Teaching St. Patrick’s Day lesson plans can be fun, free, and common core aligned when you find the right printables. You can use the ideas below for literacy centers that week, place the worksheets on their desk for bell work in the morning, or use the writing prompts during whole group ELA instruction. Whatever you […]
Seasonal Teaching Ideas
We love holidays here at OC! It reminds us of ways to incorporate fun into the educational curriculum, while still teaching the standards. Make sure to visit one of the links below if you are looking for a activities and ideas for a specific seasonal event:
Love Is Writing
Looking for something fun to use as morning work or centers for February? Here is a little something I whipped up for you to enjoy! My freebie is February Journal Prompts! Perfect for the grade 2-5 classroom! Either print off the pages, and display under an overhead/document camera, or import to an interactive whiteboard! Great […]
Classroom Character Building
Character building in students is important work done by educators each day that typically goes unnoticed by most. Good character traits are often the result of the teamwork between children, their caregivers, and their school influences. The path to strong student leaders who have a positive character no matter what adverse events may have happened […]
30 Indoor Recess Ideas!
Indoor recess ideas and games to the rescue for all my teacher friends! I hope everyone is staying warm in for classroom recess with yet ANOTHER blast of cold air swooping through the US. In my local school district, the students have definitely had their Winter Break extended due to the freezing air! Hopefully […]
Easy Valentines Party Ideas
This video explains how to create a simple decorated paper treat bag for a classroom Valentine’s Party that even talks about using symmetry. Then, it explains an organized way to pass out the items without shedding tears or creating classroom chaos. Valentine’s Day has never been so simple! Prefer to read the transcript? Transcript “Hi, […]
What Happened to Groundhog Day Activities for Kids?
I remember Groundhog Day activities when I was a student were much more pronounced than they are today. It would be an entire day of facts about groundhogs, groundhog reading activities, and games that were groundhog-approved. Today, it seems as though the groundhog day children’s activities are either mentioned in a sentence, if at all. […]
Winter Craft Paper Plate Fun!
Need a new fun winter craft for students? This class craft is easy and perfect even for older kids! When choosing winter arts and crafts for kids, I like to to find things that can be done inside, yet incorporate winter activities for kids outside in nature as well. It helps if they are less […]
Similar Snowflakes Grouping Freebie
Anyone feel antsy when you are shut inside? Too soon? Funny, I know. Well even the snow falling outside or frigid temps that always force me inside (I’m a weenie when it comes to extreme temps) makes me stir crazy. The bonus for you is that when I get stir crazy, YOU get freebies – […]
DIY Countdown Calendar
Ok, you are heading into the Winter Break homestretch! Yay! But many of the students seem to believe that Santa is coming tomorrow! No! And their excitement is bubbling over into your lessons making it a tad difficult to get teaching across. How about an idea to at least keep them reminded of the days […]
DIY Snowman Tracker
Antsy students eager for holiday break? I feel you! Here is a super quick snowman days before Christmas craftivity that might help! You could actually use this a couple different ways: either make one for the classroom to hang up and place in a prominent location – or – it could be a […]
Marker Mug Magic
Hey teaching friends! It has been a crazy last couple of months for me to say the least! I hope your life is way more calm. Today I wanted to share a fun and inexpensive gift idea for your colleagues. Seriously – it is so simple and fun! I don’t know what you all like […]
Learning with Washi Feathers!
As I was thinking about US Thanksgiving, I thought about how I learned about Thanksgiving when I was in school. What I don’t remember learning a lot about was Native American culture throughout that process. {Keep in mind, this was a great many years ago.} So, while I was doing a little research, I did […]
Thanksgiving Thankful Mix
Today, I have created a fun video that shows you a few Thanksgiving activities you could do this week or next! I originally saw the Thanksgiving Thankful Mix idea on the Designing and Motherhood Blog where I found the ingredients list for the template that is shown below. Prefer to read the transcript? I’ve gotcha […]
A Nice “Thankful for Our Students” Gift Tutorial!
So, the awesome people at Silhouette contacted me to see if I wanted to play with some vinyl. Ummmm, OK? You all know I am not super crafty, so I was a bit apprehensive about working with a new medium (I am pretty much a cardstock and construction paper kind of girl). Of course, I […]
The Gifting Tree
Need an idea for a “gift basket type” of fundraiser item, without having the hassle of coming up with a gift basket theme, going to 10 different stores to get the materials, and making it look super pretty (well, maybe I am the only one who has problems with that)? Or maybe you have a […]
Falling Into Classroom Management
I know you have probably seen those “you’ve been booed” signs around in different neighborhoods around town. They are fun and definitely festive! I actually don’t live in a neighborhood, but rather set way far back off a busy road. We have neighbors, but not really close by. And their kids are all grown […]
Spooktacular Jokes for Kids!
I know a principal once who would tell jokes for kids every morning on the announcements. It was a great way to start the day, even though we would hear groans from the students and staff from the corny riddles he shared. Students would then start to bring in their own funny jokes for kids […]
Seasonal Figurative Language Fun!
Isn’t funny how our teacher minds NEVER seem to shut off – even when we want them to? LOL! Well, today was a perfect example. I had to take my high schooler to Target to grab some spirit bag items as she has a band competition today, and of course if you are at Target, […]
A H-OWL-ING October!
Nothing earth-shattering to report today, but I did have these adorable Halloween costumed owls on my desktop and I knew I had to make something to share them – they are just too darn cute! So, I created some fun October calendar numbers! Use them for calendar time or any other working with numbers activities […]
5 Fall Fun Math Games
I love using fun math games in the classroom for a variety of reasons: differentiation, brain breaks, indoor recess, or even as a behavior party reward! Students are learning and having fun – that’s a win-win combo for sure! There are so many different ways to incorporate math games into your daily routine and students won’t […]