Search Results for: 100th day

Have you heard of a book tasting?

As teachers to elementary students, we know the importance of instilling a love of reading in our students. Not only does reading help improve their literacy skills, but it also provides them with the opportunity to explore new worlds, learn about different cultures, and develop their imaginations. 

However, with so many books available, it can be challenging for students to know where to start or what to read next. This is where book tastings come in!

What is a book tasting?

Book tastings are a fun and interactive way for students to sample a variety of books and discover new titles that they might not have otherwise considered. By giving students a taste of different genres, authors, and styles, book tastings help them find books they will enjoy and foster a love of reading. 

These events also provide a great opportunity for students to share their thoughts and opinions with one another, and to hear about books others have enjoyed.

What does a book tasting look like? 

When setting up a book tasting for  elementary students, it’s fun to set it up like a restaurant and the books are on the menu for students to review. 

To make this activity easy and stress free for you, I created the perfect resource! It combines the fun of both a tasting AND an escape room!

Use these step-by-step instructions to guarantee student engagement while they learn about how to work as a team to help a store owner, discover new book genres and escape the classroom!

With a 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! You can use any books you want with this activity. 

What’s inside this download?

Cover

Table of Contents

Directions (with video link)

Materials Needed to Set Up

Checklist for Set-Up

Help the Restaurant Open (Motivational Paragraph)

Book Tasting – Read after pg.6 and the video)

Menu for 4 Book Reviews

Place Setting 

Signs and Vocabulary Posters (Students will learn about fiction, non-fiction, biographies, poetry, and federal funds.)

Paper Keys (You can use real locks if you prefer.)

Help Cards

Homework Passes (optional prize)

Bookmarkers (optional prize)

Letter from Store Owner (Place in the Box)

Certificates for Completion (optional)

Pictures of Set Up

Photo Booth Signs (OPTIONAL)

Banner Pennants

Credits

This engaging activity takes about 30 minutes to prep and 45 minutes to complete the activity. 

They don’t read all the books… just a “taste.”

There is a PDF file with step-by-step instructions, a link to incorporate a YouTube Video to hook your students into accepting a mission to help a store owner have his Grand Opening. It can only be solved by working through some “tastings” and using teamwork. Opening the box, (no locks needed) leads them to escape the classroom to enjoy recess or a library break outside of the classroom. Ideas are included.

Have you done a book tasting before? How did it go? Let me know in the comments! 
For more reading activities, check out my post here!

Preparing for the unexpected as a teacher can be overwhelming. We’ve all been in that position where something unexpected comes up and you can’t make it to the classroom but you don’t have any sub plans ready to go, or you’re worried you don’t have enough emergency sub plans to last the time you need to be gone. 

If you are looking for emergency sub plan ideas, you’re in the right place. I put together some emergency sub plan templates to make it easy and stress-free when something comes up. 

What should an emergency sub plan include? 

There are some items you’ll want to make sure that your sub can easily access. 

• Names and essential information about your students
• Your class schedule
• An explanation of your behavior management system 
• Safety plans 
• Lesson plans
• Worksheets/activities
• Busy work 
• Books/movies 

To make this easy, I make a “Sub Tub” full of everything the sub might need to get through the day. Having it all in one place makes it simple for the sub to find and will give you peace of mind that everything is taken care of. 

How long should sub plans be? 

This is a tricky question because you never really know if you’ll need to be gone for multiple days! I have found the right amount of time to plan for to be 10 days. This way, you are covered for two entire weeks. 

Want to skip the headaches and get some emergency lesson plans for elementary school that are prepped and ready to go? I have you covered for kindergarten through second grade! 

Kindergarten Sub Plans

What’s in the PowerPoint download?

Pg. 1 Cover

Pg. 2 Table of Contents

Pg. 3 – 7 Directions and Visuals of the folder set up

Pg. 8-9 Binder and Tub Labels

Pg. 10 Editable Slide to add your Daily Schedule

Pg. 11-12 Editable Slide to edit the Pre-made Plans

Pg. 13-14 Pre-made Daily Plan (Print and Go, generic enough to use for up to 10 days of absences.)

Pg. 15 Brain Break options

Pg. 16-25 Ten different types of story maps/graphic organizers to be used with any reading book.

Pg. 26-35 Ten different handwriting practice pages.

Pg. 36-45 Ten different math pages focusing on number skills.

Pg. 46-55 Ten different science activities for observing with a hand lens.

Pg. 56-65 Ten different social studies activities focused on map skills and community.

First Grade Sub Plans

What’s in the PowerPoint download?

Pg. 1 Cover

Pg. 2 Table of Contents

Pg. 3 – 7 Directions and Visuals of the folder set up

Pg. 8-9 Binder and Tub Labels

Pg. 10 Editable Slide to add your Daily Schedule, Emergency Plan

Pg. 11-12 Editable Slide to edit the Pre-made Plans

Pg. 13-14 Pre-made Daily Plan (Print and Go, generic enough to use for up to 10 days of absences.)

Pg. 15 Brain Break Options

Pg. 16-25 Ten different types of story maps/graphic organizers to be used with any reading book.

Pg. 26-35 Ten different writing prompt practice pages.

Pg. 36-45 Ten different math pages focusing on number skills to 120 and addition.

Pg. 46-55 Ten different science worksheets focused on animals.

Pg. 56-65 Ten different social studies activities focused on Long Ago and Now

Second Grade Sub Plans

What’s in the PowerPoint download?

Pg. 1 Cover

Pg. 2 Table of Contents

Pg. 3–7 Directions and Visuals of set up

Pg. 8-9 Binder Cover and Tub Labels

Pg. 10 Editable Slide to add your Daily Schedule

Pg. 11-12 Editable Slide to edit the Pre-made Plans

Pg. 13-14 Pre-made Daily Plan (Print and Go, generic enough to use for up to 10 days of absences.)

Pg. 15 Brain Break Options

Pg. 16-25 Ten different types of story maps/graphic organizers to be used with any reading book.

Pg. 26-35 Ten different writing prompt pages, including friendly letters, narratives, and opinion writing.

Pg. 36-45 Ten different math pages focusing on addition, subtraction, ten more, ten less, one more, and one less.

Pg. 46-55 Ten different science activities focusing on properties of matter.

Pg. 56-65 Ten different social studies activities focused on citizenship and responsibilities.

Help Me Please! Sub Hub Tub

Have a Sub Hub Tub at your fingertips for the next time you are out of school to help you have peace of mind. Use the ink-friendly printables to edit with your personal information or the editable Google Slides link provided for the digital version.

What’s in the download?

* There are NO WRITTEN PLANS. These are editable templates for you to personalize. The binder templates make planning easy for any time you need to be absent.

• Instructions
• Binder Covers (2 Blacklined Editable) (2 with a Pop of Color)
• 4 Sub Tub Labels (4 more in with color)
• 5 pages to create a Sub On-the-Go Quick Reference Guide for Field Trips 
• 1 Editable Blank Page 
• Editable Binder Forms (Welcome Letter, School Information, Lesson Plans, Contact Information, Class Rules, Arrival, Class Roster (with editable chart), Seating Arrangements, Technology, Binder Spines, Centers, Volunteers, Math, Teacher, Emergency Drills, Nurs Infomation, Need A Break Page, Tips and Tricks, From the Sub Note, Blank Form)
• All the forms are blacklines, then with a pop of color included in editable PowerPoint, and a link is provided for digital Google Slides with the same slides as the PowerPoint. Great to add digital videos or links for when you can’t be there in person.

Place all in one tub for a Sub to find easily. Add books, printables, videos, and snacks for the sub to the tub! 

For more worksheets that you can include in your sub plans, check out these worksheets here. 

What do you include in your sub plans? Let me know in the comments!

New Year’s is upon us! This is such a fun time of year. There’s so much joy, excitement, and possibility in the air about the coming year. If you are looking for some fun New Year’s activities for kids, you’re in the right place! 

As the new school year starts, I always loved to start the semester off with some New Year’s activities for students. This not only helps them get back in the swing of things after a long and exciting break from school, but it also helps them set goals and get excited about another fantastic year full of learning and fun with their classmates and friends. 

What are some New Years’ activities? 

New Year’s Resolution Writing Craftivity

Looking for an engaging writing craftivity to do with your class about New Year’s Resolutions? I have just what you need! Choose from a boy or girl to create an adorable craft to celebrate the new year with adjectives and resolution writing! Add a party horn to the craft for a 3D effect.

New Year’s Glasses Craft 

What better way to celebrate the New Year than with fun GLASSES? Students have a blast coloring and wearing their glasses! These are GREAT to help celebrate sporting events and graduation too! There are 4 types to choose from. (Years included: 2022 – 2050)

Directions: Copy on cardstock, color, and cut the glasses out. Cut out the arms and attach the arm sides to the back of the frame using tape to keep them in place. Place the arms as close as possible to the cutout eye holes for the best fit. It is helpful to have volunteers for the little ones if you are doing this with a whole group. I have used these to teach place value too. Easy and fun! 

New Year’s Hats

Try these Print and Go pages to make a New Year’s hat or tiara headband with your students and celebrate the NEW YEAR together. 5 hat choices and bonus writing prompts are included!

New Year’s Bulletin Board Pennants

Are you looking for an engaging way to have your students set some goals for the new year? Check out this resource! It’s the perfect PRINT AND GO writing activity with a bulletin board title to make displaying your student’s work a snap!

New Year’s Activities and Worksheets

Are you looking for printables to help teach about New Year’s traditions, resolutions, and vocabulary? I have you covered with these engaging activities and worksheets! UPDATED each year. 

So there you have it! Tons of fabulous New Year’s ideas for kicking the year off with your students. These resources are great New Year’s Eve activities for kids too! 

Want some more activities that can be done for New Year’s or winter? Check out these free winter activities!