School safety drills are so important and, though they're probably not our favorite thing to talk about, we need to prepare children for the kinds of emergencies they could encounter during the school year. The problem is, they're a little bit scary... at least for some kids. The alarms are loud and there's a sense of urgency that jolts us out of our routine... even when we know it's coming. I … [Read more...]
Back to School Activities – If I Built a School
It's almost time to go back to school, so I'm gathering up all the books we love to read during the first few weeks. Honestly there are so many, it's hard to narrow it down. One of our favorite back to school books is If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen. In the story, the main character, an imaginative kid named Jack, shares his bold and creative ideas about what the perfect school would … [Read more...]
MLK Day Activities for Kids
Every January, I'm on the lookout for new MLK Day activities. This can be a challenge when you teach the littles. His work, and the events leading up to the civil rights movement, are really big ideas for first graders. One of the best ways to support kids with this topic is through rich, thoughtful discussions and I usually turn to picture books to help me get started. One of our favorites is My … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Joke Books Belong in a Classroom
There weren't a lot of joke books available to me when I was kid. However, I'll never forget a small roll of jokes I got from a cereal box when I was nine. After brushing off all the Crunch Berries, I unrolled the long piece of paper to find about a dozen jokes written just for kids. I practiced the jokes over and over until I could deliver them perfectly for any guest my parents would allow me to … [Read more...]
Pairing Cards for Student Partners
Pairing cards are one of my favorite ways to bring kids together for activities. There are a number of ways you can set up student partnerships in a classroom. Often, I'm very intentional when pairing up children. If the work is academic, I tend to pair kids who need support and a gentle spirit with kids who are patient and natural at coaching. I also try to avoid combining children who rile up … [Read more...]