See how I use a familiar bucket filler approach to help students recognize their feelings, notice what their bucket may be doing, and practice coping strategies that can help. I’m sharing the visuals, activities, self-check-ins, and calm down corner tools I use to make self regulation easier for young learners to understand.
Help young students understand what it means to belong to a classroom community with meaningful Our Class Is a Family activities. This post shares ideas for a class promise poster, bracelets with poems that help remind them of the bracelet’s meaning, an anchor chart, an editable class book with predictable text and student photos, a collaborative puzzle, and a coordinating bulletin board that help the class-family message stay with students.
Water bottles make a practical back-to-school student gift that students can actually use throughout the day. These editable water bottle gift tags are perfect for Meet the Teacher, Open House, the first day of school, or introducing a classroom hydration station. See how to use them to welcome students while encouraging healthy hydration habits from the start.
Cutting practice doesn’t have to mean worksheets full of lines. In this post, you’ll find simple tips for teaching scissor and glue skills, plus a fun “Scissor Salad” activity where students cut out fruit or vegetable shapes to build their own salad. It’s a playful way to practice fine motor skills with real shapes that prepare children for future crafts and classroom projects.
Teaching young students how to use scissors can be a challenge, especially at the start of the school year. In this post, I’m sharing simple tips for teaching scissor skills and glue skills that set students up for success, plus easy fall cutting activities that give practice with straight, wavy, and curved lines. Instead of cutting random strips of paper, children create meaningful fall crafts they can be proud of.
Get ready for a smooth Meet the Teacher Night or Back to School Night with this free checklist! Stay organized, make a great first impression, and connect with families easily.
Are you feeling the push-pull of knowing you should start preparing for back to school but still wanting to enjoy the relaxation of summer? IIn this blog post I’m sharing a few easy, no-pressure ways to recharge and feel a little more prepared for back-to-school—without giving up your summer peace and quiet.
A classroom hydration station is a simple way to help students stay hydrated, focused, and independent throughout the school day. In this post, you’ll find practical tips for setting up a water bottle station area, labeling bottles, teaching expectations, using visual supports, and making hydration part of your daily classroom routine.
This craft and writing combo gives your students the chance to share what they’re looking forward to this summer or what they’ve enjoyed if you’re doing it at the beginning of the school year or wrapping up summer school. Best of all, it’s simple enough for little learners to complete with just a few materials.
Discover creative Grandparents’ Day crafts that kids can create as personalized gifts for their grandparents. The crafts have an apple theme and are easy to prepare making them perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and young children.
Explore four engaging student-created bulletin boards inspired by popular back-to-school books. These crafts simplify planning, foster creativity, and build classroom community. Learn about “The Crayons Go Back to School,” “The Little Engine That Could,” “How Full Is Your Bucket?” and “Our Class is a Family” activities to create meaningful and vibrant displays that value student contributions and set a positive tone for the year.
As the new school year approaches, it’s time to think about creating a welcoming and engaging environment for your students. One way to do this is by incorporating fun and meaningful activities that capture their interest right from the start. This “The Crayons Go Back to School” bulletin board display is the perfect solution for a vibrant, student-centered classroom display that will not only brighten your space but also build connections and encourage creativity.