Category: Teacher’s Pay Teachers

Poetry Day on March 21st is the perfect time to introduce young learners to the magic of words! I love poetry because it helps kids build language skills, express creativity, and have fun with rhythm and rhyme. If you’re looking for engaging ways to celebrate this fun day in your classroom or poetry activities for kids, here are five easy and enjoyable activities to try!

1. Poetry Scavenger Hunt

Get kids excited about poetry by turning it into a game! Write simple poems on chart paper and hide them around the room. Give students clues to find each poem, and once they do, read them together as a class. This is a great way to get kids moving while introducing them to different types of poems.

2. Shape Poems Fun

Help students turn their words into visual art with shape poems! Have them choose a shape (a flower, sun, or even a butterfly) and write a poem inside the outline. This activity encourages creativity and helps students think about how words can fit into a design. Need ready-to-use resources and other fun poem activities? Check out this Spring Poetry Writing Activities resource!

3. Classroom Poetry Wall

Create a poetry wall where students can showcase their work! Give them prompts like “Spring is…” or “I feel happy when…” and let them craft short poems. Display their creations with fun borders and colorful decorations. If you want an easy way to set up a beautiful display, grab this Poetry Bulletin Board Ideas kit to bring your wall to life!

4. Silly Rhyme Time

Kids love rhyming words, so why not make it into a challenge? Say a word (like “cat”), and have students come up with as many rhyming words as possible. Then, work together to turn them into a short poem. This helps build phonemic awareness while making poetry fun and interactive.

5. Write and Share Digital Poems

Let students explore poems in a modern way with digital writing! Use Google Slides or a simple word processor to have students write and illustrate their own poems. They can even record themselves reading their work to share with the class. The Poetry Writing Google Slides & Print Option is a fantastic tool to guide your students through the process.

Poetry Day is a great opportunity to foster a love for language and creativity in your students. Whether you’re crafting shape poems, building a poems wall, or playing with rhymes, these activities will make the day engaging and memorable.

Looking for more spring activities? Check out my post here! 

As a teacher, you never know when an illness, emergency, or personal situation might keep you out of the classroom. The last thing you want is to scramble at the last minute to create sub plans or leave your students without a clear plan. 

Preparing ahead of time ensures your class runs smoothly in your absence and reduces stress for both you and your substitute. Here are five smart ways to get ready for those days when you can’t be at school.

1. Create a Sub Binder

A well-organized sub binder is a lifesaver for any unexpected absence. Include essential details like daily schedules, classroom rules, student rosters, emergency procedures, and helpful notes on students with special needs or behavior plans. Having all this information in one place makes it easier for a substitute to step in seamlessly. Check out this Sub Binder resource! 

2. Organize Emergency Sub Plans

Prepare a set of no-prep or low-prep lesson plans that align with your curriculum but are simple enough for a substitute to implement without much explanation. These should be engaging and easy to follow so that your students stay on track even when you’re not there.

3. Stock a Sub Tub

A sub tub is a ready-to-go container filled with everything a substitute might need, including extra worksheets, storybooks, brain break activities, and classroom supplies. Having this prepared ensures a smooth day for your students and an easier job for your sub.

4. Establish Student Helpers

Train a few responsible students to assist substitutes with routines, transitions, and expectations. These students can answer simple questions about procedures and help keep the classroom running smoothly. This is especially helpful for younger students who thrive on consistency.

5. Have a Complete, Ready-to-Use Sub Plan

For a foolproof solution, consider having a detailed multi-day sub plan prepared. If you teach kindergarten, our Emergency Sub Plans for Kindergarten provide ten days of editable, ready-to-use plans that cover all core subjects. These plans ensure your students stay engaged in meaningful learning while making it effortless for any substitute to take over. Check it out here.

Teach first, second, or third grade? Check out my sub plans for those grades here! 

Being prepared for unexpected absences can make all the difference in keeping your classroom running smoothly. With these five strategies in place, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your students are in good hands, even when you can’t be there!

Looking for more classroom management tips? Check out my post here! 

Spring is a wonderful time to refresh your classroom activities and keep young learners engaged. With warmer weather and blooming flowers, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring the season into your lessons. 

Here are five fun and simple spring activities for kindergarten and first-grade classrooms.  

1. Plant a Classroom Garden

Introduce students to the joys of gardening by planting seeds in small pots. Teach them how plants grow, and have them monitor their plants’ progress daily. This hands-on activity can tie into science lessons about plant life cycles.  

Check out this Kindar Garden Plant-Themed Unit! These garden-themed printables will transform your classroom or dramatic play area, and give you fun and engaging plant-themed lesson plans!

2. Spring-Themed Math Crafts

Combine creativity with math practice using spring-themed math crafts. Activities like building flowers with addition or subtraction problems at the center help students reinforce their math skills in a fun way. For ready-to-use, engaging crafts, check out my Spring Math Crafts resource. These activities are editable, making it easy to tailor them to your students’ needs!  

3. Nature Walk and Writing Prompts 

Take your students on a short nature walk around the school grounds. Ask them to observe signs of spring—flowers, insects, or birds. When you return, have them write or draw about what they saw. This combines outdoor exploration with literacy skills.  

4. Spring Bingo

Create a bingo game with spring-related words and pictures. Use this game as a fun way to introduce new vocabulary or reward students during quiet time.  

5. Spring STEM Challenges

Set up a STEM station with challenges like building a bird’s nest using various materials or creating a wind-powered pinwheel. These activities are great for encouraging problem-solving and teamwork.  

By adding these activities to your spring lineup, you’ll create a vibrant and engaging classroom environment. Don’t forget to incorporate seasonal crafts, like those in this Spring Math Crafts resource to make learning both fun and educational!  

If you want more spring activities, check out my post here!