Winter Archives - Teacher's Brain

5 Fun February and Valentine’s Day Activities to Engage Your Students

December 29, 2024 teachersbrain Teacher's Pay Teachers, Winter

February is packed with exciting opportunities to spark creativity, encourage teamwork, and promote meaningful learning in your elementary classroom. From Valentine’s Day to Black History Month and the 100th Day of School, there’s tons to choose from. If you are looking for Valentine’s Day activities, Black History Month activities, or 100th day of school activities, you’re in the right place.

Here are five engaging activities to make February a month to remember!

1. Valentine’s Day Activities: Crafts

Get your students’ creativity flowing with Valentine’s Day crafts! These projects are perfect for focusing on fine motor skills while letting students express their artistic side. One idea is to have students create some sweet cards for classmates, family members, or local community members. For a low-prep, high-fun option, check out my Valentine’s Day Activities & Crafts, which include templates and instructions to make the day extra special.

2. Valentine’s Day Activites: Escape Room

Turn Valentine’s Day into an exciting learning adventure with a themed escape room! This activity challenges students to solve puzzles and work collaboratively to achieve a common goal. My Valentine’s Day Escape Room: Vocabulary & Numbers resource is perfect for practicing essential skills in a fun, interactive way!

3. Celebrate Friendship

February is a great time to teach the importance of kindness and friendship. Have your students create a bulletin board that highlights what friendship means to them. Use this Friendship Bulletin Board Kit to make this activity simple and visually stunning. Students can contribute by writing about acts of kindness or sharing how they build strong relationships with peers.

4. Martin Luther King Jr. Activities

In honor of Black History Month, dive into meaningful lessons about Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact on the world. This Martin Luther King Jr. Activities for Kindergarten-2nd Grade resource provides a wonderful way to engage young learners in discussions about equality, courage, and leadership. These resources include writing prompts, crafts, and more.

5. 100th Day of School Celebration

February often marks the 100th day of school, a milestone worth celebrating! Plan a day full of math challenges, creative writing, and themed activities to recognize how far your students have come. The 100th Day of School Activities resource offers both virtual and print options so you can choose the best way to do them.

There you have it! By incorporating these February Valentine’s activities, Black History Month activities, and 100th day of school activities into your February plans, you’ll have tons of engaging and fun learning planned out for the month.

What are your favorite Valentine’s Day activities or activities to do in February? Let me know in the comments!

Want more Valentine’s Day activities and ideas? Check out my post here!

5 Fun New Year’s Activities to Start the Semester Strong

November 23, 2024 teachersbrain education, Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips, Winter

The New Year is the perfect time to reset and inspire excitement for the semester ahead. As our elementary students return to the classroom, creating a mix of engaging and reflective activities can set a positive tone for learning. If you’re looking for New Year’s activities for kids or New Year’s crafts, you’re in the right place!

Here are five fun New Year’s activities for your K-2 students:

1. Resolution Writing Craftivity

Kick off the year by helping students reflect on their goals with this fun and interactive craft! The New Year’s 2024 Activities Resolution Writing Craftivity is a hit with young learners. Students can write their resolutions, practice handwriting, and create a festive craft to display in the classroom. I love this activity because it encourages goal-setting while giving students a sense of accomplishment.

2. Create a Time Capsule

Help students capture memories by creating a New Year’s time capsule! Include drawings of favorite moments from the previous year, current handwriting samples, or a small item that represents them. Seal the capsules to open at the end of the school year—it’s a great way to reflect on personal growth!

3. Countdown Math Challenges

Turn New Year’s into a math opportunity with fun countdown-themed challenges. For example, practice counting backward from 10, work on simple addition or subtraction problems, or create a math game where students solve problems to reach midnight on a classroom clock.

4. Make “All About Me in the New Year” Posters

Let students express their hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. Provide templates with prompts like “This year I want to learn…” or “My favorite thing about school is…” This creative project can double as a classroom decoration.

5. New Year’s Movement Break

Shake off the winter break energy with a New Year’s-themed movement activity! Play music, and have students perform actions like “jump like fireworks” or “freeze like a snowflake.” Incorporating movement helps students transition back into the classroom routine.

Each of these activities creates opportunities for fun, reflection, and growth. If you’re looking for another easy, engaging way to jump into the new semester, don’t miss this New Year pennant activity! It’s a fantastic way to start the year on a positive note!

What are your favorite ways to bring in the new year with your students? Let me know in the comments!

If you want more holiday fun, check out my post here!

5 Delightful Winter Activities to Bring Winter Fun Into Your Classroom

January 5, 2024 teachersbrain Teaching Tips, Winter

What is the best winter activity? The chilly season is not just a time for cozying up indoors; it’s an opportunity for our little learners to explore the wonders of winter through some delightful educational activities.

The weather is unpredictable, so you can’t always head outdoors. So having winter activities for students indoors on hand is a life-saver. Who says you have to go outside to do winter activities?!

Looking for winter activities for students? I have you covered!

Here are five winter-themed resources to do with your students this season.

Fun Back-to-School Activities After Winter Break | Winter Sports Activities

Be the teacher they remember with these engaging Winter Sports Activities! You will have plenty to do in writing, reading, math, and science! Kids will have a blast learning about winter sports, traditions, and symbols! The Winter Sports Interactive Notebook is included in this bundle! Check it out!

Back to School After Winter Break STEM Activities Winter Challenge | Ice Skating

This is a fun winter STEM activity to engage your students in using academic skills to solve real-world problems! This will enhance learning about winter sports during the Winter Olympics. Try this ice skating-themed activity where students will learn about ice skating, skates, magnets, number patterns, force, and motion while designing a magnetic ice skater that follows number patterns around a rink.

Winter Writing Activities and Crafts

Are you looking for some engaging winter writing center activities and crafts? I have you covered with these printables!

Winter Literacy Center activities are included in this download:

Adjectives printable
Discovering /ow/ sounds
My Snowman Came to Life Writing
Draw Yourself in a Snow Globe and Write about What to do if You Were Trapped
How to Start a Snowball Fight using Pictures and Transition Words Graphic Organizer
How to Start a Snowball Fight with a focus on the CLOSING
How to Start a Snowball Fight Finished
How to Build a Snowman Graphic Organizer
How to Build a Snowman Graphic Organizer
How to Build a Snowman with Transition Words
Intermediate Lined (How to Build a Snowman)
Primary Lined (How to Build a Snowman)
Build a Snowman PARTS (to actually build one on construction paper)
Winter Word Scramble (make words using Winter Snowman)
Draw a Snowman Steps (Pages 17 and 18)
Winter Sports Mini Book (Page 19)
Winter Sports Prompts (Pages 20 & 22)
Spin a Snowman Directions (Page 22)
Spinner (Page 23)
Draw and Write (Using the spinner game, Page 24)
Example of expected outcome (Page 25)
Rubric (Page 26)
Certificates (Page 27)
Example of Snow Globe Craftivity (Page 28)

After Winter Break Activity | Hot Chocolate Stand PBL | Project-Based Learning

Looking for a fun PBL to engage your students in using academic skills to solve real-world problems? Try this engaging two-week unit on how to make a successful Hot Cocoa stand. They will learn math skills, teamwork, build a model, design a hot chocolate stand, and end with a group presentation to entice investors to give them funding for their project.

Plus, project-based learning is a great way to incorporate standards!

Winter Penguin Math and Literacy Worksheets | Craft

Looking for some engaging activities and penguin themed printables to go along with your penguin unit? I have you covered with this packet! You’ll find links, printables for math and literacy, center ideas, crafts, home habitat projects and more. Check out the preview!

Looking for more winter activities? Check this out!

10 Inspiring New Year’s Resolution Ideasand Activities for Students

December 23, 2023 teachersbrain Teacher's Pay Teachers, Teaching Tips, Winter

Hey friend! Can you believe it’s that time again – the transition from one year to the next? Have you been thinking about New Year resolution ideas? I know I have! I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can make the upcoming year special for our kiddos. You know, sprinkle in a little magic and set the stage for growth.

So, I thought, why not get our students excited about some New Year’s resolutions? If you’ve been looking for the perfect New Year activities for kids or New Year activities for students, you’re in the right place. Let’s help them stride into the New Year with purpose and a sprinkle of fun.

What is the best New Year’s resolution for kids? Here are some ideas to get you started!

Practice Kindness

Foster a caring and supportive classroom environment by encouraging students to set resolutions focused on kindness. Whether it’s helping a classmate, being a good listener, or performing random acts of kindness, these resolutions contribute to a positive classroom culture.

Healthy Habits

Teach the importance of physical well-being by setting resolutions related to health. This could include goals like eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking more water, or engaging in regular physical activity.

Organize Schoolwork

Help students develop valuable organizational skills by setting resolutions related to their school materials. Whether it’s keeping a tidy desk, organizing their backpack, or turning in assignments on time, these resolutions promote responsibility.

Learn Something New

Encourage a love for continuous learning by having students set resolutions to acquire new skills or knowledge. This could involve learning a musical instrument, mastering a new language, or exploring a particular subject in-depth.

Mindful Moments

Introduce the practice of mindfulness by encouraging students to set resolutions focused on being present and self-aware. Simple activities like deep breathing exercises or short moments of reflection can make a big difference in promoting a positive mindset.

Goal-setting Galore

Teach the importance of setting achievable goals. Have students break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. This not only helps in achieving success but also instills a sense of accomplishment.

Family Bonding

Foster strong family connections by encouraging resolutions centered around spending quality time with loved ones. Whether it’s a weekly family game night, cooking together, or sharing stories, these resolutions strengthen family ties.

Environmental Stewardship

Instill a sense of responsibility for the environment by setting resolutions related to sustainability. This could involve reducing waste, recycling, or participating in a community clean-up project.

Gratitude Journaling

Foster a positive outlook by encouraging students to keep a gratitude journal. Have them write down one thing they are thankful for each day. This simple practice can enhance their overall well-being and perspective on life.

If you’re looking or New Year activities for students that you can easily do with little to no prep, I have you covered!

Check Out This New Year’s Resolution Writing Craft

Are you looking for a New Year’s writing activity to help students understand resolutions and goals? This NO PREP activity is great to use in both boy and girl versions to create goals for the new year and an easy bulletin board!

What is in the download?

a vocabulary poster for the word /RESOLUTION/
3 Boy Options
5 Girl Options
1 Blank head to create your own (add a face and hair)
4 different writing prompt pages (With and without hands on the side, Primary and Intermediate lined)
2 Rough Drafts (Primary and Intermediate lined)

Looking for more New Year fun? Check out my post here!

Category: Winter