Teacher’s Brain

3 Exciting Earth Day Activities to Celebrate with Your Elementary Students

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

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

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!

3 Engaging Leap Year Activities for Elementary Students

As we leap into a new year, let’s not forget the extra-special phenomenon that graces our calendars every four years – Leap Year! 

This unique occurrence offers a fantastic opportunity to infuse some excitement into our classrooms and turn learning into a leap-tastic adventure. 

If you’re looking for leap year activities for elementary school, you’re in the right place!  I’m sharing three simple, yet educational Leap Year crafts and activities to celebrate Leap Day with your elementary students. 

leap year activities

Check out these three simple Leap Year activity ideas: 

Activity #1: Leap Frog Crowns

Create adorable Leap Frog Crowns with your elementary students using green construction paper, googly eyes, glue, scissors, and string. Cut a circle for the frog’s face, fold it for the mouth, and add strips for the headband. Let the kids unleash their creativity by decorating with googly eyes and smiles. Assemble the crowns, attach a string, and have a Leap Parade where they can hop around the room, celebrating Leap Year in style!

Activity #2: Leap Year Math Fun

Engage your students in Leap Year Math Fun by providing them with puzzles related to addition, subtraction, or multiplication. You can find ready-made puzzles or create your own. Watch as the kids solve these puzzles to reveal cool Leap Year facts or pictures. Encourage them to share their discoveries with the class, turning math into an enjoyable and educational celebration.

Activity #3: Leap Year Time Capsules

Get your students excited about the passage of time with Leap Year Time Capsules. Have them write letters to their future selves, detailing their current interests, goals, and favorite memories. Using small containers or jars, let the students decorate their time capsules with crayons, markers, and stickers. Seal the capsules, creating a special memento. Explain that these time capsules will be opened in the next Leap Year, fostering anticipation and a meaningful connection to the years ahead. This activity not only celebrates Leap Year but also encourages reflection and creativity in your classroom.

If you’re looking for some simple, ready-made Leap Year activities to celebrate Leap Day or Leap Year with your students, I have you covered! 

Check out my Leap Year 2024 Activities and Crafts resource

leap year activities

This resource is a collection of engaging materials that span reading, writing, and math activities. Plus, there are a couple of delightful crafts thrown in to foster a strong home connection and make learning about Leap Year an exciting adventure!

What is in this Download?

Suggested Lesson Plan

Optional Cover for a Journal

LEAP YEAR EXPLAINED (primary students)

LEAP YEAR EXPLAINED (Intermediate students with Q&A)

Writing Prompts (primary and intermediate lines)

Draw an animal that jumps.

February Calendar (Fill in the numbers, cut and paste the numbers and the regular calendar)

Frog Counting, 1 More and 1 Less

Posters (Leap, Leap Year)

Leap Year Frog Hat

Leap Year Glasses

Bookmarks

What are your favorite Leap Year activities to do with your students? Let me know in the comments! 


If you want more fun activities for February, check out my post here for Valentine’s Day activities!