The first morning of the first day of school is a special kind of special. There are a lot of feelings happening, so we're always looking for gentle ways to welcome kids into the classroom. Recently, we put together a set of back to school coloring pages for kids who just want to come in and be alone with their new crayons for a bit. I was that kid. Quiet time plus new crayons? Yes, … [Read more...]
Bathroom Signs – Visuals for School Restrooms
Why bathroom signs? Because we love our sweet custodians and we want the kids to love them as much as we do. Plus, if you've ever cringed having to walk into a public restroom, you understand the need for everyone being committed to the collective cause. I mean, is it really that hard to remember to flush? And why are there always paper towels on the floor NEAR the trash can, but not … [Read more...]
Field Trip Readiness and Reflection Activities
Is field trip readiness a thing? It should be. If you've ever planned one, you know it's a bit of work. And the to-do list can get a little long... call the trip guide, send home permission slips, cross your fingers they come back, collect the money, secure a few chaperones... and then, and then, and then. It's definitely a job for the most organized and patient teacher on your team. But, it's … [Read more...]
Morning Work Journals with Digital Prompts for First Grade
We're loving these morning work journals! Ok, so I've gone through a few morning routine renovations over the years. Some, when I was a newbie, are probably too embarrassing to mention. Others resulted in various degrees of chaos. And others looked like a series of worksheets I confess were probably busy work. Did I collect them? Usually. Did I grade them? Rarely. So yeah... busy … [Read more...]
Taking the “Scary” Out of School Safety Drills
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...]