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Keep your Mother's Day gifts a surprise to your parent volunteers by trying a volunteer swap near the holidays.

Teaching Tip for Mother’s Day

May will be here before you know it which also means that Mother's Day is just around the corner. For many years, making gifts for Mother's Day actually stressed me out. Instead of asking my parent volunteers to lend a hand, I started to take on the projects by myself because I didn't want any of the moms to end up making their own gifts. Once I became a mother, it dawned on me to form a new plan and I want to share that teaching tip with you today in the hopes that it will help alleviate some stress for you, too.
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Picture books are a great tool for teaching and reinforcing classroom expectations. These are the books I turn to when students struggle with interrupting.

Picture Books for Kids Who Interrupt

Spring in the classroom is an interesting time. Not only are students blooming and growing with their learning, but they are also becoming more like a family. And like any family, there are bound to be a few things that start to get on your nerves. One thing that always seems to pop up every spring is students who interrupt. Since it's never too late to stop and review the rules and expectations in the classroom, I love to use picture books to help teach (and re-teach) these lessons. Here are a few of my favorite books that you can read to your class when interrupting is a problem.
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Do you need a quick activity for Earth Day? Take a look at this free sorting activity. Students sort examples under the reduce, reuse, and recycle flaps. There are also four color-by-code activities with an Earth Day theme.

Earth Day Sorting Activity and Coloring Pages

Do you need a quick activity for Earth Day? I have a reduce, reuse, and recycle sorting activity along with some coloring pages that your students will enjoy!
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Between the leprechauns and the elusive search for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, there's no denying that kids get excited about St. Patrick's Day! As teachers, it's important to build upon that excitement and interest. I love to do that through literature. Here are some great books to read with your students near St. Patrick's Day. Some of these have great tie-ins to other curricular areas, but some are just plain fun to read!

St. Patrick’s Day Books for Kids

Between the leprechauns and the elusive search for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, there's no denying that kids get excited about St. Patrick's Day! As teachers, it's important to build upon that excitement and interest. I love to do that through literature. Here are some great books to read with your students near St. Patrick's Day. Some of these have great tie-ins to other curricular areas, but some are just plain fun to read!
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The Story of the Leprechaun by Katherine Tegen is a great story to read near St. Patrick's Day. This book companion is filled with comprehension questions, vocabulary words, graphic organizers, writing prompts, and a fun leprechaun craft!

The Story of the Leprechaun Craft and Book Activities

Do you know why the leprechaun decided to bury his gold at the end of the rainbow?  Katherine Tegen does and she explains it all in her book, The Story of the Leprechaun. Today I'm here to share some activities you can use with this story in your classroom.
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Looking for a fun way to practice doubles facts? Take a look at these games! Students will get the practice they need while having fun. Included are three games for doubles facts, three games for doubles + 1 facts, and three games for doubles + 2 packs. There are also anchor charts, practice pages, and color by number pages.

Math Games for Doubles, Doubles +1 and Doubles +2

Looking for a fun way to practice doubles facts? Take a look at these games! Students will get the practice they need while having fun.
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This lemonade craft booklet can be used with The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies. There are three different writing templates included.

The Lemonade War Craft and Vocabulary Booklet

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies is a great story to read aloud to your class or use with your small group. This story follows both Evan and Jessie (who are brother and sister) as they dive into the world of running a lemonade stand. Along the way you will read about their grudges, misunderstandings, and competitive nature while also learning some kid-friendly business advice. Today I want to share two activities you can use with your students while reading The Lemonade War: a lemonade craft and a vocabulary booklet.
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After reading Love Monster by Rachel Bright, students can create their own love monsters with this free craft. You can choose between three different writing options.

Love Monster Craft & Writing Freebies

Can you imagine living in a world where no one loves you and you feel all alone? That's how Love Monster feels! This story written by Rachel Bright takes us on Love Monster's journey as he finds love when he least expects it. Today I'm sharing how to make this Love Monster craft and writing activity that you can use after reading this story.
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You can use these comprehension questions to guide your discussion when reading The Littlest Valentine by Brandi Dougherty.

The Littlest Valentine Activities

The Littlest Valentine by Brandi Dougherty is a sweet little story about a girl named Emma Valentine. Her family owns a gift shop and Emma finally gets to help with the family business. As she helps with different jobs, she is told over and over again that she is too little to help. In the end, Emma discovers that she isn't too little to share the love! Here are a few activities you can use with The Littlest Valentine in your classroom.
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Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

Teaching Kindness with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

February is a great month for spreading kindness in the classroom. Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, written by Eileen Spinelli, is an amazing book for demonstrating the impact a little bit of kindness can have on others. Today I want to share some of the ways I use this book in the classroom.
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Writing Ideas for January

January is just around the corner. It's always the start of a new year, but it's also a time when students fall into a slump during writing time. Here are some ideas to add a little spark to your writing.
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How Santa Lost His Job (Opinion Writing and Craft)

Can you imagine what would happen if Santa lost his job? Stephen Krensky has done just that with How Santa Lost His Job. Here is an opinion writing activity and craft you can use with your students after reading this book.
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How Santa Got His Job (Anchor Chart Freebie)

Do you know how Santa got his job? Stephen Krensky does and he shares the details in his story, How Santa Got His Job. After reading the story, I talk to my students about the qualities that make Santa the right person for the job. Now you can do the same and create an anchor chart to use with your students.
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One of the supplies I always have on hand in the classroom is sheet protectors. They are durable, affordable, versatile, and easy to use which is a win-win situation in my book. Here are four ways I have used them in my classroom.

Four Ways to Use Sheet Protectors in the Classroom

One of the supplies I always have on hand in the classroom is sheet protectors. They are durable, affordable, versatile, and easy to use which is a win-win situation in my book. Here are four ways I have used them in my classroom.
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If you're looking for an entertaining book to read to your students before Thanksgiving, you need to check out The Great Turkey Race by Steve Metzger! This book companion contains comprehension questions, vocabulary, and a directed drawing that pairs well with a writing activity.

The Great Turkey Race by Steve Metzger

If you’re looking for an entertaining book to read to your students before Thanksgiving, you need to check out The Great Turkey Race by Steve Metzger! This was always a favorite November read aloud in my second grade classroom and today I want to share a few activities that go along with the book.
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