Creative Earth Day Celebration

Looking for creative ways to celebrate Earth Day with Kids?

Of course, you'll plant a seed and hug a tree.  What else?  Here are some creative ways to celebrate Earth Day on April 22^nd.

Earth Day Medallion!  This chic art piece features a geographically correct Earth. 

The stylish Earth medallion also reminds kids that Earth is a jewel, and that we should treat it with care. 

Besides, who says you can't glam it up with glitter, sparkles or spangles?  Your Earth Day Celebration or presentation just got revved up a notch.   

Earth Day Activities -- actual ACT-tivities -- that include:

• Action Games: “Beach Ball Planet” and “NIMBY War”
• Earth Art-Project

• Earth Medallion - Wear your Earth like a Jewel!
• “I Love Earth Day” song, simple and easy to learn

• 8 Task Cards for creative discussions, activities and writing  
• Deep-thought conversation starters

• 25 Ways to Help the Earth
• 20 Earth-Loving Messages for an art poster
• Beautiful Earth Day writing paper

Earth Poems!

Higher-order thinking will leap off the page when your kids write free-verse, creative poems about the Earth.  If you'd like 16 step-by-step lessons and dazzling display pieces, check out this Poetry Writing.

Cute alert!  You can jump-start your math-literacy-art-social studies connection with super-cute and brainy Earth Day Robots, using Number Chart Robot Printables

-- and make them again for any holiday, because they’re too much fun to do only once.

Challenge your kids with the unforgettable…

Science Experiment: Will a Bean Sprout if it has Missing Parts?

Don't just plant a seed.  Plant it like a scientist.  Think deeply about the Earth.  What makes Earth tick?  How can we learn more?  How can we make Earth a better place--to live, love, and learn?

Above all, don't forget to go outside and take a few full sniffs of fresh air.

I hope you enjoy your creative Earth Day -- every day!

How to Catch a Leprechaun - Writing Lesson

 How to catch a leprechaun is only half the story.

Kids will tell you, step by step how to catch a leprechaun:

First I will...

• think and plan
• look
• be quiet
• tip toe up to him
• walk softly
• sneak up
• hide



 Next I will...

• be camouflaged.  I will carry a plant!
• make a trap
• dig a hole and put leaves on top
• ride a bike
• ride a motorcycle
• ride a kangaroo
• say, "Look over there!" then catch him in a net
• tie him in a rope

Last I will...

• tie him in a rope
• catch him in a net
• put him in a cage
• hold on tight
• never let him go
• say, "Where is your gold?"
• say, "Take me to the end of the rainbow right now!"

If you want to take it to the next level, for your advanced, TAG, upper grade, creative or willing kids...

You can have your kids describe their leprechaun.  Tell how he dresses, walks, speaks, and acts.

Also, add interesting characters to the story, and unexpected settings. 

Then answer thoughtful questions, such as: should you catch a leprechaun?  And, once you've caught him and taken his pot o' gold, should you share some of the spoils with him?

Of course, you'll create a show-stopping display of your kids' work.

Got it!  Just one last question: how will you spend your gold?  On pretty shamrock-shaped paper and step-by-step lessons, lists, posters and task cards on How to Catch a Leprechaun, by any chance?

Teacher Resource Sale!

TeachersPayTeachers--ON SALE!

Teacher resources at 25% off--What a great way to end the school year!

Even though you sorta feel like you can taste spring, and maybe even summer--We both know that it's all smoke 'n mirrors.

The school year ain't over till it's over.  That's a plain fact.  So let's take it one day at a time, and make the best of those last few weeks in the classroom.

If you've been considering upping your game, now's definitely the time--while the highest-quality supplies that you really, really want, are jaw-dropping cheap!

Please stop by and look around...

I'll see you there!

TpT #1 Most Innovative Education Company

TpT was named the #1 Most Innovative Education Company by Fast Company!

No surprise! 

I LOVE TeachersPayTeachers.

TpT Rocks!  I’m so proud to be part of this little experiment that bloomed.

Thank you, TpT, for giving us plenty of guidance--and space--to help us create those unique, rigorous, and stylish resources that really work in the classroom.  

What makes TpT so innovative?  

Among other things: It's the ultimate niche marketplace.  Each teacher creates things for a particular classroom, and can tweak and improve them endlessly for buyers across the globe.

Thank you, TpT's Top Admins--Amy, for being the warm and welcoming face of TpT—and thank you TpT-founder Paul, Board Member Adam, CEO Joe, and the team, for appreciating and listening closely to your teacher-authors, nurturing every detail of the business.

TeachersPayTeachers is really a place where Teachers-Help-Teachers--to put their best foot forward.

I'm grateful that--thanks to TpT--I was able to open my little piece of the internet and share my creative teaching life.

As always, I'm wishing you--and TpT--all the best. 

How to Teach Rules

Teaching school rules is easy if you follow the...rules.

1. First, ask the kids what rules they know; get them involved.  Then… 
2. Choose one rule to explore. 
3. Explain the rule—be clear and detailed. 
4. Again, let students add their thoughts. 
5. Demo it, or have one kid demo it, then have 2 kids demo, then 3 or more, and finally the whole class. 
6. Re-explain and practice till it’s perfect. 
7. It may take a few sessions to reach that goal.
8. Also, discuss why the rule is important.  No, it’s not to avoid punishment or because the teacher will get mad it you don’t do it.  The real reason is because it helps us to be respectful or to stay safe, or to learn something new and interesting. 
9. What bad things might happen if we don’t follow the rule?   Delve into the issues, so kids internalize the rule.  That’s how it becomes embedded in their conscience—your only true hope for good behavior.
10. Think of everything that could go wrong.  You have to address every possibility, and discuss the limits of what’s acceptable.  No, they can’t do this or that because…
11. It helps to have a checklist so you don’t forget crucial points.  You don’t want any loopholes or misunderstandings.
12. Repeat with every school rule and routine at the start of the school year.  End each session with a little brain break--a stretch, dance or callback chanting--so kids associate learning rules with fun. 

Teaching rules is a fascinating process, and it’s a must—and it’s ongoing, to some degree, every time you teach.

Behavior Management with Humor is a mega-resource that teaches step-by-step skills for discipline—and then adds tools and strategies to make it FUN.

Laughing shakes up our lymph system, and heals our body, mind and soul. It strengthens the immune system, lowers our blood pressure and makes us more present and alert. It’s empowering, rapport-building…AND I can tell you from experience, it’s one of the most powerful tools in your behavior management kit!

I REALLY LOVE this, and I think you might, too.

If you’d like a Behavior Management MEGA-Bundle—with School Rules, Behavior Management with Humor, Behavior Modification Game Charts, and Behavior Management Callbacks—it’s here.
I’m on a mission: to help you feel CALM and CONFIDENT—and ready to laugh—starting on your first day of school. 

As always, I'm wishing you all the best!

Teachers Pay Teachers - Resource Round-Up! Behavior Management

TeachersPayTeachers - Resource Round-Up!  Behavior Management...

The Resource Round-Up! is my go-to spot for weekly freebies and the best-of TeachersPayTeachers.  

Today I'm front and center.  (Cheers and confetti!)

Here's the scoop: If you want the whole kit 'n kaboodle, pop over to the TeachersPayTeachers Weekly Newsletter, Vol 575, Pre-K - 5.

After many years of teaching, one thing makes me wince more than anything else--a teacher who yells, screams, berates, nags, threatens, squints, mocks, pleas, frightens, embarrasses, mutters, grumbles, drones, shrugs, rants, curses...and later on, cries.

The fact is, very few teachers are born-naturals when it comes to classroom management.  And there are no instant fixes.

Behavior management is like a language that you can learn to speak fluently.

Step-by-step, you learn a few words.  Simple words like...

• Please -- as in, Would you please show me your very best silly-face...and now please show me your I-love-to-learn-face?
• Thank you -- Thank you for sharing your unique perspective!
• Beautiful -- You're so focused; beautiful!
• Watch -- Watch how I (or a child) stand in line, with my shoulders back, chest out, head straight, eyes ahead, arms down, no touching, legs together, ready to move.
• Why? -- Why is it important to be respectful?  What would happen if we weren't kind and polite?

After that, you master the basic management routines, and -- over time -- you find personal tricks that work well for you.

If you want to take the trip toward mastery, and you really should — sooner rather than later — this creative and comprehensive guide will help you.  You’ll find hundreds of tools and tips for a calm and confident—and happy—classroom. 

The Ultimate Guide to Behavior Management includes School Rules, Bathroom Rules, Behavior Management with Humor, Behavior Modification Game Charts, Brag Tags, and Behavior Management Callbacks.

The centerpiece is Behavior Management with Humor:

Compiled by a long-term teacher, this resource will help you feel CALM and CONFIDENT--and ready to laugh--starting on your first day of school.

Behavior Management with Humor explores...

•  Behavior Management 101: Strategies that Work

•  How to Teach Rules so they "Stick“

•  How to Cultivate Respect and Rapport

•  How to Control your Class Firmly but Graciously

•  The All-Important “Stop Signal”

•  Behavior Mod Charts

•  Behavior Management Clip Chart

•  How to Add Humor into your Day

•  A Full Day of Humor and Good Behavior, Step-by-Step

•  What to Say and Do, from the Moment Kids Arrive till Dismissal, for the Best Behavior

•  Humor in Reading, Writing, Math, Music, and Dance

•  Make it Fun in the Lunchroom, Auditorium, School Yard, Parties, and More

•  Funny Things to Say All Day

•  Songs that Get Kids to Move, Smile and Behave

•  Callbacks for Easy, Fun Management

•  Brain Breaks to Calm or Energize Kids

•  Printable Resources: Awards, Hats, Masks, Glasses, Bracelets, Brag Tags, Pointers, and More!

•  “Reboot Box” for Time-Out

•  Zen Zone for Calming

•  Behavior Management Posters

•  Student Activities and Printables for Bulletin Board Displays

•  Deal-Breakers – Behavior Management to Avoid

•  “Tips from the Trenches” for Behavior Management with Humor

Here are some SUPER-COOL BRAG TAGS, awards, or prizes.  You can see them as the first brick, in an awesome tower of respect and rapport that you'll build in your classroom.

Enjoy your FREEBIE Brag Tags!

So, exactly how do you get kids to behave, calm down, clean up, transition, time out, or stand and stretch?  There's no short answer, but it’s all made easier with this Counting Song MP3—a soothing voice counting the numbers 1 – 20 over relaxing music with a soft beat.

This “magic timer” counts like a heartbeat, one beat per second. You can slow your heart rate by breathing deeply and matching your pulse to the beat of the songs.  It’s a great behavior management tool to help kids calm their minds and focus on the task at hand.  If you want an extended countdown, you can play it again. 

Enjoy your FREEBIE Counting Song MP3!

It's amazing how a very small change in your approach to behavior management can have a huge impact on your classroom culture and in your life.

The best gift you can give yourself, or another teacher, is the expertise to create a great classroom culture.

As always, I'm wishing you all the best!

Kindergarten Teacher Help - Right Now!

Do you need Kindergarten Teacher Help - right now?

Back to School is over.  The first days of kindergarten have passed--too fast.  But it's NEVER TOO LATE to grab the reins, start over again and put your best foot forward.  

Maybe you started teaching after the school year started.

Or, like me in my first year of teaching, you were shuttled to a new grade after the first month--because of too many no-shows in your class.

Or--like legions of newbies--your kids behaved fine for the first few days (MOST kids do!), and then spiraled quickly out of control.

Would you like a mentor?  Someone who's been around the block dozens of times and can show you how to set up your classroom, your academic, and behavior routines?

A mentor who can sit on your shoulder (so to speak), and whisper in your ear, "Do this!" or "No--Not that!"

I'm here to tell you, IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!

You can always take back the reins.  You can set up effective routines and behavior management AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR.  All you need to do is to present new cues, and your kids will respond.

You simply have to make a start.  Even a small shift on your part can have a huge impact on your classroom.  Add a few changes every day, and the benefits will snowball.

If you need help with your kindergarten class, please look over this Kindergarten Teacher Guide. 

You’ll find teacher scripts, lessons, posters, printables and tips...charts, photos, AND how to teach school rules and bathroom rules—compiled by a long-term kindergarten teacher.

Want a bigger package?  Please take a look at the Creative Kindergarten Ultra-Bundle.

With preparation, you can have that calm and confident first day of kindergarten you've imagined--AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR!

I'll be thinking of you and wishing you all the best,

First Days of Kindergarten: 7 Big Tips

Are you a new kindergarten teacher?  Here are 7 tips to prepare for your first day of kindergarten.

If your have time and insight, you’ll see there are hundreds of things to prepare.   In my experience, this is the bare minimum that must get done before the first day of school:

1)    Clean the desks and chairs and arrange them in clusters within view of the meeting area.  You want to make a good first impression that kindergarten will be pleasant and organized.

2)    Place a high-interest book on every desk for the kids to sit and read first thing.  This will buy time to ensure everyone is settled, and to take attendance.  Place an extra book basket on each cluster of desks.

3)    Have a list of the class names to check off as kids arrive, and write name tags beforehand, if possible.  Write kids' first and last names as well as your class on the tags.

4)    Place name tags out on the desks before the children arrive.  Place them boy and then girl; and if you know certain kids will need extra attention, place them up front, closer to the meeting area.  Have extra name tags for new admits.

 5)    Prepare paper for children to write on, 30 pencils and 12 boxes of crayons in case they don’t bring their own.  These will be used a bit later on the first day.

6)    Prepare to talk about rules: classroom, bathroom, lunchroom and line-up.  It helps to have visual posters about each of these.  

Maybe the most important rule is to always show kindness and respect.  That's the glue that holds the world together, and you can tell the kids that kindergarten will be a "kinder-garten!"

If you'd like this Let's Build a "Kinder" Garten poster, it's here and it's free.

7)    Have a fun book to read to the class, and questions for discussion.  Also, a few short songs to teach, and extra activities ready to go, in case you have extra time to fill.  And, of course, a super-kid award to send your kids home with a smile.

Here are some tips for those first few minutes when you meet your kindergarten kids:

1)       Smile!  Yes, smile.  Not a fake beauty pageant kind, but a warm, genuine smile that comes from your deepest core.  The place that remembers what it’s like to be 5, and scared, shy and nervous.

2)       Greet each parent at the door, if that’s possible.  Say your name, and give a warm handshake.  Make them feel like they're joining your family.  They are!

3)       Ask the child, “Who are you?”  Then find the name on your clipboard sheet.  Ask the parents to check the spelling and correct it.  Ask if they prefer a nickname, and possibly if the child speaks English.

4)       Ask the parent to come in and check the posters on the wall, and then help their child find their seat (I have placed the name tags out on each desk: boy, then girl), and to read a book.  I have one book on each desk, and a basket of extra high-interest books in the center of each table.

5)       Needless to say: NO cutting, gluing, toys, or even coloring—nuthin’ honey, till you’ve talked about rules!

6)       I hang 3 posters for the parents.  The first tells when and where the dismissal is—for today and tomorrow.

7)       The second poster asks parents to help seat their child, put on their name tag, and have them read a book till we’re ready.  And meanwhile, they can place on their child’s desk ONLY these supplies, in order from largest on the bottom—if they have them—4 folders, 3 marble notebooks, a pencil case with 5 sharp pencils, a crayon box and 1 large eraser.  This way I can see who still needs to bring supplies.  The second poster also directs parents to place any extra personal supplies (extra pencils, crayons, and sharpener) in the child’s book bag.  

 8)   The third poster requests—if they can—to please help put the shared class supplies into the right bin in the rear of the room.

9)   I have baskets, tubs and even large clean garbage bags (for all the paper towel rolls), one for each type of supply that parents send, such as markers, post-its, glue, and tissues.

10)   When all the kids have trickled in, give parents a friendly, “2 minutes, and we’ll ask you to go” heads up. 

11)   Meanwhile, take care of those last few things that MUST be done.  Make sure every child has a name tag, and take last minute attendance.  The school office may ask for a list of how many kids have showed up, as well as the names of your “no-shows.” 

12)   If a parent has a letter for you or money (for Scholastic News or the like), place it in a basket under your desk for safe-keeping.

13)   You can thank the parents for helping, then say, “It’s time to say good-bye, so we can begin!”  Remind parents to pick up their child, where and when.

14)   Usually, a principal will allow parents to stay for the first few minutes of kindergarten.  If not, please ask your principal if you could have a teacher aide help for those first few minutes.  If no one is helping, you can lead the kids straight into the room; have them wait at the meeting area.  Call each child in turn, and show them where you’ve placed their name tag.  Have each child in turn sit, put on their name tag and read a book till everyone is accounted for. 

The first day of kindergarten will be memorable.  Most important is safety.  You want to set a tone of calm and orderliness.  

Equally important is setting a tone of expectation, that kindergarten will be fun and wonderful.

Are you a new kindergarten teacher?   Welcome to the club!   I’ve helped many teachers settle into kindergarten, and it would be my pleasure to help you, too.  

For more essentials to prepare, you might like this First Days of Kindergarten Teacher’s Kit.  It includes all you need—before, during and after, that crucial first day.   

You’ll find teacher scripts, lessons, posters, printables and tips...charts, photos, AND how to teach school rules and bathroom rules—compiled by a long-term kindergarten teacher.

Want a bigger package?  Please take a look at the Creative Kindergarten Ultra-Bundle.

With preparation, you can have that calm and confident first day of kindergarten you've imagined!

I'll be thinking of you and wishing you all the best,