Teacher Back To School Sale!

 It's the Teacher Back to School Sale -- Part 2.

Last chance before you head out west! 

Please consider these must-have treasures--at outrageously low prices.

As always, I'm wishing you all the best, for a healthy and happy new school year!

Teacher Back To School Sale

It's a sale!

Up to 25% off all teacher resources at TeachersPayTeachers!

Whether you're teaching in a classroom, from home, using distance learning, or some other variation, treat yourself to a little leg-up.  

Make your teaching life just a little easier.

I like to start with a simple Thank You.  I've noticed the more thanks I give, the more it bounces around and returns to me.

I love printing these on bright papers and sending notes to friends.  

They also work wonders with kids--funny, how a kid-friendly card and a smile translates into instant behavior management.

And yes, you can make your lessons perfect, and your observation lessons sooooooo much easier, with this Teacher Evaluation Guide.   

It includes checklists, charts, cheat-sheets, tips, scripts, class posters, lesson plans and lesson plan templates for your expert Danielson-style teacher evaluation.  

I use it all the time for my lesson templates and reminders of best practices.  And I admit, I carry the one-page mini-lesson cheat-sheet in my pocket, in the weeks before every unannounced observation (really!).

Behavior Management with Humor is my lifeline for discipline 101 with grace, and and just a touch of laughter.  I can't imagine even one day of teaching without it!

If you're a substitute teacher, you'll find that The Substitute Teacher Guide is much more than a run-of-the-mill kit.

You see, after over 20 years teaching, I've observed hundreds of subs and teachers in action.  I've seen it all--the good, the bad, and the Kindergarten Cop Chaos.  This resource is a detailed and comprehensive account of what to bring, do, and say when you sub.

And it includes dozens of printables a sub can use all year.

AND IT'S NOT JUST FOR SUBS!  If you're a regular teacher, it makes a handy Substitute Binder--for the days you're absent--with explicit directions so you'll return to a calm, semi-normal room (insert nervous laughter!).

All three of the above items are in the grand bundle, The Teacher Guide for a Great Classroom...with behavior management goodie bags thrown in--reward tags, behavior modification charts, callbacks, and tons more:

Now let's switch channels...to a kindergarten teacher's dream...

First Days of Kindergarten Teacher's Bundle for kindergarten teachers--whether new, seasoned or in-between.  It features step-by-step instructions for setting up a kindergarten classroom, as well as moment-by-moment teacher scripts for the first day of school.  It's like I'm whispering in your ear, giving you expert advice at every turn.

But I don't stop at the first day.  We go through the first week of school--including all the printables, posters, parent letters, and forms you'll need.  

Then I point you in the right direction for the next few weeks of kindergarten, including 4 full weeks of homework (editable, of course, so you can use them for a full year).

This best-selling Kindergarten Back to School Bundle -- shown above -- includes the Teacher's Kit, combined with a School Rules and Bathroom Rules pack.  Each of those three can be purchased separately:

 

Even at regular prices they are each very generous kits, and they are priceless to anyone who wants that extra boost of confidence that comes with a thorough, seasoned guide.

If you want to treat yourself to the Creative Kindergarten Back to School Ultra Bundle, you'll unpack a whole year of creative songs, dance, laugh, crafts, the 3Rs, AND good behavior:

                                    

The ultra-bundle above includes one of my favorite kindergarten treasures: a How-to-tie-a-shoe photo tutorial for your learning center.  To quote one buyer (and just maybe, I'll set it to a rock beat and belt it out...while standing on a kindergarten table top): 

"It works! It really, really works! I'm never tying another shoe--except my own--once a day. I love this product!" 

                                            --FULL STOP--    

Please stop by my store and browse.  I think you'll find plenty of useful and creative teaching solutions, at super-generous prices.

Meanwhile, I'll be sending you all my best wishes for the start of your new school year!

Thank You Cards for Teachers and Students

“Thank you” – we can’t say it often enough!

Thank You Cards, and Cards for Every Occasion, are an easy way for teachers or students to send a message. Just edit the text (if you wish), print, fold, and share—easy!

If you print out a little stack of these cards, it’ll be easy to give someone a thank you, for every reason – little or big.

Make it a plan!  Give a positive note once a week, or more.  Give a card to colleagues, friends, students…and all your loved ones.  You can’t go wrong with gratitude.

You will get endless variations when you edit the text, or print on colored papers. You may use the text from any card on a different card.  

Did you ever return from an unexpected or prolonged absence, and find your classroom in a bit of disarray?  You can print a positive message for each of your students, such as, “You Make Me Smile.”  Give each kid a “Thank you” for settling back into their good routines, as they enter the room.  While they write their name, and design or color their cards, you can catch up on checking homework and other practical things.  It’s a great way to reassure kids that you care about them, and that they can start with a clean slate after their days with a substitute teacher.

These cards make great awards for behavior management, on any day of the year, and possibly accompanied by a special prize.

You’ll find many ways to use “Thank You” – and other cards – and you’ll discover so many ways the joy comes right back to you!

These stylish cards come in color and in black line versions (perfect for your students to add design elements and to color). 100 unique cards give you endless variations, when you edit and print on various colored papers.

Students can create cards for special teachers, school visitors, parents, friends, holidays, events, art projects, or as rewards for good behavior. The seasonal cards can be used to create little booklets with art and writing, one for each month. 

• All text is fully editable. All you need is an Adobe Reader (available as a free download).
• NOTE: the images are NOT editable, to comply with the clip artists’ terms of use.

 EXTRA, EXTRA: You will ALSO get a second PDF file with the stylish fonts hardwired for quick-printing! (This PDF file is Non-Editable)

Cards for Thank You, Birthday, Wedding, Baby Shower, Thinking of You, Sympathy, Get Well Soon, Congratulations, Good Luck, Friendship, Inspiration, Miss You, Encouragement, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Boss, Employee, Hospitality, Personal, Advice Thank You, Donation Thank You, and more! 

School Occasions: Back to School, End of the Year, Graduation, Parent Notes, Behavior Management; The day before, during, or after a Vacation, Trip, Sports Event, Activity, Stage show; Class-pet-sitting, Teacher Thank You, Volunteer Thank You, Child’s Absence, or after a Teacher’s Absence.

• 100 Cards in all—half in color, half in black line—and endless variations when you edit the text and print on different colored papers.
• Poster for kids: I Can Tell Why This Day is Special (Steps to Create a Card—For Kids)
• Poster: 20 Messages to Add to My Card
• How to Make a Booklet—Great for kids to create a seasonal or monthly, art and writing piece
• How to Edit the Text in a PDF—Step-by-Step
• How to Make a Card—Step-by-Step with Photo Tutorial
• How to Get Great Fonts—Fun, Cute, and Stylish Fonts for your Cards

BONUS #1: How to Make a Craft Envelope (EASY!)—The perfect-sized envelope for your card

BONUS #2: A tailor-made note, to give someone a TeachersPayTeachers Gift Card (Just add your name, the Gift Card Code and amount)

Enjoy the infinite power of Thank You!  And as always, I'm wishing you a wonderful school year.

Home School - Materials to Teach Kindergarten and First Grade Kids at Home

Teachers and parents are looking for great materials to help their kids learn at home.  

With many schools temporarily closing due to the Corona Virus and COVID-19, here are some fun, creative ways to help your kindergarten or first grade students stay connected to school.

These cute and rigorous graphic organizers are ideal for your reading and writing connections.  Just have your kids read any fiction or nonfiction book, child's magazine, internet page; or recall a book, video, or experience, and then use these papers to record their thoughts.  

The writing papers may be used over and over with different results each time.  Child-friendly and differentiated; kids can simply use various papers for more art or more writing.

You'll find T-Charts, Webs, Graphics, Booklets, jazzy writing paper, and more; as well as some bonus Math Graphic Organizers for counting, addition, subtraction, and teen numbers delight.

Writing paper for kindergarten or first grade should be fun...

...and cute, stylish, artistic, inspiring, rigorous and sometimes outrageously silly.

This packet has fun themes like "My Favorite Color."   Here it is with a sample writing and drawing of a firetruck.

There are papers for every month of the year--seasons, holidays and special occasions.  

Children who wish to write more will find plenty of engaging papers here.

This Word Work packet will help your kids review sight words in a lively way.  It's differentiated; with songs, crafts, hands-on manipulatives, and worksheets so your kids will never be bored.

It includes 2- and 3-letter sight words, an adorable Vowel Vest craft, CVC-Word Printables, a Word Wall, an ABC sounds and letters song with a picture chart, and more.

And finally, Counting Songs, great for calming kids, and--as a side benefit--they're spot on for teaching counting forward, counting backward, skip counting, and counting on.

Here are some free websites for kids to explore:

• Starfall
• ABCYA
• Fun Brain
• Highlights Kids
• PBS Learning Media
• Scholastic Learn at Home
• Storyline Online

With the many changes and uncertainties due to the Corona Virus, I hope these educational resources will be helpful to you during our season of quarantine.  I'll be wishing you all the best of health! 

100th Day of School Creative Activities

Here's a fun and easy way to be creative on the 100th Day of School.

 I call it A Handful of Hundred.  Kids draw or glue 20 objects onto this printable--to see 100 at a glance.  

Kids can get as creative as they like: 100 hearts, smiley faces, flowers, stars, suns, rainbows, birds, or bubbles.

They can even add a creative feature.  If they draw bubbles, they can also add the little boy who is blowing bubbles on the bottom of the page.

This one shows 100 full-fledged characters:

 I've learned from experience, that kids loooove to add fun stuff like silly finger nails.

One kid drew 20 rings on the fingers, and she glued a tiny jewel on each one.

Super-cool!  And a fabulous display piece, too.  If you'd like this printable, and other cool and creative 100-related projects--we've got you covered.

Give your 100th Day of School a creative boost, with a School Super Hero Mask, task cards in every curriculum area, beautiful display pieces, and creative writing.

Have a SUPER-MEMORABLE 100th day of school!

•  100 Day Super Hero Mask: Super cute, super easy!  Kids draw 100 shapes on the “100,” color, cut and glue (Tiny 100-Dot Guidelines included)

•  I’m a 100th Day of School Super Hero – Certificate/Poster

•  100 Number Chart Activities

•  Task Cards and Activities in math, word work, science, social studies – Fun tasks to use all year!

•  Handful of 100:  Draw 20 objects on each of 5 hands.  A beautiful display piece.

•  Letter to Parents:  Create an artistic 100th Day Project at home to share at school EDITABLE PPT INCLUDED

•  Keepsake Creative Writing Project: a 9-page Book.  My Vision of the Future.  In 100 years…

•  Writing prompts with picture box and 5 lines to write.  Additional plain, lined writing paper.

•  Six 100th Day Songs, easy to sing-along!

•  Say One Hundred Around the World, in many languages; poster

•  Read Aloud Books, each with a Writing Prompt

•  Charts for tallies, games, writing words

BONUS (Included):

• Count to 100 MP3: Soothing vocals over relaxing instrumentals with a soft beat--for kids to dance to, take 100 steps, or strike 100 poses.  And, by the way, great for behavior management at any time.

Not just for your 100th Day of School--you'll find activities you may use all year.

Enjoy your 100th Day--and, as always, I'll be wishing you a wonderful last half of your school year!

Teacher $10 Gift Card AND FREE Substitute Teacher Guide Giveaway

Please join me in a $10 Gift Card Giveaway!

Our contest is now closed.  
You can still find fabulous resources at TeachersPayTeachers, at deep discounts till 12 AM EST on February 5, 2020!

Simply visit this Blog Post:

10 Tips for a Substitute Teacher

AND... leave your comment about subbing 
at the end of the

Substitute Teacher post!

AND... be sure to leave an email or contact link, too --  

(It will only be used for this contest)
or, message me your email at Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Teacher-Ink-1356200181061182/

 -- for a chance to win $10 worth of great resources for teachers.

Winners will be chosen by a random number selector.

Thanks for joining the fun! 

Contest begins 12 AM Tuesday February 4th and ends 5 PM Wednesday, February 5th EST. 

Congrats to our winner, Jacqueline Kelly!

Even sweeter:

Teachers Pay Teachers is having a SALE--up to 25% off everything--Tuesday and Wednesday, February 4th and 5th. 

Enter the contest above for a chance to win a FREE Substitute Teacher Ultimate Guide!  

·        Be prepared, organized and focused—be a “Dream Sub!”

·        Not just for subs... 

·        Tips for a regular teacher’s Sub Binder on the days you’re absent

Deep Discount + Super Site-Wide Sale + $10 Gift Card Giveaway = FREE Substitute Teacher Ultimate Guide for one lucky winner.


Winner to be notified via email at 5 PM Wednesday, February 5th.

ENJOY your TeachersPayTeachers Super Sale Days, and see you there!!

Art Appreciation for Kids - Featuring Jeff Linenkugel - Wood Sculptures

Art is beautiful, fun, exciting, calming, and inspiring!  

How can we help kids to appreciate art--and express it?

• Take a brain break.  Search the internet for an art image--it can be a specific work of art or a type of art, such as "wood sculpture."  Have kids brainstorm everything they notice about the image.  Each kid who responds can call on the next child to speak.  

• Teach kids to observe closely: color, shape, size, line, tone (light and dark), texture, and pattern.  You'll find their vocabulary flourish--they'll describe things that are teal instead of green, and humongous instead of big.
• Respect each unique viewpoint.  Kids will surprise you with their observations, if you accept all responses--from serious to humorous.

• Ask kids what they wonder about the art work.  "I wonder..."

• How long it took to make this?
• What materials are there?
• How this would look if it were made with different materials?

• Help kids to use accountable talk to evaluate their experience.  They can use phrases like:

• I think...because...
• I like/dislike this because...
• I agree/disagree with you because...
• I want to add to what s/he said.
• That reminds me of...

• Let kids free-associate, to think like a poet.  Ask them what else is the same color, shape, size, motion, or mood as the art?  Their answer will be a poetic simile: "This is like a..."

• Roller coaster
• Bird's nest
• Skate boarder
• Atom
• Bowl of spaghetti
• Jazz dancer
• Seed pod opening
• Stormy sky

• Kids can learn to think like an artist, drawing pictures of their favorite images--either exact copies, or with new colors, shapes, sizes, textures, or moods.  Display these side-by-side with the originals for a fascinating art gallery.

Want to stretch kids' experience?  Why not take a class trip to visit a local artist in their studio or gallery?  

• Meet a real live artist!  It puts a human face on art.  Kids can ask questions, like:

• When did you start creating art?
• How do you get ideas for your art?
• What's your favorite piece?
• What kind of art do you want to create next?

• Kids can take photos of art works from different angles using tablets, phones, or cameras; and use these for discussions or displays in the classroom.

• For super-engagement, why not find a favorite piece--a sort of class mascot.  You might even have a fund-raiser to buy the piece.  Imagine that--real, live art in your classroom.  How inspiring is that?!  

Art is not stuffy.  It's not supposed to be walled up in a museum.  It's alive in each of us.  When we help kids appreciate art, we're helping them to appreciate every small moment in life.

Let's face it: Earth without art is just eh!  

All artwork by Jeff Linenkugel

Photo Credits: Jeff Linenkugel, used with permission