education Archives - Page 3 of 13

3 Reasons To Use Escape Rooms In First Grade

August 25, 2023 teachersbrain education

Imagine turning your classroom into a captivating escape room where first-grade students become code-cracking detectives, working together to unravel mysteries while secretly building essential skills. Sound fun??

That’s where escape rooms for elementary school come in! You can use in person escape rooms or digital escape rooms, they’re all a blast!

What are escape rooms?

Escape rooms are immersive and interactive adventures where participants are “locked” in a themed room and tasked with solving a series of puzzles, riddles, and challenges to unlock the room’s exit within a set time limit. These puzzles can range from deciphering codes to manipulating objects and finding hidden clues, all while working together as a team.

Escape rooms offer an exciting way to engage individuals or groups in problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaborative exploration.

This exciting twist on learning can ignite engagement, foster teamwork, and sneakily enhance critical thinking in the most thrilling way possible!

Using escape rooms in your first-grade lessons can be so much fun and beneficial for your little learners.

Here are three exciting reasons why you should definitely consider doing an escape room activity with your students:

Super Engaging Learning

Imagine turning your classroom into a mysterious adventure land! Escape rooms are like real-life puzzles where students work together to solve problems and find clues. This hands-on approach keeps their minds active and engaged, making learning a thrilling experience. Your students will be so excited to explore and discover new things while trying to crack the codes.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Escape rooms encourage teamwork and collaboration in the most exciting way. Your first-grade students will have to work together, share their ideas, and help each other out to solve the puzzles and unlock the mystery. This not only promotes social skills but also teaches them the value of listening to their friends and working as a team. Plus, seeing their classmates as puzzle-solving pals will create a warm and friendly classroom atmosphere.

Sneaky Skill Building

Shhh, don’t tell the kids, but escape rooms are sneaky little teachers themselves! While your students are having a blast cracking codes and deciphering clues, they’re also practicing essential skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and logical reasoning. These skills are like superhero powers that will help them tackle all kinds of challenges throughout their learning journey.

So there you have it, my dear teacher friend! Incorporating an escape room activity into your lessons can bring a wave of excitement, teamwork, and skill-building to your classroom. Your first-grade students will adore the adventure, and you’ll love watching them learn and grow in such a creative way.

Looking for the perfect escape room resources to get started? I have you covered!

This First Grade Escape Room Bundle is just what you need!

Use these 9 Escape Rooms to guarantee student engagement while they learn and solve a classroom mystery. With little prep, your students will work as a team to break into a box, which breaks them out of the classroom as they beat the clock!

What’s inside this download?

Get 9 Escape Room Mysteries focusing on sight words, comprehension, numbers, alphabet, Veterans Day, Halloween, ice breakers, word building and addition for a low price. The Escape Rooms range from pre-k to 3rd grade, but all of these hit 1st grade benchmarks.

Check it out here! Looking for more escape room fun? Check out my post!

5 Back To School Resources That Will Make Your Year Better

July 29, 2023 teachersbrain Back to School, Classroom Behavior Management, Classroom Decor, education

It’s almost time to head back to the classroom!

As we gear up to welcome our new students and reunite with the familiar faces, it’s essential to be equipped with the best resources to make this academic year a smashing success.

If you’re looking for back to school activities, classroom decoration ideas, classroom management resources, or back to school resources for teachers, you’re in the right place! I’ll be sharing some fantastic back-to-school resources that will help us create engaging lessons, foster a positive classroom environment, and make this school year the best one yet! 🚀

What do you do to welcome kids back to school?

It all starts with your classroom! Creating a warm and welcome environment can work wonders when it comes to easing students’ stress and making them feel comfortable. Add colors and even a fun classroom theme to bring life to a cold and bland classroom.

The next step is implementing a good classroom management system that will make expectations clear, and then you want to have some fun with back to school and get to know you activities!

Here are 5 back to school resources to get you started!

1. This Boho Rainbow Classroom Decor Bundle is adorable and welcoming!

back to school classroom decoration ideas

Create an inviting classroom decor with this calming boho Rainbow-themed set! This is a calm theme with editable pages to easily personalize. Use the suggested fonts or create your own.

What is in the download:

An Editable Calendar Set
Editable Birthday Chart
Editable Daily Visual Schedule
Classroom Jobs Set
Color Word Posters & Name Tags
An Alphabet Line (Print and Cursive)
Back to School Welcome Banners, Forms, Posters & Labels for Binders

2. Try out the Desk Pet Pals Classroom Management System

back to school classroom management system

Need a great way to help your class improve daily behavior? I have you covered with this editable Powerpoint and Google Slides! Use these slides to personalize editable text boxes. Use mini erasers or the virtual pets provided to improve student’s behavior.

This resource comes with everything you need to implement this fun and engaging resource including behavior contracts, charts, pet store price list, signs, writing prompts, pet personality posters, and so much more! Just add some pet erasers.

Try it out free here!

3. Wondering what’s a good activity for the first lesson? Try out this Back To School Gingerbread Man Campus Hunt activity!

back to school Ginger Bread Man Hunt resource

Are you looking for a back-to-school activity to help students learn where different locations are on your school campus? This is a week of lessons integrating reading with a campus hunt for the Gingerbread Man! There is enough to keep your kiddos busy for weeks learning with this fun theme. It is full of extras too! Check it out!

4. Try out this First Day Jitters Glitter Slime Activity to ease the nerves

Love reading First Day Jitters to your students to help them get rid of their nervousness during the first week of school? The Jitter Glitter Slime included in this week lesson plan is always a huge hit with students! Use this at the beginning of the year to get students excited about science and teach them about inferences!

5. Don’t forget a fun craft! Check out these First Day of School Hat Crafts

Looking for an engaging activity to do with students to celebrate the first day or week of school? Have them create their own first day of school hat to wear while using the provided writing prompt to explain their favorite part of the first day, and give them a certificate!

I hope you and your students love these resources and that you have a marvelous first day of school!
Want more back to school resources? Check out these beachy classroom decor ideas.

Why You Should Take a Virtual Field Trip To The Zoo With Your Students

June 16, 2023 teachersbrain Distance Learning, education, Teacher's Pay Teachers

Thinking about making a trip to the zoo with your students? Zoo field trips are an elementary school classic. Don’t we all remember going on one at some point in our childhood?

It’s now one of my favorite things to do with students because It’s an experience that combines fun, hands-on learning, and a chance for our little ones to connect with nature and wildlife.

Why should you take a field trip to the zoo?

There are so many reasons! First and foremost, a trip to the zoo offers a unique opportunity for our students to observe animals up close and personal. Seeing these creatures in their natural habitats helps them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diversity of the animal kingdom.

It sparks their curiosity and allows them to make real-world connections with the concepts we’ve been teaching in the classroom, like animal classification, habitats, and adaptations.

What are some other benefits?

Additionally, a trip to the zoo supports the development of observation and critical thinking skills. Encouraging our students to carefully observe and compare different animal behaviors, physical characteristics, and habitats helps them develop their powers of observation and critical thinking.

They can make predictions, draw conclusions, and discuss their findings, strengthening their scientific inquiry skills- score!

Finally, let’s not forget the joy and excitement that a zoo visit brings to our students. It’s an experience that they’ll remember for years to come.

The sheer awe and wonder they experience while watching a giraffe or a monkey in action can inspire a lifelong love for animals and conservation.

Ready to take a field trip to the zoo but can’t make it happen? Try a virtual field trip to the zoo!

Virtual field trips are an amazing way to enhance a student’s learning right from the safety of your four walls. I have the perfect virtual field trip to the zoo resource for you!

This Virtual Field Trip to the Zoo Google Slides resource is all you need to create a magical zoo experience with your students.

Use these interactive, editable Google Slides to easily have students copy and paste movable parts, learn about zoo animals, facts, what to bring on a trip and so much more!

Here’s what’s included:

28 Google Slides with Titles, Edit Text Boxes, Directions, Movable Parts

KWL Chart
Packing A Suitcase for the Trip
1 Minute Take Off Flight Video
10-minute Zoo Field Trip Video (Car Ride to the Zoo, Animal Facts)
Sequencing Events, 3 Writing Prompts, Counting Objects (under 10), Labeling Parts, Zoo Counting Song, and Comprehension Questions
One extra slide for you to add anything you would like to the lesson. (videos or an assignment)
Home Connection Optional Assignment for students to build an animal habitat.
Black and white ink-saving Writing Pages and Home Connection Page for in-person teaching.

I hope your students love this resource as much as I do! If you want more virtual field trip ideas, check out my post here!

The Perfect PBL Project for Summer in Elementary!

June 9, 2023 teachersbrain education

Let’s chat about project-based learning (PBL) and why it’s such an awesome approach for our elementary students.

Picture this: Instead of the traditional classroom setup where we dole out information and expect kids to memorize it, PBL takes a more hands-on, engaging, and exciting approach to learning.

So, what exactly is project-based learning?

Glad you asked! It’s an instructional method where students actively explore real-world problems and challenges. They work on projects that allow them to dive deep into a topic, investigate, ask questions, and find creative solutions. The projects are typically open-ended, which means students have the freedom to make choices, collaborate, and use critical thinking skills to solve problems.

What are the benefits of project based learning for students?

First and foremost, PBL sparks their natural curiosity and love for learning. By presenting them with real-world scenarios, they become invested in their projects and genuinely excited to find solutions. They become active participants in their own education, and that’s pretty amazing to witness!

Another fantastic benefit is that PBL helps develop essential 21st-century skills. Our students learn to think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with their peers, and become creative problem solvers. These are the skills they’ll need to thrive in the future job market, so we’re setting them up for success.

PBL makes learning relevant and meaningful. Instead of studying isolated concepts, our students see how everything connects and applies to the real world. They understand the purpose behind their learning, and that drives their motivation to excel.

If you’re looking for PBL project ideas for this summer that will engage your students in learning and teach them real-life skills in business, addition, and measurement, you’ll love this Project Based Learning project!

My PBL Lemonade Stand Project is the perfect way to do some summer learning!

This engaging two week unit teaches students how to make a successful lemonade stand! They will learn math skills, teamwork, build a model, design a lemonade stand and end with a group presentation to entice investors to give them funding for their project.

Here’s what’s included!

Focus: Design, Economics, Math, Writing, and Speaking

Directions
Suggested Lesson Plans for a two week PBL Unit
A 7 Page Journal
Planning Sheets
Design Printables
Vocabulary Poster
Money Posters
Teacher and Student Rubrics
Recipes
Extra Activities
MORE

Students are encouraged to broaden their research skills and do some research on their own about lemonade stand designs. For K students, the teacher can do research whole group!

Check it out here!

I hope this post inspires you to delve into the world of project based learning this summer! What’s your favorite PBL project to do with students? Let me know in the comments!

Want to learn more about PBL projects? Check out my post here!