Teacher’s Brain

Author: teachersbrain

Educator

3 Engaging Spring Activities for Kids

Craft Ideas, kindergarten survival, Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips

Looking for some spring activities for kids? I have you covered! 

As we gear up for the spring season, I wanted to share some fun and engaging ideas to infuse your classroom with a little burst of springtime sunshine. 

spring activities for kids

What are some spring activities for elementary students?

Here are some ideas for some spring hands-on activities to get you started.

Life Cycles

Dive into the life cycles of plants and butterflies! Use simple props like egg cartons, art supplies, and pictures to create interactive displays. This hands-on approach will make learning about growth and change a memorable experience.

Try this: Butterfly Life Cycle Activity 

Want a fun activity for spring where the kids learn about the Butterfly Life Cycle and integrate symmetry by making a book that will make a lasting memory for them to share at home? I have you covered with these printables for creating a butterfly craft and writing options!

“This was so much fun! My students loved writing, coloring and creating their butterfly-they especially loved recreating the stages 🙂 Thanks so much!” -Jenny 

Rainy Day Science

Embrace the spring showers by turning them into a learning opportunity! Set up a rain gauge and encourage your little scientists to measure and record rainfall. Discuss the water cycle and the importance of rain for our environment.

Try this: Rainbow Activities

Are you looking for quick and simple rainbow crafts to display in your classroom? Look no more! These editable printables cover writing, math, and art! Just use paint, paint daubers, or color to make a rainbow. Add a little cotton to the clouds and you have a cheerful display!

“This was a great resource when discussing rainbows.” – Jared

Weather Watchers

Create a weather station in your classroom and have students take turns being weather reporters. They can observe and record the daily weather, noticing any changes that come with the arrival of spring.

Try this: Weather Patterns Unit

This unit is loa with enough resources to stretch it out for two weeks, if needed! If you need to teach weather patterns, the water cycle, rainbows, and more, I’ve got you covered with engaging activities and printables to make your life easy!

“This unit was a great way to introduce the water cycle to my kindergartners!” – Rachael

What are your favorite spring activities to do in your classroom? Let me know in the comments! 
For more spring fun, check out my post here!

3 Exciting Earth Day Activities to Celebrate with Your Elementary Students

education, kindergarten survival

As Earth Day approaches, it’s the perfect time to engage our elementary students in activities that promote environmental awareness and responsibility. If you are looking for engaging Earth Day activities for kids, you’re in the right place! 

earth day activities

What are 3 things we can do to support Earth Day? Here are some Earth Day activity ideas for your elementary students! 

Trash to Treasure Collage

Engage your elementary students in a creative exploration of recycling with the Trash to Treasure Collage activity. Begin by discussing the significance of recycling and reducing waste. Provide students with magazines, newspapers, glue, scissors, and construction paper. Encourage them to cut out images or words related to Earth Day and recycling, and then create unique collages on construction paper using these recycled materials. 

The objective is to turn what might be considered “trash” into a meaningful work of art. After completion, have students share their collages with the class, articulating the reasons behind their choices and reinforcing the importance of recycling.

Earth Day Pledges

Foster a sense of personal responsibility and commitment to the environment by conducting the Earth Day Pledges activity. Initiate a class discussion about Earth Day and the actions individuals can take to positively impact the planet. Encourage students to brainstorm and write down their personal pledges on large sheets of construction paper. They can use markers, crayons, and stickers to decorate their pledges creatively. 

Display the pledges prominently in the classroom, creating a visual reminder of each student’s commitment to making eco-friendly choices and contributing to a healthier Earth.

Planting a Classroom Garden

Immerse your elementary students in the wonders of nature and plant life by organizing a Planting a Classroom Garden activity. Begin with a discussion on the essential role of plants in maintaining a healthy environment. Explain the life cycle of plants, from seed germination to full growth. Provide each student with small pots or cups, soil, and a variety of seeds. Guide them in planting their seeds and caring for their mini-gardens. 

Create a designated area in the classroom or schoolyard for the class garden, allowing students to observe and nurture their plants as they grow. This hands-on experience not only teaches valuable lessons about nature but also instills a sense of responsibility for the well-being of our planet.

Looking for pre-made Earth Day activities for elementary that will get your students excited about saving the planet? Look no further! Here are some fun Earth Day activities that your students will love.

Earth Day Virtual Field Trip to a Recycling Center

Be every student’s favorite teacher by taking them to the recycling center! Virtual Field trips are a great way to engage students in learning.  Use these interactive, editable Google Slides to easily have students copy and paste movable parts, learn about Earth Day, recycling, what to bring on a trip and so much more!

Earth Day Activities and Writing Crafts

Looking for some engaging Earth Day activities for your kiddos that will help them understand the importance of caring for Earth? I have you covered with this unit! It has a week lesson plan, ideas, extra crafts, opinion writing, and more!

Earth Day Activities and Opinion Writing

Are you looking for an easy way to teach about this important day? I have you covered with an Editable digital Google Classroom™ Option and a PDF for you to easily make low-ink copies for students in the future. Opinion Writing is included in this download.

Students who are participating in the digital option will have easy-to-identify text boxes to edit with directions. They can insert images and text.

What are your favorite ways to celebrate this holiday with your students? Let me know in the comments! 
Looking for more Earth Day fun? Check out my post here!

Engaging Guided Reading Activities for Elementary

Teacher's Pay Teachers

As elementary teachers, we know how important guided reading instruction is. The main goal of guided reading is to provide targeted, differentiated support to small groups of students who are at similar reading levels. 

guided reading

What is guided reading- really? 

Guided reading allows teachers to address the individual needs of students, focusing on specific reading skills and strategies to help them become proficient and confident readers.

Here are the key components of guided reading:

Small Group Instruction:

Guided reading typically involves the teacher working with a small group of students, usually ranging from three to six, who are at a similar reading level. This small group setting allows for more personalized instruction and targeted support.

Text Selection:

Teachers select books that are at an appropriate reading level for each group of students. The chosen texts should provide a manageable challenge for the students, allowing them to apply and reinforce their reading skills while still being able to comprehend the material.

Introduction and Pre-Reading Activities:

Before reading the text, the teacher introduces the book, discusses the title, cover, and any relevant background information. Pre-reading activities may include activating prior knowledge, making predictions, or setting purposes for reading.

Guided Reading Session:

During the guided reading session, students read the selected text independently or in a whisper voice. The teacher observes, supports, and provides guidance as needed. The focus is on applying specific reading strategies, such as decoding unfamiliar words, making connections, and understanding the meaning of the text.

Discussion and Comprehension:

Following the reading, the group engages in a discussion facilitated by the teacher. This discussion aims to deepen students’ comprehension, promote critical thinking, and allow them to share their thoughts and interpretations of the text.

Skill Instruction:

Throughout the lesson, the teacher explicitly teaches and reinforces specific reading skills and strategies. This may include phonics, vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension strategies tailored to the needs of the group.

Assessment and Monitoring:

Guided reading provides an opportunity for ongoing assessment. Teachers monitor students’ progress, identify areas for growth, and use this information to plan future guided reading sessions and provide additional support as needed.

 Needless to say, it’s important! 

If you are looking for a guided reading activity that your students will enjoy and be fully engaged in, you’re in the right place. 

I created this Guided Reading Mega Bundle Resource to make guided reading a breeze! 

Check out this Mega Bundle for year-long instruction and activities! Get all 5 (Comprehension, Vocabulary, Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, and Fluency) year-long programs bundled in one easy-to-purchase download for a huge savings!

Pick and choose what you want to use for review, extended activities, homework, and early finishers, or use the step-by-step suggested plans for each yearlong resource. 5 year-long resources are included in each area!

View each resource included in this Mega Reading Bundle!

This is made specifically for K-1 students, but great to use as an intervention program for 2nd-3rd grade struggling readers when you need to fill in the reading gaps.

❀Reading Comprehension Year-long Program 

❀Vocabulary Kindergarten – 3rd YEAR-LONG Reading Blocks Program

❀FLUENCY Year-long Program 

❀Phonics Systematic Year-long Program

❀Phonemic Awareness Year-long Program with Activities and Games

BONUS: Reading Posters Set

You will find:

  • Assessments
  • Posters
  • Engaging Activities
  • Readers Theater
  • Oral Fluency Assessments
  • Mini Books
  • Suggested Weekly Lesson Plans for each Program (If you are using them all at the same time, I was able to hit all 5 areas in a 90-minute block with centers.)
  • You can pick your own favorite trade books to complement the lessons.

What are your favorite ways to teach this subject? Let me know in the comments! 


For more reading activities, check out my post here!

3 Creative Ways to Teach Math Concepts in Kindergarten

Math

Looking for some math activities for kindergarten that will engage your students and make math fun? You’re in the right place! 

math activities for kids

How can I make math fun for kindergarten or 1st grade? 

As early elementary teachers, we understand the importance of laying a solid foundation for mathematical understanding. So I’m sharing some of my favorite math activities that your students are sure to love. 

Math in Motion

Incorporate movement into your lessons by using activities like counting hops, jumps, or claps. This not only reinforces counting skills but also helps develop gross motor skills. Consider organizing a math scavenger hunt where students search for a certain number of objects in the classroom or even outside, turning learning into an exciting adventure.

Everyday Math Explorations

Bring real-life context into the classroom by exploring math in everyday scenarios. Create a pretend grocery store or a mini post office where students can use play money to practice addition and subtraction. This hands-on approach not only enhances mathematical skills but also cultivates a practical understanding of how math is applied in daily life.

Math Through Art

Fuse creativity with mathematics by incorporating art into your lessons. Have students create number collages, where each number is represented by a corresponding number of objects or images. This not only reinforces number recognition but also allows for self-expression and creativity. Additionally, explore geometric shapes through crafts, connecting visual arts to basic math concepts.

The sky is the limit with these math activities for elementary students! If you are looking for some math resources that your students can enjoy without much prep on your end, you’ll love these ready-to-go math activities! 

Spring Math Crafts

math crafts: math activities for kindergarten

Students LOVE crafts! What better way to engage students in learning math than incorporating some crafts with these differentiated activities? Students can review addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division and you can use the editable PowerPoint to create your own problems if you can’t find what you are looking for with the pre-made worksheets.

Measurement and Data Math Centers

math activities for kindergarten: measurement and data math centers

Looking for a new way to engage your students in learning math? Creating an Addition Math Cafe or Math “Salad Bar” is an engaging way to hit target skills, ignite the students learning, and free you up to monitor learning or remediate. You can use these Measurement and Data “recipe” cards as task cards, set up a math cafe in your room for easy cleanup, or just use the printables in small or whole groups.

Kindergarten Math Centers Year-Long Bundle 

kindergarten math activities: math centers yearlong mega bundle

Looking for some kindergarten math centers for the entire year that will keep your students engaged in learning and hits all the standards? I have you covered with these Math “Salad Bar” or “Cafe” Centers. Students love it and you will too! Each center comes with printables, and a recipe card (task card) to help students identify materials to participate in the activity. 


If you are looking for more math fun, check out my post here for some free math centers!