teachersbrain, Author at Teacher's Brain

Stress-Free Substitute Planning: Emergency Sub Plans Every Teacher Needs

August 15, 2025 teachersbrain Teacher Problems, Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips

Hey friend, does just the thought of planning for an unexpected sick day give you the ick? Trust me…I’ve been there! That’s exactly why having emergency sub plans kindergarten options at the ready has been a total game‑changer. When the flu hits at 3 a.m., I’m so grateful I already have something prepared, and you can too!

Here are a couple of resources I swear by when it comes to prepping ahead:

Kindergarten Emergency SUB Plans

This one’s a lifesaver. You can prep for a day, a week, or up to 10 days in one go. Everything’s written out. Just-type editable, print‑and‑go daily plans, plus visual directions, labels, brain‑break options, story maps, and handwriting pages. It takes ten minutes to prep and saves hours later.

Check it out here!

Substitute Binder Templates

Want the binder version? This editable template set has everything you need for your “Sub Hub Tub”: binder covers, labels, quick‑reference pages for field trips, blank pages to personalize, all ready in ink‑friendly printables and Google Slides. Perfect for tailoring to your grade or style.

Check it out here!

Why These Work Together

Complete coverage: Use the TEN DAYS of Plans for ready-to-go lesson packs, then organize them into your Substitute Binder to keep everything neat, quick to find, and substitute-friendly.
Flexibility: You can customize them to any grade, plus, you’ve got sub plans for other grades in your shop (score!).
Instant peace of mind: Whether it’s a classroom flu or a family emergency, you won’t waste your sick day stressing, your plans will already be prepped and teacher-approved.

How I Usually Set These Up

Download both resources, then as summer starts or back-to-school prep begins, I customize the binder templates with my schedule, class rules, and student leaders.
Slot in the TEN DAYS of Plans. I pick the days I want, maybe five here, two there. I edit the daily schedule slide and print.
Store it in a visible Sub Tub or binder on your desk. Use labels and covers so any sub (or colleague) can find it quickly.

With these in place, you have a sub-ready setup that’s professional, kid-friendly, and, most importantly, stress-free.

Looking for more sub plans? Check them out at the shop!

Check out my top tips for classroom management in elementary here!

Teaching Map Skills in Kindergarten and First Grade with Me on the Map

August 8, 2025 teachersbrain Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips

One of my favorite things to teach in early elementary is map skills. There’s just something so special about helping students understand where they live and how they fit into the bigger world. And with the right activities, it’s easy to make these lessons hands-on, engaging, and memorable.

If you’re looking for fun and simple ways to teach map skills in kindergarten or first grade, here are a few resources I love using together.

Me on the Map Flip Book Activities

If you haven’t read Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney with your students, you have to try it! It’s the perfect book to kick off a unit on maps and geography.

After reading, I have my students work on the Me on the Map Flip Book. Each page focuses on a different “layer”, starting with themselves and zooming out to their street, city, state, country, and continent. The kids love adding their own drawings, and it’s such a great visual for showing how all the pieces fit together.

Check it out here ➜

Map Skills: Me on the Map

Once they’ve got the basics down, I like to bring in the Map Skills: Me on the Map resource. It’s packed with activities to practice things like using a compass rose, understanding map symbols, and talking about different types of maps. These lessons really help students start seeing maps as tools they can use, not just pictures.

See it here ➜

maps and globes activities for elementary

Kindergarten Social Studies Units Bundle

If you want to go all-in, the Kindergarten Social Studies Units Curriculum bundle is amazing. It covers a full year of lessons, so you can easily fit your map skills unit into a bigger plan that includes geography, communities, history, and more. It’s a total time-saver because everything is ready to go.

Take a look ➜

social studies activities for elementary

How I Put It All Together

Here’s how I like to teach it:

Read aloud Me on the Map to introduce the concept.
Make the flip book so students can personalize their learning.
Add in map skills activities to deepen their understanding.
Connect it to other social studies units using the yearlong bundle.

It’s simple, fun, and your students will walk away actually understanding where they are in the world…and loving it!

If you’re looking for more social studies activities and ideas, check out my post here!

10 Classroom Management Tips That Actually Work in K–2

August 1, 2025 teachersbrain Classroom Behavior Management

Let’s be real, classroom management in kindergarten and first grade is a skill all its own. Between the wiggles, blurting, and constant questions, you need strategies that are simple, consistent, and actually work with young learners.

Whether you’re a brand new teacher or just looking to refresh your approach, here are 10 tried-and-true tips for managing a K–2 classroom with less stress and more smiles:

1. Keep Expectations Clear and Simple

Use kid-friendly language and visuals to teach rules. Model them, practice them, and review them often, especially during transitions or after breaks.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement Often

Catch them being good! A quick “I love how you’re sitting criss-cross!” can go a long way in setting the tone.

3. Try a Whole-Class Reward System

Encourage teamwork with a system like the Marble Jar. Add a marble for great behavior, completed routines, or compliments from specials teachers. Once the jar is full—celebrate!

4. Give Students a Visual Reminder for Blurting

Talking out of turn is super common in early grades. Try using Blurt Beans as a gentle, visual way to help students become more aware of how often they’re talking without raising their hand.

5. Create a Calm-Down Corner

A cozy space with calming tools can help students regulate big emotions. Teach how and when to use it so it becomes a tool, not a time-out.

6. Build Classroom Community Early On

Morning meetings, team-building games, and kindness read-alouds help students feel safe and supported, essential for good behavior.

7. Use Visual Schedules

Knowing what’s coming next helps students feel secure and reduces anxiety that often leads to acting out. Check out this one!

visual schedule for classroom management

8. Try Desk Pets for Individual Incentives

Kids LOVE these! Desk Pets are a fun way to reward responsibility and kindness. Students “earn” accessories or habitats for their pets through positive behavior.

9. Practice Transitions Like You Practice Routines

Play music, use a timer, or challenge students to transition before the song ends. Make it fun and consistent!

10. Be Consistent (Even When You’re Tired)

The real magic of classroom management? Following through. Consistency helps students feel safe, and know that your words have meaning.

✨ Want ready-to-use tools to support your classroom management? Click here to check out these favorites!

For more classroom tips, check out my post here!

7 Must-Have Activities for the First Day of School in Kindergarten and First Grade

July 25, 2025 teachersbrain Back to School, kindergarten survival, Teaching Tips

The first day of school in kindergarten or first grade is a whirlwind of emotions for both students and teachers! Excitement, nerves, big hugs (and sometimes a few tears) are all part of the day. The key to a smooth start is having a plan packed with simple, engaging activities that build routines, calm nerves, and make students feel welcome.

Here are 7 must-have first day of school activities that are fun, purposeful, and perfect for early elementary classrooms:

1. Follow a Ready-to-Go Lesson Plan

Having an organized plan helps you feel confident, even when the unexpected pops up. These editable plans are packed with engaging, developmentally appropriate activities:

Each plan includes a full day of learning, fun, and community-building!

2. Kick Things Off with a Crown

Start the day by celebrating! Let students decorate and wear their own First Day of School Hats. These hats make adorable photo ops and help everyone feel special from the moment they walk in.

3. Calm First-Day Nerves with Jitter Glitter

A little sparkle goes a long way! Make Jitter Glitter or Slime as a quick science activity that doubles as an emotional support tool students can take home.

4. Incorporate Simple, Engaging Activities

Need low-prep tasks that keep kids focused while you handle logistics? These First Day of School Activities for Kindergarten include fine motor, writing, and name activities that are perfect for little hands and big feelings.

5. Create a First Day Banner

Have students complete their own pennant and string them together to create a class banner! This First Day of School Pennant Banner makes a sweet keepsake and doubles as your first bulletin board.

6. Practice Simple Routines

Use songs, visuals, and modeling to introduce classroom routines like lining up, snack time, or using supplies. Keep it simple and repeat often!

7. End the Day with a Celebration

Wrap things up with a first-day certificate, group picture, or dance party to end on a high note. The goal? Make sure students are excited to come back tomorrow!

With a little planning and the right resources, your first day can be both memorable and manageable.

🎉 Check out all my first day of school activities here!
Looking for more back to school ideas? Check out my post here!