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3 Writing Activities to Get Students Excited About Writing

January 19, 2024 teachersbrain Writing

Writing is an essential part of learning in elementary. It’s a foundational skill that students will use again and again throughout their lives. Needless to say, we have to practice, practice, practice!

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done sometimes. Our younger students can get tired and bored, so it’s up to us to add some fun and excitement to our writing lessons.

If you’re looking for writing activities for elementary students, you’re in the right place. I’ve got three exciting and engaging writing activities that will turn your classroom into a hub of creativity.

But first, you may be wondering…

How do I make writing fun?

These are 3 of my favorite activities that get students fully engaged and excited to write:

Seasons Would You Rather Opinion Writing Activities for Kids

Be every student’s favorite teacher by making writing enjoyable! Would You Rather Prompts are a great way to get your students engaged in writing their opinions about each season. Use these interactive, editable Google Slides to easily have students show one or two fingers to share their choice. Then have them write why they chose what they did.

Opinion Writing with Cookies Activity

Do you need an engaging lesson to teach opinion writing? Opinion Writing with Cookies is a student favorite! Add some cookies and watch the creative writing flow.

Comic Strip Templates Writing Activities

Want to find a great creative writing assignment for students with comic strip templates? There are over 100 templates with examples and posters to teach children about design elements, sequencing, character design, and how to organize information!

These are great for interactive notebooks, early finishers, inside recess, writing centers, morning work, or just for fun! Use to teach sequencing, onomatopoeia, writing, character elements, speech bubbles, or storytelling!

Your students are guaranteed to love this activity!

I hope you and your students have a blast with these writing activities for kids! If you want more writing fun, you can check out my post here!

What are your favorite ways to make writing fun for your students? Let me know in the comments!

10 Inspiring New Year’s Resolution Ideasand Activities for Students

December 23, 2023 teachersbrain Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips, Winter

Hey friend! Can you believe it’s that time again – the transition from one year to the next? Have you been thinking about New Year resolution ideas? I know I have! I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can make the upcoming year special for our kiddos. You know, sprinkle in a little magic and set the stage for growth.

So, I thought, why not get our students excited about some New Year’s resolutions? If you’ve been looking for the perfect New Year activities for kids or New Year activities for students, you’re in the right place. Let’s help them stride into the New Year with purpose and a sprinkle of fun.

What is the best New Year’s resolution for kids? Here are some ideas to get you started!

Practice Kindness

Foster a caring and supportive classroom environment by encouraging students to set resolutions focused on kindness. Whether it’s helping a classmate, being a good listener, or performing random acts of kindness, these resolutions contribute to a positive classroom culture.

Healthy Habits

Teach the importance of physical well-being by setting resolutions related to health. This could include goals like eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking more water, or engaging in regular physical activity.

Organize Schoolwork

Help students develop valuable organizational skills by setting resolutions related to their school materials. Whether it’s keeping a tidy desk, organizing their backpack, or turning in assignments on time, these resolutions promote responsibility.

Learn Something New

Encourage a love for continuous learning by having students set resolutions to acquire new skills or knowledge. This could involve learning a musical instrument, mastering a new language, or exploring a particular subject in-depth.

Mindful Moments

Introduce the practice of mindfulness by encouraging students to set resolutions focused on being present and self-aware. Simple activities like deep breathing exercises or short moments of reflection can make a big difference in promoting a positive mindset.

Goal-setting Galore

Teach the importance of setting achievable goals. Have students break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. This not only helps in achieving success but also instills a sense of accomplishment.

Family Bonding

Foster strong family connections by encouraging resolutions centered around spending quality time with loved ones. Whether it’s a weekly family game night, cooking together, or sharing stories, these resolutions strengthen family ties.

Environmental Stewardship

Instill a sense of responsibility for the environment by setting resolutions related to sustainability. This could involve reducing waste, recycling, or participating in a community clean-up project.

Gratitude Journaling

Foster a positive outlook by encouraging students to keep a gratitude journal. Have them write down one thing they are thankful for each day. This simple practice can enhance their overall well-being and perspective on life.

If you’re looking or New Year activities for students that you can easily do with little to no prep, I have you covered!

Check Out This New Year’s Resolution Writing Craft

Are you looking for a New Year’s writing activity to help students understand resolutions and goals? This NO PREP activity is great to use in both boy and girl versions to create goals for the new year and an easy bulletin board!

What is in the download?

a vocabulary poster for the word /RESOLUTION/
3 Boy Options
5 Girl Options
1 Blank head to create your own (add a face and hair)
4 different writing prompt pages (With and without hands on the side, Primary and Intermediate lined)
2 Rough Drafts (Primary and Intermediate lined)

Looking for more New Year fun? Check out my post here!

3 Delightful New Year’s Activities for Students

December 16, 2023 teachersbrain Teacher's Pay Teachers

Ready to add some extra sparkle to your New Year celebrations in the classroom? Try out some fun New Year’s activities for kids!

If you’re looking for adorable New Year’s activities for students that will capture their attention and bring the festive spirit to the classroom, I have you covered!

Join me in exploring three fabulous New Year’s crafts and activities for students that will make the transition into the new year a blast for your elementary students! 🥳

Plus, a bonus at the end!

New Year’s Glasses Craft

Celebrate the New Year and beyond with our playful and versatile Glasses! Perfect for students, these glasses add a burst of fun to your festivities, doubling as a creative coloring activity.

With four types to choose from and years spanning 2022 to 2050, these glasses are not just a one-time joy but a timeless keepsake for unforgettable moments.

New Year’s Writing Craftivity

Fuel creativity and goal-setting in your classroom with our New Year’s Resolutions Craftivity! Choose a boy or girl character for an adorable craft, featuring adjective and resolution writing. Amp up the excitement with a 3D effect by adding a party horn.

It’s the perfect way to kick off the new year with a blend of creativity and positive intention. Grab yours now and inspire a year of growth and achievement in your class!

New Year’s Bulletin Board Set

Elevate your bulletin board with our easy-to-use “Gnomies” New Year celebration activity! Simply print and go with 6 adorable gnome designs for coloring, each featuring a space for goals or resolutions.

The download includes the black and white title words “RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH MY GNOMIES,” easily customizable with colored construction paper. Perfect for winter writing assignments, or use “MY GNOMIES” as a festive title throughout the season.

Bonus- New Year’s Coloring Pages!

Are you looking for some engaging New Year coloring pages for your kids or students? I have you covered with these humorous celebration pages to create a coloring book! These are great for early finishers, morning work, indoor recess, rewards, developing fine motor skills, or JUST FOR FUN!

If you’re still in the holiday spirit, check out my post for digital Christmas activities your students will love!

What are your favorite New Year’s activities for your elementary students? Share in the comments below!

4 Engaging Brain Break Activities Your Students Will Love

December 8, 2023 teachersbrain Classroom Behavior Management, Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips, Winter

Wondering if you should be adding in more brain breaks to your days with your students?

Think of brain breaks as super important timeouts for our little ones in elementary school. They’re not just about taking a break – they’re like power-ups for our students!

These short breaks do more than give a breather from lessons; they actually help our kids think better, feel happier, and make the whole classroom experience way more awesome.

In elementary, every day is a mix of excitement and learning, throwing in brain breaks is like adding a secret ingredient to help our little learners grow and have a blast.

What is a brain break?

Brain Breaks are short activities that help energize your students. They last about 1 to 5 minutes. They require no or little prep and help send oxygen to the brain to help students retain information.

Looking for brain break activities? I have you covered!

There are many things you can do like getting some physical activity, watching a short video on YouTube, taking a dance break, playing a game, or making a craft. One of my favorite brain break activities is coloring!

If you are looking for some high-quality coloring sheets that will keep your students occupied, these are perfect for you.

Dinosaur Coloring Pages

These dino coloring pages make great discussion starters and writing prompts!

Unicorn Coloring Pages

These unicorn coloring pages are the perfect magical break from learning.

Winter Coloring Pages

These help keep students and you calm and make great wall decorations!

For even more brain break fun, you can check out this brain break activity resource!

This is my favorite collection of 48 different Brain Breaks. These task cards can be used as transitions, breaks during an activity, something to raise or lower the energy of the group, team-building activities, and so much more!

What’s included?

• 48 Printable Task Cards in Black and White (4 per page) PDF

• 48 Printable Task Cards in Color (4 per page) PDF

• 48 Printable 8×10 Cards in Color (1 per page) PDF

• 48 Goofle Slides in Color for Digital Displays or Sharing at a Distance

• 2 Editable Slides to Create Your Own Brain Breaks (Google link digital option provided in the PDF)

Place them on a ring, on popsicle sticks, or in a crayon box for easy storage!

Use the Google Slides in presentation mode to randomly pick a brain break.
Looking for more classroom management tips, check out my post here!

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