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How Technology Is Making Learning Fun in Elementary Schools

Teacher's Pay Teachers

Let’s face it, technology is everywhere these days. From the smartphones we carry around to the smart TVs we watch, it’s become part of our daily routine. And guess what? It’s also changing the way kids learn in elementary schools. 

technology

Here’s how technology is making education more engaging and exciting for both students and teachers.

1. Learning Gets More Interactive

Remember when learning meant sitting at a desk with a textbook? Those days are fading fast. Now, kids have tablets, smartboards, and interactive games to help them learn. These tools let students get hands-on with their learning. Need to practice math? There’s a game for that. Want to explore science? There’s a cool simulation for that too. It makes learning a lot more fun and, let’s be honest, a lot less boring!

2. Personalized Learning for Each Kid

One size doesn’t fit all, especially in education. That’s where technology comes in. Teachers can use educational apps and software to create custom learning plans for each student. This way, kids can go at their own pace and get extra help in the areas where they need it most. It’s like having a personal tutor for everyone in the class!

3. Working Together, Even When Apart

Collaboration is key, and technology makes it super easy for students to work together. Platforms like Google Classroom let kids share ideas, work on projects, and ask questions—even when they’re not in school. It’s a great way to build teamwork and communication skills, which are useful no matter what you do in life.

4. A World of Resources at Their Fingertips

Thanks to the internet, students have access to tons of resources. Whether it’s an online library, educational videos, or interactive websites, there’s a lot to explore. Teachers can use these resources to make lessons more interesting and give kids a deeper understanding of the topics they’re studying. It’s like having a library card to the entire world.

5. Encouraging Creativity and Innovation

Technology gives kids the tools to be creative and innovative. From coding apps to video editing software, they can work on projects that go beyond paper and pencil. This not only makes learning more engaging, but it also helps them develop skills that could be useful later on. Who knows, the next great app developer might be sitting in your classroom!

6. Getting Ready for the Future

We all know that technology isn’t going away, so it makes sense to get kids comfortable with it early on. By using technology in the classroom, teachers are helping students build digital skills and get ready for a tech-filled future. It’s not just about using the latest gadgets—it’s about learning to think critically and solve problems in new ways.

Looking for ways to add more technology into your classroom? Check out these 3 digital resources for elementary students! 

Digital Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions SIGHT WORDS | Google Slides

Are you looking for a Google Ready Digital resource to improve comprehension, fluency and that includes sight words? I have you covered with this 90+ page resource! 90 sight words, movable parts, and reading comprehension all in Google Slides making it great for distance learning or in person!

Escape Room Sight Words | Digital Escape™ | Google Apps

Looking for digital activities to learn sight words? I have you covered! During the escape, students will be tasked with solving sight word clues to unlock locks in order to break a spell that is placed on their room by an evil professor. There is a PDF included in this download with directions, the link to the site, an answer key, and an optional note-taking worksheet for students. This activity takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

Build a Bear Design & Writing | Google Slides & Print

Are you looking for a great way to do an engaging virtual or in-person writing lesson with students?  I have you covered with these interactive, editable Google Slides to easily have students copy and paste movable parts to design their own bear digital (or in-person).  Then, they will write a narrative, persuasive, or opinion paper about their bear. 

I hope you love these digital activities! Looking for more online learning tips and resources? Check out my post here! 

5 Fun Ways to Celebrate the End of the Year with Your Students

Teacher's Pay Teachers

Can you believe it’s already time to start planning end-of-the-year activities? Time really does fly when you’re having fun. It’s the perfect time to celebrate the hard work, growth, and accomplishments of our students! If you’re looking for end-of-the-year activities to do with your students or ideas for your end-of-the- year party, you’re in the right place!

end of the year activities

Here are some fun and creative end-of-the-year ideas to wrap up the school year with a bang:

Class Awards Ceremony

Celebrate the unique talents and achievements of each student with personalized awards. From “Most Creative Thinker” to “Super Scientist” or “Kindest Heart,” recognizing their individual strengths will make each student feel special. 

Try this! End of the Year Awards Certificates | Candy Awards | Superlatives

Outdoor Picnic

Take advantage of the warmer weather and organize a picnic in the schoolyard or local park. Bring along some games, snacks, and music for a relaxing afternoon of fun and camaraderie.You can also work on a memory book together! 

Try this!  End of the Year Memory Book | Google Slides™ 

Have a Themed Day

Celebrate the last days of school by organizing a themed day! Let your students vote on a theme, whether it’s pajama day, superhero day, beach day, or favorite book character day. Encourage them to dress up accordingly and plan themed activities and games throughout the day. It’s a fantastic way to foster creativity, teamwork, and a sense of community as you bid farewell to the school year in style. 

Try this! End of the Year Theme Days BUNDLED | Activities

Take a Virtual Field Trip

Just because you can’t physically travel doesn’t mean you can’t embark on an exciting adventure! Take your students on a virtual field trip to explore faraway places, historical landmarks, or even outer space. There are countless virtual tours, museums, and educational websites available online, offering immersive experiences that will captivate your students’ imaginations. 

Try this!  Virtual Field Trip BEACH DAY | Google Slides | End of the Year

Classroom Movie Marathon

Set up a cozy movie corner in your classroom and let your students vote on their favorite movies to watch together. Don’t forget the popcorn and comfy blankets for a cinematic experience they won’t forget! Add some coloring pages for extra fun! 

Try this! Fun Coloring Pages | Growing Bundle (SPECIAL PRICING) | April | Seasons

I hope you have a lovely time celebrating the end of the year with your students.

Don’t forget to celebrate all of your hard work too, you deserve it! 

Want more end-of-the-year activities? Check out my post here! 

3 Fun Ways to Practice Opinion Writing

Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips, Writing


As teachers, we know that opinion writing for kids is an important skill to learn early on in students’ education. It’s a great way to foster critical thinking, communication skills, and empowerment in students- preparing them for the future! 

opinion writing

If you are getting ready to start your opinion writing unit with your elementary students and you’re looking for some opinion writing prompts or opinion writing activities that will fully engage your students in their lessons, you’re in the right place! 

What is a fun way to introduce opinion writing?

There are many ways that you can start your opinion unit. Try out these ideas:

Classroom Survey

Begin by conducting a classroom survey on a light-hearted topic, such as your favorite ice cream flavor or preferred recess game. Students can then analyze the survey results and write about their own opinions, providing reasons to support their choices.

Picture Book Analysis

Choose a picture book with a clear opinion expressed by the characters or narrator. After reading the book together, discuss the opinions presented and encourage students to share their own viewpoints. This can serve as a springboard for students to start forming and writing about their opinions.

Role-Playing Activity

Create a scenario where students take on different roles or characters with differing opinions on a simple topic, such as “Best Season of the Year” or “Preferred School Lunch.” Allow students to express their assigned character’s opinion and reasons through role-playing, then transition to writing about their own opinions independently.

Looking for some ready-made activities that are low-prep and, most importantly, fun?! Look no further than these opinion writing activities! 

Opinion Writing Unit with Cookies

Opinion Writing with Cookies is a student favorite! Add some cookies and watch the creative writing flow. 

Designed with K-2 students in mind.

What’s in this download? 

Cover

Table of Contents

Lesson Plan for 5 Days

Brainstorm Page

In My Opinion Page

Thank About Your Cookie

Cookie Opinion Organizer for K-1

Cookie Organizer for 1-3 TEACHER SAMPLE

Cookie Organizer for 1-3 With intro and closing help

Cookie Organizer for 1-3 Blank (Students do all on their own.)

Primary Writing Lined Paper

Intermediate Lined Writing Paper

Cookie Acoustic Poem

Opinion RUBRIC for scoring

Writing Certificates

Transition Words

Descriptive Words for Cookies

POSTER

Parent Home Letter (cookie request)

Opinion Writing Dog vs Cat Writing Activity

Dogs vs Cats is a student favorite and gets their creative writing juices flowing! Students can use the graphic organizers to plan their opinion papers.

What’s in this download? 

Cover

Table of Contents

Lesson Plan

Donation Request (dog and cat-themed treats)

Opinion Poster

Cover for a Book (optional)

Transition Words/Phrases

Descriptive Words

Brainstorming

Think About Your Favorite

Primary and Intermediate Opinion Graphic Organizers with a SAMPLE (on pages 12-14)

CAT HEAD Writing Toppers (on pages 15-20)

DOG HEAD Writing Toppers (on pages 21-25)

Primary and Intermediate, Dog and Cat Paws, Writing Paper to match the topper they choose. (on pages 26-39)

Acrostic Poems (Extra Activity) (on pages 40-41)

RUBRIC

Super Author Certificates

Opinion Writing Prompts BEST Candy | Graphic Organizers

Opinion Writing with Candy is a student favorite! Add some candy and watch the creative writing flow. 

Designed with K-3 students in mind.

What’s in this download? 

Cover

Standards

Lesson Plan

Brainstorm Page

In My Opinion Page

Think About Your Favorite Candy

Candy Opinion Organizer for K-1

Candy Organizer for 1-3 TEACHER SAMPLE

Candy Organizer for 1-3 With intro and closing help

Candy Organizer for 1-3 Blank (students do all on their own.)

Primary Writing Lined Paper (on pages 12 & 13)

Intermediate Lined Writing Paper (on pages 14 & 15)

Picture Box Writing Options (on pages 16 & 17)

Acoustic Poem

Opinion RUBRIC for Scoring

Writing Certificates

Transition Words

Descriptive Words for Candy

POSTER

Parent Donation Request Letter

I hope your students love these opinion writing activities! For more writing fun, check out my post here!

3 Sweet and Thoughtful Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids

Craft Ideas

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to plan some special surprises with your students to celebrate the amazing moms or guardians in their lives. If you’re looking for Mother’s Day activities or some Mother’s Day crafts for kids in your classroom to create, you’re in the right place. 

Mother's Day crafts

As teachers, we know how much effort and love our students put into making these Mother’s Day gifts, so I’m sharing three simple yet thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ideas that your students can make this Mother’s Day. 

1. Handmade Cards Bursting with Love:

One of the simplest yet most heartfelt gifts your students can create is a handmade card. Encourage them to let their creativity flow! Provide them with colorful construction paper, markers, stickers, and any other craft supplies you have on hand.

Guide them to write a sweet message inside, expressing their love and gratitude for their moms. It could be as simple as “Mom, you’re the best because…” or “Thank you for always being there for me when…”

Encourage them to draw pictures or add little designs that represent their bond with their moms. It could be a drawing of them together, a heart filled with reasons why they love their mom, or even a collage of happy memories.

2. Personalized Photo Frames:

Another wonderful idea is to help your students create personalized photo frames for their moms. You can start with simple cardboard or wooden frames, which you can easily find at any craft store or even make yourself!

Let your students decorate the frames using paint, glitter, buttons, ribbons, or anything else you have available in your classroom. Encourage them to get creative and make each frame as unique as their relationship with their mom.

Once the frames are decorated and dried, help your students print out a special photo of them with their mom. It could be a recent one or a cherished memory from the past. Insert the photo into the frame, and voila! They’ve got a lovely keepsake that their moms will treasure forever.

3. Coupon Book of Acts of Kindness:

For something a bit different, why not have your students create a coupon book filled with acts of kindness that they can do for their moms? This is a thoughtful way for them to show their appreciation and give back to their moms.

Provide them with strips of paper or pre-made templates where they can write down different acts of kindness, such as “Breakfast in bed,” “One free hug,” “Help with chores,” “Movie night of your choice,” or “A day of pampering.”

Encourage your students to think about what their moms would truly appreciate and enjoy. Once they’ve written down their coupons, they can decorate the booklet and present it to their moms on Mother’s Day. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, as their moms can redeem the coupons whenever they need a little extra love and help.

Remember, the most important thing is not the intricacy of the gift, but the love and effort that goes into making it. 

Looking for some ready-made Mother’s Day craft ideas that your students can make? I have you covered! Check out these Mother’s Day resources. 

Mother’s Day Flower Card Craft 

Are you looking for a way to show moms how much you love them? Try these printables to create 3D flowers as a card, craft, or wall display to accompany opinion writing! They make great art centers, small group activities, and bulletin boards! 

Mother’s Day Tea Lapbook Craft

Looking for something fun and original to do with your students for Mother’s Day? I always like to have a Mother’s Day Tea, but you can do this just as a great gift to send home also. This lap book is sure to make mom feel special!

Digital Mother’s Day Cards

Are you looking for some easy-to-create digital Mother’s Day cards for your students to do at a distance? I have you covered with these 10 Google slides! Just use the edit boxes to add your own text, add an image of mom, and print to give to mom or a caregiver. 

These simple yet thoughtful gifts will surely bring smiles to the faces of your students’ moms and warm their hearts on Mother’s Day. So let’s get crafting and celebrate the incredible moms in our lives! 

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌸💖

Looking for more Mother’s Day crafts? Check out my post here!