Author: H M

Uncategorized

Empower Students With These Self Esteem Activities

*This post contains affiliate links for convenient viewing* Our students are young and are still discovering how they fit in to the world around them.  Whether your students are in grade 1 or grade 9, you will need self esteem activities to help build their confidence.  Our students live between two worlds, their home life and their social life.  As teachers, we have a unique window into their social life and it is our responsibility to teach our students how to navigate themselves while feeling proud, strong and encouraged with who they are.  Here are some wonderful self esteem activities and books for you to explore: Get students to acknowledge their strengths: Allow students an opportunityContinue reading

My Writing, Reading

Crafting Connections – Guest Post

I recently stumbled upon a wonderful blog called Crafting Connections.  Since then I’ve frequently visited it and found wonderful ideas and lesson inspiration.  There are some amazing posts that you must see, such as: Proficiency Scales and Author’s Purpose. Anyways, I enjoyed this blog so much that I requested to do a guest post for it, which was graciously accepted.  I wrote about the importance of asking questions as a reading strategy, as well as how to get your students asking critical thinking questions.  Take a look at the post here, and let me know your thoughts! Here are more ways to check out Crafting Connections: Instagram, Bloglovin, Pinterest, Facebook I hope you all enjoy this blog find andContinue reading

Centers, Games, Math

Division Games & Activities – Learning with Fun!

*This post contains affiliate links for convenient viewing* Students are always ready to play, aren’t they?  Why not use that passion to your advantage?  This is especially useful when dealing with curriculum topics that students may find difficult, such as math, and in this case: division.  Here are some division games that will have your students playing and learning! Division Jenga: Tape division equations on jenga blocks and have students solve each equation before they’re allowed to use the block.  You could make it even more beneficial by telling students they have to state the answers to all equations the block would be touching as well.  The same applies for when they remove a block.Continue reading

Uncategorized

6 Community Service Ideas For Students

There is no feeling in the world like knowing you’ve inspired real change in your students.  These ideas will give you just that feeling.  Encouraging your students to give back to their peers, families and greater community is a lesson that will leave a lasting impact.  You’ll feel proud knowing you’ve pointed your students towards community service and your students will feel spirited and encouraged seeing the difference they’ve made.  You cant go wrong with this type of project.  Here are 6 community service ideas for students that will make a difference and inspire! 1. Start small: Starting a community service project doesn’t have to be a daunting endeavor.  It can be as simple asContinue reading

Art, Classroom Organizaion

8 Unique Ways to Display Student Artwork

Creating Art is a time for celebrating free thinking, creativity and workmanship.  Often times, when students complete an art piece they feel proud about it and want to display it.  Of course teachers love to display student artwork as a way to liven up their walls.  However, with time and experience that form of displaying art can get dull and predictable.  So, I present to you: 8 unique ways to display student artwork.  Your students will be thrilled to see their artwork this way! 1. Create An Art Mobile This is an awesome way to give your room some umph! An art mobile adds a 3D element to the work, and allows the artwork toContinue reading

Writing

10 Creative Writing Prompts – Pictures & Graphic Organizers

Have you been wanting to jazz up your writing activities?  I have just the thing: picture writing prompts.  Each prompt below targets a specific writing genre and is accompanied by a graphic organizer, which will help students in their writing process.  Using prompts is a great way to give students vivid imagery without giving them all the details.  You’ll be surprised to see the ideas that your students will come up with. 1. Attack of the Gummies! This picture will definitely appeal to any kid and get their creative juices flowing!  Which kid wouldn’t be excited by the possibility of a faucet that provides endless candy. This would make a perfect writing prompt for aContinue reading

End Of The Year

4 Gifts For Teachers That They Actually Want

*This post contains affiliate links for convenient viewing* At the end of the year, some students & parents opt to give their teacher a small token of appreciation.  So I’ve put together a list of 4 gifts for teachers that they actually want & find useful.  As a teacher, I can tell you that (even though it is dearly appreciated) some personal items are not relevant to all teachers.  For example, a box of chocolates may not be suitable for a teacher with an allergy or dietary constraint.  However, I can tell you that we certainly appreciate the thought and admire the effort.  Check out the list below if you’re interested in getting your child’sContinue reading

On Being A Parent

Kidpreneur – Teach Kids Entrepreneurship in 5 Steps

*This post contains affiliate links for convenient viewing* The feeling you’ll get if you’re able to achieve this project will be such a rewarding moment.  Inspire your students to think outside the box and become a kidpreneur!  You may just spark something in your students that will remain as a life long lesson.  What I love about this is that it gives your students character lessons in self confidence, persistence and hard work. Ideally, you can tie these entrepreneur lessons in with a media literacy unit.  The two go hand in hand, since students will need to think of such things as target audiences, appealing to consumers, etc.  Here are the steps you’ll need to teach kids entrepreneurship.Continue reading

Classroom Management, End Of The Year

Top 4 Creative Student Awards

*This post contains affiliate links for convenient viewing* Throughout the year, and especially as the year ends, we often look to acknowledge our students’ strengths as a way to give them encouragement and keep them motivated.  It’s also common to hand out student awards for overall achievement at the end of the year as a way to celebrate their efforts. But, in all honesty, this can get kind of boring.  So, I give you: the top 4 creative student awards that you MUST try! 1. Ribbons This is unlike your typical certificate because students can wear them and display them with pride to all their classmates.  There is something so rewarding in receiving a ribbon!Continue reading

End Of The Year

8 Amazing End of the Year Activities

*This post contains affiliate links for convenient viewing* The end of the school year is a special time.  It’s brimming with excitement and promise, while also garnering reflection over the year that passed.  When this time rolls around teachers are mostly done with their core curriculum and find themselves with more time to try new and creative lesson ideas they couldn’t otherwise do.  However, this time shouldn’t be squandered or eagerly passed, there are really useful lessons to be had.  Here are 8 amazing end of the year activities every teacher must try! 1. Go Out with A Bang… or a pop? Leave a lasting impression of your creativity with your students.  Make the last fewContinue reading