Search
Lessons for Little Ones by Tina O'Block Blog Logo
science experiments and STEM challenges for preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade
Back to School

BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG POSTS

Lessons for Little Ones by Tina O'Block Blog Logo
Lessons for Little Ones by Tina O'Block Blog Logo
science experiments and STEM challenges for preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade
Back to School

BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG POSTS

Tips for Using a Sound Wall in Kindergarten

Tips for Using a Sound Wall in Kindergarten, Early Elementary Grades

This blog post offers practical tips and effective strategies for introducing and utilizing sound walls to help students connect speech to print and improve phoneme-grapheme correspondence. Learn how to make daily lessons engaging, use mirrors for articulation awareness, movement, build excitement with lock cards, and incorporate interactive activities. Find helpful resources and professional development recommendations to enhance your teaching practice.

Read More »
How to set up a sound wall in classroom vowel valley consonants

How to Set Up a Sound Wall in Kindergarten, Early Elementary

This post offers practical tips and resources for setting up and using a sound wall effectively in your kindergarten or early elementary classroom. Learn how sound walls support phoneme-grapheme correspondence, enhance reading and spelling skills, and organize sounds by articulation. Discover space-saving options, lesson ideas, and the importance of professional development to maximize your sound wall’s impact.

Read More »
name recognition activity

Name Recognition & Name Writing Activities

Fun, editable name activities for preschool & kindergarten! These engaging ideas will help your students learn to recognize, spell, and write their names. Perfect for name writing practice, back-to-school centers, and helping students recognize their names.

Read More »
back to school gifts for students

Back to School, Open House, Meet the Teacher Student Gift Ideas & Gift Tags

A small, thoughtful gift can go a long way in easing first-day jitters and making students feel welcome! In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite back-to-school student gift ideas—perfect for Open House, Meet the Teacher Night, or the first day of school. These simple treats paired with printable gift tags help create a warm classroom environment right from the start.

Read More »
45 Kindergarten Books for the Beginning of the School Year

Books / Read Alouds for the Beginning of the School Year

A list of favorite back to school read alouds for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade! Sharing books is one of my favorite ways to ease back-to-school nerves and build classroom community. These tried-and-true read alouds are perfect for the first few weeks of school—and they help spark a love of reading from day one!

Read More »
Escape Room Fall for Kindergarten First Grade

How to Set Up a Fun, Fall Themed Escape Room for Kindergarten – First Grade

Discover how to set up a fun, fall-themed escape room for kindergarten and first-grade students! This blog post shares step-by-step tips for creating an engaging escape room experience that builds teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Learn how to craft a captivating scenario, incorporate academic clues, and adapt the escape room for different classroom settings. Perfect for any elementary classroom!

Read More »
back to school ideas

How to Welcome Students Back to School: Meaningful Ideas for the First Weeks of School

Starting a new school year can feel exciting—and a little overwhelming—for both students and teachers. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite back-to-school ideas to help you welcome students with confidence, ease first-day jitters, and build meaningful classroom connections from day one. You’ll find time-saving tips, calm-down strategies, and simple ways to prepare families with Meet the Teacher letters and more.

Read More »