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6 Ways to Create a Caring Classroom

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Creating a caring classroom environment is the most important aspect of teaching. If a child isn’t comfortable, they’re not going to learn. One thing I highly stress (especially at the beginning of the year) is a caring classroom. These are non-academic things I do in my classroom to make sure all students feel loved and valued in my class.

6 Ways to Create a Caring Classroom

Crinkled Heart

I found this kindness activity on Pinterest (where all fabulous ideas live). I’m not sure who the original creator of this activity is so if you know please leave a comment and I will give credit where credit is due.

For this activity, you’ll need a large heart cut from construction paper. First, I show my students the heart and have them describe it. I prompt them until they get to the point that the heart is smooth and looks perfect. Then, I have my students tell the heart mean things. They think this is so silly and say things like “you smell” or “I’m not your friend”. Each time they say something mean, I put a fold in the heart.

Once the heart can no longer be folded, I ask my students to describe the heart again. We get to the point of, it no longer even looks like a heart! Then, I tell the students that we’ve been really mean and I think we better apologize to the heart to make it feel better. They do and every time someone says something nice to the heart, I let out one of the folds. Once it looks like a heart again we describe it one last time. We compare how it looked in the beginning to how it looked at the end.

In our final discussion, I make sure to hit home the fact that even if you say nice things after you say mean things, the mean things still hurt the hearts of who you’re saying those things to.

Many people also use the book Chrysanthemum to go along with this activity. Each time someone makes fun of Chrysanthemum you can fold the heart and then re-open the same way described above. Either way, this activity is great for promoting a caring classroom as it helps students choose their words so they’re not “crinkling someone’s heart”.

Expectations

At the beginning of the year, I set expectations with my students. One way I do this is by having them come up with what they think our classroom rules should be. Yes, even in kindergarten, students know what is appropriate classroom behavior and what isn’t. I like doing this because it gives students more responsibility. I even have them all “sign” the bottom of the chart to agree they’ll abide by these rules!

“I Feel” Statements

I like to help students solve their own problems instead of always solving them for them. That’s why “I feel” statements are so important. Whenever students have an issue and come running to me to tattle, I turn it right back on them. I ask them to tell the person they’re having a problem with how they feel and I prompt them by saying “I feel …. when …. happened”. Even kindergarten students are able to articulate how they feel and why they’re upset. This is another way I promote a caring classroom. When students know how their classmates feel when they do something, it helps them think about if they should do that thing again the next time.

Bucket Fillers

Each year, I read How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer. This book helps introduce our classroom bucket fillers and how we will be a class of bucket fillers, not bucket dippers. After we read the book, students practice drawing (or writing) a bucket filler form to a classmate and putting it inside their bucket.

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Kindergarten Family

Being a kindergarten family is something I refer to all year-long. At my school, there is one class per grade from kindergarten all the way up to 8th grade. So, if students start in kinder and stay at the school through 8th grade, they know each other very very well. I like to refer to our class as a family instead of a class because that’s exactly what we are. If students look at each other as family members, they treat each other like a close group.

Star of the Week

Star of the Week is one of my favorite activities because I get to know students on a deeper level and students get to know each other on a different level, than just how they are at school. Students take home a poster (the week before they’re going to be the Star of the Week) and they present it the first day they’re the Star of the Week. Then, that whole week, there are special things the star gets to do such as bring a show and tell, start free play first and we all listen to a letter written about them from their parents. This week is so special for the entire class and I love getting to see connections being formed between students.

These are some of my favorite ways to create a caring classroom and start the year off strong. What are some ways you promote kindness in your classroom? Comment below!

The Importance of Free Play in the Classroom

When I tell people I’m a kindergarten teacher, often they ask what we do in my classroom. I run through a list of all the academics and include that we end with time for free play. Play, to anyone other than a teacher, is not thought of as another aspect of learning. Play, to some parents, is not thought of as an aspect of learning. We need to change this.

When I’m explaining what my 5-year-old students do each day, I feel like in order to be a legit teacher I need to state all the academics my students learn. Don’t get me wrong, math and reading, science and social studies, are important too, but play is just as important as a “core” subject. Kindergarten teachers are not less legit because play is incorporated in their daily schedule. Play is a key component of a kindergarten classroom schedule.

Why Play is a Key Component of Your Schedule

Social Skills

During free play, students develop social skills. They learn how to talk to friends, work out problems and how to share. These social skills are important in life as they grow up. I tell my kindergarteners that sometimes I don’t agree with someone I’m working with but we figure out how to solve the problem in a way that’s most fair. Students also need to learn social cues to be successful adults. They learn what’s appropriate and inappropriate behavior. They learn these skills while they’re playing.

Imagination and Creativity

Students can use their imagination and practice creativity when they have a chance to play. I’ve watched students pretend they were dogs and crawl around the classroom or pretend they were princesses in a castle. I’ve witnessed students playing store and creating hats and purses out of paper. Imagination and creativity is developed and used when students have a chance to play. This creates adults who are out of the box thinkers and solve world problems in ways we never thought possible.

Interests

When students get to choose what they do, they explore different materials and experiences and find their interests. A student who gravitates toward building with blocks may become an architect one day. I’ve had so many students play teacher and teach other students during our free play time. This exploration is important because they also find out what they’re not interested in. These experiences shape their journey as they grow into citizens of the world.

How to Incorporate Play in the Classroom

I set aside 30 minutes for free play every day of the week. However, I know that may not be possible for some classrooms or certain grade levels. There are ways to incorporate play in the classroom while you teach the “core” subjects.

Hands on Activities

When you use hands on activities, students feel like they are playing because hands on learning is fun learning. Give students activities that they can use their imagination and creativity. No activity should look exactly the same when finished. Students should be able to make it work for them and when they do this, they’re using problem solving skills, creativity and imagination.

STEM

Similar to hands on activities, using STEM in the classroom gives a play-like feel. My favorite part of STEM is that you provide the materials and the problem and students come up with the solution. When I observe students finding solutions, they come up with things I would have never thought of! Putting students in groups and having them work together adds an element of problem solving with others and developing social skills.

Readers Theatres

I love using readers theatres in my classroom (once my students feel more confident in reading) because it give them a chance to play a role that’s different from themselves. When students pretend to be something or someone else, they use their imagination.

Math Games

On Fridays, my students get to play math games that give them extra practice on skills we’ve learned throughout the week. During these games, students are not only practicing math concepts, but they’re also developing social skills, how to work out issues that arise, and how to play fair. These are all skills that students need to develop to be successful humans in the adult world.

Play is Important

Play is a crucial part of my schedule and a very important aspect of learning. I want students to learn kindergarten academics but I also want them to be good people. Free play gives them the opportunity to develop the skills needed to be good people in this world.

Do you incorporate play in your classroom? Comment below!

9 Ways to Utilize an Assistant Teacher or Parent Volunteers

I’ve been super blessed because in all the years I’ve been teaching, I’ve had a full time assistant teacher. I also have many parents who want to volunteer to help with things in the classroom. As a type A person who’d just rather do things herself, it was sometimes hard to loosen the reigns and let others help me. Once I learned how I could best utilize my assistant teacher and parent volunteers, I felt more productive, more organized and I could focus on things that really mattered in my classroom.

In order to utilize these helpers, you need to first be very organized. Some ways I stay organized are making lists, staring important things, and checking the calendar so I can plan ahead.

9 Ways to Utilize an Assistant Teacher or Parent Volunteers

1. Copying

Making copies can be so time consuming. If your school is like mine, there’s always a wait at the copier and sometimes the machine can’t get through a class set without jamming. Use your assistant teacher and parent volunteers to copy. I just write how many and how I want it (stapled, back and front, etc.) on a post it and put it on my assistant teacher’s list of things to do. I’ve also seen some people have a copy bin and as parent volunteers come help, they can grab the entire bin and get to work without any explanation.

2. Prepping Materials

When I look ahead on my calendar or plan for the next week, I make note of what materials will need to be prepped. This can be anything from art materials, science, math, really anything! When I figure out what I’ll need prepped, I write down how I’d like it prepped and when I need it by so my assistant teacher (or parent volunteers) can get it done before I need it. This has been super helpful because I can focus on the students and the lessons I am currently teaching. I also can use my preps for other activities like planning new, engaging lessons or writing emails, instead of prepping materials.

3. Teaching Specialties

My assistant teacher teaches handwriting to my students. These are low key lessons and is something that she can easily do. This gives me an extra prep and also gives me time to pull any students I may need to work with one on one.

At my school, we use an art program called Art in Action. This program is strictly run by the parents. They grab the lesson plan book in the beginning of the year, prep all art materials and get other parent volunteers to help during the actual lessons. If you haven’t heard of this program, you need to check it out. It’s truly amazing the art that my kindergarteners do!

4. Leading Centers

Each week, I invite parents to sign up to volunteer to lead a math game during our math centers. Students love when their parents come in and they get to show them the classroom and meet all their classmates. Parents also enjoy coming in and having a responsibility where they can work with the kids and not just behind the scenes.

I also use my assistant teacher to lead centers. For example, she meets with a group when we do guided reading. This is super beneficial to my students because there are two groups meeting with a teacher, not just one.

5. Sharpening Pencils

I don’t know about you but sharpening pencils is one of my least favorite activities. I know it’s necessary but it’s such a time waster. Whenever I sharpen pencils, all I think about is the many other things I could be doing! I have my assistant teacher do this job so I can focus on those many other things on my list.

6. Putting Up Bulletin Boards

I put this on the list of ways to utilize your assistant teacher or parent volunteers however, I have tried and I cannot let this go. Bulletin boards are my guilty pleasure and there is nothing I love more than a fresh display. If you are someone who isn’t particular about your bulletin boards then have your assistant teacher or parent volunteers do it!

7. Stuffing Friday Folders

If you send home folders with work or important information, you need to let your assistant or parent volunteers stuff them for you! Throughout the week, my assistant teacher takes any work that is graded (or stared – it’s kindergarten!) and files it by student. Then, once Friday comes, she grabs the papers from the file and puts it inside the student’s folder. This is super helpful because I don’t even have to think about this job. She completes it all on her own and students always go home with their work and important information each week.

8. Working One on One with a Student

Assistant teachers and parent volunteers are perfect for pulling and working with students one on one. You can have them test students on sight words, practice reading, or even guide a student who needs extra help on a worksheet.

9. Read Alouds

Sometimes I’ll utilize my assistant teacher by having her do a read aloud. This is helpful so I can work with a student one on one. This would also work with parent volunteers. It’s important for students to hear other voices read besides yours. Using your assistant teacher or parent volunteers for read alouds is a win-win!

Are you one of the lucky teachers who has an assistant teacher? Or do you have parent volunteers help out in your classroom? Share how you utilize your volunteers by commenting below!

#TeacherSelfCareSummer: A Summer Challenge for Teachers

Today is my last day of school, completing my 4th year of teaching! Summers are a wonderful time when you are a teacher. We work so hard and such long hours during the school year that summers are truly deserved. In the past, I’ve taken a few weeks off here and there over the summer, but felt like I was mostly in my classroom, working on things for the next school year and never really took a break for myself. This summer, I will be focusing on spending quality time with friends and family and working on my business through TeachersPayTeachers and my blog. I know I’m not alone when I say I would work most of the summer which is why I created a summer challenge for teachers.

I’m so excited to launch #teacherselfcaresummer, a challenge for teachers to fully enjoy their summer! #Teacherselfcaresummer is a summer bucket list of 25 activities/things to do for teachers everywhere. When you complete one of these activities, post a picture to Instagram and tag me @one_kreative_kindergarten as well as use the hashtag #teacherselfcaresummer. (I’ll be reposting some teachers so make sure you tag me and use the hashtag.) This is a way for teachers everywhere to enjoy their summer and not have just another working summer, spending hours upon hours in their classrooms. Take time for you!

#TeacherSelfCareSummer

Here is the list of 25 things you can complete over your summer vacation! You can also download it as a checklist to make it easier to keep track of what you finish, see below.

Read a book (for pleasure) – if a PD book is for pleasure that’s fine too!
Learn a new skill/hobby
Take a spontaneous trip/day out
Get together with a friend
Organize something – your house, your files, your make up, anything!
Stay up past 11
Try a new recipe
Swim in a pool
Sleep in until 9
Go shopping
Have a beach day
Go on a vacation or a weekend getaway
Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while
Go on a walk
Take a bath
Drink wine during lunch (or if you don’t drink – go out to lunch)
Rock a new outfit
Have a movie marathon day
Go on a hike
Go to happy hour
Have breakfast in bed
Go to a concert
Go on a date
Binge watch something on TV
Go to a sports game

I hope this list inspires you to have a #teacherselfcaresummer and focus on you for once! There are no real rules to this challenge. Participate when you want or when you can and tag me (@one_kreative_kindergarten) and the hashtag for the chance to get reposted. I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you do this summer and share what I’m doing with you over my summer!

“But it’s only kindergarten.” Why Kindergarten is Important

Kindergarten is often looked down on as a less important grade in school. Some questions I’ve received from friends or people I’ve discussed my career with are: your students are so young and so small, what can you do with them anyway? Don’t you just take naps and play all day? Can they read or write?

When I’m asked these questions, I feel like I’m forced to defend my job in order to feel important and like I’m making a difference. Kindergarten IS a necessary grade and more valuable than one may think. Kindergarten teachers: You ARE making a difference!! This post explains why it’s an important year in a students life.

Kindergarten is an introduction to school.

When kindergarten students walk into a classroom, that room is often their first classroom. If they didn’t go to preschool, a kindergarten class is their first experience of school. It’s in these classrooms that students learn what school is like.

School Rules

Students learn school rules in and outside the classroom in kindergarten. Often, a kindergarten teacher will spend weeks and months training students on expectations. Where do you think a student learns how to raise their hand? Or sit in a rug square? Not climb up the slide? It’s in our classrooms that students learn what is appropriate school behavior.

School Schedule

Kindergarteners get an introduction to a school schedule and all the different subjects they’ll learn in their school career. I display my schedule at the front of the classroom and I tell my students each day what we’ll be doing throughout the day. Usually, during the first few weeks, I’ll announce what we’ll be doing for the day and students will say “What’s science?” or “What’s math?”. It’s our job to teach students what kinds of things they’ll be learning in these subjects.

Passion for Learning

When we show them what they’ll be learning in different subjects, we help them develop their interests and their strengths in certain subjects. Kindergarten teachers pave the way to show children that school is an amazing place where you can learn through fun and engaging activities. I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher because I wanted my classroom be their first classroom experience so I could help my students fall in love with learning.

Kindergarteners learn social skills.

Learning social skills is crucial in a little one’s life. This is what helps them make friends, learn confidence and be an overall kind and caring human. Students learn social skills both in the classroom and on the playground. They learn how to express their feelings and how to talk to a friend. They also learn that they don’t get everything they want all the time. This is where learning how to share comes into play. Kindergarten students need to learn these skills to be successful, kind, communicating adults.

Kindergarteners learn the basics.

Kindergarten builds the foundation for other grades. Students learn many basics like letters, numbers, reading, writing, addition, subtraction, the list goes on and on. All of these skills are necessary for students to learn so they can be successful in first grade, second grade, on and on until the end of their schooling. Kindergarten teachers help build this strong foundation and trust me when I say, it’s no easy task!

To my Fellow Kindergarten Teachers:

You are making a huge difference in your students’ lives! Kindergarten is a tough grade to teach because there is so much to teach, academically and socially. When your #teachertired, ready for a break, or counting the days until the next weekend, just remember that you’re so appreciated by students, parents and other teachers because you’re setting your students up for success in school and in life.

Where are my fellow kindergarten teachers? Do you agree with this list? What other reasons make kindergarten such a crucial time in a child’s life? Leave a comment below!

You may be interested in…

My 10 Favorite Activities in Our Kindergarten Year

Classroom Reveal

A Round Up of My Favorite Teacher Blogs

The teaching community is so inspiring and super helpful. I don’t know about you whenever I need an idea or a creative way to teach a topic, I turn to Pinterest. Often, my answer to whatever question I have is on a teacher blog. The other space I’ve found tons of innovative ideas is Instagram. Through this community, I’ve met teachers across the US and even in other countries who have become more like friends. These people just get it because they’re living it day in and day out just like me. I try to talk to my husband or my family and friends about teaching things but they just can’t fully understand what it’s like to teach little people the way a teacher does.

I wanted to compile a list of some amazing teachers who have blogs filled with ideas, motivation and teachers who just get what it’s like teaching in today’s world. This list is broken down by grade level and specialty so you can find what you’re looking for. These teacher blogs are so amazing, so get grab a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine depending on when you’re reading this) and prepare to get lost in a whirlwind of inspiration.

K – 2

Teaching Little Leaders

Stephanie is a kindergarten teacher who has amazing lessons and tips for busy teachers. I love following her and shopping her TpT store!

Teaching a Latte in First

Melissa is a fellow Bay Area, CA teacher. She teaches first grade and loves coffee (who doesn’t?) hence her blog and Instagram name. Her recommendations in products are so on point and I love reading the #teacherproblems section of her blog!

For the Love of Teachers

Christine is a New Yorker and both a teacher and mom. Her posts are so real and so inspiring! Not only does she write about her classroom but she also writes about teaching as a whole career.

Live Between Summers

Shannon is a 2nd grade teacher who has been teaching for 12 years and loves to travel! She has a newer blog but it’s packed with awesome content! She writes about all things from classroom management to student collaboration!

Firstie Land

Molly is a first grade teacher and a fellow dog mom! She writes about all the engaging lessons she does with her students. Her blog even has a whole section of freebies!

Just Teachy

Megan is a Texas teacher who has taught kindergarten and first grade. She writes about lessons she uses in her classroom and gives links to the products on her TpT store if you want to use it in your own classroom!

The Primary Planet

Hilary is a teacher from Indiana with two busy boys. She writes about many aspects of the classroom, however, my favorite section of her blog is her “Book Talk Tuesdays”! These posts are book reviews of various genres and she gives freebies away that go along with the book. Amazing!

Tame the Classroom

Jasmine creates the awesome content on the teacher blog, Tame the Classroom. She writes about current teaching issues, lesson plan ideas, classroom tips and so much more. Her insight and expertise is inspiring!

Always a Lesson

Gretchen has taught 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade. She was meant to be a teacher because her maiden name means “teacher” in German. Not only does she run this teacher blog, but she also has a TpT store, has a podcast, leads a new teacher course and is a teaching coach!

3 – 5

Fantastically Fourth Grade

Sammie is a 4th grade teacher in North Carolina. We share the same passion for using guided math in the classroom. (We actually collaborated on this post all about guided math!) I love following her on Instagram because she has super cute ideas for the classroom.

Teach without Tears

Tara runs the teacher blog, Teach without Tears. She’s a third grade teacher with awesome ideas to de-stress. She writes about her classroom, teacher fashion and food!

Laura Dazzle

Laura is an aspiring children’s author with a love of teaching and writing. She writes about many topics including growth mindset, hands on experiences and of course picture books!

6 – 8

The Sweetest Teacher

Kayla aka Mrs. Dessert (how cute!) is a middle school teacher. She has a section of her blog called “Quick Recipes” all about quick lesson plans that can be adapted for any classroom. If you teach middle school, you have to check out her Shark Tank Junior product on TpT!

Hello Teacher Lady

Shauna is a middle school language arts and journalism teacher. She uses technology to engage her students in real life ways. Not only does she write about what she’s doing in the classroom but also she gives tips to teacherpreneurs!

High School

Exceptional ELA

Stacey teaches secondary ELA in Southern California. She’s newer to blog life but already has presented at a conference. What a great accomplishment! She writes all about this experience plus more.

Specialty

Supports for Special Students

Autumn teaches special education at the elementary level. Her teacher blog is a go to for all tips and ideas for working with students who have special needs. Her pictures are amazing visuals for what she uses in her classroom. She even has a TpT store for any resources you may need for your own students!

Steve’s Music Room

Steve is a music teacher and author of multiple music publications! If you are a music teacher or want to incorporate music into your classroom you must visit his blog. He even includes lesson plans!

Mrs. Shipley’s Classroom

Farrah has such an interesting teacher life. She has a ton of experience teaching in the classroom but now she teaches ESL online to children in China! On top of this, she is a retired executive board member for Whole Brain Teachers of America. If you want expertise, she’s the lady to look to!

Amazing Materials For You

Amy has taught just about every age from babies to 5th grade. Her blog contains bits of everything from technology in the classroom to language arts lesson ideas. Check out her TpT store for some great resources!

Teach Me Mr. West

Jason is a teacher with passion and care for all of his students. Although I don’t know him personally, I know this because of his blog and the posts he shares on it. He writes about all sorts of classroom and teaching things but mostly I love his blog because he’s so real and honest and isn’t afraid to give his opinion.

Lepre’s Learning Log

Kim has created her teacher blog around helping new teachers. Not only does she write helpful blog posts, but she also has a teacher course where she coaches teachers over the summer to help prepare them for their upcoming school year!

The Innovius Ideas

Madhura is a teacher who is passionate about math and technology. On her teacher blog, she shares ways to incorporate technology in the classroom and also tech tips for the teacherpreneur.

The Book Bug

Jo is a Media Library Specialist in Georgia and I cannot believe how many freebies are on her blog! Between lesson freebies, bookmark freebies or story starter freebies you’ll never run out of amazing additions to your classroom!

Party in the Art Room

Amanda writes about ways to integrate the arts and STEAM into the classroom. She takes regular content and spices it up with hands on ways that incorporate art. Not only does she blog, she also helps other teachers in her professional development and motivational speaking.

I’m so fortunate to have found this community of amazing teachers who help me grow and improve in my own classroom. What teacher blogs inspire you the most? Comment below!

Why I Love In-Class Field Trips

Field trips are such a great way to make learning come to life! They’re a day filled with excitement, hands on learning and a bit of chaos as students are out of their regular routine. Although I do love the opportunity to venture out into the community and spend the day somewhere other than the classroom, an in-class field trip can provide the same valuable experience without all the extra craziness of leaving school.

Depending on where you live and what you have around your school, there may be opportunities for in-class field trips. You can find these through different facilities that you would normally take your class to. Check if they have a class, workshop or presentation that would come to you.

Where I live, there is a place called CuriOdyssey. They have many different workshops that you can do at the facility or that will come to your school. My class does their “Egg-Sploration” workshop when we hatch chicks to connect to our oviparous unit. I’ve done this workshop a few times at the venue but I really love when they come to my classroom.

Why I Love In-Class Field Trips

You’re in the comfort of your own classroom.

I love an in-class field trip because you get to stay in your own classroom! You know where everything is, you have easily available bathrooms, you’re comfortable. No need to get acclimated with a new place. Plus the kids know your expectations because they’re in their regular environment.

Easier with little kids.

Ever have a field trip where students are running through the cafeteria or gift shop? It’s a nightmare! And, even with chaperones, you have to be on top of all students at all times. With little kids especially, you never know which way they’re going to go. An in-class field trip takes care of all this chaos.

No need for chaperones.

When you’re not going anywhere, you don’t need to take the step of getting chaperones. This means you aren’t hurting feelings of parents who can’t go or having to explain the rules and expectations to the parents who are going. This makes everything more low-key.

Or field trip forms or emergency bags.

You also don’t need to take extra steps in getting field trip forms or remembering to bring your emergency bag. Of course I tell parents that we’ll be having an in-class field trip, however, they don’t need to sign any forms because we have all the emergency info at school, where we’ll be staying for the field trip. You also don’t need your emergency bag which takes an extra load off, literally!

The whole day isn’t thrown off.

Usually when you go on a field trip, you leave in the morning and don’t return until at least after lunch. This is fun as the kids get to experience a new place and a new learning environment, however, it throws off your whole day and likely when you get back to school, students will be wound up and will want to do anything except sit at their desk. An in-class field trip only lasts an hour or two and since there’s no drive time, you can get back to your day right away.

Students get the same learning experience in their own environment.

In-class field trips are just as valuable as going somewhere for a field trip. The workshop we do, brings all the same things that they use at the facility so nothing is lost by doing it in the classroom. I believe students are even more focused when they’re in their regular environment and may get even more from the field trip!

5 Ways To Keep a Work, Life Balance as a Teacher

As I was going through my credential program, I remember everyone telling me that teaching is a profession where it’s really easy to work, work, work and let your job consume you to the point where teaching is the only thing in your life. When I heard this, I remember promising myself that I would have a life outside of teaching and I would remember the importance of being me, a wife, a family member, a friend and so much more.

Now that I’ve been a teacher for a few years, I’ve mostly kept that promise. Of course there are some days or weekends that I bring work home, or spend way too long on Pinterest searching for the perfect activity to go along with the content we are learning, but mostly I’m proud of how I have kept a work, life balance while enduring this tough career. Here’s what I’ve learned throughout my journey this far.

5 Ways You Can Keep a Work, Life Balance

1. Keep School Work at School

This is the hardest thing for all teachers to do! When we’re passionate, we take an idea and can run with it forever. Although it’s good to be passionate, we must remember that teaching is our profession and we need to make time for ourselves and the other important things in our lives. That’s why it’s so important to try to keep school work at school. Work during your preps, or before and after school, so you can leave school without a bag full of things to do at home. When you leave school, let it be. There will always be a million things you can do but it’s important to step away once you walk out the doors.

2. Give Yourself a Time Limit and Stick to it

Now, if you must bring work home (which happens) don’t let it consume you. Give yourself a time limit and stick to it. Or give yourself a task limit and stick to it. Set an alarm for one hour and when the timer goes off, put all your work away and be okay putting it away. Or, once you finish a certain task, pat yourself on the back and put all other work away. When you give yourself a limit, you’re making life a priority instead of having work consume you. Again, there’s always going to be some sort of work you can do. It’s okay if you don’t have everything finished today.

3. Use Your Time Wisely

Plan and prep during your prep times. I mention this in my how to be a productive planner post and it is so important if you want to keep a work, life balance. I have 2 hours and 35 minutes a week for prep time. Granted, this time is not all at once but is split into half hour chunks, but you can plan a lot more than you think in 30 minutes. Focus on a subject at a time and write a list for the things you can’t finish in that time period. When you use your time wisely during the school day, you don’t have work to bring home and can focus on your home life at home!

4. Schedule Out Important Events in Your Life

An event can be as simple as “hang out with your friends” or “go to the park with your dog” but make sure you schedule it! When you schedule it, it feels more official and you hold yourself to it. I’m constantly asking my husband what we want to do over the weekend and we make plans to do things on certain days and when we know the schedule, we make sure we set time aside for these important events in our lives.

5. Do One Thing for you Each Day

As teachers, we’re born with the characteristic of always thinking of others and putting ourselves last. I’m here to tell you it’s okay for you to do things for yourself! Make it a point to #stopteacherguilt and do at least one thing you love each day. For me, I love to watch reality TV. And, although, there are probably a million other more productive things I could be doing, I let myself watch a show (or several) every night. I use this as my downtime so I can rest and recharge. We’re not any good for others if we don’t take care of ourselves first!

What do you do so you can have a work, life balance? Comment below!

Incorporating Multisensory Activities in Handwriting to Strengthen Fine Motor Development

Motor development is a huge part of kindergarten! Fine motor skills are important because we use them in our writing, coloring, cutting and more. When a student has poor motor skills, they’re often embarrassed and feel less successful when completing assignments. I’ve even had students cry because they couldn’t do something that comes easily for their peers. That’s why, when I was getting my masters in education, I wanted to know the most effective way to improve students’ fine motor. I wanted a way to help students that came to my class with inefficient fine motor skills, so they could feel confident in all they did in my room. Through my research, I found that multisensory handwriting activities help students develop their fine motor.

The best way to engage students is through hands on, whole body learning. We’ve learned this in school, through student teaching and by observing our own students year after year. Multisensory activities are just that! Read on to find the multisensory activities I use during handwriting.

Multisensory Activities to Incorporate During Handwriting

Paint Bags – For this activity, ziplock bags are filled with paint. Students use their fingers to practice writing letters on top of the bag. I used painters tape to create a dotted line on the paint bags so students could practice uppercase and lowercase letters using the line.*Tip: tape your bags shut so you don’t have any big paint messes!
Sand Paper – Grab different types of sand paper (not too rough) and with a sharpie, make a dotted line. Students can use their fingers to practice writing letters. Another way to do this is to use sharpie to write the letters on the sand paper. That way, students just trace over the letters with their fingers.
Puff Paint – Use puff paint to write letters on a piece of paper. When the puff paint dries, it will be a raised letter for students to use their finger to trace over.
Shaving cream – Spray shaving cream evenly in a tin. Students use their finger to write their letters in the shaving cream.
Sand Table – I am fortunate enough to have a sand table in my room. Students flatten the sand and then practice writing their letters with their finger. If you do not have a sand table, you can make sand trays. Here’s an example from Pocket of Preschool.
Play dough – Students make the letters out of play dough and then trace with their fingers over the raised dough. Students can also flatten the dough and use a toothpick to write the letters in the dough.
Pokey thing – I have students use a pushpin to poke around letters (or sight words) that have been flipped around or mirrored. Using a pushpin strengthens their fine motor. Once they’ve poked all around the letters or sight word, they can trace the opposite side with their finger.

What activities do you incorporate in your classroom to strengthen your students’ fine motor?

The Ultimate Behavior Bundle for Any Classroom

Behavior management is a crucial part of the classroom. Most teachers will agree that learning can only happen when there is structure, routines and expectations put in place. That’s why it’s so important to take the first few weeks (or however long it takes) to establish these important aspects of your classroom. I have three behavior management systems in my classroom that you can read in another post. Here, I want to show you how I track student behavior and the importance of it.

Tracking Behavior

In my classroom, I use a clip chart for individual behavior management. So, I track behavior for each student based on where their clip is at the end of the school day. (For more information on how the clip chart works, read here.) I use a graph to color in what color each students’ clip ends. This graph is a visual representation of their daily behavior. What I love most about this graph is that it is so easy to see if a student just had a behavior slip up or if behavior is something they struggle with. When I notice a student consistently getting low colors on my chart, I use a behavior intervention strategy (mentioned below).

Behavior Intervention When the Clip Chart Doesn’t Work

Every student responds differently to each behavior management strategy. Throughout my experience in teaching, I’ve had to find ways to reach each student. So when I notice a student getting low colors on my chart for a period of time, I try a behavior intervention until I find one that works.

Behavior Intervention Strategies

Chunk the Day – Sticker Chart: This chart separates the school day into smaller parts. After each part of the day, I conference with the student about their behavior and they either get to add a sticker to their chart or they don’t.
Recess & Lunch – Sticker Chart: Similar to chunk the day, this sticker chart is specifically for recess and lunch time behavior. This year, I’ve had a few students that do fine in the classroom but struggle with the freedom at recess and lunch. This sticker chart works well for these students.

Blurt Chart: This is for the student who shouts out. They get three chances (or whatever you decide) and then get a consequence. I’ve never used this but there are lots of blurt chart ideas on Pinterest.
Kerplunk: This is a whole class intervention and something that has become very popular amongst teacher Instagrams. You set up the game Kerplunk and each time the class shows the desired behavior, you have one student pull a stick. Once all the marbles/balls fall, your class wins a reward! I started this last month and am absolutely loving it! My kids responded so well and are so excited when they get to pull a stick.

What behavior interventions work best for you? Do you track your students daily behavior? Leave a comment below!