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3 Engaging Spring Activities for Kids

March 1, 2024 teachersbrain 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.

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

February 23, 2024 teachersbrain 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!

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!

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!

5 Engaging Activities To Celebrate Valentine’s Day In Your Elementary Classroom

December 30, 2023 teachersbrain Craft Ideas, Teaching Tips

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, now is a great time to sprinkle some love and joy in the classroom.

Wondering what your little cupids can do to celebrate the holiday? Or maybe you’re looking for ways to make the day extra special for your kiddos? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day activities for students or Valentine’s Day for the classroom, you’re in the right place.

What do students do on Valentine’s Day?

There are lots of things you can do to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your little learners. You can spread the love with some cards, create some crafts made with love, share sweet treats with your students, celebrate Friendship, and even share some heartfelt stories.

How do you make Valentine’s Day fun for kids? Here’s some ideas to get you started!

Themed Dress-Up Day

Add an extra layer of excitement by having a themed dress-up day. Encourage students to wear red, pink, and white, or even dress up as their favorite storybook characters.

Dance Party Extravaganza

Crank up the tunes and let the kiddos boogie down with a dance party. Create a playlist of fun, upbeat songs, and watch as the classroom transforms into a dance floor filled with laughter and joy.

Love Scavenger Hunt

Turn the classroom into a treasure trove of love with a scavenger hunt. Create clues that lead students to various hidden treasures, like small treats or festive decorations. It’s a playful way to keep them engaged and excited.

Heartfelt Games and Activities

Plan a variety of themed games and activities. From “Pin the Arrow on Cupid” to a heart-shaped bean bag toss, there are countless options to keep the kiddos entertained and smiling.

Classroom Decor Galore

Transform your classroom into a love-filled haven with simple decorations. Think heart garlands, cupid cutouts, and splashes of red and pink. A festive atmosphere can do wonders in making the day extra special.

So, there you have it, my fellow teachers! With a sprinkle of creativity and a dash of love, you can make Valentine’s Day a memorable celebration for your elementary students. Here’s to a day filled with joy, laughter, and heartwarming moments in your lovely classroom!

Valentine’s Day Activities and Crafts

Are you looking for some Valentine’s Day-themed Math and Language Arts printables to help your students to be engaged while learning? I have you covered with these worksheets and engaging activities for K-2 students. Students can sort conversational hearts, graph them, write about friendship, write poems, solve heart themed math problems, make a heart bee, and so much more!

Valentine’s Day Escape Room

Looking for an ENGAGING Valentine’s Day activity for your students to help them review sentence structure, counting, and problem-solving? Digital Escapes™ are a fun way to get students to learn without even realizing it. NO Printing and No Prep needed for this digital escape! Super EASY for in-person or Distance Learning.

Digital Valentine’s Day Cards

WOW! You don’t have to miss out on the fun tradition of exchanging Valentine’s Cards this year! These digital Google Slides make it easy for your students to personalize and move editable conversational hearts to give virtually or in person! There is even a name grid provided so students can keep track of who got one and how to spell classmate’s names!

Valentine’s Day Hat and Writing Craft

Looking for a print-and-go activity for your class? Use this Valentine’s Day Heart Hat to engage your students in the celebration of the holiday tradition of the holiday. Writing Prompts on primary and intermediate lined paper are included.

Valentine’s I Spy Activity

Want to make sure your students are engaged with writing in February? Check out these hidden Valentine-themed word searches! Students use a magnifying glass to find hidden (small) words on the printable. Then they use the words in their writing.

Looking for more Valentine’s fun? Check out my post here!