Hello everyone!
Two weeks ago we finished learning about contractions, and we were ready to move on to plural and possessive nouns. This can be tricky in Grade 2, especially when they can become confused about the different uses of apostrophes. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to try Laura Candler’s “Plural or Possessive Nouns” pack, and I am so excited to tell you about the great results!
Setting up was easy because it’s already well organized. After printing the [Read More…]
Welcome to another Bright Ideas Link Up!
My favorite teacher ideas are those that solve a big teacher problem, so I’m sharing with you how I organize my online resources with the free website Symbaloo.
When I first began using my computer to project things for my class, I’d bookmark the webpage for future use.
However, soon I [Read More…]
Here are two of the science skills we are working on – they are hands on and super fun!
Oobleck
Just mix a little bit of corn starch and water and you have such a great teaching tool! Both a solid and a liquid, depending on how to hold it. It you squeeze it tightly, it’s solid and chalky. If you let it rest in your hand and warm up, it oozes out as a liquid.
Circle Fliers
These are [Read More…]
Spring is finally here after a week of snow! We’re trying to brighten the room a bit by hanging these cute rainbow clouds from strings.
So simple that not much explanation is needed! The kids cut out their names, and then added one word about themselves on each rainbow color.
We tried a cool art technique using these St. Patrick’s Day stained glass coloring sheets.
Color them with markers and then take a drop of any cooking oil and rub over top of [Read More…]
I also have a great TEACHER TIP to share with you!
Here’s what happened:
We made some paintings at the end of the day, and they needed to dry over night. The problem was that the custodian had to wipe down the desks, and the thick wet paint would run if I hung them to dry.
Our solution?
We used stacked chairs as drying racks! We slipped one wet painting into each space between the stacked chairs and they were dry by the morning [Read More…]
Introducing a Clickable Resource Catalog for TPT
That moment when you find the right piece of clip art for your project…
…and when you can’t find it after searching for hours.
So often I hear teachers saying that it’s difficult (or impossible!) to search for the clip art they need for a project. This can be so frustrating, and is part of the reason I began creating my own clip art. Thankfully, the custom categories at TPT helped a lot with this problem.
It is [Read More…]
What are your no-fail Valentines Day project to do each year?
Here are some of the Valentines Day and Friendship themed ideas we have collected in class (and a freebie). The images below were some of the big winners in our classroom vote for what we should do for Valentines celebrations.
Tissue Hearts
How clever is this? Make a heart stamp out of a TP roll! Note the tape on top to hold its shape.
More super cute heart animals!
Free Valentine’s Day and Friendship Printables!
Do [Read More…]
I’m always looking for fun and easy crafts at Christmas.
This is one of my all time favorites.
There’s no mess – but have lots of supplies because students will want to make several of these.
Click to download this FREE quick tutorial to add to your Christmas Art file:
3D Christmas Tree
Free Multicultural Christmas [Read More…]
During the winter, students can become anxious, sad, and agitated. This is because they do not get to spend much time running around outside due to the snow. Additionally, there is limited sunlight, so much of the day includes a dark, gloomy sky. Since teachers work so hard to support students through the cold, snowy winter, they often create seasonal lessons. For instance, classrooms often transform into winter wonderlands! While the days may be cold, January Crafts & Writing Prompts [Read More…]
You know how some students (especially in the first weeks of school) just sigh when you give them writing or math jobs because what they really want to do is play with blocks or Lego all day?
Here’s how I got those students excited to do some writing and math (while still letting them build and use their imaginations.)
Just add a writing or counting task after they build! Create a recording page similar to those pictured below (or you can see [Read More…]
