children grasp and maneuver the scissors to cut along lines or shapes, they refine their dexterity and precision. The action of cutting fosters bilateral coordination, as both hands must work together in a coordinated manner. Incorporating scissor activities into the classroom can be a valuable means of promoting fine motor development in young learners.

3. Push Pins:

Introducing push pins in the classroom can facilitate fine motor skill development in a unique and engaging way. Offer children foam boards or thick cardboard along with push pins to create intricate designs or patterns by pushing the pins into the surface. This activity requires precision and control, promoting hand strength and coordination. Ensure proper supervision and guidance to ensure safety while using push pins.

I prefer the larger pushpins for little learners. These can be found on Amazon. (commissioned link)

4. Hole Punchers:

Hole punchers are excellent tools for refining hand strength and coordination while providing a sense of accomplishment for young learners. Offer children colorful paper or cardstock and encourage them to use handheld single-hole punchers to create patterns or designs. They can also practice punching along dotted lines or shapes to improve accuracy and control. Display their creations around the classroom to celebrate their achievements.

These Alphabet Hole Punch Activities help students recognize alphabet letters while building hand strength.

5. Playdough Creations:

Playdough is a versatile and enjoyable medium for young children to explore their creativity while simultaneously strengthening their hand muscles. Encourage students to roll, pinch, and shape the dough to form various objects like animals, letters, or even imaginary creatures. Adding tools such as cookie cutters, plastic knives, and rolling pins further enhances the sensory experience and fine motor development.

These engaging activities not only promote physical dexterity but also stimulate cognitive development and creativity. By integrating these tools into the classroom environment and fostering a supportive learning atmosphere, educators can empower young learners to develop essential skills for future success.
You can find all of my favorite Fine Motor Classroom Tools in my Amazon Store Please note these are commissioned links)

tongs/tweezers

pompoms

craft scissors

hole punchers

giant Push Pins

play-doh

Whether it's molding playdough, punching holes, or using tongs, each activity offers valuable opportunities for children to refine their motor skills while having fun and learning.

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Nurturing Tomorrow's Educators: Essential Tips for Being an Effective Mentor Teacher

2024-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the exciting world of student-teaching partnerships! As a mentor teacher, fostering a positive and effective relationship is key to creating a dynamic learning environment. Discover essential tips to enhance the student-teacher experience, promoting growth and success for both parties involved.

Getting Started

Before the first day, meet with the student teacher. Give them a tour of the school. introduce them to all of the people they may need to work with, such as your grade-level teammates, the office staff, the principal, the custodian, and the librarian. Show them where the lunchroom is, how to use the copy machine, or where they can find classroom supplies. Let them know about school policies, such as dress codes.

Make Your Student Teacher Feel Welcomed:

Provide a designated workspace in the classroom for your student-teacher. Provide them with a notebook and a few pens/markers. Send home to families an introduction letter about the change in the classroom and how excited you are to welcome the student-teacher.

Clear Communication:

Communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, and the student-teacher partnership is no exception. Regular and open communication ensures that expectations are clear, goals are aligned, and challenges are addressed promptly. Clearly articulate expectations and goals for the student teaching period. build into your daily routine a time for the two of you to talk.

Set Expectations:

Define roles and responsibilities for yourself and the student-teacher. Setting clear expectations from the beginning is crucial for a smooth and successful student teaching experience.

Encourage Observation and Reflection:

The first few days should be reserved for observing and starting to help with transitions and duties. Encourage regular observations in your classroom and classrooms in the school. Student-teachers can benefit immensely from observing experienced teachers in action and reflecting on their own teaching practices.

Utilize Technology:

Explore educational tools, online resources, and collaboration platforms to facilitate communication, lesson planning, and resource sharing. You might consider using a shared Google Drive folder or working in a Google Doc or presentation together when planning and collaborating. This not only streamlines processes but also introduces students to valuable tools for their future careers.

Support Professional Development:

Encourage your student-teacher to attend workshops, conferences, or online courses with you. As a mentor-teacher, you can share insights and experiences to contribute to the student's growth as an educator. A successful student-teacher relationship extends beyond the classroom.

Create a Positive Environment:

Create a classroom atmosphere that values diversity, inclusivity, and positivity. Both student-teacher and mentor-teacher should feel comfortable expressing their unique perspectives and ideas. A positive environment fosters creativity, engagement, and mutual respect, contributing to a more enjoyable and enriching teaching and learning experience.

Goal Setting:

Look at a calendar and plan backward. Determine when their take-over week(s) will occur. Make sure they have ample time to teach lessons in all subjects before their solo-teaching time. Help the student teacher set personal and professional goals. Align goals with the broader objectives of the teaching program.

Provide Constructive Feedback:

Offer regular and constructive feedback on teaching performance.
Focus on strengths and areas for improvement. Mentor teachers should provide constructive feedback, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement.

Facilitate Networking:

Introduce the student teacher to professional networks and colleagues. Foster connections for future collaboration and support. Encourage the student-teacher to participate in staff meetings and other staff opportunities.

Promote Work-Life Balance:

Emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Share strategies for managing stress and staying motivated.

Encourage Questions and Curiosity:

Create an environment where questions are welcomed and curiosity is nurtured. Support the exploration of different teaching approaches. By incorporating these tips, both mentor teachers and student teachers can contribute to a positive, growth-oriented, and enriching learning experience.

The Student-Teacher Takeover

Some teachers find it difficult to "let go" of their classrooms during the take-over time. This is the time your student teacher truly needs to be allowed the opportunity to take ownership of the classroom. Devise a plan beforehand of the times you will be working in the classroom. This could be to assist the student-teacher with small groups or to complete assessments.

When you are not in the classroom, use this time to plan ahead, organize files, inventory materials, write a grant, or clean out a closet. You can also take this time to observe colleagues, read an educational book on teaching techniques, or do a gallery walk through your school. Use the time to reflect on your own teaching practices.

A successful student-teacher relationship is built on a foundation of effective communication, clear expectations, and a commitment to growth. By implementing these tips, you can create a positive and enriching experience for all. Together, you'll embark on a journey of learning, collaboration, and professional development, setting the stage for a bright future in education.

Participation Power: Nurturing Participation for Academic Success in the Priamry Classroom

2024-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Fostering active participation is a crucial aspect of effective teaching. However, as teachers, we often encounter situations where young learners hesitate to raise their hands.

There are several reasons as to why a student may not want to participate.

Shyness and Social Anxiety
Language Development Challenges
Fear of Making Mistakes
Lack of Understanding
Overstimulation or distractions

Shyness and Social Anxiety

For many children, kindergarten is the beginning of a child's formal education journey, and for many, it's their first exposure to a structured classroom setting. Shyness and social anxiety can play a significant role in a child's hesitancy to participate.

Language Development Challenges:

Some kindergarten students may experience challenges in expressing themselves verbally. Limited vocabulary or speech delays can contribute to a reluctance to raise hands.

Fear of Making Mistakes:

The fear of making mistakes is common among young learners. Cultivating a growth mindset and emphasizing that mistakes are a natural part of learning can help alleviate this fear.

Lack of Understanding:

Sometimes, students may hesitate to raise their hands because they feel unsure about the content or task at hand.

Overstimulation or Distractions:

Kindergarten classrooms are often bursting with activity. Some students may find the environment overstimulating. This can impact their ability to focus and participate actively.

Strategies to Encourage Active Participation in the Classroom

Use these 10 classroom activities and strategies to encourage active participation in your reluctant learners.

1. Circle Time Sharing:
Create a designated time for students to share something about themselves, such as a favorite toy, a special experience, or even a simple show-and-tell session. This helps build confidence and communication skills. 2. Interactive Storytelling: Use picture books or create simple stories that involve the students. Allow them to contribute ideas, answer questions, or even act out parts of the story. Story props are a great tool to foster engagement and imagination. 3. Music and Movement: Incorporate songs and movement activities that involve everyone. Activities like singing, dancing, or playing simple instruments can help children express themselves and participate actively. 4. Classroom Helpers: Assign different roles to students on a rotating basis, such as line leader, door holder, or calendar helper. This gives students a sense of responsibility and encourages them to actively participate in classroom routines. 5. Artistic Expression: Provide opportunities for creative expression through art activities. Whether it's drawing, painting, or crafting, allow students to share their creations with the class and talk about what they made. 6. Puppet Play: Use puppets to facilitate communication and interaction. Puppets can be a fun way for children to express themselves and share thoughts, ideas, or stories with their peers.

7. Dramatic Play Centers Dramatic Play Centers allow students to role-play and interact with each other. The small group atmosphere gives reluctant students the courage to speak and participate.

8. Question of the Day: Pose a daily question that each child can answer. This can be done through simple picture responses, written responses, drawings, or verbal sharing during circle time.

9. Collaborative Projects: Plan hands-on projects that require teamwork and collaboration. Allow students to work together using blocks, STEM Bins are craft items.

10. Low Pressure Participation: Allow students during whole class instruction to respond using think, pair share, thumbs up/down, choral response, or writing answers on personal whiteboards.

Understanding the reasons behind students' hesitation to raise their hands is the first step toward creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. By addressing these challenges with empathy and implementing targeted strategies, teachers can nurture a culture of active participation, setting the stage for a positive and enriching educational experience for young learners.

Empowering English Language Development Through Engaging Story-Retelling Activities

2024-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

English Language Development (ELD) is a crucial aspect of early education, and story-retelling activities provide a rich and effective avenue for fostering language skills among young learners.

Whether you are working with students who are learning English as a second language or native English speakers, story retelling can be a very powerful tool. It is a dynamic strategy that promotes language development on various fronts:

Below are six important benefits to incorporating story-retelling into the classroom and creative activities that not only make learning enjoyable but also enhance language proficiency.

1. Vocabulary Expansion for All English Language Learners

Story retelling provides a dynamic platform for expanding vocabulary. Engaging in the recounting of stories exposes children to new words, helps reinforce existing vocabulary, and enhances their understanding of language structure.

2. Developing Oral Language Proficiency:

Story-retelling encourages students to express themselves orally. This practice plays a pivotal role in developing strong communication skills, including proper pronunciation, fluency, and articulation.

3. Encouraging Active Listening:

Story retelling requires active listening, a crucial skill in language development. Through story-retelling, students practice listening attentively, identifying key details, and comprehending the narrative, thereby honing their listening abilities.

4. Fostering Sequencing and Comprehension:

Retelling stories involves sequentially organizing events and enhancing students' understanding of narrative structure. This skill not only aids in comprehension but also lays the foundation for more advanced literacy skills in the future.

5. Creating a Supportive Environment:

Establishing a classroom environment that encourages story-retelling involves incorporating interactive activities. Use props, visuals, and open-ended questions to spark discussions, making the process enjoyable and accessible for all students.

6. Individualized Learning Opportunities:

Story retelling can be adapted to cater to individual learning needs. Tailoring activities to accommodate varying language proficiency levels ensures that every student has the opportunity to participate and progress at their own pace.

How to Incorporate Story Retelling into the Classroom

Storytelling Props and Puppets:

Introduce props and puppets to make the story come alive. Encourage students to use these tools to retell the narrative, promoting engagement and creativity.

Sequencing Story Events:

Enhance comprehension by having students sequence story events. This activity not only reinforces the narrative structure but also aids in organizing thoughts and language expression.

Story Maps and Graphic Organizers:

Utilize story maps and graphic organizers to visually represent key elements of a story, such as characters, setting, problem, and solution. This approach supports English language learners in organizing their thoughts coherently.

Role-Playing:

Foster language proficiency by incorporating role-playing into story-retelling. Assign characters to students and encourage them to act out parts of the story, promoting vocabulary usage and language fluency.

Books for Retelling Activities

Here is a list of my favorite books to use for story-retelling activities. These books offer engaging narratives and colorful illustrations, making them ideal for story-retelling activities in kindergarten classrooms.

1. "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle

2. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle

3. "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" by Jan Brett

4. "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats

5. "The Three Little Pigs" by James Marshall

6. "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak

7. "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" by Paul Galdone

8. "The Gingerbread Man" by Karen Smidt

9. "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown

10. "The Mitten" by Jan Brett

11. "Caps for Sale" by Esphyr Slobodkina

12. "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff

13. "The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson

14. "Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes" by James Dean and Eric Litwin

15. "The Little Engine That Could" by Watty Piper

16. "Big Red Barn" by Margaret Wise Brown

17. "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn

18. "Corduroy" by Don Freeman

19. "Blueberries for Sal" by Robert McCloskey

20. "Go, Dog. Go!" by P.D. Eastman

You can find all of these books listed above on my Amazon Storefront under Story Retelling Books.

Story-retelling Activities on TpT

Story-retelling activities serve as a dynamic catalyst for English Language Development in kindergarten classrooms. By integrating these engaging strategies, educators create an interactive and supportive learning environment that empowers students to become confident communicators. Embrace the magic of storytelling to unlock the full potential of language development in every young learner.

Seamless Transition: How to Return to the Classroom After Winter Break

2024-01-03T14:48:00.000-08:00

The winter break is a joyous time for our little ones filled with festivities, family, and fun. However, as the break concludes, the return to the classroom can be both exciting and challenging for young learners.

Here are a few key strategies and activities to make the transition back to school after winter break a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Ease into Routine with Fun Activities:

Gently reintroduce daily routines by incorporating engaging and enjoyable activities. Whether it's a circle time sing-along or a creative arts and crafts session, these activities help little learners ease back into the school structure while maintaining a positive and playful atmosphere.

Circle Time Storytelling About Winter Adventures:

Encourage children to share their winter break experiences during circle time. This not only helps students articulate their thoughts but also fosters a sense of community as they listen to each other's stories. Consider incorporating their circle-time sharing into your writing time. Once students have had an opportunity to share, have them complete a writing prompt.

You can download this Free Winter Writing Prompt Paer by clicking the image below.

Revisit Classroom Rules and Expectations:

Anytime students have had an extended stay away from school, expectations should be revisited. Remind students of classroom rules and expectations in a child-friendly manner. Use visual aids, role-playing, and interactive discussions to ensure understanding. Reinforcing these guidelines helps create a safe and supportive learning environment.

Returning to the classroom after winter break is an opportunity for a fresh start and renewed focus. By incorporating these strategies, teachers can create a positive and supportive environment that creates a seamless transition and sets the stage for a successful and enjoyable second half of the school year. Here's to a wonderful return to the classroom filled with laughter, learning, and new adventures!

Teaching and Fostering Random Acts of Kindness During the December Holidays

2023-11-22T13:06:00.000-08:00

Spread some kindness in your classroom this holiday season with the 12 Days of Kindness.

The holiday season is here, and we have a great idea to bring kindness and positivity into your classroom. using the "12 Days of Kindness"! These activities are planned to help your students develop compassion, teamwork, and joy. These daily kindness prompts can have a meaningful impact in your classroom, and in your school and create lasting memories for you and your students.

This kindness activity is a December favorite in my classroom. It is simple to prep and requires very little set-up time.

How to use the 12 Days of Kindness

Print the prompts on colorful paper. The prompts are numbered out of order, in order to create a festive colorful Christmas light display.

Introducing the daily acts of kindness prompt to my students

Each morning during our morning Calendar time, I introduce the new prompt. After reading the prompt, students share ideas as to how to complete their daily kindness task. Once the kindness task has been given, I add it to our kindness display. I often place the kindness Christmas bulbs in our classroom window attaching them to some holiday garland. Display our kindness tasks in the window lets families and our school community know about our Kindness tasks.

After a few days, my students are eager to see the new prompt and to share how they have completed the previous day's kindness task.

These daily kindness prompts can be Implemented seamlessly into your daily or holiday-themed lesson plans.

Books to Teach Kindness

The following list includes a few of my favorite books to read during our 12 Days of Kindness. {"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.")

Elevate your classroom experience this holiday season by incorporating the "12 Days of Kindness Activities" teaching resource. Watch as your students embrace the true spirit of the holidays while cultivating a culture of kindness that extends beyond the classroom.

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Make October Fun and Engaging With Science Math Writing and Art Activities

2023-10-14T10:35:00.002-07:00

October can be a super crazy month. The weather is changing and kids are excited about Halloween. Make October fun and engaging with science, math, writing,
and art activities.

Pumpkin Exploration

Ask families to donate pumpkins, and let students explore the pumpkins using math manipulatives. Then cut them open for students to experience the insides of a pumpkin.

Halloween Themed Centers

Add some engaging Halloween-themed centers. With just a few Halloween decorations your centers become magical. Grab some fruit snacks and the Free Fruit Snack Sorting Activity.

Halloween Art

Create a fun fine motor art project with this torn paper candy corn.

Need a writing and art craft. This Halloween Mystery ghost is easy to create.

1. Take photos of the student's legs

2 Drop the photos into Canva- teachers get a free account. Use the background removal tool to remove the backgrounds. Download, print, and add to the ghosts.

Do you read Spookley the Square Pumpkin? You might like this adorable Spookley-inspired craft.

Candy Corn Science

Fun, engaging, and easy to set up. All you need is water, vinegar, and soda for this candy corn science experiment. Download this Freebie.

I hope you found some fun and engaging activities to use this month.

15 Must Have Items to Keep in Your Classroom

2023-08-08T10:16:00.003-07:00

As a teacher, our classroom often becomes our home away from home. It is important that we make sure to keep a stash of certain items at school in case of an emergency. When I say emergency, I don't mean emergencies like a flood or tornado, I talking about personal emergencies.

15 Must Have Items to Keep in Your Classroom

Cell phone charger-Having a backup cell phone charger is a must. Many times I have forgotten to charge my phone at home.
Extra pair of glasses/sunglasses- I can't tell you how many times I have broken my sunglasses over the years or misplaced my reading glasses. Now I keep both spares in my desk drawer.
Spare change of clothes- Over the years I have been puked on and have been spilled on. This includes pants, a shirt, socks, undies, and a jacket/sweatshirt. I keep my school hoodie in my room at all times.
Extra pair of shoes- I keep a pair of flip-flops and an old pair of tennis shoes at school. I've stepped in things🤢, had a kid puke on my feet🤮, or wore shoes that hurt my feet by recess time👠.
Personal hygiene items- hairbrush, hair ties/clip, hairspray, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, personal hygiene items. All of these are a must-have.
Sewing kit- needles, thread, buttons. I keep the ones hotels give you just for this reason.
Food-A can of soup or cup of noodles, granola bars, fruit snacks, bottled water, and coffee. Forgot your lunch, didn't have time for breakfast, or need to stay late, having food on hand is a must.
Dishes-I keep an extra water bottle, coffee mug, paper plates, and plastic silverware (I save the ones that come from fast food places)
Mini-Fridge- Our staff room is across campus. i like to keep my food in my room as well as keep my drinks cold.
Microwave- Again staff room across campus and 2 microwaves which can get GROSS
Keurig- Hello extra cup of coffee after recess.
Tool Kit-go to your local Dollar Tree and grab a toolbox or plastic tub with a lid. In the hardware aisle get a screwdriver, hammer, zip-ties, nails, gloves, level, and anything else you think you could use at school.
Nail Kit-nail glue, nail file. If you get your nails done, these are needed items at school.
Laminator & laminating sheets- Every teacher needs a personal laminator in their classroom. Often I just need one or two pages laminated. This saves me so much time from having to walk to the big laminating machine and wait for it to warm up.
Rechargeable batteries- I have a few items in my classroom that take batteries. Rechargeable batteries are perfect as I just need to recharge them as needed.

I have acquired many of these items over time. If you were to ask me what the most important items from this list of 15 Must-Have Items are, I would say numbers 1 through 5 are the most important items to keep at school.

If you are a new teacher, these are the items you will want to start with, the rest can be added as time goes on.

Storing Teacher Necessities.

I keep the clothes and shoes in a backpack under my desk.
Personal hygiene items are in a small bag in my bottom desk drawer.
The toolbox is under my sink.

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10 Essential Tips for Beginning Kindergarten Teachers

2023-07-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

Being a brand new teacher can get overwhelming really quick. With Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest you can quickly spiral into the what do I do mode and I want to do it all mode rather quickly.

this article contains affiliate links

Starting your career as a kindergarten teacher can be both exciting and overwhelming. As you embark on this rewarding journey, it's crucial to equip yourself with the necessary tools and knowledge to ensure a successful and enjoyable classroom experience for your students.

These ten essential tips will help you navigate the challenges and make the most of your time as a beginning kindergarten teacher.

Unfortunately, nothing in your teaching program can prepare you for the actual job of teaching. You only get better with experience.

1. Wait to Make Purchases

Do NOT run out and buy all the things. First, see what the classroom offers, and ask teammates. Chances are if you need it someone has it to donate. Another place to find great classroom items is Facebook marketplace, especially if your town has a buy-nothing page. You can post that you are looking for XYZ for your classroom. Many families are happy to donate Legos, play kitchens, and books.

Donors Choose is another amazing way to obtain items for your classroom wishlist. To this date, I have secured over $15K dollars in donations for my classroom. You can read more about using Donors Choose for Teachers.

2. Make Freinds

Make friends with the office staff and the custodians. They are your allies. Office staff can help you find basic supplies such as a stapler or pencil sharpener. They are the eyes and ears of the school. Every veteran teacher knows that it is the office manager that truly runs the school. The custodians usually will help you move heavy furniture or find you that extra table or 3 chairs you need. During the holidays, don't forget them- even if it is just a plate of cookies or a nice card.

3. Ask Questions

Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you aren't given a school tour, ask someone if they can show you around the school and tell you the procedures and expectations. Some schools have specific rules for using supplies from the supply room, the copier colored printer, or the laminator. Don't be that person who uses ALL the laminate film or jams the copier. If you aren't sure how something works- ask for help.

4. Dress Professional

As much as I love a good hoodie and my Lulu's they are not school-appropriate. However, you don't have to break the bank either to wear appropriate teacher clothes. Also, if you are a TK, pre-K, or kindergarten teacher, you don't want to wear expensive clothes. You need clothes that are washable, durable, and easy to move about in. Leave short dresses and heels at home.

Most days I come home with some unfamiliar goop on my pants or sleeve. Old Navy is a great place to find inexpensive, but nice pants, tops, and dresses. If the dresses have pockets, BONUS! Also, make sure you know the school dress code for teachers- can you wear jeans? If you are like me, you might like those cute teacher T-shirts. I pair my teacher t-shirts with skirts and a cardigan. These are my favorite skirts to wear my with T-shirts.

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5. Don't Tell All

Don't tell everyone your business or talk about others. Keep it professional. What you say could come back to you. This includes talking about parents and students. It is easy to get caught up in the staffroom conversations. Just be a fly on the wall.

6. Set Boundaries

Set boundaries when it comes to your school life.

Make a schedule for when you will arrive and leave work- stick to it as best as possible.
Don't join every committee. It is ok to say no. You don't owe anyone an explanation. You can say, "Thanks for the opportunity, however, that won't work into my schedule right now."
Set boundaries with families. Be clear that you will only respond to emails and text messages between certain hours. You can use apps like Class Dojo for communication- this would be a good question to ask other teachers at your school site. There might be a policy on what you can use. Don't give out your personal cell number. Instead, get a Google voice number. It is free and you can call/text from it.

7. You Can't Do It All

Of course, you want to do everything, and you are excited to have your own classroom. However, teacher burnout is real. If you try to do it all, you will find yourself on the fast track to feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Keep it simple and structured.

8. Get Organized

Don't take this as you should run to Target and buy all the Dollar Spot containers. Get organized in how you will manage student information, daily copies, and lesson plans. Create a system that you can manage and stick to. If you buy resources from TpT. don't print it all out. Chances are you won't use all of it. Print only the pages you intend for students to use.

Keep folders on your computer and organize your files within those folders. Have a space for students finished classwork. I use two file folder crates. Once I've checked their paper, students file their own work.

9. Establish a Structured Routine:

Kindergarten students thrive on routine and consistency. Develop a structured daily schedule that includes regular time for learning, play, snacks, and transitions. A predictable routine will provide your students with a sense of security and make the classroom environment more manageable.

I use a daily agenda on my board. It truly helps me stay on track each day. It also lets students know what to expect throughout the day. For attention and transitions, I use a wireless doorbell. My students know and expect this to be the signal. I even leave it for a substitute, to keep the consistency.

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10. Take Care of Yourself:

Finally, remember to prioritize self-care. Teaching can be demanding, so it's essential to maintain your physical and mental well-being. Set aside time for relaxation, hobbies, and self-reflection. Seek support from colleagues and professional development opportunities to continue growing as an educator. If you are sick stay home. Creating sub plans is hard, but when you are sick it feels harder. You can take the stress out of sub-plans- Learn how to create a sub tub, sub binder, and sub-plans with ease

As you embark on your journey as a beginning kindergarten teacher, these ten tips will serve as your guide to creating a nurturing and engaging classroom environment. By establishing routines, fostering a positive culture, embracing interactive teaching methods, and collaborating with parents, you'll be well on your way to becoming an effective and beloved kindergarten teacher. Remember to stay adaptable, patient, and enthusiastic, and enjoy the incredible journey of shaping young minds.

Congratulations and have an amazing year!

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First Day of Kindergarten Made Easy: Back-to-School Lesson Plans and Activities for a Memorable Start!

2023-07-07T08:00:00.004-07:00

Does the first day of school stress you out? Do you find it difficult to plan the first day because you are in professional development or trying to prepare your classroom after the summer cleaning?

For years I struggled with what to do on the first day of school. One summer I put together a resource that would guide me through the first three days of school. Now, I can start the first day of school feeling refreshed and energized. I can now focus on all the other things I need to do to get ready for the first day. Knowing that my plans are complete I can enjoy that first week back to school.

What to do on the First Day of School?

This is what my First Day of school schedule looks like.

The day is centered around, play, work, getting to know each other, and implementing school and classroom procedures. It is vitally important to start teaching classroom and school expectations from the first day of school.

Children learn quickly and want to follow expectations. We practice procedures such as lining up and walking together as well as coming to the carpet and sitting appropriately. You can read more about the classroom routines I teach from the start in this article, 8 Must Teach Classroom Routines

One of my favorite first-day-of-school activities is the First Day of School Portrait. I have my students complete monthly portraits. It is great to see their artistic growth as the year progresses. Just look at these two first day of school self-portraits. One can tell a lot about a student by looking at their drawings.

Here are some of the other activities, lesson plans, procedure posters and forms that are included in the 3 days of plans

This resource will save you valuable time by providing comprehensive first-day lesson plans and activities specifically designed for kindergarten students. Instead of spending hours creating lesson plans from scratch, you can simply download and implement the ready-to-use materials.

For more Back to school tips- check out this article

10 Tips for the First Day of School

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How to Increase Phonemic Awareness with Phonics Toolkits Aligned with Science of Reading

2023-06-30T09:13:00.001-07:00

Do you use phonics toolkits in your classroom? With more teachers learning about SOR (the science of reading), many teachers are now implementing Science of Reading Phonics Toolkits into their daily instruction. These Science of Reading manipulatives add interaction and engagement to your daily phonics lessons.

4 Benefits of Using Phonics Manipulatives

Using phonics manipulatives can offer several benefits for learners. Here are four advantages of incorporating phonics manipulatives into your daily instruction:

Hands-on Learning:

Phonics manipulatives provide a tangible and interactive way for students to engage with letter sounds and word formation.

Multisensory Approach:

Phonics manipulatives engage multiple senses, such as sight, touch, and hearing. This multisensory approach helps accommodate different learning styles and strengthens the connections between letter sounds and their corresponding symbols. It can be particularly beneficial for visual and kinesthetic learners.

Concept Reinforcement:

Manipulating phonics materials allows learners to reinforce their understanding of phonetic concepts. They can visually and kinesthetically connect letters with sounds, blend phonemes to form words, and segment words into individual sounds. This hands-on practice solidifies phonics knowledge and improves reading and spelling skills.

Active Participation:

Phonics manipulatives encourage active participation, collaboration, and engagement. This active involvement fosters a sense of ownership in learning and creates a supportive and interactive learning environment.

Overall, phonics toolkit manipulatives provide an effective and enjoyable way for students to learn and internalize phonics concepts, leading to improved reading, writing, and language skills.

Creating Phonics Toolkits:

When creating your phonics toolkits, think about what phonics manipulatives you would like to include, as well as how you intend to store them. For storage, a pencil box or pencil pouch works just fine. I use the

IRIS USA 10 Pack Large Plastic Hobby Art Craft Supply Organizer Storage Containers with Latching Lid to hold all of my phonics teaching manipulatives.

Selecting Manipulatives for a Phonics Toolkit

When creating your phonics toolkits, you have a lot of options for manipulatives. I purchased most of my phonics toolkit manipulatives from Amazon. (affiliate links below) These are the phonics manipulatives I currently have in my phonics toolkits.

Connecting Pop-Its-pop each sounds
Reading Eye Fingers-for tracking print
Reading Phonics Phones-for hearing sounds
Reading Glasses-kids think they help them read better
Poker Chips-for segmenting/blending sounds
Mini-Playdoh-roll into small balls and smash for each sound

You might also like to add these other manipulatives to your SOR Phonics toolkits.

Mini slinky-for stretching out words
Mini Star Pointer-use for tracking words or reading around the room
Magnetic Wand and Chips-use the chips for each sound in a word, swipe the wand to pick up chips
Finger highlighters-use for tracking print
Alphabet Chips-for building words
Mini Mirrors- Students can look into the mirrors to watch their mouths make the correct sounds.

Today, I'm sharing with you pieces I have in my SOR Phonics Toolkit.

Phonics toolkits offer a structured and effective approach to teaching reading and promote phonemic awareness, These benefits contribute to students' literacy skills and lay a strong foundation for their academic success.

Engaging Students with Dramatic Play: Benefits for Learning

2023-03-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

Dramatic play centers offer a fun and educational way for children to engage in imaginary play. With a dramatic play center, children get to act out various scenarios as they build imaginative stories and social skills. The best part about dramatic play is that it is student-led. You as the teacher provide the props and the kids create the rest as they play.

Types of Dramatic Play Centers

Airport
Bakery
Camping
Construction
Dentist
Donut Shop
Fire station
Garden Shop
Grocery store
Hot chocolate stand
Ice-Cream Shop
Lemonade Stand
Pet Shop
Pizza Parlor
Police station
Post office
Sandwich Shop
School
Veterinarian

Benefits of Dramatic Play Centers

Dramatic play centers help promote problem-solving and communication while providing a constructive and interactive way to have fun. With the help of some props, kids can create and explore their creativity, learn social skills, and develop problem-solving abilities. Dramatic play centers can also stimulate children's imaginations and encourage reading writing a math skills

Stimulates Language and Literacy Development

As children role-play and interact in the dramatic play area, they engage with language in a meaningful way. This encourages them to practice talking, listening and expressing emotions through words, rather than actions. It also helps build reading and storytelling skills as they engage in shared narratives and talk through the different roles they are playing.

Dramatic Play Enhances Emotional and Social Skills

Dramatic play is a great way for young children to practice emotional and social skills. Through pretend play, children learn to empathize with others, build relationships, and understand the feelings of those around them. This helps foster greater emotional awareness and builds problem-solving capabilities as students figure out how to work together in the imagined situation. Most importantly, it’s fun!

Develops Cognitive and Creative Thinking Skills.

Through dramatic play, children can think more creatively and use their problem-solving skills while they are pretending. Playing out different situations in the classroom helps children to work through different scenarios and come up with resolutions, stimulating cognitive thinking and building self-confidence. It also encourages them to draw on their own experiences from outside of the classroom as they problem-solve. Furthermore, dramatic play assists in improving language development as students engage in conversations about the pretend scenario.

Props for Dramatic Play Centers

Depending on the center, you will need various props. Most likely you have these props within your classroom or school. Many of these props can be used in a variety of dramatic play centers. I have a section of dramatic play props in my Amazon Storefront. Affiliate links Dramatic Play

cash register
doctor/nurse coat
mailbox
play food
play kitchen
play table/chairs
stethoscope
stuffed animals
Uniforms-police-fire-mail

With a small number of props to set the scene, your students will create the rest, using their imagination.

If you are looking for inventive ways to engage children in their learning, having a dramatic play area in the classroom is it. By offering students space to explore different social roles and act out stories, this type of play can provide a range of educational, developmental, and creative benefits.

You can view all of my favorite dramatic play items here

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5 Ways to Build Meaningful Connections With Your Elementary Students

2023-02-25T08:10:00.019-08:00

Being a teacher isn't only about teaching facts and concepts -- it's also about forming strong relationships with your students. Building emotional connections with students can help them learn, understand better, and feel supported. Making connections with your students is important for building positive relationships and creating a supportive learning environment. Here are some tips on how to make meaningful connections with your students.

Get to Know Your Students as individuals

One of the best ways you can build connections with your students is by getting to know them as individuals. Personalize the teaching experience by finding out your students’ backgrounds and interests. Ask your students about their interests, hobbies, and experiences outside of the classroom. This can help you better understand them as individuals and build a stronger connection.

Embrace the Diversity in Your Classroom

Creating a diverse and inclusive classroom is more important now than ever. and make sure that all students feel included and valued. This includes learning the correct pronunciation of your student's names. Learning how to say your students' names is a simple but effective way to show that you value and respect them. Another key step in creating a diverse and inclusive classroom is acknowledging the variety of backgrounds and identities within each classroom. Encourage students to share their perspectives on things like holidays they celebrate or customs they practice to add a level of understanding and respect among classmates. The more you understand about your students, the easier it will be for you to create positive and effective relationships with them.

Be Empathetic to Your Students' Situations

Show empathy and understanding when your students are going through difficult times. This can help them feel supported and cared for. When possible and appropriate share a personal story about yourself. For example, if your students' family is going through a divorce and you have experienced that as a child, you might share this with them.

Use Positive Reinforcement and Constructive Criticism

Make sure that you recognize the hard work and success of your students, but also provide constructive feedback on areas they can improve. This helps them understand that the criticism is meant as a way to help them grow, not as an attack. Offer motivating and empowering comments to encourage them to do their best.

Celebrate Your Students' Successes

Celebrate the successes of your students, whether big or small. Acknowledging their accomplishments can help build a positive relationship. Celebrate their success with a simple acknowledgment telling your student how proud you are of them, send a note home, or tell parents during morning drop off or pick up.

I am using Positive Behavior Notes to let parents know about their child's successes. Positie behavior notes are easy to implement and don't take a lot of time. I keep a stack ready to use. My goal is one note a day. These notes can easily be written during clean-up and packing up to go home time.

Overall, making connections with your students requires a genuine interest in their well-being and a willingness to show that you care about them as individuals. Building connections with your students is an important part of being a successful educator. Remember, building connections takes time and effort, but the benefits can be immense for both you and your students.

5 Indoor Recess Games to Save Your Sanity

2023-01-27T13:57:00.001-08:00

Do the words "Indoor Recess" make you cringe? Whenever I used to hear those words, I would panic. Now I look at it as an opportunity.

When it's pouring rain or the temperature just won't cooperate, indoor recess is a must! Keep the fun of outdoor play alive inside with these 20 exciting games that will keep kids engaged and entertained. From traditional favorites to new twists on old classics, there's sure to be something for everyone!

Indoor recess doesn't have to be chaotic and loud. It can be relaxing and quite rewarding. I have turned my indoor recess time into engaging activities. I also am able to take advantage of this opportunity to get a little prep work done and engage with my students.

5 Indoor Recess Activities That You Will Love

Playdough Time: My students love working with playdoh. Playdoh allows students to not only work on fine motor skills but also allows students to engage their imagination. I enjoy listening in on the conversations my students are having while they are creating with their play-doh.

Paper: My students love to draw and write during indoor recess. Our school has an abundance of newsprint paper. I keep this in a basket for easy access during indoor recess. Often my students will draw pictures together or teach each other how to draw something. Giving students the opportunity to draw and write during indoor recess often lets students show off their creative side.

GoNoodle: I'm sure you've heard of GoNoodle, if not you need to check it out. GoNoodle is always updating and creating new videos. My favorite is the indoor recess videos. You can select one and know that you have at least 10 minutes where the kids are moving and grooving during indoor recess time. At the end, I like to add a calming video to get the class ready to learn once indoor recess is over.

Four Corners: Four Corners is a classic game that gets everyone involved! To set up, designate four corners of the room with different colors or numbers. When a student shouts "four corners", players must quickly move to their selected corner and stand at attention. The person who noticed which corner they are in first is the winner. This is a great game for improving observation skills and getting kids used to thinking quickly on their feet.

Group Pencil Drawing Game:

In this game, all of the kids form a circle, and one student is chosen to start with a pencil. They draw an image until their time is up at which point they hand the drawing off to the next player in the circle. The new artist takes over and tries to add something to the picture without looking at it for more than a few seconds. Players go around and each build on the original drawing using only a pencil. After everyone has had their turn, the completed artwork is revealed!

Playtime doesn't have to end just because you’re stuck inside! These creative indoor recess activities will keep your kids entertained and engaged in no time.

With some imagination and creativity, you can keep your kids' bouncing off the walls with these fun indoor recess activities.

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5 Engaging Winter Center Sensory Ideas for Kindergarten

2022-12-22T08:52:00.003-08:00

Coming back from winter break can be hard for everyone. The kids are out of routine and the teachers are as well. When it comes to classroom centers in the new year, shake things up a bit. Add some pizzazz and engaging manipulatives to make center time inviting.

You don't have to go big or go home. I'm talking about adding little bits of fun to your classroom literacy and math centers for January.

My 5 Favorite items to add to winter centers

cotton balls
plastic ice cubes
fake snowballs
shredded paper
water beads

Cotten Balls

Cotten balls are inexpensive. They are soft and fluffy and easy to clean up. I like to place the cotton balls in a container and then put the center cards mixed in. Students pull out the cards and complete the center activity. White pompom balls could be used as well, but cotton balls are more cost-effective.

Plastic Ice Cubes

These plastic ice cubes are fun. Students love to build with them, so why not add them to a center. You can turn any regular center into a sensory bin.

Fake Snowballs

These pretend snowballs are so much fun. They can be used in a winter center bin or used for a fun indoor recess activity. Think snowball fight.

Shredded Paper

This is an easy center bin filler to make. Just grab some copy paper and a shredder. To jazz it up a bin, throw in some leftover Christmas tinsel for some sparkles.

Water Beads

Water beads are always a fun sensory bin filler. The kids love the texture of the beads and the fun colors.

I found all of my center bin fillers on Amazon. (below are affiliate links to my Amazon store) T4K AMAZON STORE

Clear Fake Ice Cubes, 100 PCS 1.0"(25mm) Plastic Ice Cubes Acrylic Clear Ice Rock Diamond Crystals Square Fake Ice Cubes Display for Home Decoration Wedding Centerpiece Vase Fillers by DomeStar

48 Pack Indoor Snowballs for Kids Snow Fight

Hicarer 10000 Pieces Vase Filler Beads Gems Water Gel Beads Growing Crystal Pearls Wedding Centerpiece Decoration (Blue)

Winter Centers

Now, if you need some winter centers- don't worry, I've got everything you need to make learning in January fun and engaging. You can find all of my Winter Resources Here