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Learning About Pumpkins

We kicked off our pumpkin learning by exploring the parts of a pumpkin and learning about the pumpkin life cycle. I used anchor charts to introduce these concepts, build vocabulary, and give students a visual reference to revisit throughout the week.

These visuals were a great way to introduce new information and encourage conversations as we learned together.

Pumpkin Books & Songs

We incorporated pumpkin-themed read-alouds and fun songs throughout our week. Books helped us build background knowledge and introduce new vocabulary, while songs gave students another fun way to review what we were learning.

Some of our favorite books included:

You can find these and more in my Amazon Store Front – Pumpkin Week Essentials.

Hands-On Pumpkin Investigations

One of my favorite parts of Pumpkin Week in kindergarten was giving students the opportunity to investigate real pumpkins!

We measured the height and circumference of our pumpkins, made observations, and compared our findings. We also tested our pumpkins in water and learned that they can float. It was a wonderful way to incorporate measurement and scientific thinking into our fall theme.

We also opened up a pumpkin so students could explore the inside. They got to feel the stringy pulp, examine the seeds, and help count them. It was such a fun sensory experience, and the students were fascinated by everything they discovered!

I also used a hands-on pumpkin investigation resource by Glitter and Glue & PreK Too that I really enjoyed. It paired perfectly with our real-pumpkin exploration.

More Pumpkin Activities for Kindergarten

Throughout the week, we used pumpkin-themed activities to reinforce what we were learning. I love finding ways to connect seasonal fun with meaningful learning opportunities in the kindergarten classroom.

If you’re planning your own Pumpkin Week, I’ve gathered my pumpkin resources in one place so you can choose the activities that work best for your students.

Explore My Pumpkin Week Bundle on Teachers Pay Teachers

Pumpkin Week was full of learning, exploring, and a little pumpkin mess! It was such a fun way to bring our learning to life and make the most of the fall season.

I hope these ideas for Pumpkin Week in kindergarten inspire you to bring some fun, hands-on pumpkin learning into your own classroom! Do you have any favorite pumpkin activities or traditions you love doing with your students? Share them in the comments below!

Check out our Teachers Pay Teachers store for more activities to add to your pumpkin week in kindergarten.

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Our students are learning how to make friends, solve problems, follow classroom routines, communicate what they need, and manage emotions that can sometimes feel much bigger than they are.

This year, I wanted to be more intentional about teaching my kindergarten students what they can do when they’re feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, nervous, excited, or simply need a moment to reset.

So I created a Regulation Station for our classroom.

But this isn’t a space I’m planning to simply send students to when they’re upset.

Instead, I want it to be something we learn about, practice, and use throughout the school year as we build our self-regulation skills.

The goal is simple:

Notice → Choose → Regulate → Return

Here’s how I’m setting it up.

What Is a Kindergarten Regulation Station?

A regulation station is a designated space where students can access tools and strategies that help them practice self-regulation.

For my kindergarten classroom, I wanted the station to be simple, visual, and easy for young students to understand.

Most importantly, I don’t want it to feel like a punishment or a place where students are sent away from the classroom community.

Instead, I want students to learn that having emotions is normal and that there are strategies they can practice when they need help getting their bodies ready to learn.

Why I Created a Regulation Station in My Kindergarten Classroom

I believe self-regulation is something we need to teach, not simply expect.

A five-year-old doesn’t automatically know what to do when they’re frustrated because someone took their toy, nervous about trying something new, or overwhelmed by everything happening around them.

Those are skills they are still developing.

So before I introduce the Regulation Station to my students, we’re going to spend time learning about emotions and practicing different strategies together.

We’ll talk about what different emotions look and feel like, how we can recognize those feelings, and what we can do when we need to help our bodies calm down.

That way, when students eventually need to use the station, the tools and strategies won’t be completely unfamiliar.

They’ll already have practiced them.

The 4 Steps of Our Kindergarten Regulation Station

I wanted the process to be simple enough for kindergarten students to remember, so our station follows four steps:

NOTICE → CHOOSE → REGULATE → RETURN

1. NOTICE

The first step is to notice how you’re feeling.

Before students can choose a strategy, they need to begin developing the ability to recognize and communicate their emotions.

We’ll use different tools to help students explore and identify their feelings.

For example, students can use our feelings puppets, sensory bottles, or a hand mirror to help them identify what they’re experiencing.

These aren’t meant to tell a student exactly how they’re feeling. Instead, they give students different ways to explore and communicate their emotions.

Tools for identifying emotions

Some of the materials I’m using for this part of our station include:

• Feelings Family Hand Puppets
• Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles
• Hand Mirrors
• Emotion Blocks
• Emotions Modeling Mats

I’m also using social-emotional books during our whole-group instruction so we’re not only talking about feelings when a student is having a difficult moment.

2. CHOOSE

Once students have identified how they’re feeling, the next step is to choose a strategy.

This is one part of the station that I’m particularly excited about because different strategies work for different students.

One student might benefit from practicing slow breathing.

Another might prefer something tactile.

Rather than assuming that one strategy will work for every child, I want my students to have opportunities to try different strategies and begin figuring out what helps them.

Our calming tools include things like:

• Calming Breathing Boards
• Jumbo Calming Tool Cards
• Sensory tools
• Sensory bottles

The tools give students something concrete to practice rather than simply being told to “calm down.”

3. REGULATE

After choosing a strategy, students will spend a few minutes practicing it.

I’m using a timer to give this part of the process a clear beginning and end.

For kindergarten students, having a visual or concrete understanding of how long they will be using the station can make the process much easier to understand.

The goal isn’t to spend a long period of time away from the classroom.

It’s to take a short amount of time to practice a strategy and work toward becoming regulated and ready to rejoin the group.

4. RETURN

The last step is returning to learning.

This is an important part of my plan because I don’t want the Regulation Station to become a place where students stay indefinitely.

After practicing their strategy, students will check in with themselves again.

They can choose an emotion stone that represents how they’re feeling and either hand it to me or leave it on my desk.

This gives me another opportunity to understand how they’re feeling and determine whether I need to check in with them.

• Jumbo Calming Tools Cards
• Feelings Family Hand Puppets
• Emotions Blocks
• Calming Breathing Boards
• Calming Corner Poster Pack
• Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles
• Calm-Down Time Board Book
• Jumbo Sand Timer
• Sensory Stress Balls
• Know Your Emotions Books
• Hand Mirrors

Then the goal is to return to the classroom and continue learning.

The goal isn’t to stay at the station.

The goal is to use a strategy, regulate, and return to learning.

What I’m Putting in My Kindergarten Regulation Station

I partnered with Discount School Supply to create this Regulation Station, and they sent me a variety of materials that I’ll be using throughout this process.

Some of the products I’m using include:

One thing I really like about this collection is that the materials don’t all have to live on the regulation cart.

Some of them will be used during our whole-group lessons and morning meetings, while others will be available for students to use when they need a strategy.

That makes the materials useful beyond just one small area of the classroom.

Shop the Discount School Supply materials I’m using for our Regulation Station

Some of the products featured in this post were gifted to me by Discount School Supply as part of a creator collaboration. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

How I’ll Introduce the Regulation Station to My Students

I’m not planning to introduce the cart one day and immediately expect my students to know what to do.

We’ll practice first.

During our morning meetings, we’ll talk about different emotions and what they might feel like in our bodies.

We’ll practice recognizing emotions.

We’ll learn different calming strategies.

We’ll practice those strategies together when everyone is calm.

And we’ll talk about when and how the Regulation Station can be used.

I want students to understand that the station isn’t a reward, a punishment, or a way to avoid classroom activities.

It’s a tool they can use when they need to practice a strategy and get themselves ready to learn.

How to Keep a Regulation Station From Becoming a Time-Out Space

For me, the biggest difference between a regulation station and a traditional time-out space is the purpose behind it.

I’m not sending students to the station because they’re “in trouble.”

I’m teaching students that emotions are part of being human and that they can learn strategies for managing those emotions.

That doesn’t mean students get to avoid expectations or classroom responsibilities.

It means we’re giving them an opportunity to practice the skills they need to meet those expectations.

The station is simply one tool within our larger classroom approach to teaching self-regulation, problem-solving, and responsibility.

Teaching Self-Regulation Before Students Need It

One of the biggest things I want to emphasize is that these strategies need to be practiced before students are in the middle of a big emotional moment.

We practice classroom procedures before we expect students to follow them independently.

We practice letter sounds before we expect students to read words.

And we can practice regulation strategies before students actually need to use them.

My hope is that, over time, my students will become more familiar with their own emotions and more confident in choosing strategies that help them regulate.

Eventually, I want the tools to become less important than the skills they’re learning.

A Regulation Station Is Just One Part of the Bigger Picture

I’m excited about our new Regulation Station, but I don’t expect one cart to solve every behavior or emotional challenge that comes up in kindergarten.

It’s simply one part of how I’m teaching my students about emotions and self-regulation.

We’ll continue talking about feelings during morning meetings, reading social-emotional books, practicing strategies together, solving problems as a classroom community, and helping students develop the language they need to communicate what they’re experiencing.

The cart simply gives us a physical, consistent place to practice those skills.

I’m excited to see how my kindergarteners respond to it throughout the school year.

My hope is that they’ll learn to recognize how they’re feeling, choose a strategy that works for them, practice that strategy, and then feel ready to return to learning.

Because ultimately, the goal isn’t to create a perfect calm-down space.

It’s to help children develop skills they can carry with them long after they leave the kindergarten classroom.

Want to See the Regulation Station?

I shared a video showing the setup and walking through how I’m planning to use the station with my kindergarten students.

You can also find me on Instagram for more kindergarten classroom ideas, routines, and hands-on learning activities.

https://www.instagram.com/smellsliketeachspirit?stkn=cHBqYmFlcGo0Mms5&utm_source=qr

And if you’d like to see the materials I’m using for our Regulation Station:

SHOP THE DISCOUNT SCHOOL SUPPLY MATERIALS

Disclosure: I received products from Discount School Supply as part of a gifted creator collaboration. This post also contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through my links.

The post How to Create a Kindergarten Regulation Station for Self-Regulation first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

Usually when we go thrifting I don’t normally look in the book section. Between school and home, we own a lot of books! But now that our daughter is getting older, she is showing interest in counting and identifying letters and numbers. We want to be more intentional about what we buy for her. We were visiting Savers which depending on where you live may be called Value Village. During this visit we found The Cheerios Play Book written by Lee Wade. They also have an animal version we also bought. This book is great if you want to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence.

This article, along with many other articles on Smells Like Teach Spirit, contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through the links I earn a small commission.  Clicking these links does not cost you anything extra but it does help with the cost of running this website and it helps keep great articles and freebies coming your way. Thank you!

The Cheerios Play Book is an interactive board book for toddlers. On each page you’ll find bright colorful pictures with fun rhymes. Each page has a place to put cheerios…..Our daughter enjoyed having Cheerios as a snack and counting them while she placed each one in their spot. This was a great opportunity for her to practice counting with one-to-one correspondence which becomes an important between the ages of three and five.

What is One-to-One Correspondence?

One-to-one correspondence is the act of counting a group of objects while assigning each one a number. This is not to be confused with rote counting, where you recite numbers from memory. One-to-one correspondence is a math skill that children learn in their early years. It can take anywhere from a few months to a year to fully grasp this skill. Children usually start in preschool to learn one-to-one correspondence. But if your child is showing interst in counting at an early age, its okay to practice with them.

Why is One-to-One Correspondence Important?

When a child successfully develops the skill one-to-one correspondence this gives them access to many more math skills such as addition and subtraction and eventually multiplication and division. One-to-one correspondence is the foundations to most other math skills.

How to Practice One-to-One Correspondence

1. Containers

Using containers is a great way to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence. Some containers that would be perfect to use include, muffin pans, egg cartons or ice trays. I bet you already have some of these at home! Items like these force you to assign one numeral per object when you are counting.

2. Objects to Count

There are so many objects that can be used to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence. In the beginning it is better to stick to smaller items that can be picked up with one hand.

Some example of items include:

• Pom Poms
• Buttons
• Beans
• Popcorn Kernels
• Small erasers
• Cotton Balls

Other Tips & Ideas

Sometimes when you sit down to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence deliberately, it’s not that fun. Then they become resistant. If possible try to make it fun, turn it into a game and use everyday items you have in the house. Involve family members, go outside and count rocks or leaves. You can even toys during bath time! Whatever you do make sure your child is interested and having fun, it shouldn’t be forced.

FREEBIE!

I have the perfect activity to help your child practice counting with one-to-one correspondence! This placemat is great to use during snack time to encourage your child to practice counting! You can use it with any snack. Just laminate it and wipe it clean when their done eating. Click on the button to download it now!

I hope these ideas and tips for counting with one-to-one correspondence will help you understand how to help your child become a better counter. Do you have any other ideas for counting with one-to-one correspondence? Write it in the comments below!

Check out our Teachers Pay Teachers store for more activities to help your child learn to count with one-to-one correspondence.

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The post The Best Way To Teach Your Child How To Count With One-to-One Correspondence With 3 Easy Tips first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

Since Open House is often parents’ very first glimpse of you and your classroom, you’re probably putting a lot of care into how you present yourself. That’s why I created a simple and fun activity to help take some of the pressure off and get conversations flowing.

Say hello to the Guess Who? Bulletin Board Activity Kit—a lighthearted, interactive way to break the ice and make your Open House experience more memorable. This easy-to-set-up display gets students and families engaged, curious, and smiling from the moment they walk in the door.

Back to School : Open House

This kit includes everything you need to create an engaging Guess Who? bulletin board display—perfect for Open House or any school event that involves families!

Originally designed for kindergarten through third grade, this resource can easily be adapted for older students too. Here’s how it works: each student draws a self-portrait and writes two clues about themselves. Families and classmates then read the clues and try to guess who’s who. Once they’ve made their guess, they can check the answer key to see if they were right!

It’s a simple, meaningful way to add fun and connection to your Open House—and students love seeing their work proudly displayed for their families to enjoy.

If you like this resource then check out our back to school bundle full of resources for the beginning of the school year!

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These four mini-tips come together to form one powerful piece of advice. As you navigate the excitement (and overwhelm) of the back-to-school season, this may be one of the most important back to school teacher tips to carry with you.

Back to School Series: 4 Practical First Week of School Advice for an Awesome Start

Make Connections That Matter

It’s easy to get swept up in routines and checklists, but don’t forget: relationships first, everything else second. Make space in the day to get to know your students—even if it’s just a few minutes at a time. Greet them by name, notice their interests, and let them know you see them.

These connections build trust and respect, and they’re the foundation for every successful school year. A classroom that feels safe and welcoming is one where students can take risks, ask for help, and grow.

With staff beyond your grade level team: Yes, your teammates are important—but so are the custodians, the school nurse, the secretary, the paraprofessionals, and even your admin! You’ll need all of them at some point—when the copier breaks, when you need more band-aids, or when you accidentally lock yourself out of your room. Relationships are everything.

With students: Let them get to know you! Talk about your favorite children’s book, your family pet, or the best place you’ve traveled. When students feel connected to you, they are more likely to feel safe, seen, and ready to learn.

With families: Start off on the right foot with parents and caretakers. A positive connection early on can make communication smoother throughout the year. Get connected with as many as you can during the first week of school.

Be Patient and Stay Consistent

In those early weeks of school, everything takes longer. Transitions, directions, routines—they all require modeling and practice again and again. That’s okay. Give your students time to learn, and give yourself grace when things don’t go perfectly.

Consistency doesn’t mean perfection—it means predictability. When students know what to expect from you and from their day, they feel safe and confident. Try to use the same language, responses, and routines each day. The more consistent you are, the less time you’ll spend redirecting or re-explaining.

Not every day will be perfect, but a consistent tone and structure helps students regulate and feel secure—even when the unexpected happens.

This is one of those back to school teacher tips that’s easy to forget in the moment: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Teaching procedures with patience and consistency now means fewer disruptions later.

Take Care of Yourself

We can’t talk about back to school teacher tips without talking about YOU. This season can be exhausting—mentally, physically, and emotionally. So here’s your permission: drink water, eat lunch, get some sleep, and set boundaries around work time. You matter too.

Set boundaries early. Try to leave no later than 30 minutes after your contract time. Go home. Eat a good meal. Rest. Call a friend. Watch your favorite show. Do something that brings you joy. You are a better teacher when you’re taking care of yourself.

Don’t Forget to Laugh

Laughter is not just good for the soul—it’s also a proven stress reliever and immune booster. Things will go wrong during that first week. You’ll forget a student’s name. You’ll spill your coffee. You’ll accidentally skip an activity. Laugh it off.

Show your students that mistakes are okay and that even adults don’t get everything right. Modeling this kind of grace makes your classroom a safe, warm, and welcoming place.

Final Thought

Back to school is a whirlwind, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Come back to these reminders when the days feel long: connect, be patient, stay consistent, and take care of you. Those small, intentional steps make all the difference.

Teaching is a marathon, not a sprint. Build relationships, give yourself (and others) grace, and keep showing up. You’re doing better than you think—and your students are lucky to have you.

Have a favorite tip that gets you through the first week of school? I’d love to hear it—drop it in the comments!

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Centers (also called stations) are a great way to give your students the opportunity to practice skills, build independence, and work cooperatively with others. They can quickly become your favorite part of the day—but only if you introduce them intentionally and patiently.

Back to School Series: The Best Way to Start Centers in Kindergarten and First Grade

Take It Slow

One of the biggest mistakes new teachers make is trying to launch all centers at once. It may feel like you’re “behind” if you wait, but trust me—it’s better to go slow now than to spend the rest of the year putting out fires later.

Start with just one center, like your classroom library or a word work activity. Spend a few days—or even a week—only teaching expectations for that one center. Model what students should do, what they should not do, and where everything goes when they’re done

Practice Transitions Early and Often

Getting to the center and cleaning up is just as important as what happens during it. Show students how to calmly walk to a center, how to carry materials, what to do if they finish early, and how to rotate to the next station. Then practice, practice, practice!

You don’t need to introduce a full center rotation system in the first week—or even the first month. Once students master one center, keep that group working in it while you introduce the next one to a new group. That way, you’re reinforcing routines while expanding your centers.

Set Boundaries for Small Group Time

Your time with a small group is precious—and students need to know when it’s okay to ask for help and when they should wait. Spend time teaching them explicitly how to tell the difference.

Some teachers use a visual signal like a touch light, lamp, or even a lava lamp to show when it’s small group time and they shouldn’t interrupt. Others wear a special hat, crown, or lanyard when they’re with a group. You can even make a sign that says, “I’m with a group—please wait!” and teach students what situations are urgent enough to interrupt you (e.g., someone is hurt or sick) and what can wait.

Practice these scenarios with your class so they feel confident and clear. The fewer interruptions, the more effective your small group time will be.

Prepare for the “What Ifs”

Students will interrupt your small groups with lots of little emergencies unless you prep them ahead of time. Show them what to do if:

• A center is missing materials
• Something is broken
• They’re not sure how to complete the activity
• They need help and you’re working with another group

Make these scenarios part of your practice time. The more you front-load expectations, the more independent your students will become.

Let’s Keep Learning Together

Centers are a classroom favorite when introduced the right way. Do you have a favorite tip for launching centers smoothly? Share it in the comments below—I’d love to hear what works for you!

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Let’s talk about the budget classroom setup. I’m not going to lie—I’m one of those teachers who loves walking into a space that feels bright, inviting, and Pinterest-worthy. But here’s the secret…

I rarely spend more than a few dollars putting my classroom together each year.

You don’t have to break the bank to create a space you love! With a few creative strategies and some teacher hustle, you can set up a beautiful, organized classroom on a budget—and feel proud walking into it every morning.

Back to School Series: Save Your Hard Earned Money!

Ask Your People

My first step every year is to reach out to friends and family. I’ll post on Facebook with a list of things I’m looking for—think flexible seating, storage bins, or even picture frames for anchor charts. You never know who’s doing a clean-out or is happy to donate gently used items. Don’t be afraid to ask!

Create an Amazon Wishlist

I always make an Amazon Wishlist with classroom supplies, materials, and décor. Once it’s ready, I share it on social media and with my parent community. It’s simple, quick, and you’d be surprised how many people are happy to support your classroom setup—especially if you emphasize your budget-friendly goals.

If you’re not sure how to get started with a wishlist, check out this post on how I use Amazon Wishlists to get classroom supplies.

Post a DonorsChoose Project

Every year, I create at least one classroom project on DonorsChoose. It’s a nonprofit platform that helps teachers across the U.S. get the supplies and experiences they need.

You can request things like flexible seating, art supplies, field trips, or even PD opportunities. Bonus: companies and donors frequently match contributions or fully fund projects during special campaigns—so it’s always worth having a project live on the site, especially when you’re working with a limited classroom budget.

Thrift Stores are Goldmines

I love thrifting for classroom finds. Whether it’s storage containers, bookshelves, clipboards, or even educational games, I almost always walk away with something useful. It’s also a fun and affordable way to inject your classroom with personality. Click here to see some of my favorite Goodwill finds!

Look for Local Nonprofit Resource Centers

Many areas have non profit organizations that recycle and redistribute classroom supplies. We have one in our area called Scarce, and it’s a treasure trove for teachers! I’ve found manipulatives, storage bins, pocket charts—even musical instruments.

A small donation is usually requested, but the value of what you leave with is so worth it. Bonus: many of these centers also support homeschool families and nonprofits. Definitely a go-to spot for budget classroom setup ideas.

Our Point

You don’t need to spend a fortune to create a space where learning thrives. With a little creativity and community support, you can fill your classroom with everything you need—without the financial stress.

Let’s Hear From You!

What’s your best classroom budget hack? Share it in the comments below!

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Back to School Series: Call and Response

Feeling Like You’re Losing Control?

There’s nothing more overwhelming than standing in front of a room full of wiggly, chatty students — and not knowing how to help them settle down.

Back in my first year of teaching, I had two big questions:

1. What’s the best way to get my class’s attention quickly?
2. How do I keep the classroom calm without raising my voice?

After a lot of trial and error — watching YouTube videos, observing other teachers, and experimenting in my own room — I found my answer: Call and Response.

Why We Love Call and Response

“Call and Response” attention-getters have always worked beautifully in my classroom. They’re fast, fun, and effective — and they save your voice.

I always teach 2–3 call and response phrases during the first week of school so my students know exactly what to do when I need their attention.

It’s as simple as:

• Teacher: “Class, class!”
• Students: “Yes, yes!”

No yelling. No clapping over chatter. Just a quick, respectful cue — and it works like magic.

See It In Action!

Want to see how I use call and response in real life? Watch this quick reel of me using my favorite attention-getters with my class—it’s simple, effective, and fun!

Watch the video below:

Use Call and Response to Reinforce Expectations

One of our favorite tools for maintaining structure? Call and response routines.

Not only do they capture attention quickly, but they build classroom culture and give students a role in the routine.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Teacher: “Hands on top” → Students: “Everybody stop!”
• Teacher: “Peanut Butter” → Students: “Jelly Time!”
• Teacher: “1, 2, 3, Eyes on me” → Students: “1, 2, 3 Eyes on you!”

Want something more personalized? Max uses rhythmic clapping patterns that students echo back. It’s simple, non-verbal, and super effective.

Max’s Music Twist

Max is a middle school music teacher, so he brings rhythm into everything. He loves using rhythmic clapping patterns with his students, and I’ve adapted that into my own classroom. The kids love echo clapping — and it gives us a little spark of fun during transitions!

Add This Tool to Your Teacher Toolkit

Whether it’s your first year or your fifteenth, call and response is one of those simple tools that can totally change the tone of your classroom.

Grab my Go-To List of Call and Response Attention Getters to quickly grab your students’ attention and set a calm, focused tone from Day 1!

Let’s Hear From You!

What’s Your Favorite Call and Response? We hope you found this post helpful! Comment below with your favorite call and response phrase — or one you’re excited to try this year!

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Specifically, Veterans Day is to honor all those who are living who served in the military. Teaching about this topic opens the door for many great conversations with your students.

There are a few points you need to establish with your students when teaching them about Veterans Day.

1. Veterans Day is different than Memorial Day.
2. Veterans Day is on November 11th, the same day every year.

Here are 6 easy ways to teach your students about Veterans Day in the classroom:

6 Ways to Celebrate Veterans Day in the Classroom

1. Read children’s books about Veterans Day

Children love a good read-aloud. Selecting books that capture the meaning of Veterans Day will help them understand the reason we celebrate it. Click on the link below to find a selection of books about Veterans Day.

Books about Veterans Day

2. Make Patriotic Crafts

Crafts are always fun for kids, and it’s even better when you can tie in some kind of meaning or lesson with the craft. Check out the craft below from our Veterans Day resource on Teachers Pay Teachers.

3. Sing Patriotic Songs

There’s just something about singing that makes the heart happy. Singing is a great way to learn and memorize new information. There are plenty of of songs to choose from. Click the link below to find one.

10 Patriotic Songs for Children

Patriotic USA Songs for Kids

4. Attend a Parade

Celebrate Veterans Day with a parade! You can attend one or watch one on television or the internet. If you’re not sure if your town has a parade visit vetfiends.com to find out.

5. Thank a Veteran

Encourage your students to write a thank you note to a veteran, or to say “thank you” when they see military personnel in uniform. Discuss why they would want to thank a veteran and give examples. Check out the writing templates below from our Veterans Day resource on Teachers Pay Teachers.

6. Ask Students if They Know A Veteran

Ask your students if they know any veterans, maybe a family member or someone in their neighborhood. If possible, reach out to the veteran and ask them to do a classroom visit. They can tell stories, show their medals, or even bring their uniform to share with the students.

I hope you enjoy these simple ideas. If you have any additional ideas for celebrating Veterans Day with children please put them in the comment box below.

Click here to for our Veterans Day resource.

Are you looking for more ideas? Click below to follow our fine motor Pinterest board for more ideas!

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The post Teaching About Veterans Day in the Classroom first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

Between Max and I, we’ve experienced our fair share of first days—and if we’ve learned anything, it’s this: You cannot expect your students to “just know” what to do.

After a long summer (or for some, their first classroom ever), kids need clear, repeated, slow instruction in every single part of the school day. And it’s our job to teach them everything—even the parts that feel obvious.

Back to School Series: Routines

Why Assume They Know Nothing?

It’s not about being condescending. It’s about being proactive.

Your students may have never:

• Walked in a line before
• Used a pencil sharpener
• Transitioned to a rug without chaos
• Asked for help in a group setting

And even if they’ve done it before? It wasn’t with you.

So start fresh. Teach it all. Go slow. Model it clearly. Then… do it again.

How to Teach Routines that Stick

There are 3 key words we swear by when teaching routines:

EXPLICIT

Explain exactly what you expect. Break it into steps. Narrate your thought process as you model it.

“Watch how I push in my chair and walk over to the carpet. My hands are by my sides, my voice is off, and I’m not touching anything on the way.”

SLOWLY

If it takes all morning to teach one routine, so be it. You’re setting the tone for the rest of the year—not just checking off a list.

The slower you go now, the smoother things go later.

REPEAT

Repetition builds independence. Revisit key routines daily until students don’t even have to think about what to do next.

Use Call and Response to Reinforce Expectations

One of our favorite tools for maintaining structure? Call and response routines.

Not only do they capture attention quickly, but they build classroom culture and give students a role in the routine.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Teacher: “Hands on top” → Students: “Everybody stop!”
• Teacher: “Peanut Butter” → Students: “Jelly Time!”
• Teacher: “1, 2, 3, Eyes on me” → Students: “1, 2, 3 Eyes on you!”

Want something more personalized? Max uses rhythmic clapping patterns that students echo back. It’s simple, non-verbal, and super effective.

You Can’t Overteach Routines

In fact, most behavioral issues in the first month of school can be traced back to one thing: unclear expectations.

When routines are solid, students know what to do—and that frees you up to teach. It’s the difference between constant redirection… and a calm, confident classroom.

Example Routines to Teach the First Week:

• Entering the classroom in the morning
• Lining up (and what to do while waiting)
• How to clean up supplies
• What to do if your pencil breaks
• Raising your hand for help
• How to transition between activities
• Voice levels during different times of day
• What to do when you finish early

Let’s Hear From You!

We hope you found this post helpful! What are your must-teach routines for the first week of school?

Drop them in the comments or tag us on Instagram @smellsliketeachspirit so we can share your genius with the teacher community!

Want to Save Time?

Want to make your first week easier? Grab our Ultimate List of Kindergarten Routines to set routines and expectations with confidence from Day 1.

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The post How to Teach Kindergarten Routines the First Week of School! first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.