For kids out there who struggle with reading, the thought of picking up a book can be daunting. Reading a book, whether independently or in a group setting, can either: a) cause a great deal of anxiety or, b) cause students to “check out”, leaving them to miss key details for comprehension. Whether students are struggling to read the words, or struggling to understand them, I’ve got a list of the 6 perfect picture books for struggling readers. 1. Press Here – By: Herve Tullet Press Here is a fun and interactive book that does not follow a traditional narrative format. Instead it presents readers with a series of instructions, for which the book garners apparentContinue reading
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5 Fun Pumpkin Lessons For Kids
Pumpkins are arguably the most iconic symbol of the Fall season. Even better, pumpkins are widely available in stores and homes. They are awesome when used in decor, recipes and halloween carving fun. This makes them a perfect object to incorporate into our lessons. Continue reading below for 5 fun pumpkin lessons for kids! 1. Scientific Procedure First things first, if you have an untouched pumpkin, then you have the perfect object for a scientific investigation. Students can be introduced to the idea of a hypothesis in which they can take guesses as to what is inside the pumpkin. For example: “I think the pumpkin will have seeds inside of it, because most things that grow fromContinue reading
Back to School Survival List for Parents
When my daughter was starting JK I was on the hunt for all of the best tools and resources I should have on hand. I knew what it was to be a teacher, and I knew what I wanted kids to come to school with. But, as a parent, this was a whole new world. After some thought and research, I collected what I now call my school survival list for parents. Waterproof Labels I’m smitten over my recent waterproof labels find! If you have elementary-aged children and want to label their water bottles or containers you need these labels. I personally used the Emily Press Labels, which are super easy to apply and actually lookContinue reading
Free Book Study – Zaid and the Gigantic Cloud
When kids love a story (especially one with a moral, diverse characters and plenty of great language) I like to make it a focus of study. In that spirit, I created a free book study resource of Zaid and the Gigantic Cloud. The book study is meant to reinforce effective reading strategies such as: – Predictions – Mental Images – Inference – Making Connections – Summarizing – Identifying Story Elements The package includes 8 worksheets, with each one reinforcing a different reading strategy. This is a perfect way to get kids to make more meaning out of their texts and engage with stories. Give it a try and leave a comment telling me what youContinue reading
How To Get The Best Star Themed Classroom
A star themed classroom is probably one of the most common themes out there. For me though, that doesn’t make it less special. I get it: stars are empowering, grand and inspirational. It’s a wonderful analogy to give to our students and can be used in lots of creative ways. Check out my ways to get the best star themed classroom. Work It Into Your Classroom Management Stars are a super easy theme to work into your classroom management methods. They are a great way to track progress, and reward students for their effort. It naturally provides such a warm tone to any classroom management strategies as it leans easily towards positive reinforcement.Continue reading
Name Spelling Practice – Getting Kindergarten Ready!
My daughter will be starting kindergarten this September, and I’ve been thinking of ways to get her ready for this huge milestone. One thing I’d really like to help her with is spelling her name. Even if she can’t write it out herself, I want to get her familiar with the spelling and letter-sounds involved. It’s a great way to get kids feeling responsible for their classwork, identifying their belongings and is a nice transition towards writing. Here are my 5 favorite name spelling practice ideas! Playdoh Practice My daughter is a bit obsessed with playdoh and finds any excuse to use it. I have a hunch that most kids would jump at a chanceContinue reading
Father’s Day Coupon Booklet Activity
It’s time to appreciate the father’s in our lives, and I’ve got just the activity for you. It’s simple and sweet, which is just what a busy mom needs. Try out my Father’s Day Coupon Booklets! These are perfect to print last minute if you haven’t yet had time to purchase a gift. (Don’t have a teachers pay teachers account? You can find the booklets here) This year we’ll be pairing our coupon books with a hand-painted mug (courtesy of Michaels Canada). Check out the two designs you’ll get: What will you be doing for Father’s Day this year?
Amazing Eid Gift Favors for Under $10 (coupon codes inside)!
As Eid fast approaches, many of us are starting to think about how to make the day memorable for our kids. And… if you’re family is full of kids like mine is, that can be a pretty expensive undertaking. But, don’t fret! I’ve come up with the perfect list of Eid gift favors, that are all UNDER $10!! There are so many opportunities to get creative with our Eid gifts. We can give gifts that get kids playing, problem solving and having fun. Here is my list of 5 Eid gift favors that (aren’t candy 😀 and) are under $10! 1. Dollar Store Mix & Match The key here is to pick a theme and these favorsContinue reading
4 Ways To Make Ramadan Educational
The month of Ramadan is approaching, and Muslims around the world are gearing up to celebrate it. If you don’t yet know, Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, who are encouraged to fast during daylight hours, give in charity and be God-conscious. There are a lot of lessons to be learned during this month, and we can use it to educate our children. Take a look below for 4 ways to make Ramadan educational. 1. Teach Goal Setting Ramadan is a great time to teach our kids about goal setting, which will help promote a growth mindset. I absolutely love Little Wings Gallery’s “Ramadan Goals” printable. It’s great when kids see their goals in a visual format.Continue reading
Ramadan Math Package – Freebie!
For all the homeschooling moms out there, I know you’ll probably need a break from everything while fasting. That’s why I creating this free Ramadan themed math package, just for you. It’s perfect for ages 7+ and includes concepts such as data management and number sense. There are 5 fun activities (which means you could do one or two a week during Ramadan). Enjoy, and let me know what you think! Five Math Activities: Tally Chart & Pictograph: Calendar Number Chart & Directional Grid: Venn Diagram for Sorting: Please share and tag @myeverydayclassroom!