Tag: elementary

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100 Days of School Celebrations

My second and third graders hit the 100th day of school mark today, and my kindergartner and preschoolers will hit it next week. It’s weird to think we are over halfway done with the school year already.

The second grade celebrated by inviting kids to dress up as 100 year olds and did a bunch of activities throughout the day. Amazon saved my behind with overnight delivery and kindly had a cute little “old man” costume at my door by 6 am. I dropped my son off at school and smiled as I watched other students walking into the school in costume. Sure, dress up days can be stressful, but they are so much fun!

Do you celebrate the 100th day of school at your school? If so, how do you celebrate? Since our school year started in the middle of August, we are hitting our 100th day sooner than a lot of other schools across the country. If you haven’t hit the 100 day mark yet, and are planning on celebrating with students, here are a few ideas you could use!

  • Have students dress up as 100 year old people— there’s nothing cuter than little kids dressed up as old people!
  • Ask each student to bring a small bag filled with 100 of something— noodles, buttons, small candies, beads, legos, Cheerios, pennies, crayons, erasers, etc. Have them compare how big or small each collection of things is— even though each bag contains 100 items, the fullness of the bags will differ according to the size of the items in them.
  • Give students 100 small items— math counters, buttons, pennies, etc. Have them sort them several different ways to show how many ways you can make 100.
  • Color and make 100 day hats or glasses.
  • As a class, in small groups, or individually, have students come up with a list of 100 words they know.
  • Make 100 day necklaces with 100 pieces of cereal. Have students count out their cereal before they make their necklaces.
  • Make a list of 100 things they can do (or want to learn to do).
  • Make a mosaic using 100 small pieces of paper.
  • Count out 100 ice cubes into a bowl. Have students guess how long they think it will take them to all melt.
  • Make a paper cup pyramid with 100 cups.
  • Have students create a “Before I am 100” bucket list with things they’d like to do in their lifetime. You can choose the number of things you want them to write on their list.
  • Go on a candy scavenger hunt. Write numbers 1-100 on dot stickers, then stick them on small wrapped pieces of candy (Hershey kisses work great). Hide them around the room and have students go on a hunt. Have them put the numbers in order as they find them. 
  • Have each student walk 100 steps. Measure whose steps went the furthest. You could try different ways to walk— little tiny steps, big monster steps, normal steps, alternating one small step with one big step, and so on. 
  • If you have snack time during school, give each student 100 of whatever snack you have that day. If you don’t normally have snack time, this is a great day to have one!
  • Choose a few exercise moves (sit ups, jumping jacks, push ups, etc.) you know your students can easily do and have them do 100 seconds of each exercise.
  • Give each student 100 interlocking math blocks. Have them build something with them. This is a fun small group or partner activity.
  • Using 100 objects, create 100 written out.

Well there you have it— fun ways to celebrate the 100th day of school! Happy celebrating!

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Ice Skating and the Classroom: More Similar Than You Think

Last week, I accompanied a large group of teenagers on an activity to go ice skating. They ranged in age from 11 to 17 years old. As I sat on the bench watching them and other patrons go around the rink, I noticed the wide variety of skill levels present. There were people clinging to the walls, barely staying upright, while others were effortlessly executing double axels and Biellmann spins in the center of the rink. As I seem to do with many situations I find myself in, I couldn’t help but think about how these varying levels of skill compared to the kinds of students we encounter in our classrooms. 

First, we’ve got the quiet achiever. These are the kids who are in the center of the rink, performing all kinds of cool tricks and moves. But the neat thing about these kids is that they aren’t doing it for show. They aren’t trying to impress other skaters or show off and brag. They are confident in their abilities to do what they know how to do, so they carry on, performing to the best of their ability, and constantly pushing themselves to learn new things and improve on what they already do know.

Next, we have the loud and proud skaters. These kids are the life of the party. They think they know how to do really impressive tricks, and they want everyone to know it. They draw attention to themselves. They might be in the center of the rink doing tricks, but they typically aren’t very humble about it, and they most certainly are trying to impress those around them. These students can be a lot of fun in class, but also know how to sometimes push it a little too far.

There’s also the easy gliders. I think this is where the majority of students are. These are the ones who are skating along, doing what they need to do to keep upright and moving, occasionally falling, but always getting right back up and continuing on. They will sometimes do a little extra trick or try to learn something new to perform. These kids are usually pretty well mannered and responsible with their tasks. 

Then we’ve got the kids who are gliding along the rink, doing only what they need to do to remain upright. They don’t like to do extra tricks, they don’t like to go out of their way to learn new things, and they seem to perpetually just go around and around, doing the minimum effort required to keep moving forward. 

Lastly, there are the kids, who, despite trying, are literally clinging to the walls, with legs flailing and skates slipping, barely staying upright. They are desperately trying to get the hang of skating, but just can’t seem to. They listen to more experienced skaters who give them pointers and advice, but for whatever reason, they still seem to struggle getting it. These kids are doing their best to try, and will cling to any amount of success they have– as they should!

Did certain students come to mind as you read about these different kinds of ice skaters? I can’t imagine a classroom full of students who all shared the exact same personality traits and learning styles. I mean, think about it— a room full of quiet introverts would generate some very awkward silences and lonnnnggg class periods. On the other hand, a room full of extroverted class clowns would lead to little getting accomplished and lots of exhaustion for the teacher. The point is, is that we need a range of personality types and learning styles to enrich our classrooms. Without that variety, I imagine our jobs wouldn’t be nearly as fun as they are with it. How do you celebrate these differences in your classroom?

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Internet Safety: Why it Matters

When I was in high school, the internet was just starting to really gain traction and become useful. Honestly, I still used my super awesome Encyclopedia Brittanica CD-Rom or a physical book for my research projects. I had to sit an listen to the obnoxious dial up noise while I waited for my computer to connect to AOL, and was very limited in my time online— because when your phone line and internet line are the same, you had to hurry so people could get through if they needed to call someone at your house. 

The internet was so new that we didn’t really understand the dangers that could be lurking with one single click. We were blissfully ignorant to those kinds of things. Public chat rooms were my favorite place to go online. I would spend as much time as possible chatting away with complete strangers, often sharing details about my physical appearance, location, age, grade in school, and so on. Yikes! 2025 me is appalled that 1997 me was so naive and open with people I didn’t even know. No one is at fault here; my parents and I didn’t know any better back then, but I can’t help but think about how unsafe that was. Knowing what I know now, I will make sure my kids know how to be cautious when online. 

Teaching internet safety begins at home. Today’s kids are exposed to the internet long before they even step foot into a school setting. Gone are the days where a computer had to be stationary; kids today have access to the internet via so many methods– iPads, phones, laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, and so on. Parents have a responsibility to teach their children what is and is not okay when it comes to online habits. Thankfully today, parents can set filters on their computers and phones. While these filters are not fool-proof, they do help. Online content can be sneaky and can find a way around filters— and so can kids who are determined to bypass them. 

Kids need to know what kinds of words to use in their searches. They need to know what kinds of websites and images are safe to explore. They need to know how to get out of an inappropriate website if they somehow stumble upon one. It’s imperative that kids today understand the dangers of interacting with strangers, and that they know to never give out personal information online. 

So how do parents and teachers go about teaching these kinds of skills? We model them! We allow our kids to be on the internet while we sit next to them, coaching them on what search terms to use, what websites are okay to go to, and so on. We let them sit by us as we are online, so they can see how we safely use the internet. 

Another way to teach internet safety is to talk about it regularly. We talk about the red flags, the kinds of words that will generate inappropriate search results, the kinds of things strangers might say if they are grooming a child, and so forth. Having open conversations about things that can potentially be a danger will help kids and teens to be more aware as they are online, and it will also help your kids to feel more comfortable coming to you on the chance that something does go wrong or does pop up. 

We ought to be careful to do our best to not make the internet sound like a super scary and terrible thing. Rather, we teach that it is a useful tool and amazing place that has potential dangers, and what we can do to protect ourselves if/when faced with them. 

In school, teachers and counselors can show videos or slide shows illustrating things kids might come in contact with. Librarians can help students understand what a reliable website might look like and how to detect false information. Students can be aware of their surroundings and can help to alert teachers if they see something amiss with their own computer or a classmate’s. 

The internet isn’t going away, and people with wrong intent will only get smarter and sneakier. Filters and “safe” phones can only stop so much. This means that we as parents and educators need to be sure that we are giving today’s youth the tools they will need to safely navigate a digital world. Together, we can arm kids with the power to conquer the malicious workings of those that aim to harm today’s kids. Together, we can be a force for good.

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Say Goodbye to Traditional Book Reports

One a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most, how much did you enjoy doing book reports as a student? I’d bet that the majority of people would say they are at a 4 or lower. Traditional book reports are just so… boring. They aren’t fun to students to write, and if I’m being totally honest, I’d bet that most teachers don’t enjoy grading them. 

So rather than having your students write a traditional essay style book report, try something new! Students always appreciate when things get jazzed up a bit, and I promise you that alternative book reports are a whole lot more fun to grade. Plus, different kinds of “reports” get students to think about their books in different ways. Rather than just a summary, they get to use more critical and imaginative thinking skills to complete their assignment.

I taught junior high English for a long time, and quickly learned how to change up the boring book report and make it into something fun. Book assignments that feel more like a fun time (but are still assessing learning) rather than a monotonous summary of a book are a sure fire way to get students more engaged and more willing to do the work. 

So if you are a teacher who has students complete an assignment based on a book they’ve read, give some of these a try! I have used all but a couple of these ideas myself in my classroom with my students, so I assure you that they are fun and engaging for students!

  • Book quizzes— three or four short answer questions about their book. 
    • Describe the main character
    • Use good describing words to “show” what the scenery in the book is like
    • What was the biggest conflict in the book, and how was it resolved?
    • Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
    • etc.
  • Draw a new cover for the book.
  • Create a playlist of songs that would be the soundtrack to your book. With each song, describe what part of the book you chose that song for and why you chose it. Illustrate an album cover.
  • Create a comic strip for a scene in your book.
  • Write a test for your book— include some multiple choice questions, several short answer questions, and an answer key.
  • Write and illustrate a children’s book version of your book. 
  • Write an interview for one of the characters. Include the character’s answers.
  • Create a social media profile for one of the characters. Include a profile picture and a couple of posts with pictures and captions.
  • Rewrite the ending of the book.
  • ABCs of the book— think of something that has to do with your book for every letter of the alphabet. In 2 sentences, describe how that word ties to the book.
  • Write a text message exchange between two or more characters discussing something that happened in the book.
  • Choose one character and write 2-3 journal entries from their point of view.
  • If there was a certain food that the book mentioned a lot, find a recipe and make it. Bring it to share with the class.
  • Create a timeline of events that happen in the book.

Hopefully one or more of these ideas will be useful to you. If anything, it’s given you a reason to think about the way you assign book assignments and how you might be able to change things up a bit!

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Inauguration Day Freebie

Inauguration Day only comes every four years, so it’s likely that your current students don’t have any memories of the last one because they were too young, or they were old enough to know it was happening, but not old enough to really care too much. Since our next Inauguration Day will be one week from today, I’ve created a word search for you to print off and use with your students. You will find a list of words that have to do with the inauguration, which provides an excellent teaching opportunity as you go over the words and what they mean– and how each word ties to a Presidential Inauguration.

*Please only use for classroom or home use*

Inauguration Day WordsearchDownload
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The Wonder of Sleep

There are certain things that are essential for our bodies to have in order for them to function as they should: water, food, and sleep. Without these three things, our bodies would simply not work. Food and water fuel us and give us the nutrients, energy, and hydration we need to keep going. While sleep doesn’t provide us with nutrients, it is still essential to our survival. Children and teens, especially, need sleep. But why is it such an essential element of our survival? Let’s talk about it!

Sleep is beneficial for so many reasons. I know I personally function much better when I’ve had a good night’s rest, and I know my kids do too. I often wonder why my kids fight bed time with all they have, and find myself thinking that one day, they will realize just how amazing sleep is! 

Brain Development

Sleep is absolutely essential for brain development. During sleep, the brain is able to sort through the day’s happenings, save what it needs to, and delete what it doesn’t. Hormones that promote growth and repair are also released during sleep. Since the brain continues to develop and mature into early adulthood (I’m looking at you, frontal lobe!), sleep is incredibly important for children and teens. 

Cognitive Function

Have you ever tried to read, do math, think through things, or do really anything that requires any amount of focus on little sleep? Did it go well for you? Getting good sleep plays a big role in the brain’s ability to function cognitively. Proper sleep helps children’s brains to be able to process and understand information, retain what is learned, and focus on the task at hand. All of those things are part of their daily lives, especially once they are in school. 

Physical Function and Growth

Trying to do physical activity when you aren’t well rested is hard. Movements are sluggish and energy is low. Sleep also plays a big role in physical growth and development. During rest periods, the body is hard at work, growing, developing, and changing. 

Emotional Function

I don’t know about your kids, but with less sleep, my kids are an emotional mess! And let’s be honest, so am I. Lack of sleep can create a perfect storm for increased emotions, less patience, and increased anxiety. It is harder for kids to regulate their emotions when they are tired. Everything seems to be exaggerated when they are tired. Sleep is an excellent sanity saver!

Immune System Function

Sleep does wonders for the body’s ability to fight off infections and illnesses. When a person is asleep, the body is able to go to work repairing, healing, and fighting off the bad guys. Have you ever noticed that you get sick easier when you haven’t been getting enough sleep? Or that when you are sick, you just want to sleep all the time? Kids are the same way. Sleep is a natural way to heal the body. More sleep = healthier kids, and that’s something we all want!

Sleep is so much more than a cozy bed and rest. It is essential for the body to function at its fullest. Kids and teens who are still growing and developing especially need sleep to allow their bodies to grow and develop like they need to. Without sleep, I think we’d have a bunch of groggy, grumpy, brain-fog plagued kids on our hands. And I can’t think of one teacher or parent who wants that for their kids! Sleep is crucial, and does amazing things for us!

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Dear Teachers

Dear Teachers,

I see you. I know your job isn’t easy. You’ve got a million things on your plate. I see those late nights spent planning the perfect unit and lesson. I see the stacks of papers that need to be graded and the list of grades that need to be entered. I know your email inbox has emails– both good and not so good– from parents and admin. You’ve got to juggle students with 504 plans and IEPs and find ways to challenge your gifted students. I know you’ve got that one student (maybe more) in your class that just can’t sit still and is constantly causing disruptions. By the time school is over, you’re tired of redirecting, repeating yourself, and helping students find their lost pencils (again). I know your feet ache by the end of the day from standing and walking around all day long. I know your voice is tired. I see you, simultaneously teaching the current lesson while mentally worrying about and planning the next several days. I know the PLC meetings, staff meetings, trainings, IEP meetings, and district development days are draining and time consuming, especially when you have a ton of other stuff you need to get done. I see you, taking time after class to straighten desks, pick up trash, and prep for the next day. I see you rushing to cram a bathroom break, lunch, and a minute to breathe into your 30 minute lunch period. I see you showing up to work sick because sometimes it’s just more work to prepare sub plans. I see you making hard discipline decisions. I see you trying to figure out seating charts because you know that those certain few students can’t be anywhere near each other without causing complete mayhem. I see you, and I see all the hard, tricky, not-so-fun parts of your job. 

But you know what? I also see the amazing things you’re doing and the really cool parts of your job. I see you taking your own personal time to plan and grade because you care about what your students are learning, and you want them to be engaged. The hard work you put into accommodating students with various needs shows how much you want your students to succeed. I see you taking time to help the one student who is struggling to understand the content. I see you helping them to grasp concepts. I see the smile on your face when you see the lightbulb go on for a student. I see you showing up, day after day, even when you don’t feel like it. I hear you saying kind and encouraging things to your students. I hear students in the halls talking about how much they love your class and how amazing of a teacher you are. I see those emails from parents thanking you for all you do. I see you worrying about your students because you care about them and love them. I watch as you head down to the counseling office because a student has turned in a writing assignment telling you about how they are neglected or abused at home. I see you helping a student get the resources they need when they tell you their family doesn’t have money for food or clothes. When a student has a hard day, I see you taking a minute to encourage them and lift them up. I see you attending games, plays, and concerts after school hours to support your students and their interests. I see you taking a genuine interest in your students and really getting to know them. I see as you celebrate the wins and mourn the losses with your students. They know you care. They know you are a trusted adult, and I see students come to you for help when they don’t have anyone else to listen to them. I hear the laughter coming from your classroom as you share a story or joke you know they’ll love. I hear you cheering them on as they learn, grow, make mistakes, and do their best. 

I know the days are long, and some days are really, really hard. But I see you, and I know you’re doing a fantastic job. The youth of today will build a better tomorrow because of the influence you have had on their lives. Thank you for your love, your dedication, and passion. 

Sincerely,

Someone who has been in your shoes