Mandy Neal

5 Easy Steps to Classifying Quadrilaterals

Mandy Neal — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 22:01:58 +0000

Rethinking Classifying Quadrilaterals

Teaching elementary students how to classify quadrilaterals can be tricky. Students tend to get stuck on what a particular quadrilateral “should” look like, not its attributes. To overcome this challenge, I choose to begin having students classify quadrilaterals by leaving out their names and what they look like. I have them only focus on the attributes for two days before the names are introduced. Also, our hierarchy does not contain a visual of the quadrilaterals. I do not want my students to get stuck on what they “should” look like.

Introducting Lines and Angles

Before tackling classifying quadrilaterals, it’s essential to ensure students have a solid grasp of lines and angles. Begin by explaining the basic types of lines—parallel, intersecting, and perpendicular. This video is catchy and easy for students to understand. Use everyday objects or simple drawings to illustrate right, acute, and obtuse angles. Encouraging students to identify these angles in their surroundings can make the learning experience more relatable and engaging.

Example activity:

Have students draw two lines intersecting at different angles and discuss the type of angle formed. This hands-on approach helps them visualize concepts better.

Exploring Quadrilateral Attributes

Once students are comfortable with lines and angles, introduce them to classifying quadrilaterals by their attributes . A quadrilateral is a polygon with four sides, and its types include trapezoids, parallelograms, rectangles, rhombuses, and squares. However, refrain from showing them visual representations or naming these shapes at this stage. Instead, focus on their defining attributes:

Trapezoid: Has exactly one pair of parallel sides.

Parallelogram: Opposite sides are parallel and equal in length.

Rectangle: Opposite sides are equal, and all angles are right angles.

Rhombus: All sides are equal, with opposite sides parallel.

Square: All sides are equal, and all angles are right angles.

Why Focus on Attributes?

1. Encourages Conceptual Understanding

Attributes help students understand what makes each shape unique. They learn to classify quadrilaterals based on properties such as sides, angles, and symmetry rather than relying on a specific depiction or orientation.

2. Develops Flexible Thinking

By emphasizing attributes, students learn that shapes can appear in various forms. This promotes flexible thinking and helps them recognize quadrilaterals in different contexts, which is crucial for real-world problem-solving.

3. Prevents Misconceptions

Visual examples can lead to misconceptions. For instance, if students only see rectangles as stretched-out squares, they might not recognize that a square is also a rectangle. Focusing on attributes ensures that students can identify all rectangles regardless of orientation.

4. Enhances Analytical Skills

Discussing attributes instead of showing pictures encourages students to analyze and articulate their understanding. They can compare and contrast different quadrilaterals based on their properties, enhancing critical thinking skills.

Quadrilaterals Can Have More Than One Name

Teaching students that quadrilaterals can have multiple names further enriches their understanding. For example:

A square has all the properties of a rectangle (opposite sides equal, all angles 90 degrees) and a rhombus (all sides equal), making it both a rectangle and a rhombus.

A rectangle and a rhombus can be considered a parallelogram because their opposite sides are parallel.

Understanding these overlaps helps students see the connections between different geometric concepts and appreciate the flexibility within geometry.

By focusing on attributes and the multiple names of quadrilaterals, you can equip students with a deeper, more adaptable understanding of geometry that extends beyond mere memorization or recognition.

Hands-On Learning with Geoboards

Geoboards are a fantastic tool for visual and tactile learners. Provide each student with a geoboard and rubber bands and challenge them to create quadrilaterals based solely on the attributes you’ve discussed. Remind them that while their shapes may look different, they belong to the same category if they follow the given attributes.

Sorting & Classifying Quadrilaterals by Attributes

Next, give students a set of various quadrilaterals and ask them to sort them based on their attributes. At this point, continue to avoid using the names of the shapes. This exercise encourages students to rely on their understanding of attributes rather than visual cues.

Discuss why certain shapes belong together, emphasizing that their attributes classify them into the same group even if they look different.

Revealing the Names of Quadrilaterals

Once students have a firm grasp of quadrilateral attributes, introduce them to the names of these shapes. Begin having them classify quadrilaterals by relating each name to the attributes they’ve learned—trapezoid, parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, and square—and explain the significance of each classification.

Example activity:

Show students a diagram with labeled quadrilaterals and ask them to match the names with the shapes they previously created on geoboards. This reinforces the connection between theory and practical application.

Building Confidence and Mastery with Classifying Quadrilaterals

By the end of these classifying quadrilateral lessons, students should feel confident classifying quadrilaterals based on their attributes. Encourage them to continue exploring geometry in real-world contexts and to practice identifying these shapes in their environment.

To further engage students, introduce them to fun challenges like designing their own shapes or puzzles using the quadrilateral classifications they’ve learned.

Incorporating these strategies will not only help students master classifying quadrilaterals but also spark their curiosity and love for mathematics, and they fit perfectly into Math Workshop!

The post 5 Easy Steps to Classifying Quadrilaterals appeared first on Mandy Neal.

10 Engaging & Authentic Activities to Do After State Testing

Mandy Neal — Sun, 05 May 2024 02:36:41 +0000

There is no better feeling than the conclusion of state testing for both teachers and students! It signals the end of rigorous preparation and leads us toward a period of time when we can take a more relaxed approach to learning but add elements of fun to keep them engaged. I’ve gathered some creative and educational post-state testing activities to keep your students wanting more!

Activities to Do After State Testing

1. Cursive Writing

Invest time in teaching cursive writing. It not only improves handwriting but also enhances neural connections and develops fine motor skills. If you don’t have time to teach cursive writing thoroughly, have students create a signature and practice using it. Students love using their signatures and are happy to share them with whoever will look at them.

2. Novel Studies (Book Clubs)

Organize book clubs or novel study groups within the class. This encourages reading for pleasure and stimulates critical thinking and discussion skills as students share perspectives on the book’s themes, characters, and plot.

After students have finished the book, have them organize an activity that resonates with its themes. This can range from cooking dishes mentioned in the book to creating a virtual field trip to visit a place that inspired the setting or even dressing up as characters from the book. Pick a day that each group shares their activity with the class.

3. Math Games

Introduce math games focused on skills that they were taught throughout the year. Using task cards or worksheets and a traditional game such as Sorry, Chutes and Ladders, Connect Four, etc., let students review their skills. Every time students answer a question correctly, they take a turn in the game.

4. Origami

Teach Origami to foster creativity and concentration. The step-by-step process of folding paper to create figures can be a fun experience for students. Many websites offer step-by-step directions on how to fold all types of Origami, like the Origami Guide.

5. Reader's Theater

Reader’s theater is a fantastic way to develop reading fluency, enhance comprehension, and boost speaking skills. Plus, it’s a lot of fun! Students perform a script after having read it several times. Consider having students perform their Reader’s theater to the class or ask a younger grade-level class if they can perform for them.

6. Theme Week

Designate the last week of school as a theme week, where students work in groups to research a topic and present their findings. The activity could culminate in a spectacular way. For example, if the theme was volcanoes, students could display homemade volcanoes erupting, or if the theme was baseball, students could play a game of baseball. These projects allow students to work collaboratively, employing research and public speaking skills.

7. Poetry Book

Encourage students to write their own poetry. This not only taps into their creative potential but also allows them to express emotions and thoughts in a structured form. Compiling these poems into a class poetry book can be a wonderful keepsake by making a copy for each student.

8. Daily Countdown

Create a daily countdown to the end of the school year. Each day can reveal a new activity, challenge, or fun fact. This builds anticipation and keeps students excited about coming to school each day.

Hat Day
Bring a Stuffed Animal Day
Pajama Day
Star Wars Day
Camp Out Day: Turn your classroom into a camping ground, complete with tents made out of sheets and reading by a ‘campfire.’ If weather permits, you could even take the day outside for a whole camping experience.
Picnic Day
Snack Day: Bring your favorite snack to share with the class
Favorite Sport: Encourage students to wear attire and bring items related to their favorite sport.
Superhero Day
Literacy Day: Have a day centered around books and storytelling. You could have story readings from guest speakers or ask older students to read to the class.
STEM activities: Engage students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities that challenge them to solve problems, work in teams, and think critically. Projects can range from simple engineering challenges to basic coding activities.
Great Invention Challenge: Spark your students’ imagination by challenging them to invent something innovative. Provide them with materials and resources to design and create their inventions.

9. Math Madness Week

Engage with numbers in a fun and challenging ways with math-themed games and puzzles. Providing students with choice boards, riddles, math crossword puzzles and mazes, sorts can turn reviewing into enjoyable activities.

10. Show a Movie

If you are looking for a simple, stress-relieving after-state testing activity. Consider making popcorn and screening a popular movie for your students to unwind and enjoy. If there’s a novel you’re currently teaching in class, opt for its film adaptation to enhance the learning experience. Strive to choose an uplifting or humorous movie that injects a cheerful atmosphere into the classroom after testing.

These activities after state testing offer unique learning opportunities while keeping your students excited to come to school. The transition from the high-stakes state testing environment to these enriching, interactive lessons can help rekindle students’ love for learning and set a positive tone for the remaining weeks of the school year.

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Cursive Handwriting Worksheets

Graphic Organizers

Poetry Activities

End of the Year Math Activities

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Crafting Memories for Mom: Fun and Unique Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Upper Elementary Students

Mandy Neal — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:17:22 +0000

Are you looking for Mother’s Day gift ideas? As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s time to celebrate the special women who nurture, support, and love us unconditionally. If you want your students to create something heartfelt for Mother’s Day, we’ve got you covered. From personalized photo frames to creating a paper bag book, there are endless possibilities for creative and memorable gifts. Here are some creative and meaningful ideas that will surely make this day memorable:

Creative and Personalized Mother's Day Gift Ideas

1. Personalized Photo Frame

Using popsicle sticks, paint, and glue, create a unique photo frame. Your students can decorate the frame with their favorite colors and add a heartfelt message or a picture of themselves and their mom. This personalized touch will make the gift extra special.

2. Hand-painted Flower Pot

This Mother’s Day gift idea is to purchase a plain clay flower pot and let your students decorate them. I found tiny pots at the Dollar Tree. Provide them with acrylic paints and brushes, and let them create a masterpiece on the pot. They can paint flowers, their mom’s name, or any design that holds a special meaning. Once the paint is dry, they can plant Mom’s favorite flowers in the pot.

Like the one below, a less messy option is to have students use Sharpie markers instead of paint!

3. Handmade Jewelry

Have your students create handmade jewelry for their mom for a unique and personal touch. They can string beads to make a bracelet or necklace or create a personalized keychain using small charms and colorful strings. This gift will make Mom feel special and showcase your students’ creativity.

4. Memory Jar

This gift idea is a beautiful way to capture special memories and moments shared with Mom. Have students write down their favorite memories or things they love about their mom on small pieces of paper. They can fold and place these papers into a jar, creating a jar full of love and appreciation. Mom can read a new memory each day and be reminded of the love her child has for her.

5. Garden Stone

Guide students in making personalized garden stones for their moms. Use concrete or plaster of Paris to create the stones, or simply have students pick their rock from the outdoors. Have students decorate them with handprints, painted designs, or embedded mosaic pieces. These garden stones can be placed in outdoor gardens to symbolize love and growth.

6. Acrostic Poem

Another Mother’s Day gift idea is for students to create a heartfelt poem that can express emotions like no other gift can. Encourage your students to write a poem about their mom, expressing their love, gratitude, and appreciation. They can recall special memories, mention the qualities they admire in their mom, and express their hopes and dreams for the future. This simple yet powerful gift will surely make Mom feel loved and cherished.

7. Coupon Book

Create a coupon book filled with special offers and activities your students can do for their mom. These can include coupons for breakfast in bed, a movie night of their mom’s choice, a day without chores, or a picnic in the park. This gift lets your students offer their time and effort, making it unique and memorable.

Mother’s Day is a special occasion to celebrate and honor the love and care that moms provide every day. It’s important for children to express their love and appreciation for their mom, not just on this day but throughout the year. By involving your students in creating a heartfelt gift, you teach them the value of gratitude and showing love to the important people in their lives.

Crafting a meaningful gift for their mom allows students to unleash their creativity, develop new skills, and build a stronger bond with their mom. These gifts become cherished keepsakes that hold sentimental value for years to come. They serve as a reminder of children’s love and appreciation for their moms and the memories they have created together.

So, this Mother’s Day, encourage your students to create a heartfelt gift for their mom. Whether it’s a personalized photo frame, a memory jar, or a handwritten poem, the effort and thoughtfulness behind the gift will make it truly special.

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Outrageously True ~ Martin Luther King Jr. Edition

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The Ultimate Field Trip List for Teachers

Mandy Neal — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 03:12:49 +0000

Field trips are the highlight of our students’ school year and offer them a change of scenery. But behind the scenes, we are the conductors juggling various factors to ensure a smooth and successful field trip. Preparing for the field trip, executing it, and culminating the experience takes a lot of organization! After years of experience, I’ve compiled a list of tips to help you plan a successful field trip.

Pre-Trip Preparation

1. Research Your Destination

Understanding the goals of your trip and how you can incorporate an educational component is essential. This includes researching the venue’s educational value and potential safety concerns. Contact the site to confirm availability and any rules or requirements for visitors.

2. Permission Slips

Compile and distribute permission slips with clear instructions. Ensure all necessary contact and medical information is included and that parents fully understand the nature of the trip.

3. Keeping Track of Permission Slips and Money

After permission slips are sent home, they will begin to trickle back in.

Use a student checklist to track who has returned their permission slip and money. Keep the money and permission slips in a safe place.

4. Transportation Arrangements

Book transportation well in advance with your school district. Determine how many buses are needed to transport all the students and teachers. Take into consideration how many students you will have per seat.

5. Lunch

Will students bring their lunch, have a school lunch, or eat at a destination?

Once lunch has been determined, if students bring their own lunch, you will need to devise a plan to transport the lunches. Taking a cooler to keep food and drinks cold may be required.

6. Emergency Protocols

Develop a comprehensive plan for potential emergencies, including a schedule for check-ins and contacts. If you have parents attending who are serving as chaperones, share the plan with them and ensure everyone carries a list of important contacts.

Packing and Preparing for Success

7. Teacher Essentials

A bag or backpack to carry all your stuff, a whistle, and contact numbers for the school secretary and principal nurse.

8. First Aid Kit

Carry a well-stocked first aid kit. Be prepared to handle common field trip injuries and ensure someone on the team is trained in basic first aid.

9. Medication Documentation

Bring a list of students with medical needs, along with their medications and instructions. You may need to administer medication during the trip, so have a clear protocol in place.

10. Dietary Requirements

Collect information on any student dietary restrictions and plan meals accordingly. Bring non-perishable snacks in case of delays.

11. Clothing Considerations

Remind students to dress appropriately for the weather and terrain of the destination.

12. Communication Devices

Carry fully charged cell phones or walkie-talkies for easy communication. If you are going to an area with poor reception, consider using other forms of communication, such as whistles.

13. Roll Call Sheet

Prepare a roll call sheet with the names of all students. Do a roll call before leaving the school and leaving the field trip destination to ensure everyone is accounted for.

14. Field Trip Itinerary

Have a detailed itinerary outlining the trip’s timing—from departure to return. Share this with students, parents, and administration, and review it before and during the trip to maintain schedule adherence.

On the Day of the Trip

15. Grouping Plans

Decide on the group sizes and designate leaders for each. Ensure each group has a chaperone and has received the necessary materials and guidance.

16. Student Expectations

Review behavioral expectations with the students, emphasizing the importance of respecting the venue, abiding by the safety rules, and listening to the instructions of their teachers and chaperones.

17. Bus Ride

On the bus ride to and from your destination, monitor your students’ behavior and voice levels so that the bus driver can safely transport them.

18. Sign-out sheet

If your school allows students to leave the field trip destination with parents, have a sign-out sheet prepared for parents to sign their students out.

Post-Trip

19. Thank-You Notes

Show appreciation to the chaperones and any staff or guides at the field trip site. This strengthens the school’s relationship with community partners and sets an example for students to express gratitude.

Optional Items to Consider

Name tags/lanyards for students
Matching school shirts
Remind students they can bring spending money.
For you, get a good night’s sleep the night before!!

Conducting a successful field trip takes time, effort, and a lot of planning. With this checklist, you’re well-equipped to lead your students on an adventure that will impact their learning and memories.

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Editable Student Checklists

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Earth Day Activities and Read Alouds

Mandy Neal — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 16:00:32 +0000

With the growing importance of environmental awareness, Earth Day is more than just a yearly observance – it’s a crucial educational moment for our students. Engaging upper elementary students with fun and informative activities can lay the groundwork for a lifetime of eco-consciousness.

Here are a few interactive Earth Day activities that you can incorporate into your lesson plans to make the environmental message relevant to your upper elementary students.

Earth Day Read Alouds

Interactive read-alouds can help to create a classroom community. What better way to kick off Earth Day than coming together as a class and celebrating our Earth?

Here are a handful of my favorites:

Heroes of the Environment: True Stories of People Who Help Protect Our Planet by Harriet Rohmer

Heroes of the Environment chronicles the remarkable journeys of 12 environmental champions, showcasing their impactful contributions to conservation. Readers meet a diverse range of individuals, from a young girl tackling industrial pollution in rivers to a Mexican wrestler advocating for marine life protection. Through captivating narratives and visual elements like photographs and illustrations, the book illuminates these eco-warriors’ innovative solutions and dedicated efforts, inspiring readers to join the movement for a healthier planet.

Miss Fox’s Class Goes Green by Eileen Spinelli

“When Miss Fox arrives at school on her bicycle, Mouse wonders if she has a flat tire, but Miss Fox explains that she’s going green. Inspired by her example, the students begin adopting eco-friendly habits like taking shorter showers, using cloth bags for shopping, and turning off lights when not in use. These small changes have a big impact, spreading beyond the classroom to the entire school, with even the principal joining in by riding a bike. The story highlights how one person’s actions can inspire a community to work together for a healthier planet.”

Explore My World Rain Forests by Marfe Ferguson Delano

This National Geographic book is a delightful picture book that invites children to explore the enchanting world of the rainforest. Through captivating illustrations and engaging text, readers discover the diverse wildlife and vibrant ecosystem of the rainforest, from fierce jungle predators to exotic birds and unique plant life. The book captures the majesty and wonder of this lush landscape, offering an educational and immersive experience for young readers curious about nature’s beauty and diversity in tropical environments.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss is a timeless tale that encourages children to care for the environment and advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. Through the colorful and playful narrative, readers learn about the importance of environmental stewardship and the consequences of neglecting nature. The book’s uplifting message emphasizes the power of individual action, showing that even the smallest efforts can have a positive impact on the world.

The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry

My number one favorite Read aloud for Earth Day is The Great Kapok Tree! In The Great Kapok Tree, Lynne Cherry tells the story of a man who enters the rainforest with the intent to chop down a massive kapok tree but falls asleep. During his slumber, the creatures of the forest, including a child from the Yanomamo tribe, share messages of interconnectedness and the vital role trees play in sustaining life. The man awakens with a newfound appreciation for nature, illustrating the powerful impact of understanding and respecting the natural world.

To celebrate Earth Day this FREE unit contains activities correlated to Lynne Cherry’s The Great Kapok tree. It also contains activities beyond the book in which students share ways in which they recycle, reuse, and reduce.

This FREE unit, found in the Free Resource Library includes:

1. Conduct an open sort with animals of the Rainforest

2. Compare and contrast the Canopy with the Understory

3. Compare and contrast the Rainforest with a regular forest

4. Choose projects to complete based on their preference and learning style with a Choice Menu

5. Create their own plant

6. Identify where specific animals live within the layers of the rainforest

7. Collaborate with classmates on ways to recycle, reuse, and reduce

8. Choose projects to complete on ways to recycle, reuse, and reduce based on their preference and learning style with a Think-Tac-Toe

Upcycling Art Projects

Art is a universal language; using it to convey an environmental message can be powerful and fun. Encourage your students to create art from upcycled materials – think plastic bottle sculptures, cardboard mosaics, or magazine collages. This will teach kids about the art of reusing materials and show them how to look at “waste” in a new, creative light.

Instructions:

Ask students to collect various upcycling materials, keeping in mind the theme of Earth Day.
Provide examples of upcycled art projects and brainstorm potential creations as a class.
Showcase their finished pieces in a gallery walk to celebrate their innovative masterpieces.

Community Clean-Up Challenge

For a hands-on application of environmental responsibility, organize a community clean-up challenge. This not only gets students out of the classroom but also instills the concept that every individual can make a tangible difference in the health of our planet. Work with local authorities to ensure a safe and feasible clean-up area and provide students with the necessary equipment, such as gloves and trash bags.

Instructions:

Assign groups of students to different areas for clean-up, ensuring everyone’s safety and supervision.
Have the students document their efforts with photos and keep track of the types and quantities of litter collected.
After the clean-up, reconvene to discuss the impact of their work on the local environment and what else can be done.

Planting for the Future

There’s no better way to learn about the environment than by getting hands deep in the soil. Organize a planting session where each student can plant a tree, flower, or vegetable. Discuss the role of plants in the ecosystem, from providing oxygen to supporting wildlife. This also teaches kids about the life cycle of plants and allows them to witness firsthand the impact of their actions on the environment. This is a great way to tie in Arbor Day as well!

Instructions:

Provide students with various seeds and explain the best practices for planting and nurturing their chosen plants.
Update the students regularly on their growth progress, linking it back to lessons about the importance of plants in our world.
Upon taking the outdoor lesson, have students reflect on the experience and the significance of planting for the future.

Recycling Relay Race

Incorporate the excitement of a relay race with a lesson about recycling. Set up stations representing different types of recyclables – glass, paper, plastic, and aluminum – and have teams sort the materials into the appropriate bins. This fun and competitive activity reinforces the importance of recycling and can be a great way to examine the life cycle of commonly used materials.

Instructions:

Designate areas for each recycling material and place mixed items that students must sort and recycle as quickly as possible.
Discuss the processes that recyclables go through after collection and the positive environmental impacts of recycling.
Declare a winner based on accuracy and time, reinforcing the message that consistent and correct recycling is a win for everyone.

Additional Earth Day Activities

Reflecting on the 3 Rs: Have students review what the 3 Rs are.

Learn ways to conserve energy: Make a list of ways that they can conserve energy and provide examples of things that they do that wastes energy.

Make a Pledge: Have students create and sign pledges committing to specific actions they will take to protect the environment.

Earth Day is an opportunity to engage and inspire young learners. The activities above are designed to combine education with entertainment, giving your upper elementary students a comprehensive grasp of the importance of safeguarding our planet. By fostering a commitment to sustainability in our youth, we can look forward to a brighter, greener future.

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Earth Day Flipbook

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10 Upper Elementary Teaching Ideas for an Engaging April

Mandy Neal — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 16:31:19 +0000

Get ready to spring into learning with these exciting teaching ideas for April! As the days become longer and the weather warms up, there’s no better time to infuse your classroom with a fresh burst of energy.

For the month of April, we’ll explore a variety of engaging activities designed to captivate your students’ interests while reinforcing key concepts across multiple subject areas. You’ll find various ideas to engage minds and spark curiosity, from celebrating Earth Day to National Poetry Month to reading and math activities.

Book Clubs

Keep reading fresh by organizing book clubs where students can read and discuss books of their choice. Assign small groups a book to read and provide discussion questions to guide their conversations. Book clubs promote reading comprehension, collaboration, and critical thinking skills while encouraging students to share their thoughts and perspectives.

Also, they don’t have to be time-consuming for the teacher! Assign students roles and provide students with a one-page reading menu to help prepare them for their upcoming book club meeting.

Celebrate National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, making it the perfect time to celebrate the beauty of language and the power of words. Engage your students in literary activities that promote a love for reading and writing.

Create a designated space in your classroom as a poetry corner where students can explore and enjoy a variety of poems. Provide a collection of classic and contemporary poetry books and encourage students to read them during free time.

You can find additional activities to celebrate National Poetry Month in the 12 Ways to Celebrate Poetry Month post.

Review Math Skills by Putting Math in Motion

Hopscotch

Take math lessons outside by incorporating physical activities that reinforce numerical concepts. For example, set up a hopscotch grid and assign fractions to each square. When students land on a fraction, they provide an equivalent fraction for the one they landed on.

Other skills to practice:

Factors: Write a one–digit number in each square; students provide a number that it is a factor for.
Multiples: Write a one-digit number in each square; students provide a multiple of that number.
Prime/composite numbers: Provide students with a range of numbers. For example, in one square, write 1-10; in another, 11-20, etc. Students decide if they want to name a prime or composite number and must justify why it is prime or composite.
Rounding: Write a rounded number, such as 5,000 in each square. Students must provide a number that, when rounded to the nearest 10, 100, or 1,000, is 5,000.

While playing hopscotch, you could have students keep track of which squares are landed on and then create a line plot with the data afterward. Then, students can use that data to find the mean, median, mode, and range.

Egg-cellent Math

Incorporate plastic eggs into your math lessons for a fun and interactive learning experience. Fill the eggs with math problems or equations and have students solve them.

My Math Fix-It Strips are a perfect no-prep resource for using with plastic eggs! Simply cut the strips, fold them, and place them in the eggs.

Color by Code

Provide students with review activities, such as color-by-code activities, to add a splash of color to math. Not only are they reviewing their math skills, but they also get to incorporate the enjoyment of coloring!

These interactive activities for math makes learning fun and memorable!

Weather Watchers

April is a great time to study weather patterns and meteorology. Encourage your students to become weather reporters by setting up a weather station in your classroom. They can measure temperature, humidity, and wind speed daily and then analyze the data to identify patterns and make predictions. This activity enhances their scientific understanding and improves critical thinking and data analysis skills.

If you want to add background knowledge or learning, I love incorporating books by Gail Gibbons!

Earth Day Activities

April is the perfect time to celebrate Earth Day and raise awareness about environmental issues. By incorporating Earth Day activities into your classroom, you can empower your students to become environmentally conscious and responsible citizens. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Teach your students the importance of reducing waste and conserving resources by organizing a classroom recycling campaign. Provide bins for paper, plastic, and glass, and encourage students to track the amount of waste they recycle. You can also invite a local recycling expert to speak to the class and answer any questions they may have.

Plant a Tree: Organize a tree planting event at your school or in the community to teach students about the importance of trees in our ecosystem. This can also incorporate the celebration of Arbor Day which is the last Friday in April. Contact your local Conservation Department to ask if they have programs that donate trees.

You can find additional activities to celebrate Earth Day in this post: Earth Day Activities and Read Alouds.

Classroom Games

Simon Says

‘Simon Says’ is a fun way to review various skills and can easily be played outside! Call out commands like “Simon says, act out a verb!” or “Simon says, spell ‘restaurant’ backward!” It keeps them active and entertained and reinforces the skills they need to review. Remember the golden rule for ‘Simon Says’: You must first say “Simon says” for students to act on a command. If you don’t, and the students do it anyway, they’re out!

The key to effective test prep at the elementary level is to keep it interactive and enjoyable. Games like these can help kids review for their tests in a low-stress environment and even enjoy the process. Test prep games are not just educational; they are essential in making children comfortable with the test format and content—ensuring they can perform to the best of their abilities on the test day.

Let’s Play Baseball

Transform your classroom into a baseball lover’s dream! Students are highly engaged and won’t even realize they are participating in test prep!

April Bulletin Board

Blooming With Knowledge: Pennant Peekers

Spring is a time for growth, and what better way to celebrate it than by promoting students’ learning? Create a garden-themed bulletin board that displays each student’s work. Pennant Peekers are perfect for showcasing students’ work for grammar, math, or reading!

As spring brings new beginnings and a sense of growth, embrace the opportunity to infuse your upper elementary classroom with exciting teaching ideas for April. Let your classroom be a place of exploration, discovery, and growth. Spring into learning and watch your students blossom into lifelong learners.

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Reading Response Menus

Math Color by Number

Math Error Analysis Fix-It Strips

Pennant Peekers for Bulletin Board Display

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5+ Fun and Effective Test Prep Activities for Elementary Students

Mandy Neal — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 20:00:03 +0000

It’s no secret that elementary school students can find tests overwhelming and stressful. We, as teachers, can feel the stress as well! For many, standardized tests are the first experience with high-pressure academic situations. So, it’s our responsibility to help our students prepare and reduce their anxiety. Students who are well-prepared for tests and assessments are more likely to feel confident and perform better. Test prep also enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, which are essential for academic success.

However, test prep doesn’t have to be a tedious and monotonous process. Incorporating fun and engaging activities can make test prep enjoyable for elementary students. These activities help reinforce important concepts and create a positive learning environment that encourages active participation and enthusiasm.

Read Alouds

I incorporate picture books I read aloud to my students leading up to testing. These read-alouds cultivate a serene and stress-free environment and can alleviate any test-related anxiety they experience. My recommended favorites are books such as “Testing Miss Malarkey,” “The Anti-Test Anxiety Society,” and “The Big Test.”

Brag Tags for Test Prep Motivation

Instead of giving your students candy for motivation, give your students these brag tags before, during, and after each session of the tests that they are taking. Not only will they prevent you from purchasing candy and other gadgets, but they also do away with rewarding them with candy and other junk food. You can grab these testing brag tags in the free resource library.

Cut Practice Tests to Pieces

Before beginning test prep practice, find a released test from a prior year. Giving students a packet is boring and overwhelming. Consider cutting the questions apart so that they can focus on one question at a time and put students in teams. Before you begin the ELA test prep, divide students into teams from which they would benefit the most. Next, make copies of the reading passages. Make one copy of the text for each student to read. Then, make enough copies of the corresponding questions for each team. Next, cut the questions so that you have questions slips.

When it is time for practice, give all students the reading passage to read independently. Once everyone has read the passage, have students meet with their teams. Before passing out a test question, determine what you want your student to focus on. One area of focus might be to have them dissect a question so that they will know precisely what is being asked and to practice different test-taking strategies. For example, if a question asks about point of view, briefly review point of view with students, and then use the process of elimination to narrow the answers down to two. Students determine the answer as a team and then come together as a class to share the results. You won’t believe how engaged your student will be and excited to practice!

Preparing Students for Technology Enhanced Items

With the rise of technology, standardized testing is not the same today as it used to be. The biggest hurdle is familiarizing students with the tools that they need to be able to use within the test itself. Familiarize your students with the technology-enhanced items with this free flipbook. You can find it here.

Test Prep Vocabulary

Did you know that researchers estimate 85% of achievement test scores are based on the vocabulary of the standards? That is why reviewing important vocabulary is essential to prepare students. For example, your students may know that when they see a Venn Diagram, they place similarities in the center and differences on the outside. However, do they make the connection that they should use a Venn Diagram to complete the task if they are asked to compare and contrast?

In the free resource library, you will find a Test Prep Vocabulary Pack that contains 24 words that will benefit your students when reviewing essential vocabulary.

Consider the Interactive Notebook for Test Prep Vocabulary to further your students’ vocabulary knowledge. Students will interact and become experts with 42 of the most critical verbs found in State Standards. These words are not specific to any subject area, making them versatile. The words are not grade-specific because they are appropriate for various grade levels.

Test prep doesn’t have to be dull and unexciting. By incorporating fun and effective activities into your test prep routine, you can engage elementary students in a way that promotes active learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. From reading comprehension and math skills to vocabulary building and critical thinking, these activities cater to different subjects and learning styles.

Baseball Test Prep and Room Transformation

Are you a 3rd, 4th, or 5th-grade teacher teaching math? The baseball themed test prep activities are perfect for you!

Students will be highly engaged and won’t even realize that they are participating in test prep! Within the resource, I provide a step-by-step approach that I follow, but you may find a way that suits you better!

Every math standard is addressed. Students answer multiple-choice and short answer math questions to earn tickets for teamwork, perseverance, efficiency, showing work, and using test-taking strategies. Then tickets can be used during game day!

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Baseball Test Prep Room Transformation

3rd Grade Math Test Prep Activities & Transformation Kit

4th Grade Math Test Prep Activities & Transformation Kit

5th Grade Math Test Prep Activities & Transformation Kit

Math and Reading Test Prep Vocabulary

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7 Fun and Educational February Teaching Resources

Mandy Neal — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 12:00:37 +0000

Looking for new ways to keep your upper elementary students engaged and excited in the classroom this February? Look no further! In this article, we will explore 7 fun and educational activities that will spice up your lessons and captivate your students’ attention.

From Valentine’s Day-themed math games to Black History Month research projects, these activities offer a perfect blend of learning and fun. With these ideas, you can make the most of February’s unique opportunities for learning and exploration.

Not only will these activities make your classroom a more enjoyable place for both you and your students, but they will also promote critical thinking, collaboration, and engagement. So, get ready to transform your upper elementary classroom into an exciting hub of knowledge and creativity during February with these 7 fun and educational activities.

1. Valentine's Day Activities

Kick off the month of February with a Valentine’s Day word search activity that combines language skills with the spirit of the holiday. Create a word search puzzle with Valentine’s Day-themed words such as “love,” “heart,” “cupid,” and “flowers.” You can find free online tools to generate word search puzzles or create your own using graph paper.

Divide your students into small groups and provide each group with a copy of the word search puzzle. Encourage them to work together to find all the words within a given time limit. This activity promotes collaboration, problem-solving, and vocabulary development.

To extend the word search, you could have students:

Use each word in a sentence.
Write the definition for each word.
Sort each word according to the parts of speech.

Candy heart math activities are also fun to incorporate learning with Valentine’s Day. Opportunities for reviewing fractions, graphing, area, perimeter, and estimation work great with those famous candy hearts.

“I Have, Who Has” is a popular classroom or group game often used to reinforce and review various concepts in a fun and engaging way. The goal of the “I Have, Who Has” game is for the entire group to work together to connect all the cards in the correct order successfully. The Free Valentine’s Day I Have, Who Has game is perfect to play during your Valentine’s Day party!

Provide your students with a free Valentine-themed choice board. It offers various activities for Valentine’s Day and is great for early finishers. Students can create posters, write poems, compare holidays, write letters, make words, and more. Student choice supports differentiation by allowing students to engage in activities that cater to their interests and learning needs.

2. Black History Month research project

Black History Month provides an excellent opportunity to explore the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. Assign each student a notable figure or event in African American history and have them research to create a presentation or poster.

Encourage students to delve deep into their chosen topic, gathering information from books, websites, and other reputable sources. They can create a timeline, highlight significant milestones, or focus on the impact their chosen figure or event has had on society.

To foster collaboration and discussion, you can organize a mini-exhibition where students present their research to the rest of the class. This activity promotes research skills and encourages empathy, cultural awareness, and public speaking abilities.

3. Groundhog Day prediction game

Groundhog Day is a quirky February tradition that can be turned into an exciting prediction game for your students. Begin by discussing the history and folklore behind Groundhog Day, explaining how a groundhog’s behavior is believed to predict the arrival of spring.

Create a chart or graph where students can record their predictions about whether the groundhog will see its shadow. Allow each student to make their prediction and explain their reasoning. Discuss the factors influencing the groundhog’s behavior, such as weather conditions or the groundhog’s habitat.On Groundhog Day, watch the live broadcast of the groundhog’s prediction together as a class. Compare the students’ predictions with the actual outcome and analyze the results. This activity promotes critical thinking, data analysis, and understanding of weather patterns.

4. Presidents' Day timeline activity

Presidents’ Day provides an opportunity to learn about the history and significance of the presidents of the United States. Engage your students in a timeline activity where they research and create a timeline showcasing the different presidents and their notable achievements.

Divide your students into small groups and assign each group a specific time period or set of presidents to research. Provide them with resources like books or websites to gather information about each president’s major accomplishments, challenges, and contributions.

Once the groups have completed their research, have them create a timeline using a large sheet of paper or a digital tool. Each group should present their timeline to the class, explaining the key events and highlighting the impact of the presidents during their assigned period. This activity promotes research skills, historical understanding, and presentation abilities.

After students have researched and completed projects around Presidents Day, play this free whole class activity: Presidents I Have, Who Has game.

5. Winter Olympics math challenge

The Winter Olympics, which often occur in February, offer many opportunities for incorporating math into your lessons. Design a math challenge that relates to the Winter Olympics, focusing on concepts like measurement, statistics, and geometry.

For example, you can ask students to calculate the average speed of a downhill skier, measure the angles of a snowboarding trick, or analyze the statistics of different countries’ medal counts. You can also incorporate problem-solving tasks that require students to use their math skills to solve real-life scenarios related to the Winter Olympics.

To make it more engaging, divide your students into teams and turn the math challenge into a friendly competition. Award points for correct answers and encourage students to collaborate and support each other in finding solutions. This activity reinforces math skills and promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

6. Random Acts of Kindness challenge

February is the month of love and kindness, with Valentine’s Day inspiring acts of love and compassion. Encourage your students to spread kindness throughout the month by organizing a random acts of kindness challenge.

Provide each student with a kindness card or journal where they can record their acts of kindness. These acts can be as simple as helping a classmate, complimenting someone, or performing an act of service for their community. Encourage students to reflect on the impact of their kindness and how it made them and others feel.

At the end of the month, gather as a class and share the acts of kindness students have performed. Discuss the positive effects of kindness and how it can create a more compassionate and inclusive classroom environment. This activity promotes empathy, social skills, and a sense of community.

6. Leap Year writing prompt

Leap Year occurs every four years, adding an extra day to the calendar in February. Capitalize on this unique occurrence by engaging your students in a leap-year writing prompt activity.

Ask students to imagine what they would do if they had an extra day in the year. Encourage them to think creatively and consider how they would spend their time, what activities they would engage in, or what goals they would pursue.

Provide students with writing prompts or graphic organizers to help them structure their ideas. Once they have completed their writing, allow students to share their responses with the class. This activity promotes creative thinking, writing skills, and self-expression.

Additional February Teaching Resources

Pennant Peekers are perfect grammar, reading, or math review activities. They provide you with a festive Valentine’s Day bulletin board display. Once the pennant is complete, students can color and cut them out. You can staple them to a bulletin board or hang them on a string across the room to display their work and creativity.

February Reading Pennant Peekers

February Grammar Pennant Peekers

3rd Grade Math Pennant Peekers

4th Grade Math Pennant Peekers

5th Grade Math Pennant Peekers

Incorporating fun and educational activities into your upper elementary classroom this February can elevate the learning experience and captivate your students’ attention. You can create a classroom environment that fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and engagement by tapping into the unique opportunities presented by February events such as Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Presidents’ Day, and the Winter Olympics.

So, get ready to transform your upper elementary classroom into an exciting hub of knowledge and creativity this February with these 7 fun and educational activities. Your students will enjoy their time in class and develop important skills and a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

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5 Great Reasons Why to Use Guided Math

Mandy Neal — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 21:46:31 +0000

Math can be tricky for many students, but it doesn’t have to be that way. As teachers, it’s our job to help students learn and enjoy math. Guided math is the perfect solution! Guided math is an instructional approach that can help students learn math in a more personalized, hands-on way.

Implementing guided math groups can be intimidating if you are used to teaching math in a whole group setting. I have been there!! Over the years, I tried many times to use guided math groups but gave up. About seven years ago, I decided I would use guided math, and I would not let myself give up. Seven years later, I will never return to teaching math in a whole group setting.

Here is my why… I am 100% confident in my students’ mathematical journey. My ability to confidently conference with parents about their child’s math ability results from using guided math groups in my classroom.

Here are the top five reasons to use guided math groups in the upper elementary classroom.

1. Engagement

“When a teacher tries to teach something to the entire class at the same time, chances are, one third of the kids already know it, one third will get it, and the remaining third won’t get it. So two-thirds of the children are wasting their time.” ~Lillian Katz

This is so true and explains a lot! The thought of two-thirds of my class wasting their time is a huge eye-opener! Why not use the time we have to engage our students in meaningful math activities that allow them to grow as mathematicians? Using guided math groups provides these opportunities.

2. Immediate Feedback

While teaching students in a whole group math setting, it’s impossible to provide immediate feedback to every student. If using guided math groups, it’s you with a small number of students. Providing immediate feedback is 100% doable. One teacher with six students is much more manageable than one with 25 students.

3. Differentiated Instruction

Reason number three for using guided math groups ties in closely with reason number one, engagement. If students already know a concept, why must they continue practicing it? Let them move on, and provide them with enrichment. What about the students that will get it quickly? Let them move on and provide enrichment to meet their needs. What about the students that don’t get it? We can’t move on just because two-thirds of the class gets it. We need to teach it in a way that they will get it. That’s where small guided math groups come in.

4. Students Talk About Math

In a class of 25, providing students with opportunities to talk about math is limited. So, let’s talk math. In a class of 25, if you use a cooperative learning strategy where students turn and talk with a partner, engagement is 50%. So, 50% of your students had the opportunity to talk about math. In small guided math groups, students are with you for 15-20 minutes daily or every other day. This provides ample time for those students to turn and talk, ask questions, explain their thinking, etc. You have just increased talking about math to 100%. It can’t get much better than that!

5. Know Your Students' Mathematics Ability

Implementing small guided math groups will allow you to know exactly where every one of your students are. Honestly, in a class of 25, it is hard to know where all your students are at all times. You may have an idea and their work to prove it, but knowing every one of them as a whole mathematician isn’t always accurate. Small guided math groups will help you understand precisely where they are at all times.

Guided math can be a powerful tool for helping your upper elementary students learn math in a more personalized, engaging, and effective way. By providing tailored instruction, differentiating your lessons, and promoting collaboration and active learning, you can help your students build confidence and enjoy math more. Why not try guided math in your classroom and see the benefits for yourself?

How to Get Started with Guided Math

Here at Teaching With Simplicity, we have everything you need to get started with guided math in your 3rd, 4th, or 5th-grade classroom.

Our standards-based practice pages and exit slips are perfect for independent practice after small group instruction. Also, our digital and printable math centers and task cards are excellent for hands-on math and technology rotations.

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3rd Grade Math Resources

4th Grade Math Resources

5th Grade Math Resources

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9 Easy Candy Heart Math Activities for Valentine’s Day

Mandy Neal — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 23:49:57 +0000

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to incorporate candy heart math activities into your math. Candy heart math activities are a great way to get your 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students interested in math and experimenting with numbers. With some preparation and creativity, you can turn a boring math lesson into a sweet, fun, and engaging experience.

Candy Heart Math and Factors and Multiples

Have students sort their candy hearts by color. Start by having them record how many of each color they have. Next, have them write the first five multiples using their number. After they find their multiples, they take the largest multiple and write its factors.

Candy Heart Math and Greatest Common Factor and Lowest Common Multiple

Students begin by sorting their candy hearts by color and listing the number of each color they have. This is a great activity to allow students to work with a partner. Each student picks a color and writes down the number they have. Then, together, they find the greatest common factor between their heart colors. Use the same process for finding the least common factor.

Candy Heart Math and Fractions

There are so many ways to use candy hearts while practicing fractions! Once again, students sort their hearts by color and list the number that they have. While there are many options, this one requires students to create a fraction based on the color and the total number of hearts. For example, if they have 6 purple hearts out of 30, the fraction they will work with is 6/30. Students can use this fraction to find an equivalent fraction, write a fraction greater and less than their fraction, and simplify their fraction.

Candy Heart Math and Graphing

Candy hearts can also be used for graphing activities. You can have your students sort the hearts by color and then create a bar graph, picture graph, pie chart, or line plot showing the number of each color. This activity can be done individually or in groups, and you can have them compare their results with other groups in the class. It’s a great way to introduce the basics of graphing, and it’s also an ideal activity for visual learners. To extend the activity further, have students write their own questions that can be answered using their graphs and have their classmates answer them.

Candy Heart Math and Area and Perimeter

Students quickly get area and perimeter confused. So, what better way to review than with a fun, hands-on activity using candy hearts? Using candy hearts as units, have students create various rectangles. After they have made their rectangles, ask them to calculate the area and the perimeter of each using hearts as the units.

More Candy Heart Math Activities

Candy Heart Math and Probability

Probability is a fun math activity to start with. Have students calculate the probability of picking specific colors from a box of candy hearts. Start by asking them to estimate the number of each color, and then have them randomly pick a heart and record the color. After counting how many of each color they have, they can then calculate the probability. For example, if there are 20 pink hearts in the jar, and they picked five pink hearts, the probability would be 5/20 or 25%. Additionally, students can use this data to create a bar graph showing the probability of each color in the jar.

Candy Heart Math and Multiplication

Another activity you can do with candy hearts is multiplication. Give each student a certain number of candy hearts, and then have them group the candy hearts into equal groups. For example, if they have 24 candy hearts, they can group them into 3 groups of 8. They can write this as a multiplication problem (3×8=24) and practice multiplication using candy hearts. This is an excellent way to teach multiplication in a fun and interactive way.

Candy Heart Math and Estimation

Estimation is an essential math skill that students need to develop, and what better way to do it than with candy hearts? Estimation is all about making an educated guess based on limited information, making it a perfect activity for Math and Valentine’s Day. Have students place a handful of hearts in a cup or container and ask them to estimate how many candies there are. Encourage them to think about strategies like grouping or counting by fives or tens to determine their estimate. After that, reveal the actual count and ask students to compare their estimates with the real count.

Candy Heart Math and Mean, Median, and Mode

Candy hearts can also be used to teach the concepts of mean, median, and mode. Give each student a handful of candy hearts and have them calculate the mean (average), median (middle number), and mode (most common number) for each color. You can also have students compare the mean, median, and mode for different colors.

Candy heart math activities are an excellent way to make your math lessons more enjoyable during Valentine’s Day. Using these activities, students can practice probability, graphing, multiplication, estimation, and mean, median, and mode in fun and engaging ways. These activities can be adapted to fit various skill levels and incorporated into almost every area of math. I hope these ideas have inspired you to incorporate these sweet treats into your next Valentine’s math lessons!

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Outrageously True ~ Martin Luther King Jr. Edition

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5 Upper Elementary Martin Luther King Day Activities

Mandy Neal — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 20:51:48 +0000

Are you looking for Martin Luther King Day activities for your elementary classroom? Martin Luther King Day offers an opportunity to teach our students the importance of equality and fighting for what is right. These ideas provide a foundation for engaging, meaningful lessons that can inspire your students to become change-makers. Our students can learn so much by reading literature, creating writing and art projects, and performing acts of service. They’ll learn how to be active citizens in their communities and work towards improving the world!

Books on Martin Luther King Jr.'s Life

Start by introducing the life of Martin Luther King Jr to your students. You can use age-appropriate biographical videos, books, or articles.

Using read-alouds in my classroom is one of my favorite ways to introduce the life of Martin Luther King Jr.! Here are a handful of my favorite read-alouds.

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport: This biography picture book tells the story of his life by weaving in his immortal words. The pictures are breathtaking!

I am Martin Luther King, Jr. (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer is a friendly and fun biography.

This series of books are a favorite among students. This book follows MLK from childhood to how his dream still lives on

Any links in this post may be affiliate links. See my disclosure statement.

After reading, help your students understand how Martin Luther King Jr fought for civil rights and brought change through peaceful means.

Ask your students what lessons they learned from Martin Luther King Jr that they can use in their lives today.

In addition to reading and discussing the biographies, use other literature to teach empathy and inspire students to use kindness.

Consider reading books like The Other Side and Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson or The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles. These books provide valuable insights about the Civil Rights Movement, the struggle for equality, and the human experience. You can also discuss how the characters in these books stood up for what is right and how they can apply these lessons in their daily lives.

Any links in this post may be affiliate links. See my disclosure statement.

Take a Virtual Field Trip Through Martin Luther King, Jr's. Life

Consider taking a virtual tour to further educate your students about Martin Luther King’s life and work. Dr. King’s birth home, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, MLK Memorial in Washington DC, and I Have a Dream – Martin Luther King and the March on Washington are excellent places to start!

Dr. King’s Birth Home

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

MLK Memorial in Washington, DC

I Have a Dream – Martin Luther King and the March on Washington

MLK’s Selma to Montgomery March

While taking students through the virtual tours, provide students with a map so that they can create interactive maps to illustrate the significant locations and events of the Civil Rights Movement and provide brief explanations for each.

Another fun addition would be to use Google Earth to locate these places.

These virtual tours offer a vivid and engaging exploration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From his early years to the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement, these tours bring history to life.

This free Martin Luther King Day activities includes two printables that will accompany any book or online resource that you use in your classroom while celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Writing and Art Projects Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is one of the most famous speeches in history. In honor of Martin Luther King Day, have your students write their own speeches about something they believe needs to change in today’s society. Encourage students to think critically about what they would like to change and how they can make a difference. Afterward, have students deliver their speeches in class to inspire others and share their ideas.

Another fun way to help your students learn about Martin Luther King Jr and his message is by hosting a poetry competition. Have students write and perform poems about equality, unity, and kindness. This activity allows students to explore creativity while delivering a meaningful and thought-provoking message.

In the spirit of Martin Luther King’s vision for unity and cohesion, have students work together to create a paper chain. Each link should contain a message of unity, kindness, or equality. Ask your students to decorate each link of the chain with their own unique touch.

Community Service Projects

To honor Martin Luther King’s legacy, encourage your students to participate in an act of service. This act can be done in their communities or within the school. Some service ideas include volunteering at a local food bank, cleaning up a community park, or simply cleaning up around their school building or playground, collecting donations for a charity, or visiting a senior center. Doing acts of service is a way to encourage students to put into practice the values of justice, compassion, and empathy.

Additional Martin Luther King Day Activities

Weave in reading, writing, word work, and math content while celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

2. Play a game like this I have… Who has game… and review facts and vocabulary centered around Dr. King.

Martin Luther King Day offers an opportunity to teach our students the importance of equality and fighting for what is right. These ideas provide a foundation for engaging, meaningful lessons that can inspire your students to become change-makers. Our students can learn so much by reading literature, creating writing and art projects, and performing acts of service. They’ll learn how to be active citizens in their communities and work towards making the world a better place!

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Outrageously True ~ Martin Luther King Jr. Edition

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12 Simple Classroom Organization Ideas: Creating Habits for an Organized Classroom

Mandy Neal — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 12:00:41 +0000

It’s a new year, and it’s time to start thinking about classroom organization!

I’ve compiled 12 effortless tips for creating an envy-worthy, well-organized classroom to kickstart the new year. Hopefully, these classroom organization ideas will develop daily habits to keep you organized all year!

Classroom Organization Tip 1: Establish Classroom Organization Hacks and Routines

First up, make classroom organization a part of your routine! Yep, it’s as simple as that. Establish a consistent schedule, and soon, classroom organization will become second nature. You may be wondering about the specific classroom organization hacks that will cultivate a routine. These following 12 tips outline my daily routine turned habits for maintaining an organized classroom.

Classroom Organization Tip 2: Make Organization a Priority

If you want your classroom to be organized, you must make classroom organization a priority. One of the things that I often remind myself both at school and at home is that everything has a place. If I take those few seconds to place an item where it should be, I know I will thank myself for it later.

Make organization a priority. If you have a drawer for papers to be graded, a folder for notes from parents, or a container for sharpened pencils make it a priority to take those few seconds to place each item in its rightful place. You too will thank yourself later!

Classroom Organization Tip 3: Make a List

Of course, you must have a list! What better way to stay organized and on task?!?!

I have been guilty of keeping my list in my mind and thinking that I will remember to do this or that. Of course, I will remember….until I can’t remember! Sound familiar? What I like about making a list is that when a task is complete, I have the satisfaction of marking it off. Then I can look back at all the work I accomplished. It makes me feel, well, accomplished! Here is an example of my Things to Do list.

I like the layout of this one because, for me, it’s a working list. Each week I start fresh with a new list. There are some items that I do every single week, which should be a habit, but I still place them on my list to keep myself on task. For example, Thursday is the day I work on lesson plans for the upcoming week. Yep, I put that on my things to do list. On Friday, I update our classroom blog for parents to see, so I put that on the list every week also. My list is always in a place where I can see it. It keeps me moving forward! If you like the looks of this one, simply enter your email address in the form below, and I will immediately send it to you. If you don’t see it in your inbox, check your spam and/or your promotions folder. To ensure delivery, avoid using a school email address.

If you are looking for additional classroom organizational forms, calendars, or planning pages, be sure to check out the All-in-One Teacher Binder below; it’s a great classroom organization system!

The Teacher Binder

Classroom Organization Tip 4: Having a Recycle Bin is a Must

Having a recycle bin is not so organizational, but I assure you it has a very important purpose!

This recycle bin is only for me. I only empty it four or five times during the school year, and it only contains extra copies of what I have used in my classroom. This particular recycle bin isn’t for scrap pieces of paper.

Here is what I do….

This recycle bin stays behind my desk. I typically make at least one extra copy of everything, because we all know those unfortunate events tend to occur where we need just one more copy. After I have passed out the worksheets, notes, newsletters, etc. to students, I place whatever I have left inside this bin.

I typically keep these copies for at least one full quarter. At that time, I send all the unused copies to the true recycle box to be recycled.

How this helps me with classroom organization:

1. I have one place for all those stray papers.

2. The number of times I must run to the copy machine for one copy is seriously reduced.

3. I have copies for those students that were absent and lost their assignment at my fingertips.

Classroom Organization Tip 5: How to Reduce Your Teacher Workload Dramatically

Did the title get your attention? Hopefully it did, because it should have, and this tip is a crazy simple one!

Do you need something taken to the office? Do you need papers filed? Do you need to make sure the lights are turned off when the class leaves the room? How about needing trash picked up off the floor or the technology turned off? Here’s what you do….assign your students a job.

Think about all the things that you do throughout the day that you could delegate to your students! To top it off, students love to help! It’s a win-win!

Do you implement classroom jobs in your classroom, or do you need a place to start? You can download the classroom management strategy cards shown above for free! Click HERE to download them in the Free Resource Library.

Classroom Organization Tip 6: File Those Papers Immediately

To avoid the paper trap, I have a simple habit. That habit is filing those random papers immediately!!

I have a simple system set up, and it has worked quite well for the past five years! On the corner of my desk, I have two file boxes similar to these found on Amazon.

Within these file boxes I have folders for newsletters, PD notes, Title I documents, etc. When I am given these papers, I immediately file them in the appropriate folder.

It’s a simple habit, that keeps my teacher desk VERY organized!

Classroom Organization Tip 7: Keep Copies Organized

It’s Friday afternoon. You’ve made copies for the following week but are ready to hit the door running. So, you pile all of the upcoming week’s copies on the corner of your desk and leave. Sound familiar? I have been known to do this more than once.

I came up with this system to help me with my classroom organization. I organize my copies by the day of the week that I am planning on needing them.

What’s also nice about this system is that if I don’t get what I thought I would, I simply move the copies to the next day!

Not only are my copies stored away nicely, but I’m organized for everyday of the week!

Classroom Organization Tip 8: Create a Command Center

I found this cart on Amazon, and I just had to have it! I wasn’t sure what I was going to use it for, but I had to have it! I have never regretting purchasing this handy dandy cart and have found a fantastic purpose for it! It’s the perfect classroom storage solution; I call it my command center.

My command center remains front and center, and I keep items that I am constantly in need of in it.

Items such as the math manipulative that we are currently using, scissors, pencils, sticky notes, SmartBoard remote, and the money we use in our classroom economy.

I highly recommend creating something similar to help with your classroom management! It definitely helps me and keeps me from running around in circles trying to find what I’m looking for!

Classroom Organization Tip 9: Organize Your Supplies

Having an organized place for your supplies is HUGE!

My supplies are crazy organized, maybe over the top organized. I pretty much have a drawer for everything. While my organization quirks may be over the top, I have no problem finding what I need. Need to stick something to the wall? I have an adhesive draw where I can choose from sticky tack, hot glue, clear tape, or Duck tape. A student needs an eraser ASAP…I have a drawer dedicated to erasers and another specifically for pencils.

Having my classroom supplies organized guarantees that I can find what I need in a snap!

Classroom Organization Tip 10: End Your Day With a Clean Desk

This is something that I do ever…single…day. I cannot or will not leave my classroom at the end of the day with my desk a mess!

The only time that I sit at my desk is at the end of the day during my plan time. That means that throughout the day I am constantly throwing items on my desk. As you can see there are some days that I have trouble finding the surface.

I make it a MUST to make sure that my teacher desk is cleaned off and organized before I pack up my bag to head home. I never regret it, because I know that I will be thankful when I return the next school day!

Classroom Organization Tip 11: File as You Grade

This habit is a hard one for me! I actually failed it on Friday, but today is a new day and I’m on a mission to make sure this one happens!

File those papers as you grade! Not necessarily grade a paper, file…grade a paper, file… but grade what you set out to grade and then immediately file those take-home papers. Whether you file those papers in a cardboard mailbox, or my classroom storage solution, file folders like I do, try to make it a priority to file them away immediately.

What’s the result of not filing them immediately? A stack of papers that you look at repeatedly dreading to touch!

Classroom Organization Tip 12: Designate a Place For Hard Copies

The last of the 12 simple habits for an organized classroom is one of my favorites, and it’s very simple!

Remember the drawers that I use for keeping copies organized for each day of the week? I have a total of six drawers. Since there are only five days in the school week, I have one left over. This is where that drawer comes in handy! I have labeled this drawer as “To Copy”. Do you have a certain worksheet, log, or graphic organizer that you continually need more copies of? I know I do! I place a hard copy of these pages right in this drawer so that when I run out, I know exactly where I can find an original to take with me to the copy machine. Simple, yet very effective!

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