Whimsy Workshop Teaching

Teacher Clip Art, Literary Resources, Classroom Ideas

New Year’s Resolutions Writing

by Leave a Comment

Have you ever noticed that, after New Year’s celebrations, when students come back to school after winter break, they act like they’ve never been in a classroom before? Sometimes it seems like they’ve forgotten everything you’ve taught them in the past months!

Of course they haven’t forgotten…but it’s a good time for a refresher! Take some time to remind and re-establish routines and expectations with your students. Review your class rules and even some of the academic goals you reached [Read More…]

Christmas Kindness

by 3 Comments

Teaching about kindness and acceptance is always time well spent, especially at Christmas. Here’s a fun and FREE activity to share with your class!

Santa’s long beard is filled with acts of kindness for children to complete. The tasks are simple, such as “Smile at as many people as you can today” or “Give a compliment”.

Students trim each task off of Santa’s beard as the task is completed! This makes for wonderful discussions as students share their experience and feelings after [Read More…]

Math Doodles: First Grade Math Skills + Fun!

by Leave a Comment

Here’s an easy way to make math time more fun!
Integrate math, art and writing to practice ANY math skill through the whole year!

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Here’s how it works:

Choose a math skill to practice. (ie: Addition Doubles)
Use the built-in spinner to choose a number to double. (ie: Spin a 2)
Write the equation in one of the spaces provided. Find the answer. (ie: 2+2=4)
Use the answer (4) to choose which doodle design to use on the Doodle Chart.
Use that design to [Read More…]

Christmas Kindness Around The World

by Leave a Comment

I strive to make my classroom a place where students feel safe, appreciated and respected just as they are.
My classroom banner says simply: “Be Kind. Work Hard.”

These ideas are reinforced all year long, but there are some special ways that we spread kindness in December for Christmas.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Each year we take the month of December to really focus on Random Acts of Kindness and caring for each other. If possible, I enjoy getting families involved. A few years ago [Read More…]

Simple Art Projects: Free Downloads

by Leave a Comment

Looking for some super simple art projects?

These quick and easy art projects are a great way for students to be creative without a lot of prep.
TEACHER PREP DIRECTIONS:
These require very little prep! Most are on one page, so just make a copy for each student. You can use white paper and let students color, or copy on to colored paper. Thicker paper works best!
STUDENT DIRECTIONS:
Students just color, cut out the pieces and assemble. Sometimes I demonstrate how to assemble them, [Read More…]

First Grade Writing: Free Downloads

by Leave a Comment

Looking for something super simple for your first grade writing centers?  Download these FREE seasonal writing templates for your writing center!

These fun writing topper templates are a great way to offer differentiation and interest in your writing centers!
I created a set to use through the school year for seasonal topics.
They are free to download and try with your students!

TEACHER PREP DIRECTIONS:
These centers require very little prep! Just copy the topper and writing template you’ve chosen for each student. Students will need [Read More…]

Thanksgiving Art and Writing

by Leave a Comment

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your classroom?
Do you celebrate “Friendsgiving” too?

WHAT EXACTLY IS “FRIENDSGIVING”?
Have you heard of “Friendsgiving”?
I was hearing this phrase everywhere and wondered what it was all about. Was I missing some new trend? NOPE. Turns out, it’s just like Thanksgiving, only you’re with your friends!
This is perfect for a group of friends who can’t afford to fly home to see relatives. But it’s also perfect for celebrating in the classroom. We’re all friends, and we’re all thankful!
I used [Read More…]

Logo Square

Click to receive a FREE never-ending sight word game board!