Going Back After Break

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Our Elementary Lives

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Time to Get Ready for Your Christmas Party!!

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Ideas for the Holiday Season Survival

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Games, Games, and More Games

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Personal Messages

Add Music

 

Random Acts of Kindness

Easy and Engaging

for

Students

I challenge my own daughter to a least show a random act of kindness at least once a month. We've been doing this for a little while now, and I love it!  There isn't a feeling like the feeling you get from it.

This got me to thinking about how I could easily empower students to perform Random Acts of Kindness and tie into a favorite Christmas act.

I came with this because I truly believe your students will enjoy counting down and keeping track of their kindness.

Getting Through the Holidays in the Classroom

Getting Your Classroom Through the Holidays

Tips and Ideas to Help YOU

Get Through the Holidays

Whether you are a new teacher or have been in the profession for a while from Thanksgiving to Christmas will always prove to be fun and challenging.

I've done it all.  I've worked my kiddos through it trying to keep them focused on anything BUT the man in red.  I've jumped right into it and let the man in red have a little too much fun.  I finally found the right amount of both to help keep my kids learning, but still able to enjoy the holidays.

Part I:  Tips

1.  Do not take yourself too seriously.  Nothing is more important than the wonderful experience you are giving your students.  Think about the students in your classroom who will not have a nice Christmas tree or a fun memories to associate with this time of year.  It is up to you.  You've got this.

2.  It is okay to stray from instruction for a minute.  If you start singing "Frosty the Snowman" out of nowhere, you should embrace it.  The reaction from your students will be fun and memorable.  

3.  Let the kids decorate.  I spent so many Thanksgiving weekends getting my classroom ready for December.  Let them help.  If they don't get that chance at home, they are missing out on some the fondest memories that I know you cherish from your childhood.

4.  Think outside of the box.  Instruction will most likely need to look differently during this time.  It is okay.  Give yourself permission to give the students permission to dance a little when their favorite Christmas song comes on.  Use Christmas music to calm them or motivate them.  Use the volume to control their volume. Ask Christmas movie trivia as they come in the door.

5.  Make memories.  Whether it is a special project, Christmas present to parents, or just something fun, help them make memories. I made gingerbread houses with my first graders every year. Sure it was an hour of instruction they won't get back, but those are some great memories that will last them a lifetime. Parents came into the classroom if they could and great times were had.  Come up with your idea and make memories.

Getting Back to Your Classroom

Anyone else ever felt like this?  

Every year, about this time, I was headed back to my classroom to start organizing, picking through what I didn't need, and begin labeling all sorts of wonderful things with students names.  The floors were freshly waxed, the rooms were quiet, and the supplies were new.  I felt like a kid in a candy store.

What do you do first when getting ready for back to school?

Homework Questions

I would like to gather some information about homework, and I know you all can help.

1.)  Do you assign homework?  Please tell me what state you live in, grade you teach, and the kind of homework you send.

2.)  Do you assign a grade for that homework?

Thank you!!!

5 for Friday!!

EVERY Friday in January come check out 5 for Friday!  I will put together 5 products from my TpT store for the LUCKY price of $7.77!

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5 for Friday!!